The Convention Industry Council (CIC) welcomes M. Theresa “Terri” Breining, CMP, CMM, owner and president of Concepts Worldwide, as Chair of the APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) Commission.

Ms. Breining has played a key role been an active member in the APEX initiative for over six years and will replace Mickey Schaefer, President of Mickey Schaefer & Associates as Chair of the Commission.

The APEX Commission is responsible for the general oversight of the APEX initiative. It is comprised nine Commissioners, representing the various segments of the meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry.

Ms. Breining was one of the original APEX Commissioners from November 2000 to May 2003 when she resigned due to her responsibilities as Chair of Meeting Professionals International (MPI).

Ms. Breining re-joined the Commission in 2005 and later stepped up as the Interim Chair for a six month period. The Convention Industry Council is thrilled about Ms. Breining’s selection as Chair of the APEX Commission.

“I am honored to be asked to lead this group of dedicated professionals,” Ms. Breining commented.

“Mickey Schaefer has done an impressive job of introducing the concept of APEX, getting every segment of the industry to work together, identifying best practices and developing tools to use those practices. The work now is to drive implementation and continue with the development of next generation tools so that we can all work more effectively and efficiently.”

Ms. Breining brings over 30 years of industry experience and insight to the Commission.

She founded Concepts Worldwide in 1988 as a meeting and tradeshow planning company and is often recognized for her leadership and dedication to the industry.

In addition to her work with APEX, Ms. Breining served as the 2003-2004 Chairwoman of the Board for Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the meeting industry’s largest international organization with almost 20,000 members worldwide.