Annette Hicks, CMP - October 2019

By Diana Balakirov

This month’s well-deserved and hard-earned volunteer recognition goes to Annette Hicks, CMP, a consummate event professional whose impact on the hospitality industry has been felt and recognized by peers, colleagues and friends over the course of several decades.

Annette’s willingness to mentor and inspire others can be traced back to the beginning of her career. Shortly after graduating from high school, she was recruited by a California-based cheerleading company with an offer to teach students at camps in New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado for two years.

Annette’s deep-seated commitment to her chosen profession in event planning is nothing short of impressive. For the past 25 years, she has worked for the Texas Food & Fuel Association, taking on a full scope of ever-evolving responsibilities: planning the association’s annual convention; organizing board meetings; handling special events; and overseeing the governance of a 50-member board of directors. And as a vice president in charge of meetings and expositions, a position she currently holds, Annette also supervises two staff members. 

Annette’s continued involvement with MPI THCC adds to her already impressive list of accomplishments. After joining the organization in 1995 and becoming a board member in 1998, Annette was selected as the chapter’s first president-elect; the offices of the president and past president followed shortly after. She continued doing what seems to come naturally -- working well with people -- while teaching CMP classes for eight years in the 2000s and, eventually, working with other MPI committee members in the areas of nominations, scholarships and (the annual) Southwest Showcases. 

This year alone, Annette has taken on yet another challenge -- the implementation of MPI THCC’s guidance-based, strategic task-focused mentorship program for current vice presidents and their directors. She has previously accepted the accolades of Volunteer of the Year, Unsung Hero and Meeting Planner of the Year from the chapter itself, and the more recent Professional Excellence Award from TSAE is a reflection of her countless and measurable achievements.

As busy as her work and volunteer schedule may seem, Annette always makes time for family and friends, especially when traveling and shopping are involved. She is a sports enthusiast and enjoys cycling with her husband or during a rousing viewing of Tour de France, which she has followed for 26 years.