Michelle Gentzen, CCM

Global Project Manager

With more than 20 years experience in the meetings and convention management industry, Michelle joined Conference Direct in December of 2008 as its only Oklahoma-based Associate. For 15 years, Michelle was Director of Meetings and Conventions for the 30,000 member American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and handled complete logistical planning and budgetary management for more than thirty domestic and international meetings each year. She has organized overseas meetings and exhibitions for more than 3,000 people in over more than 15 different countries.

From regional meetings of less than 500 to the national convention with more than 8,000 attendees, Michelle managed hotel/vendor negotiations, catering, audiovisual, room arrangements, VIP’s, transportation, off-site events as well as, tradeshow and exhibit coordination with more than 300 exhibitors utilizing 300,000 gross square feet.

After leaving AAPG in 2005, Michelle has worked for and consulted with numerous multi-billion dollar Fortune 500 companies and other professional Associations providing hotel contract negotiations and meeting/conference planning. Her meetings expertise is only outweighed by her people and communications skills in dealing with and building professional relationships with corporate/association staff, members and vendors.

Michelle is a graduate of Oklahoma State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. She is a member of IAEE, MILO, and the Tulsa Community College School of Hospitality Advisory Board.

“I have worked with Michelle off and on for more than 20 years, first in her capacity as Director of Meetings and Conventions at a 30,000 member Association and more recently, I have hired her as a consultant for our Pacific Coast regional meetings – which saves us much more money in the long run.”

– Don Clark, Association Executive Committee Member, Independent Geologist