Global Protocol, Etiquette & Civility 

     A native of Pennsylvania, Colleen Rickenbacher is no stranger to the hospitality industry. With over 40 years in customer service and creating events, this background gives Colleen the edge to understand your company and the business world. She started her own company in 2001 after 20 years with the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau to focus on her presentation and writing. 

     Rickenbacher has had speaking engagements, including a seminar for the Certified Meeting Professional program in Florence, Italy and Singapore, a guest lecture at Cornell University School for Hotel Administration in New York, and a customer service presentation to 150 government officials in Zimbabwe. As you can also see under her List of Clients her expertise and client base is varied and expansive. 

     Rickenbacher has served on many Boards of Directors including the Board of Advisors for the International Association of Protocol Consultants, Convention Industry Council, Meeting Professionals International, Religious Conference Management Association and both the Dallas Chapter and on the international board of the International Special Events Society. Rickenbacher also served as the president and chairs in various associations including past chair of the Certified Meeting Professional Board and the first (and second) president of the Texas Chapter of the Association of Event & Convention Professionals. 

     She was named one of “The 25 Most Influential People in the Meeting Industry” by Meeting News magazine. Rickenbacher was recognized as the “Meeting Partner of the Year” by the National Speakers Association and received the Marion N. Kershner Award from Meeting Professionals International for motivational leadership. The Colleen Rickenbacher Leadership Award created in her honor annually recognizes an outstanding leader from the Meeting Professionals International Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter. She also is honored by TxACOM with the Colleen Rickenbacher Scholarship Award which is presented to a college student or member of TxACOM to advance their education. 

     Rickenbacher graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northwood University where she earned a BS in business administration and a minor in International Business. 

     In 1992, Rickenbacher received the designation of CMP for Certified Meeting Professional from the Convention Industry Council (www.conventionindustry.org) and in 2001 achieved the Certified Special Events Professional from Special Events (www.ises.com). Colleen holds the designation of Certified Protocol Consultant (CPC) from the International Association of Protocol Consultants (IAPC). In 2010 Colleen received the Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA). CTA Network. In 2013 Colleen received her Certified Protocol, Etiquette & Civility Professional (CPECP) from the Global Protocol, Etiquette & Civility Academy (www.GlobalPECAcademy.com).