Carrie Zimmerman
Carrie Zimmerman, CMP, is a seasoned leader in the global meetings and events industry with over two decades of experience spanning hospitality, event strategy, and corporate travel. Currently serving as a Global Strategic Account Manager at American Express Global Business Travel, she manages high-level client relationships and delivers strategic meeting solutions for Fortune 100 companies across the pharmaceutical, financial, and technology sectors. Her expertise includes customer and business strategy, sales, event operations, and cross-functional leadership—all essential to driving value and innovation in corporate events.
Carrie’s career has included leadership roles at prestigious hospitality brands such as Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, Renaissance Hotels, and Sheraton, where she honed her skills in contract negotiation, group sales, and VIP event coordination. As the founder of Zimmerman Events, she also brings entrepreneurial experience in managing large-scale and high-impact programs. A Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Certified Pandemic Compliance Advisor (PCA), she holds an MS in Tourism and Hospitality Management from California State University, Sacramento and an Executive Certificate from Florida Atlantic University.
Beyond her professional achievements, Carrie is deeply involved in industry leadership, currently serving as President-Elect of the South Florida Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI). She is recognized for her thought leadership and commitment to elevating event experiences, and recently received MPI South Florida’s President’s Award for her contributions. With a passion for strategic planning and client success, Carrie continues to shape the future of meetings and events on a global scale.
• Cvent Venue Sourcing Certification
• Virtual Events Certification
• Certified Meeting Professional
• Certified Pandemic Compliance Advisor
• California State University-Sacramento- B.S.
• California State University-Sacramento- M.S.
• Florida Atlantic University - College of Business
• Meeting Professionsals International Sacramento Sierra Nevada Chapter
• CA Society of Association Executives
• Global Business Travel Association
• Meeting Professionsals International Washington State Chapter
• Senior Planner Industry Network
• Meeting Professionals International South Florida Chapter
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to staying grounded and solution-focused, no matter how urgent or high-pressure the situation may be. I've learned that every problem has a solution—it may take time, but staying calm, focused, and composed is key. In events, success often means guests never notice the issues that were solved behind the scenes.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to remember that no matter how urgent or overwhelming a situation feels, there’s always a solution. It’s natural to feel anxious, but staying calm and focused is what gets you through. In event planning, if you’ve done your job well, no one sees the chaos—it just feels seamless.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to volunteer, shadow in different roles, and explore various paths to discover what truly fits you—your journey doesn’t have to be linear. Take care of your mental and physical health, and remember that while this is a large industry, it’s incredibly interconnected—always treat people with respect, because you’ll likely cross paths again.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in our field right now is navigating economic uncertainty and rapid changes in technology, which impact both planning timelines and attendee expectations. At the same time, there's a major opportunity in reimagining events to appeal across generations—from retirees to Gen Z—by offering more personalized, flexible experiences. We’re also seeing hesitation from companies to commit to long-term bookings, but in our industry, setting dates years in advance is often essential, so finding a balance is key.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Leadership and hard work are core values in both my personal and professional life—I’ve grown my career by consistently showing up, starting with the California association and continuing through my transition into the hotel and events industry.