Six meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry pioneers will join 86 fellow leaders immortalized in the Convention Industry Council’s (CIC) Hall of Leaders.
The six individuals were selected from a group of extraordinary nominees representing the most outstanding leaders and innovators in the industry.
The honorees will be inducted at the 2006 Hall of Leaders Gala on August 20, 2006 in Boston, Massachusetts.
In making the announcement, CIC president and CEO Mary Power said, "We are pleased to honor these extraordinary individuals. Their innovation, commitment and energy are inspiring and a credit to the tremendous talent that exists in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry."
Nominations were submitted either by CIC member organizations or the general industry community. Only those who have substantially contributed to the industry and whose efforts continue to shape it qualify for nomination for the CIC Hall of Leaders.
Nominees must also have proven versatility through a range of actions that have impacted and re-defined meetings, conventions, and/or exhibitions. An eleven-person selection committee, appointed by the CIC, met this month to review the nominations and recommend inductees. The CIC Board of Directors then approved the slate.
The CIC Hall of Leaders was established in 1985. Each inductee is honored at the Hall of Leaders Recognition Pavilion in the Washington (D.C.) Convention Center and on the walls of McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.
The 2006 Hall of Leaders inductees are:
President/ CEO
Sunbelt Motivation and Travel, Inc.
Nominated by: The Society of Incentive and Travel Executives (SITE)
Bill Boyd, CITE, CMP, CMM has experience that spans both the meetings and incentive industries, and is a proven leader and pioneer. As President, CEO and Founder of Sunbelt Motivation & Travel, Inc., Mr. Boyd has provided high-quality incentive travel programs, merchandise award programs, meeting management and motivation strategies for over 25 years. As a pioneer developer of online registration software, Mr. Boyd was one of the first to use such software for his incentive programs. And due to his efforts, others in the industry are aware of the great value of online registration procedures and products. In his current volunteer role as President of The Society of Incentive and Travel Executives (SITE), Mr. Boyd launched the FutureSITE capital funding campaign in 2005, a key factor in SITE’s growth. This was done to ensure that SITE has the funds needed to raise the bar in the incentive and travel industry. Mr. Boyd has also been very involved The Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and served on its Board of Directors from 1991 to 1992. In 1993, he served as the Board Liaison to Council of Chapter Presidents then became President the following year until 1995. He responded to a local need for post-secondary education related to the travel industry, and developed the Travel, Exposition and Meeting Management (TEMM) program at Richland College in Dallas, Texas. In the program’s 10th year, he has set the stage to bring bright new professionals into the industry.
President
R.D. International
Nominated by: International Association for Exhibition Management (IAEM)
Bob Dallmeyer has owned R.D. International since 1984, providing diverse services including international exhibition facility representation & marketing programs, international and domestic exhibition/event management, corporate motivational and marketing seminars, convention center development projects, tradeshow marketing campaigns, and association management. Among his many publications and productions, Mr. Dallmeyer wrote, produced, and directed the video instruction program “Trade Shows: The Unique Sales Opportunity.” In 2003, Mr. Dallmeyer was cited by Tradeshow Week as one of the industry’s “100 Most Influential People” and one of the “Top 5 Industry Entrepreneurs.” While Chairman of the International Association for Exhibition Management (IAEM), he created the Future Strategies committee, as well as the exhibition industry’s Global Council. As President of the International Association of Aerospace & Defense Exhibitions, Mr. Dallmeyer created and implemented destination-marketing programs for such cities as Brussels, Belgium, Monterrey, N.L. Mexico, and Florence, Italy. In addition to other projects, Mr. Dallmeyer currently teaches Exhibition Management for George Washington University’s Event Management Certificate Program as well as IAEM’s Certified Exhibition Management program.
Former Vice President/ Publishing Director
Primedia Business, The Meetings Group Magazines
Nominated by: Betsy Bair, Primedia Business
Virginia Lofft has been a key leader in the meetings and conventions industry for over three decades. As chief editor of Successful Meetings Magazine during the formative years of the meetings industry, she was instrumental in developing several industry associations, including Meeting Professionals International (MPI). Ms. Lofft set editorial standards for hands-on coverage of all industry events and built a reputation for editorial integrity. Her belief in educating others in the international meetings and incentive community led to the development of the award-winning Beyond Borders magazine, which is essential literature for those taking meetings and events to the global stage. Ms. Lofft recognized the emerging interest from foreign destinations about the U.S. meetings and incentive industries and acted as the primary educator for most of the early meeting, incentive, convention, and exposition (MICE) specialists in Europe and Asia. Ms. Lofft was also involved in the creation of the Meeting Executive Certification program, which ultimately became the Convention Industry Council’s Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program. She is a strong role model for women around the world in both the publishing and meetings industries. As a mentor, Ms. Lofft has shown others how to be successful as an inspiring woman and business leader.
J. Frank Poe
Director
City of Dallas Convention & Event Services Department
Nominated by: International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM)
The legacy of J. Frank Poe, thirty two-year convention center veteran, is secure as the leader of IAAM’s Safety and Security Task Force. After the events of 9/11, Mr. Poe accepted the responsibility of chairing the task force, formed by IAAM to address facility security. Under his leadership, the task force created safety and security protocols and best practices for convention centers and exhibit halls, as well as stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters, and performing arts venues. Furthering the vision, Mr. Poe worked with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create the IAAM Academy for Venue Safety and Security (AVSS). The AVSS will be a success, just as many public facilities have successfully thrived under his management. As Director of the City of Dallas Convention and Event Services Department, Mr. Poe maintains responsibility for the Dallas Convention Center, Farmer’s Market, Reunion Arena, and the Office of Special Events. Among one of the largest facilities in the United States (1,900,000 square feet), the Dallas Convention Center has consistently ranked among the top five convention centers in the US. Many industry professionals look to Mr. Poe as a silent mentor through his example, influence and teaching of calm direction and progress.
President
Mickey Schaefer & Associates, LLC
Nominated by: Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
The foresight, vision and leadership of Mickey Schaefer, CAE has made the Convention Industry Council’s Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) initiative possible. In addition to holding the position of Chair of APEX since 2000, she has been APEX’s driving force since its start. Ms. Schaefer has shaped the meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry by establishing accepted practices and standardizing business processes and procedures. APEX is streamlining all aspects of the industry and creating lasting value. Additionally, while serving as PCMA’s chairperson in 1998, Ms. Schaefer brought forth new ideas and perspectives to create the PCMA Learning Center. Like Ms. Schaefer, the Center is committed to continuing quality education for meeting professionals. Her professional career exemplifies passion for the industry, sound leadership, effective business results, and growth with every position she has held. In January 2005, Ms. Schaefer retired from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) after 21 years to start her own consulting company, Mickey Schaefer & Associates, LLC.
Executive Director
Society of Government Meeting Professionals
Nominated by: Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP)
As a founding member in 1981, Carl C. Thompson helped shape the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) to meet the needs of government-meeting planners. His commitment to the unique needs and issues faced by the government meeting professional is evident through his work to educate members, provide networking opportunities, and market SGMP throughout the industry. Due to his incredible volunteer work with SGMP, Mr. Thompson was hired as SGMP’s first Executive Director in 2001. Under Mr. Thompson’s leadership, SGMP has experienced significant membership and financial growth. In August 2005, one of Mr. Thompson’s dreams will become reality with the launch of the first training course for the Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) program. This certification program will provide consistency for federal, state, and local government officials as they plan and execute quality, yet cost effective, government meetings. Mr. Thompson is truly admired and respected by his peers, and has the passion and desire to accomplish what he believes in.
The Hall of Leaders Gala will be held August 20, 2006 in Boston, Massachusetts in conjunction with the American Society of Association Executives’ Annual Meeting. The evening will feature the induction ceremony, fine dining, and a tribute to the industry, as well as a great time for all.