Hello, I’m Cathrine J. Bays, CGMP
Event Strategist, ESN
I am a professional independent contract planner with several years of experience in providing meeting planning services for a statewide training program within a government agency in Chattanooga, TN. My unique skills consist of negotiating hotel contracts, venue and vendor selections, research materials, creating VIP contracts, budget management, and acquiring hotel staff loyalty, communication, and collaboration. In 2004, I joined the Society of Government Meeting Professionals organization. I gained extensive knowledge in the meeting and hotel industries which I used on the job and to earn my Government Meeting Professionals’ certification (CGMP). And thanks to the collective data and knowledge secured by contracting 4.6 million room nights annually, you can be confident you are receiving the optimum combination of rates, concessions, and terms every time.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Cathrine for over three years in our professional meeting organization. As a leader, Cathrine excels in planning, organizational skills and hotel contract negotiations. She is quick to research her projects and a stickler for meeting deadlines. Her special way of engaging people is an added bonus.”
Christine Tabb, CGMP
Owner
Christine’s Events
“I am happy to provide a testimonial for Cathrine Bays, CGMP, with whom I have worked on events over the past few years. During our years as President of local chapters of SGMP (Society of Government Meeting Professionals), I worked with Ms. Bays in planning regional conferences, negotiating contracts and selecting venues. She always paid attention to detail, research to support presentations, and she exemplified dedication and customer satisfaction in every project. She is reliable; an asset to any team.”
Lenoir Stallings, CMP
President
Paradise Hospitality Solutions, Inc. (Event Management and Meetings at Sea)
“It is with great pleasure and absolutely no reservation whatsoever Cathrine has excellent negotiation skills and can work with a wide array of personalities to accomplish her tasks. She has proven that she has exceptional abilities to plan, coordinate, and development meetings and special events at the state and local levels. Cathrine and I have worked together for a long time and I have always seen my job as her Supervisor is to make sure she has the tools she needs and to get out of her way, so she can get the job done. You can depend on her always.”
Phyllis S. Casavant, Ed.D.
Cathrine is an independent contract planner. After she moved from her hometown in Mississippi, she began her work with the Tennessee Department of Health in Nashville. During this five-year period, Cathrine earned her B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Administration. She then relocated to Chattanooga, TN to work with the Tennessee Department of Health’s lead administrative agency, Southeast Tennessee Development District. Cathrine worked as the coordinator of the Statewide Technical Assistance and Training Program, providing meeting and event services. In earlier 2017, she decided to take a leap of faith and become an independent planner. Cathrine spends her free time volunteering in the community, using her ability to organize and plan events. She is a member of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) and earned a Certification of Government Meeting Professionals (CGMP). She has served on several SGMP local and national committees, served two terms as president, and is presently serving as 1st VP of the local chapter in Nashville. Cathrine loves to read, travel, and spend time with her family.
My Personal Statement
Nothing will work unless you do. ~Maya Angelou
My Contact Information
Address: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Phone: 423.414.7642
Email: cathrine.bays@maritzselect.com
