The Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) began the Gold and Silver Certification programs in 2002. From November, 2002 until late in 2006, I presented all of the Gold Certification Workshops. But in 2006, we found three really amazing new instructors who are taking certification across the country along with me.In 2007, the four of us are presenting a total of 30 workshops, from Miami to Spokane. Meet (from left to right) Karmi Anna Mattson, Chelsea Bening and Gail Witt. The selection of these three talented presenters was a long and difficult process, but in Karmi, Chelsea and Gail, we found exactly the presentation skills, mystery shopping experience and, well, that WOW! factor we were looking for.
When I announced to MSPA that I could no longer keep up a schedule of more than 20 weekends on the road each year, we set out to find one or two terrific presenters to share the load. After reviewing more than 150 applications (!) and interviewing 15 super-qualified candidates, we decided that there were three that had to be part of the team. All three completed their training at the end of 2006 or beginning of 2007, and have presented a total of 17 workshops so far this year. This picture was taken at the 2007 Shopper Educational Conference in Grapevine, Texas–the first time all four of us had been in the same room together!
Karmi Anna Mattson is from Minneapolis, MN. In addition to being a mystery shopper for more than five years, Karmi is an MBA candidate and experienced trainer. You can see Karmi in action at upcoming Gold Workshops in Salt Lake City, UT and Spokane, WA.
Chelsea Bening is from the Raleigh, NC area. She not only has experience as a mystery shopper, Chelsea has worked for mystery shopping companies and has been a mystery shopping client, so she understands all facets of the industry well. Chelsea’s remaining 2007 workshops will be in Charlotte, NC, Memphis, TN and Newark, NJ.
Gail Witt is a fellow Texan who lives here in Houston. Gail is used to travel, as she traveled constantly in a previous training position. Gail also has more than five years of mystery shopping experience, and her hubby is an experienced mystery shopper. You can meet Gail at the workshops in Kansas City, MO and Milwaukee, WI.
I will see those of you attending the workshops in San Francisco, CA or Albuquerque, NM.
No matter which instructor presents the Gold Workshop you attend, expect a day filled with information, networking, great stories, tips and fun. I hope we will see you at a future workshop.
To see a schedule of all upcoming workshops and register for one near you, go to http://www.mspa-na.org/certification
Cathy Stucker is the author of The Mystery Shopper’s Manual.
I just attended the Gold Conference in Charlotte NC. Even after 5-6 years of Mystery Shopping experience, I learned new information and tips. Chelsea is a great speaker and presented a realistic and educational point of view. I also have a much better understanding of how the Mystery Shopping companies operate and why they make some of their decisions. I have passed the Gold test and it has renewed my enthusiasm for shopping. I plan to use several ideas from the Conference to be a more professional shopper (such as business cards).