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Tara Drewes, CMP, GTP, CATP

Senior Travel and Events Strategist/Director

About Me

I’m an Events and Travel Strategist with over 20 years of experience planning and executing corporate meetings, conferences, and executive-level events across the U.S. and internationally. I’m the Founder and CEO of I-MET Management, a boutique events and travel firm that specializes in end-to-end event strategy, logistics, and high-touch travel management. My background spans the full event lifecycle, from venue sourcing, contract negotiation, budgeting, and registration, speaker management, sponsorship fulfillment, and onsite execution. I’ve led events ranging from intimate executive retreats to large-scale conferences and tradeshows with hundreds of attendees, often acting as the primary operational lead and strategic partner for my clients. I bring deep experience with registration and event technology platforms including Cvent, Swoogo, RD Mobile, and WaitWhile, along with extensive knowledge of global travel logistics using Sabre/Apollo GDS, Concur, and group air programs. I’m known for my ability to step into complex, fast-moving environments, bring structure and clarity, and manage details calmly, even under pressure. Before launching I-MET Management, I spent 13 years as the Travel & Events Manager for a national law firm, overseeing firmwide travel programs and major internal and client-facing events. Since then, I’ve partnered with associations, corporations, and private clients to create polished, purposeful experiences that align with business goals and elevate the attendee experience. I hold the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Global Travel Professional (GTP), and Certified Autism Travel Professional (CATP) designations and actively serve in industry leadership roles. I’m currently on the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Orlando Chapter Board and will serve as Vice President of Education in 2026. At the core of my work is a commitment to professionalism, kindness, and execution excellence. I take pride in being a trusted partner who anticipates challenges, solves problems thoughtfully, and ensures every event runs seamlessly, from the first planning call to the final wrap-up.

Jurisdiction

United States

Notable Employer

  • Travel and Events Manager at Wilson Elser

Experience

Seniority LevelDirector
Years of Experience20+ years
Current StatusActive
Travel and Events Strategist / Founder and OwnerI-MET Management
2019 - Present

Designed and implemented corporate travel policies, ensuring compliance and cost efficiency. Managed private and chartered flight arrangements for executive clients, optimizing travel logistics. Led end-to-end planning for 30+ events per year (virtual, hybrid, in-person), increasing participant engagement by 25%. Oversaw 50+ on-site meetings annually, enhancing operational efficiency and client satisfaction. Negotiated vendor contracts, securing 20% annual cost savings while maintaining high-quality service. Streamlined registration processes, increasing efficiency by 40% through automation and improving attendee satisfaction. Developed and implemented advisory services, improving user experience by 30% and operational efficiency by 25%.

Travel and Events Manager NotableWilson Elser
2006 - 2019

Oversaw $2M+ event budgets and managed events for 8–400 attendees, exceeding expectations. Coordinated 25+ corporate events annually, including the US debut of Legalign Global Alliance at One World Observatory. Optimized a $5M corporate travel budget, improving cost efficiency and employee satisfaction. Designed registration websites in Cvent, enhancing attendee experience and reporting accuracy. Negotiated high-value contracts with airlines, hotels, and vendors, generating significant savings.

Certification

Total Certifications3

CMP (Certified Meeting Professional

EIC (Events Industry Council

2020 - 2025

Credential ID: 17771

GTP (Global Travel Professional)

GBTA (Global Business Travel Association)

2022 - 2025

Credential ID: 2022020766

CATP (Ceritified Autism Travel Professional)

IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards)

2024 - 2025

Credential ID: CATP2441376

Skills

Core skills0
Languages1

Languages

English