The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) and fellow meeting industry professionals will come together for a rally and press conference at the Capitol to showcase the real local impact that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions have on people, business and communities.
For the first time, the greater meetings and events industry around the world will celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID).
“GMID will unite the meetings industry in a way that has never been done before,” said David Peckinpaugh, Meetings Mean Business co-chair and president of Maritz Travel. “The growth and success of our industry are critical to the world’s economy and we look forward to communicating our value on the global stage.”
“With the help of organizations such as the participants in the GMID Austin program, we will demonstrate the critical role our industry plays in building personal relationships, driving positive outcomes and supporting strong communities,” said Michael Dominguez, Meetings Mean Business co-chair and senior vice president of corporate sales at MGM Resorts International.
The MMBC was created in 2009 by the U.S. Travel Association to showcase the incredible value that business meetings, travel and events bring to the U.S. economy. Its members span all facets of the face-to-face industry, which have come together behind a common goal: providing the resources, tools and information to show the real impact the industry has on businesses, economies and communities.
For the GMID Austin program at the Capitol in Austin, Texas, join the coalition of the following industry organizations: PCMA Gulf States Chapter (Professional Convention Management Association), MPI THCC (Meeting Professionals International Texas Hill Country Chapter), IAEE-CTC (International Association of Exhibitions and Events-Central Texas Chapter), siteTexas, SPIN (Senior Planners Industry Network Austin Chapter), ISES (International Special Events Society), TSAE (Texas Society of Association Executives), SGMP (Society of Government Meeting Professionals), HSMAI (Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International), Austin HLA (Hotel & Lodging Association) and IACC (International Association of Conference Centres).
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016 | 3-6PM
2PM: Registration for press conference
3PM – 4PM: Rally at the Capitol and press conference
TEXAS STATE CAPITOL
1100 CONGRESS AVE, AUSTIN, TEXAS
4PM – 4:30PM: Registration
4:30PM – 6PM: Moderated panel discussion with industry leaders: Q&A
Moderated by Kevin Olsen, Founding Partner | Keyway, LLC
Panel to include:
Paul Van Deventer, President & CEO | MPI
Deborah Sexton, President & CEO | PCMA
Cathy Breden, CAE, CMP, Exec. Vice President & COO | IAEE
Ken Sanders, President | Freeman AV
Mike Dominguez, Sr. Vice President of Sales | MGM Resorts
Paul Van Deventer, President & CEO | MPI
Paul Van Deventer joined MPI in April 2013 as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In this role, he leads the strategic direction of the association and is responsible for managing its global staff, operating budget, and membership programs and services. In addition, Paul works closely with MPI’s Board of Directors and serves as a liaison to the MPI Foundation.
Deborah Sexton, President & CEO | PCMA
Deborah Sexton joined the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) in March 2005 as President and CEO. In conjunction with this role, she also serves as President of the PCMA Education Foundation.
Cathy Breden, CAE, CMP, Exec. Vice President & COO | IAEE
Cathy Breden, CAE, CMP, is chief operating officer of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) with the responsibility for managing the day-to-day operations of the association including overseeing marketing and communications, membership, education, conventions and events, and administration.
Ken Sanders, President | Freeman AV
As President of Freeman’s Audio Visual division, Ken Sanders oversees Freeman AV, FreemanAV Canada, Alford Media, Encore Event Technologies and Stage Rigging. He currently serves on MPI’s International Board of Directors, the Board of Directors of the U.S. Travel Association’s Meetings Means Business Coalition, the ibtm® america (formerly AmericasIncentive Business Travel and Meetings) Advisory Council and Freeman AV’s Board of Directors.
Mike Dominguez, co-chair Meetings Mean Business & Sr. Vice President of Sales | MGM Resorts
Dominguez provides oversight for MGM Resorts International hotel sales in Las Vegas and other global destinations. He is responsible for leisure and group sales, including 42,000 hotel rooms and three million square feet of meeting space.
For more information or to register for the Austin event, click here.
