CMP Spotlight: Get to Know Nancy J. Zavada

November 14, 2025

Native Oregonian Nancy J. Zavada, the thoughtful founder of MeetGreen, has built an impressive career on careful planning, hard work and a strong commitment to sustainable events. With a career spanning over three decades, her journey shows how passion, continuous learning and smart choices can create a unique path in the fast-paced world of event management.

Even as a child, Zavada had dreams that, though seemingly different, helped shape her future success. “When I was young, I wanted to be either a scientist or a flight attendant,” she remembers. Looking back, she sees how those dreams surprisingly came together in her job. “There are days I feel as though I accomplished both,” she says, noting how the travel for events and her organized mind, which loved spreadsheets, data and planning, fulfilled both her childhood aspirations.

This natural drive for accuracy and a business-minded spirit pushed her ahead quickly. Zavada understood that the key skills of an event planner—like telling a good story, managing budgets, setting timelines, talking with important people and handling things on-site—were also the foundation of a successful business. This realization led to the start of MeetGreen.

For over 30 years, MeetGreen has been a leader in sustainable event planning and advice, pioneering the way in creating top-notch meetings for corporate clients. “It all started with the belief we can ‘meet better’,” Zavada explains. “And organizations and champions who believed that while we convene, we can also conserve the Earth’s resources.” This belief became her guiding mission, combining her love for the environment with her love for events, creating what she thankfully calls a “wonderful career.”

Becoming a CMP

As Zavada prepared to launch her business, she saw the important need to stand out in a growing industry. She first heard about the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification through Meeting Professionals International (MPI) when she was a chapter president in 1993. At that time, she noticed many planners starting their own businesses without much experience beyond perhaps a wedding or birthday party. The CMP, however, offered a clear sign of being a professional.

“I quickly realized that I needed something to differentiate myself,” she states. The tough certification process both surprised and interested her, and she took on the challenge. The value of CMP was more than just building her own reputation; it helped create a shared way of talking in the industry. “The suppliers that were earning their certifications were my favorite to work with as we spoke the same language,” she notes, making discussions about things like Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), room setups and tear-down instructions much simpler.

Test Prep Tips

Her advice to anyone preparing for the CMP exam is simple but crucial: “Get started now. Set your intention and sign up for a testing date. Start studying right away because the information you learn will serve you along the way, even before you take the test.”

Zavada herself found great value in studying with others. “We formed a study group in our local MPI chapter. We met weekly, covered the information by having group members study a specific area, report on it and then test us.” She even created a complete set of flashcards, demonstrating her dedication, which enabled her to continue studying on the go.

The CMP certification really helped her career, especially in building trust with scientists and academics. “Without this designation, it would have been much harder to establish myself and gain the recognition necessary to work in the scientific and academic communities,” she reflects. It gave her the confidence and know-how to tackle tough projects, like an early assignment involving a five-day scientific symposium with 2,500 attendees and 35 breakout sessions. “I can’t imagine how I would have been prepared or brave enough to take on the challenging project without it,” she says.

Fellow Designation

Zavada’s commitment to excellence didn’t stop with the CMP. Always learning, she constantly educates herself to deal with the constantly changing world of event planning, the economy, political climate, pandemics, and environmental concerns. This takes many forms, from tracking trends and forecasting future needs to using resources from the Events Industry Council (EIC) and working with her strong network of other event professionals.

Becoming a CMP Fellow, which she achieved in 2022 during the program’s inaugural year, was a “logical next step.” After years of gathering valuable information and experience, it was an opportunity to “give back to the community.” The Fellow status further demonstrates her expertise, particularly in teaching and supporting the broader event community. Her work in creating and teaching about sustainable event initiatives has been a key part of her success and MeetGreen’s influence.

The Future

When thinking about the future of the industry, Zavada is constantly inspired by “the lifelong learning that event organizers are known for along with an optimism that convening people is vital to the progress of research, shared vision, and ultimately, the future.” This forward-looking view is behind her most unforgettable professional win: the swift transition of an in-person event to a virtual one just as the pandemic began in March 2020. “Ten days before an in-person event for 350 people, the world went on lockdown,” she recounts. “Our team had to research and learn a new platform, weave together communication methods to make it look seamless, prepare speakers to come in remotely, and provide networking opportunities for the participants—all within 10 days.”

It wasn’t just a tricky logistical challenge; it was also very emotional. “It was voted an incredible success, and a new level of convening was born. There wasn’t a dry eye on the screen as we celebrated the ability of our team and all the participants to come together in such a terrifying time.”

Throughout her impressive career, two main principles have guided Zavada. “I have two,” she shares, “Be Impeccable and Be a Good Human.” These aren’t just words; “both are framed in my office and have been my north star throughout my career.” These values, along with her pioneering spirit and commitment to always getting better, show why Zavada is a real leader in the event industry.