I am KCMPI and I love what we do.

Name: Patti Gaughan, CMP
Title: Independent Planner
Company: Meeting Management & Consulting
Number of years with KCMPI: 20

Why is KCMPI important to you? Entering my 20th year of membership, this question became very relevant - why WAS I really spending money and time here? I didn’t have to think long.

KCMPI has and continues to afford me tremendous professional and personal opportunities. I built most of my independent planning business through KCMPI contacts. I also rely on KCMPI planner members when I need new ideas or expertise in an area new to me. KCMPI gave me a place to establish and build a reputation and referral base. This is important to me since as a planner, I am my brand.

In addition, volunteering provides managerial and other experience that I would not have achieved otherwise. I learned so much from the generation before me and now I am excited to be learning from a new and different generation. I also rely on KCMPI for education since I am rarely able to attend the PEC and WEC. My membership has contributed to my professional growth in more ways than I probably even know.

Last but not least, through KCMPI have made life-long friends. There are many people within KCMPI that I have known for more than 20 years, and they have helped me navigate some of life’s most difficult and interesting challenges.

I guess the question might not only be why is KCMPI important, but also what is it value to me. The answer would be “Priceless.” – Patti Gaughan, CMP