Signaling a strong commitment to global partnership growth, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) announced the appointment of Katie Callahan-Giobbi as executive vice president, MPI Foundation and strategic partnerships, and the promotion of Didier Scaillet to the newly created position of vice president of global development.  

In her new role, Callahan-Giobbi will lead the operations and activities of the MPI Foundation, as well as MPI’s overall publication sales and partnership marketing activities – all key areas that financially support the educational programs, research and business resources MPI delivers to its members.

“We’re extremely pleased to have Katie as an executive leader of the MPI Foundation and working with the MPI Foundation Board of Trustees to help build investment in the global meetings industry through MPI,” said David G. Gabri, MPI Foundation Board of Trustees chair.

“Katie’s an experienced, energetic, entrepreneurial leader who is widely respected and will make a real contribution to the development and achievement of the MPI Foundation going forward, as well as impact other MPI client and partner relationships during this time of global growth.”

Callahan-Giobbi joins MPI from LA Inc. the Convention and Visitors Bureau, where she served as senior vice president of sales, service and membership since 2004. LA Inc. the Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the City of Los Angeles. 

Prior to that, she was the area director of sales and marketing for W Hotels of New York where she managed sales, promotions, public relations and marketing for five Manhattan-based properties. She also served in similar capacities at the Westin Century Plaza and St. Regis Hotel in Los Angeles and the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago.

Callahan-Giobbi also has been an active MPI volunteer leader at both the chapter and international board levels for more than a decade, having most recently served as the MPI Board’s vice chair of finance and as chair of the International Marketing Strategies Committee.

“The financial resources MPI receives from the MPI Foundation and our business partners support our growth and our ability to deliver on our promise to help make our members more successful,” said Bruce M. MacMillan, C.A., MPI president and chief executive officer.

“Katie has powerful human connections that have earned her a proven track record of meetings industry sales success and the respect of meeting professionals and their organizations. This experience and her deep knowledge of MPI’s vision and operations made her the perfect candidate for this leadership role. We look forward to the contributions she’ll make as a member of the MPI management team.”