Member Spotlight - Michelle Robinson

This month, the St. Louis Area Chapter of MPI is thrilled to recognize Michelle Robinson as our Member Spotlight! Graduating from Bradley University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Michelle quickly made her way to the Meetings & Events industry. She started out as a Travel Director at Maritz Travel Company 22 years ago. Her events industry background includes traveling 100% domestically/internationally while managing business meetings, car shows, pharmaceutical drug launches and incentive travel for Fortune 1000 companies like Edward Jones, GM and Hyundai.  She has also been a corporate travel writer, a Global Sales Coordinator at Starwood Hotels & Resorts and a contractual meeting/event planner for Edward Jones and HP.   
 
Michelle is currently a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and a Senior Meeting Planner at Nestlé Purina PetCare Company. She is responsible for planning virtual, hybrid and face-to-face meetings and events. This role requires expertise in travel management and hospitality while providing internal customers top-notch service. She also works in a “stretch” capacity supporting Internal Communications and Public Relations with projects. In her short 8.5-year stint at Purina, Michelle has received various awards and accolades for her work including Purina’s coveted “Five Talls” award. She also holds a certificate in Inclusive Event Design and a Cvent certification in Event Management. Further, in support of Purina’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, Michelle serves as the Race and Ethnicity Co-Lead. 

Within our chapter, Michelle serves as the Vice President of Media and Communications and Co-Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion committee. She plays a leading role guiding our Chapter’s focus and initiatives in these areas. Her personal philosophy is to always put her best foot forward, never stop growing, bloom where she is planted and remain true to her word.   
 
In addition to her corporate professionalism, Michelle uses her time, talents and treasures in affiliation with the following organizations: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Gamma Omega Chapter; BUBAA (Bradley University Black Alumni Alliance); Big Brother Big Sister and Virtual Children’s Church at Westside Missionary Baptist Church. In addition, Michelle is a graduate of the Fellows Initiative Cohort 14 (a nomination-based initiative hosted by the Regional Chamber for top talent across the St. Louis region). 
 
We are honored to have such a leader in our Chapter and thank Michelle for her priceless contributions to the betterment of our local community and the Meeting & Events industry as a whole. We value and appreciate all that Michelle has achieved thus far, and cannot wait to see what she accomplishes in the future. Congratulations, Michelle! Your success has earned you the brightest spotlight!