DALLAS, December 5, 2024 —Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is pleased to announce the approved slate for the 2025 MPI International Board of Directors. The International Board of Directors is the governing body of MPI and is responsible for reviewing and approving the organization's strategic plans. It oversees the financial integrity and monitors performance against achievement of strategy and long-term vision.
“On behalf of the Board Development Committee, we were impressed by the qualified applications received and the thorough discussion we had to arrive to this slate,” said Cleo Battle, 2025 MPI Board Development Committee Chair and Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors.
"I am thrilled about the new slate of Directors, whose leadership, experience, and passion are truly inspiring. I am confident that their positive influence, perspectives, and contributions will effectively guide MPI in advancing the global meeting and event community, uniting people to make a meaningful impact on the world.” said Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO of MPI.
Board members will take office effective January 1, 2025, for the term from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
Below is the full slate of the 2025 MPI International Board of Directors.
MPI Chair of the Board
Rob Adams (term expires in 2026)
CEO
Bishop-McCann
MPI Chair – Elect
Jim Russell (term expires in 2027)
Executive Vice President, Client Relationships
Freeman
MPI Immediate Past Chair
Michelle Allgauer, CAE, CMM, CMP Fellow (term expires in 2025)
Senior Vice President, Engagement & Education
Financial Services Institute (FSI)
Vice-Chair, Finance
Lisa Messina (term expires in 2025)
Chief Sales Officer
Visit Orlando
Board Members
Chair, MPI Foundation
Rebecca DeLuca (expires in 2025)
Vice President of Destination Sales
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
Special 1-Year Terms
Bobby Heard, CAE
Chief Operating Officer
American College of Emergency Physicians
Michel Wohlmuth
CEO
Creatividad
Expiring in 2025
Charles Bello, CDS
Senior Vice President
ConferenceDirect
Dzidra Junior, CMP
President
Renditions Consulting
Gerilyn Horan
Vice President, Group Sales & Strategic Accounts
Hilton Worldwide
Expiring in 2026
Luis Lamar
Vice President Sales, Group Operations
MGM Resorts International
Robbert Weddepohl
Group Venue Director
Stage Entertainment B.V.
Scott Beck
Strategic Advisor – Innovation and Development
JLL, Global Tourism Advisory Group
Steve Kinsley
President
Kinsley Meetings
Expiring in 2027
Fiona Bruder
President, Americas
George P. Johnson (GPJ)
James Jessie
Chief Sales Officer
Travel Portland
Thijs Peters
Founder
Conventus Consultants
Co-Founder
MICE DAILY
Corey Tuttle, CMM, HMCC
Senior Director, Strategic Meetings & Events, Marketing Operations
Gilead Sciences
The MPI Foundation 2025 Global Board of Trustees Slate was announced in late November. See the media advisory.