For Mark Bice, becoming a planner was never a straight line. It was a long walk through kitchens, ballrooms, back hallways and boardrooms—each stop adding another layer of perspective that now defines his leadership style.
Bice, director of meetings and education for the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association (OVDRA), didn’t set out to become a meetings professional. Growing up in Geneva, New York, he once imagined a future in dentistry, inspired by an uncle in the field. But as the reality of years of schooling set in, Bice gravitated toward something more hands-on and more immediate—hospitality.
That decision launched a career that would touch nearly every corner of the events ecosystem. He started where many industry veterans do—as a dishwasher in high school—then moved steadily through roles as a busser, event waitstaff member and catering manager. From there, he transitioned into club management, hotel general management, sales, site selection, and ultimately, association meeting planning.
“I can’t express how important it is to be a successful planner by knowing what others experience,” Bice says. “You can speak their language, feel their pain and communicate your own struggles in a way that actually creates solutions.”
That operational fluency is now one of his defining strengths. Bice understands what happens behind the scenes because he’s lived it—and that makes him a formidable advocate at the negotiation table and a steady presence onsite. He’s learned when a “no” is legitimate and when it’s simply the most straightforward answer, and he isn’t afraid to push—firmly but professionally—when it matters most.
Becoming a CMP
Today, based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Bice leads meetings and education strategy for a medical association environment where credentials, credibility and precision are paramount. Earning his Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) designation more than 15 years ago marked a professional turning point. He first learned about the designation during his hotel years, when colleagues pursued it with employer support. Later, when he transitioned into site selection and association work, he saw firsthand how much weight those three letters carried.
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“The CMP gave me an edge,” he says. “I know it played a role in getting my current position.”
That belief hasn’t faded. If anything, it has strengthened. Bice views the CMP as a must-have for planners in high-visibility, high-responsibility roles and says he would require it when hiring for such positions. In a crowded industry, he believes the designation signals not just knowledge, but commitment—to standards, ethics and continuous growth.
Fellow Designation
In 2025, Bice took that commitment a step further by earning his CMP Fellow designation. Working within a medical association helped him fully understand what “Fellow” really means—not status, but service.
“To me, it designates someone with extensive experience and the responsibility to help others,” he says.
Mentorship is where that philosophy comes to life. Bice has served multiple times as a mentor to graduate students from San Diego State University, a role he finds deeply fulfilling. The industry his mentees are entering looks nothing like the one he came up in—where marathon workweeks were worn as a badge of honor—but that contrast is precisely why he believes guidance matters now more than ever.
His advice to CMP Fellows considering the path is blunt and refreshingly honest: Don’t do it for the letters. Do it only if you plan to share what you’ve learned.
Beyond credentials, Bice is known for his calm, measured approach onsite. In an industry defined by variables, he likens the planner’s role to that of a “field general”—directing the flow in real time while keeping the larger strategy intact. It’s a mindset shaped by experience and sharpened by adversity.
And adversity, as any seasoned planner knows, is unavoidable.
Bice has seen it all: keynote speakers canceling at the last minute, award plaques vanishing seconds before presentations, wedding cakes dropped en route to the dance floor, power outages, strikes, renovation surprises and more than a few “palmetto bugs.” He laughs about it now, but each moment reinforced the same lesson—grace under pressure isn’t optional. It’s the job.
On event days, his fuel of choice is simple: water and “easy BEOs.” Communication, especially with a small staff, is everything. Frequent check-ins and mutual trust keep everyone aligned, even when no one can see the whole picture. When an event ends successfully, Bice’s ritual is equally understated: share feedback with hotel partners, then enjoy a well-earned beverage on the flight home.
Away from work, he’s a devoted live-music fan who has attended more than 100 Dave Matthews Band concerts—a fun fact that hints at his appreciation for rhythm, flow and improvisation, all qualities that translate seamlessly into great event design.
The Future
Looking ahead, Bice finds inspiration in the industry’s constant evolution. “You’d think we would have conquered every possible scenario by now,” he says. “But we haven’t—and that keeps things interesting.”
It’s that blend of curiosity, experience and commitment to others that defines Bice’s career. From the dish pit to the boardroom, he has built a professional life rooted in respect for every role, a belief in lifelong learning, and a quiet confidence earned the hard way—one event at a time.
Meet more CMPs here: CMP Spotlight Series
