Gary Murakami is the Vice President of Global Sales & Industry Relations for Teneo Hospitality Group representing a distinct collection of 350+ independent and branded hotels and resorts and DMCs worldwide.  A seasoned hospitality sales executive and innovative strategic leader with expertise in the hotel and convention management industries, Gary is responsible for raising awareness for Teneo Hospitality Group, as well as developing and maintaining key client partnerships in his strategic territories with the corporate, association, and intermediary/third party segments.  Gary’s sales background includes previous sales and leadership positions with MGM Resorts International, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in the group, leisure, and business travel segments. 

Gary maintains several industry-recognized certifications and designations including his Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification from the Events Industry Council (EIC), in addition to the Global Travel Professional (GTP) certification and Global Leadership Professional (GLP) designation and certification from Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).  He also receivedhis Certificate in Meeting Management (CMM) offered through Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and his Digital Event Strategist (DES) certification from PCMA. In 2022, Gary was recognized as part of the inaugural CMP-Fellows by Events Industry Council.

An active member in the meetings, events and travel industry community, Gary has held a variety of leadership director and committee roles with industry associations locally and nationally. He currently serves on the MPI Foundation as a Global Board of Trustee, in addition to the Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) Advisory Board and the Executive Board for LGBT Meeting Professionals Association. Gary also participates in the Events Industry Council Equity Task Forcewhere he was recognized with the 2024 Social Impact Award and provides his volunteerism towards the community of APIEventProfs to amplify the visibility and representation of API eventprofessionals. Gary is actively involved with CalSAE and is Vice Chair of its DEI Committee. He also served terms as a Board of Trustee on the PCMA Foundation and the PCMA Board of Directors and was recognized with the Groundbreaker Award at PCMA Visionary Awards in 2023.

On a local and regional level, Gary is the founding President of SITE Northern CA Chapter and spearheaded its relaunch in 2024. He was also a Past President on the Board of Directors for MPI Northern California Chapter and served on this board for several years in other Director and Vice President roles.  Gary was also recognized by MPI Global in 2019 with the distinguished RISE “Meeting Industry Leadership” Award for his contributions to advance the global meetings and events industry community through his sustained commitment and substantial contributions.  In 2022, Gary was also recognized in celebration of MPI 50’th anniversary as one of “Most Influential Members of MPI”. His involvement with MPI continues with his participation on the Diversity & Equity & Inclusion committee for the past several years.