Convention Sales Professionals International (CSPI) announces Matt Pizzuti, Interim Executive Director for the Oregon Convention Center, as this year’s recipient of the prestigious Shawn Corwin-Myland Award bestowed by the association. Matt joined CSPI (formerly ACME: The Association for Convention Marketing Executives) in 1998 and volunteered to assist with leadership in 2002. He was the President of ACME for two consecutive years and helped provide stability and solid footing to the organization. Convention Sales Professionals International (CSPI) is dedicated to fostering the spirit of collaborative success between convention sales professionals, destination marketing organizations and convention centers. Its mission, in part, is to deliver education, foster creative change in the industry, develop best practices, and track industry trends.
According to CSPI the award is given annually in memory of Shawn Corwin-Myland a long-standing member and past president of the association who lost her battle with cancer in October of 2006. The award is given to a member in good standing who is considered by the board to be “a leader and contributor, dedicated and committed to the CSPI mission, hardworking and well respected in the industry and an individual who is passionate about the success of CSPI and other CSPI members.” In addition to meeting these qualifications, Matt also served alongside Corwin-Myland on the CSPI Board of Directors.
Matt has been in the hospitality industry since 1981 – the first 16 years in hotels and the last 20 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. He started out as a Front Desk agent and spent time in hotel operations before moving into sales in 1990. Matt joined the Oregon Convention Center in 1997 as the Director of Sales and Marketing, was promoted three years ago to Deputy Director and just recently was appointed the Interim Executive Director.
The Shawn Corwin-Myland award will be presented at CSPI’s 26th Annual Conference and General Meeting scheduled for March 1, 2017 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington DC.
From Convention Sales Professionals International
CSPI is a 501 c (6) not for profit organization dedicated to fostering the spirit of collaborative success between convention sales professionals. CSPI brings together the sales professionals of convention centers, destination marketing organizations and those directly involved in booking group and convention business so they can seamlessly serve their shared clients. CSPI represents over 100 member destinations. CSPI’s Annual Conference brings together highly respected and forward thinking convention and destination sales professionals from around the nation and delivers leading edge education, promotes the development of best practices, and tracks industry trends worldwide. For additional information on conference registration or sponsorship opportunities visit: www.cspionline.org