March 19, 2024 3:58 AM
Search
Close this search box.
Karen Kotowski EIC
Share this post:

Karen Kotowski Resigns from Events Industry Council & New Board Announced

The Events Industry Council announced on Jan. 11 that Karen Kotowski, who has led the Events Industry Council (EIC) for the past ten years, has tendered her resignation as CEO. With this change in leadership, EIC has initiated a search to identify a new CEO.

During her tenure Karen Kotowski oversaw the growth of EIC’s Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program and the completion of three studies on the Economic Significance of Meetings in the U.S., along with the first ever Global Economic Significance Study research that has provided indisputable proof of the economic industry impact and a platform for articulating the value of business events.

“Karen has dedicated herself to the events industry and provided ten years of leadership to our association through a re-branding, management transition and growth of our CMP program,” says Tina Wehmeir, CMP, CAE, chair of the Events Industry Council board of directors. “During this time of transition, we plan to identify a new CEO who brings a global perspective and background to help in further broadening the reach of our organization and certification program.”

This change in leadership comes at a dynamic and exciting time for the events industry. EIC is enhancing its value offerings, by extending the CMP program globally, expanding their educational programming and increasing their focus on enabling sustainable events. Building on the recent momentum and re-branding, the board is focused on redefining EIC’s mission, vision and long-term strategic plan. EIC will be seeking a leader who can inspire the council, while implementing the organization’s visiona leader who brings a diverse, global perspective and a proven track-record of business growth, collaboration and strategic vision.

To lead the search, the board has named a search committee consisting of an accomplished and diverse group of seven industry leaders chaired by Carina Bauer, CEO, IMEX Group. In partnership with their management company, SmithBucklin, they have engaged Jim Zaniello of the search firm, Vetted Solutions, who will work collaboratively with Jonathan Morgan at London-based Saxton Bampfylde.

Events Industry Council also announces new board and committee leadership for 2019

The Events Industry Council announced last week the new board of directors slate and leaders for their key committees, including the CMP Governance Commission and the Industry Insights and Sustainability committees.

“We are excited to have such an accomplished group of leaders representing the events industry on our board, commission and committees. With a global focus for our organization, this diverse group of professionals bring perspectives from all over the world as we continue to expand our global footprint in all that we do,” says Wehmeir, CMP, CAE, chair of the EIC board of directors.

EIC Board of Directors
The EIC board is comprised of nominated members of the overall EIC that consists of more than 30 organizations in the events industry. These leaders are the governing body for the overall council with fiscal responsibility and strategic direction for all EIC programs.

2019 Officers:

Chair: Tina Wehmeir, CMP, CAE, AMC Institute
Chair-Elect: Paul Van Deventer, Meeting Professionals International
Immediate Past Chair: Susan Robertson, CAE, American Society of Association Executives & the Center for Association Leadership

2019 Directors:
David Audrain, Society of Independent Show Organizers
Steve Bova, CAE, Financial and Insurance Conference Professionals
Cathy Breden, CMP, CAE, International Association of Exhibitions and Events
Mark Cooper, IACC
Kim Gishler, Corporate Event Marketing Association
Don Welsh, Destinations International

2019 CMP Governance Commission
The Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential is recognized throughout the events industry and demonstrates an individual’s comprehensive knowledge of meeting management as well as a commitment to the profession. The CMP program is created and maintained by meeting professionals from around the globe. The Events Industry Council recruits seasoned CMPs to govern the program and ensure that it is a true reflection of the events industry. The CMP Governance Commission is comprised of representatives from all sectors of the events industry, including planners and suppliers.

2019 Officers:

Chair: Aleka Garcia, CMP-HC, CMM, Pacific Communications
Chair-Elect: Barbara Connell, CMP, CAE, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Immediate Past Chair: Erin Tench, CMP, CMM, Penn State University

Commission Members:
Sathya Darshan Chinni, CMP, Eventures
Tim Glanzer, CMP, Elevated Meeting Solutions
Christine Faiman, CMP, Marriott International
Deanna Griffith-House, CMP, PMP, CME, PCM, CMM, Spectrum Reach
Tyra Hilliard, CMP, PhD., JD, College of Costal Georgia
Cornelia Horner, CMP, American Land Title Association
Leslie Jones, CMP, CAE, AOTA
Alisa Peters, CMP, CMM, Experient – A Maritz Travel Company
Jessica McLane Gann, Inteleos
Steven Lorenz, CMP, HMCC, Meetings & Incentives Worldwide, Inc.
Robert Webb, CMP, MBA, ASCD

2019 Sustainability Committee
The Events Industry Council Sustainability Initiative seeks to inspire, educate and support leaders of all levels and disciplines who will manifest the transformation of the global meetings industry towards sustainability. The committee champions the implementation of sustainability practices and provides advocacy, education, resources, industry research and recognition of industry leadership.

2019 Officers:

Chair:  Courtney Lohmann, CMP, Koncept Events
Vice-Chair: Chance Thompson, SMG-Salt Palace Convention Center and Mountain America Exposition Center
Immediate Past Chair: Lindsay Arell, Honeycomb Strategies

2019 Committee Members:
Angie Ahrens, CMP, LeaderCast
Gwendal Castellan, Tourism Vancouver
Kevin Jezewski, SAVOR, McCormick Place
Alejandra González, Eventos Sustentables
Meghan Green, SAP
Sara Patterson, CMP, Public Housing Authorities Directors Association
Steven Pollock, CMP, HelmsBriscoe
Benoit Sauvage, CMP, DMCP, Connect DMC
Ben Wielgus, Informa
Nancy Zavada, CMP, MeetGreen

2019 Industry Insights Committee
Industry Insights, formerly the Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX), is a committee of the Events Industry Council that focuses on development and implementation of industry-wide accepted practices to create and enhance efficiency throughout the events industry.

2019 Officers:

Chair:  Gary Murakami, CMP, CTC, GTP, GLP, CMM, MGM Resorts International
Vice-Chair:  Allison Kinsley, CMP, CMM CED, Kinsley Meetings
Immediate Past Chair:  Miguel Neves, CMP, miguelseven.com

2019 Committee Members:
Dan Berger, Social Tables and Cvent
Betsy Bondurant, CMM, CTE Bondurant Consulting
Andre Cholewinski, CMP, Interel Group
Danielle Cirami-Gillis, Northstar Meetings Group
Matt Harvey, PSAV
Carol Krugman, CMP, MEd CMM, Krugman Maller LLC
Andrea Peterson, CMP, MTA, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Lauren Liles, CMP, Society for Human Resource Management
Stacy Nerf, Delta Airlines
Amy Norris, CMP, CTA, HelmsBriscoe
Margaret O’Gorman, CMP, Butler County Visitors Bureau

The Events Industry Council’s more than 30 member organizations represent 103,500+ individuals and 19,500 firms and properties involved in the events industry. The Events Industry Council’s vision is to be the global champion for event professionals and event industry excellence. They promote high standards and professionalism in the events industry with the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program and their four signature programs—Sustainability, Industry Insights, Knowledge and Leadership—that represent the key initiatives, assets, services and products for the Events Industry Council. For more info, visit www.eventscouncil.org.

  • Superior Logistics

Related Stories

Trending Now

  • Employco