ABOUT

Debert Cook, CMP is a Certified Meetings Professional (CMP) with over 20-years of experience in leading, developing, planning and executing successful programs and events for a variety of sectors with public, private, governmental and NGO organization and institutions.  

Founded in 1998, Event Planners Plus is a 100% minority-woman owned business, headquartered on Wall Street in New York City's Financial District.  Ms. Cook has a history of excellence in service and is profoundly knowledgeable in managing and sourcing teams towards goal achievement.

Ms. Cook is a native of West Virginia who is proud of her heritage of being born into a family that consisted of hard-working coal miners, ministers and entrepreneurs. 

Growing up in a small, mountain, valley town, she demonstrated her creativity in the arts early and, at age 8, produced and performed with her first musical variety group in the area's local talent show.  Although her group did not win first place, the experience positively impacted her young life and instilled in her how, working together with others, individuals can assemble vital resources to the benefit of an entire community.

When her family relocated to Youngstown, Ohio, as a student gifted in art and music, she continued to be active in her community and upon graduating from South High School in Youngstown, she was voted 'Most Talented' among her peers.  While in high school and college she performed as an alto saxophonist and trumpet player at lounges and nightclubs with area R&B bands.  Working her way through college, she even auditioned at the world-famous Motown Studios in Detroit, Michigan. 

While a college student, Ms. Cook completed an internship with TV-Channel 33 (NBC-TV Affiliate) in Youngstown, Ohio and held positions as a Morning News Anchor, Audio Broadcast Technician and Disc Jockey at local media stations in the Ohio and Pennsylvania Allegheny Valley prior to launching her company, Cook Marketing Corp. in 1987, assisting minority-owned businesses with local economic development initiatives in her community.

Ms. Cook holds an Associate Degree in Music Business from Georgia State University in Atlanta (1981), a certificate in Radio and Television Broadcast Production from the renown Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts (1983) in Detroit, Michigan, a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Youngstown State University (1988) in Youngstown, Ohio, and a Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies/History from the City University of New York (1994) in New York. She has also served as an adjunct professor teaching  the History of African American Art and Music at the South Bronx campus of The College of New Rochelle in New York.

Ms. Cook obtained her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Certification in meeting planning from the Convention Industry Council (CIC) in August 2000 and she has been featured in several industry publications for her professional excellence including Black Meetings & Tourism magazine (2001). She was nominated by Meetings South magazine for the "Rising Star" award (2000) and cited by Hon. Howard Golden (D-NY), President of the Borough of Brooklyn, NY (1999) who recognized her firm for its top performance and new business achievement.  

Ms. Cook has served in events, communications and administrative capacities for fortune 500 firms including, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, AVON, Philip Morris USA, Chase Manhattan Bank, GQ Magazine, BusinessWeek, ChemicalWeek, prior to establishing her own firm.

Ms. Cook is a tenacious, "Type-A" personality with strong attention to detail, concentration and focus.  She is keen for seeing the 'big picture' of projects and shares her knowledge in the meeting and tourism industry by contributing travel-related articles to several business and leisure publications. Her firm provides on-the-job experience to up-and-coming' meeting planners by providing year-round project internships and mentoring opportunities.

Event Planners Plus' client list is extensive and has included The Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce  & Industry, Empire State Medical Association (ESMA), The Power Business Breakfast Series, The Network Journal, General Services Administration (GSA), WBLS Radio, Black Enterprise, Black Expo New York, the office of the New York State Comptroller, H. Carl McCall, Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program, CUTT Team Studios, and many others.

Ms. Cook is a frequently sought after speaker and serves as Publisher and Editor-In-Chief of the African American Golfer's Digest, a PGA of American Diverse Suppliers and the nations leading print and digital publication and online portal for avid Black American golfers.  

Ms. Cook is a member of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc., the NY/NJ Minority Purchasing Council, National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, NYC & Company - the NY Convention Bureau, and has served on its Meeting and Event Coalition Committee, and numerous other women and professional-based organizations. 

Ms. Cook is resident of Staten Island, NY and in her leisure time enjoys golf, tennis, biking, adventure travel and comedy clubs. 

PREVIOUS CAREERS

• Meetings Coordinator/Business Week (1998)
• Director Client Services & Special Events Manager/World Congress (1996)
• Philip Morris USA (1990)
• Chase Manhattan Bank (1994)

Cook has also held positions as a Community Relations Manager, Advertising Sales Manager, Account Executive and News Broadcaster for various network and cable-TV, Radio and Print media.

BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS:

• National Association of Black Meeting Planners
• Women in Communications
• PGA of America
• National Black MBA Association
• National Association of Female Executives
• Notary Public of New York State