After raising the profile and performance of the Convention Industry Council (CIC) over a seven year tenure, CIC President Mary Power, CAE, has announced her resignation.

CIC officers and staff are grateful for her commitment, energy and vision.

Day-to-day management of the organization will continue to be provided by Management Options, Inc. (MOI), and Power has agreed to assist in the transition.

“It has been a tremendous experience working to expand the scope of CIC and enhance the meetings and conventions industry. My decision to leave has not been an easy one, but I am very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish during my time as president, and I am confident the organization is headed in a positive direction,” Power said.

In Power’s first year at the helm in 2000, CIC ended a three-year trend of budget deficits and closed with a $125,000 surplus.

Over her tenure, CIC reserves have grown from $224,000 to $900,000, and the prestigious Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) industry certification program has swelled from 2,000 credentialed individuals in three countries to over 12,000 CMPs in 34 countries today.

Power has also overseen the creation of the Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) initiative, which is developing voluntary standards for the industry in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness; and expanded the CIC Hall of Leaders program to include recognition pavilions in the new Washington, DC Convention Center and the expansion of McCormick Place in Chicago.

“The CIC Board is very appreciative of Mary’s dedication and leadership. Staff executives are usually judged by the bottom line, and Mary has clearly advanced CIC from an operating standpoint. More intangible but equally important to CIC is her vision, which has been integral in positioning the organization to meet future challenges. We congratulate her on her accomplishments and wish her continued success,” said John H. Graham IV, CAE, current chair of CIC and president and CEO of ASAE.

MOI accommodates CIC’s 10-person staff and provides infrastructure and expertise in managing CIC’s future direction. MOI is an association management firm specializing in a business approach to nonprofit management, as well as marketing and international development. MOI has provided management services to CIC since May 1, 2006.