About us
Mary Margaret (MM) Armstrong, CMP, CAE
President and Managing Director
A native North Carolinian, she has over 30 years’ combined experience in the meeting planning and association industries. MM is especially skilled at developing strategy, improving process and efficiency, providing critical assessment and problem solving, and follow through acumen. She is a driven performer keenly focused on outcomes and growth.
Prior to launching Meeting Advantage LLC, which specializes in corporate events, conferences and trade \shows, she worked with corporations and associations in various operational and management roles. She has sourced and executed 100s of meetings in the pharmaceutical industry, was the Director of Sales for a national meeting planning group, and served as Vice President of Education and Membership for the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association where she provided oversight of 15 chapter boards which produced more than 300 events annually, spearheaded volunteer training for hundreds each year, and developed strategy and operational structure for the organization.
MM has served on several non-profit boards and has executed events for small groups as well as annual conferences of more than 700 attendees along with exhibitors. She has been an instructor for Duke University’s Continuing Studies Event Development Professional Certificate program since 2014. She has earned both the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Certified Association Executive (CAE) designations and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Haley Lenderman
Associate Director
Haley is an event management professional with over five years of experience planning, managing, and executing successful events for a wide range of clients. She is known for her precision, creativity, and proactive approach that consistently reduces stress and drives client success.
Originally from Michigan, Haley moved to North Carolina in 2015 to attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Event Management while competing on a full Division I softball scholarship.
After graduating, Haley launched her events career at the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning, a nationally recognized event that attracts over 150,000 participants each year. In her role supporting Balloon Operations and Hospitality, she managed logistics for hot air balloons and their pilots, coordinated VIP hospitality events, and oversaw private gatherings. Her work ensured seamless flight scheduling, elevated guest experiences, and successful sponsor engagement throughout the festival.
In 2020, like many in the events industry, Haley pivoted and diversified her skills—working as an executive-level personal assistant, running a successful Etsy store, and managing a furniture refurbishing business. Her tenacity and solution-oriented mindset helped her continue creating meaningful outcomes even during challenging times.
In 2022, Haley began working alongside Mary Margaret at Meeting Advantage, supporting clients across non-profits, associations, and corporate sectors. During that same period, she also created and managed a family-owned wedding and event venue, where she honed her skills in vendor coordination, client relations, and operational logistics.
Haley joined Meeting Advantage full time in 2024. She is dedicated to delivering creative and effective meeting solutions, always with a sharp eye for detail and a commitment to excellence. Her meticulous standards, clear communication, and "can-do" attitude ensure that every client experience is smooth, intentional, and successful.