(Pictured L-R: ICCA President James Rees and new ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath)
The International Congress and Convention Association’s Board of Directors has selected Senthil Gopinath to serve as the organization’s new CEO. As per ICCA bylaws, the Board made the selection in a closed-vote process, with Gopinath winning by majority vote. He will begin the new role immediately.
“Senthil brings the qualities that we most need in a leader at this juncture,” says James Rees, ICCA president and executive director of ExCeL London. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated not only that he can establish a vision, but also chart the tactical path to reach that vision, always working from a solid foundation of operational and financial expertise.”
Gopinath’s career in the meetings travel industry spans more than 20 years, with 18 years spent working within ICCA member organizations. He joined the ICCA team in 2016 as regional director of ICCA Middle East (ME). In that role, he has forged new relationships with regional governments and industry partners, and grown ICCA ME membership by more than 80 percent.
The Board noted several career accomplishments as key to their consideration of Gopinath during the candidate review process, including:
- Dramatically elevating MICE operations for Emirates Group as its head of business development and operations, making the division one of the largest and most profitable in the region;
- Re-structuring and re-strategizing the business model of VFS Global, a part of Kuoni Travel Group. As vice president-South Asia of VFS Global, growing annual profits exponentially (more than 60 percent growth in two years);
- Creating an innovative private-public partnership model for the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau as its general manager and CEO, increasing business tourism by 78 percent and driving a 64 percent increase in revenue;
- Being named one of three finalists for the 2019 Business Event Strategist of the Year award from the Professional Convention Management Association, with the winner to be announced in May.
Gopinath’s selection marks the end of a process that began last October and drew more than 100 applicants for the position. Finalists were screened through extensive interviews as well as an objective, psychometric evaluation of work styles and strengths using a leading industry instrument. The Board was assisted in the search process by Brussels-based European Affairs Recruitment Specialists (EARS), which was retained for the task in October.
Gopinath’s immediate responsibilities will include developing and executing annual business plans, ensuring operational sustainability and careful financial controls, and building ICCA’s global membership and presence with a special focus on developing member services adapted to each of ICCA’s key regions. He will work from ICCA Head Office in Amsterdam and report to the president and Board of Directors.
Gopinath says, “I am truly honored to be appointed for such a prestigious position in one of the global meetings industry’s leading organizations. I take this opportunity to sincerely thank the president and Board of Directors of ICCA in placing their confidence in me. ICCA has been a family to me for over two decades. I have always cherished my involvement with ICCA and now being at the helm will enable me to listen more closely to our members and key stakeholders, and service them in a more enhanced manner, making ICCA more relevant to the global membership. Together with the ICCA team, we will work on the transformation of ICCA.”
ICCA President James Rees adds, “I am delighted that ICCA is now in a position to move forward with its new CEO Senthil Gopinath. However, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Interim CEO Dennis Speet for his incredible work over the past ten months to help the Board of Directors lay firm foundations for ICCA’s future growth.”
ICCA (The International Congress and Convention Association) is the global community and knowledge hub for the international association meetings industry and represents the world’s leading suppliers in handling, transporting and accommodating international meetings and events, It now comprises more than 1,100-member companies and organizations in almost 100 countries worldwide. ICCA has specialized in the international association meetings sector since its establishment 55 years ago, offering unrivaled data, communication channels, and business development opportunities. ICCA members represent the top destinations worldwide and the most experienced specialist suppliers. International meeting planners can rely on the ICCA network to find solutions for all their event objectives, such as: venue selection; technical and strategic advice; assistance with delegate transportation; full convention planning or ad hoc services. For more info, visit www.iccaworld.org.
