The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMB), a cross-industry communications and advocacy initiative, appointed Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO, MPI, as the coalition co-chair effective January 2017.
Van Deventer will work with fellow co-chair Richard Harper, executive vice president, HelmsBriscoe, to lead the organization as it highlights the role of in-person meetings, conventions and other events.
“Paul is already an active coalition member and I am thrilled to work alongside him next year as we continue to expand MMB’s reach and influence," Harper said. “He is the first MMB co-chair [to lead a meetings organization] and his insights and experience will help us spread the MMB message to a larger audience in the coming years.”
Under Van Deventer and Harper’s leadership, MMB will continue to shine a light on the industry’s value around the world by working with partners, including MPI, to host the second annual Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID). They will also work to continue building awareness and driving engagement with key stakeholders including business leaders, policymakers and the media.
In addition, the coalition will work with its newly formed Meeting Planners Task Force to engage this critical segment of professionals and use their powerful voices as advocates for the industry.
“I’m very excited to join the coalition as co-chair and continue the great work done by Michael and Richard,” Van Deventer said. “I’m confident that MMB will keep advocating for the industry with one strong, united voice.”
Van Deventer assumes the leadership position previously held by Michael Dominguez, senior vice president and chief sales officer at MGM Resorts International, who has co-led MMB since 2015.
