Global group will curate accepted practices across the events eco-system and provide framework for meeting face to face again safely
Washington, D.C., USA (8 May 2020) – The Events Industry Council today announces the members of the APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force, an inclusive body that will work toward providing resources that support the industry’s recovery globally.
“We are seeing a number of comprehensive industrywide efforts focused on developing standards to ensure the safety and wellness of attendees, as well as the duty of care protocols essential to reinforce attendee confidence in attending live business events,” said Paul Van Deventer, Chair of the Events Industry Council. “The work of this task force is crucial to curate those efforts and present them in a comprehensive way that translates into practical solutions for professionals across our eco-system.”
The APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task force members include:
- Co-Chair Michael Dominguez, President and CEO, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)
- Co-Chair Kristin Horstman, Senior Director, Strategic Events, Salesforce
- Amanda Armstrong, Assistant Vice President, Global Meetings and Travel, Enterprise Holdings
- Cleo Battle, Chief Operating Officer, Louisville Tourism
- Scott Beck, President & CEO, Tourism Toronto
- David Blansfield, Executive Vice President and Group Publisher, Northstar Travel Group
- Amy Calvert, CEO, Events Industry Council
- Rod Cameron, CEO, AIPC, Joint Meetings Industry Council
- Gregg Caren, Executive Vice President Sales & Business Development – Convention Centers, ASM Global
- Jerry Cito, Executive Vice President, Convention Development, NYC & Company
- Nalan Emre, COO, IMEX Group
- Heather Farley, COO, Access Intelligence
- Danielle Foisy, FASAE, CASE, Director, Business Development & Industry Relations, Transportation Management Services (TMS)
- Kelly Fox, CAE, Senior Vice President, Meetings, Learning and Business Partnerships, Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
- Peggy Fritz, Event Services Supervisor, Toyota North America
- Stephanie Glanzer, CMP, Chief Sales Officer & Senior Vice President, MGM Resorts
- Chuck Ghoorah, Co-Founder and President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing, Cvent
- Linda Gray Martin, Sr. Director & General Manager, RSA Conference
- Stephanie Harris, President, The Incentive Research Foundation
- Mark Herrera, Director of Education & Life Safety, International Association of Venue Managers
- Juli Jones, Vice President, Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI)
- David Kliman, President, The Kliman Group
- Mary Kreins, CASE, Sr. National Sales Director, Disney Meetings & Events, The Walt Disney Company
- Amy Ledoux, CAE, CMP, Chief Learning & Meetings Officer, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
- Tony Lorenz, Founder, Headsail
- Karen Malone, Vice President Meetings, HIMSS
- Richard Maranville, EVP, Chief Digital Officer, The Freeman Company
- Tim Mathy, Partner, Speak Inc.
- Frank Passanante, Senior Vice President, Hilton Worldwide Sales – Americas
- Tammy Routh, Senior Vice President Global Sales, Marriott International
- Stuart Ruff-Lyon, Vice President, Events and Exhibitions, Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS)
- Gary Schirmacher, CMP, Senior Vice President, Industry Presence & Strategic Development, Maritz Global Events
- Cathy Schlosberg, Senior Vice President Marketing, PSAV
- Peter Scialla, President and COO, Delos
- Bita Seow, Executive Director, Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS)
- Julie Smith, CEM, CTA, Senior Vice President, Exhibition Sales, Global Experience Specialists
- Scott Solombrino, CEO, Global Business Travel Association
- Dan Tavrytzky, Managing Director, DMC Network
- Yen Tsutsumi, Sr. Vice President, Operations, George P Johnson Experience Marketing
- Paul Van Deventer, President and CEO, Meeting Professionals International (MPI)
- Ana Maria Viscasillas, MBA, CDME, Vice President, COCAL
- Liz Warwick, Vice President, Meeting Management and Event Strategy, Liberty Mutual Insurance
- Brad Weaber, Principal, Brad Weaber Consulting Group, LLC
- Johnnie White, CEO, American Society of Appraisers
“We all look forward to the day that we can meet face to face again,” said Co-Chair Kristin Horstman. “First, we have to focus on making sure our attendees, employees, partners and community are as safe as possible when we gather together. The urgency of the current crisis demands our focus and our very best thought leaders to help guide and offer solutions.”
“Our work will be guided by a roadmap to accepted practices,” added Co-Chair Michael Dominguez. “The sub-groups will follow a process that looks at resources, gaps, stakeholders, policies and procedures, the 360 degree attendee/customer experience, and risk management guidelines. This comprehensive and global work will result in a resource that will be invaluable across all sectors.”
The task force plans to meet bi-weekly and will share updates as its work progresses. It will follow two parallel paths. The first path is to address the immediate need for guidance on accepted practices and work already underway to reopen the industry when it’s safe to do so. The second path addresses the long-term need to examine adaptation and transformation for the future stability of our workforce, and the relevance and resiliency of our industry.
“We are a global industry of 26 million professionals who fundamentally believe in the value of face-to-face meetings,” said Amy Calvert, CEO, Events Industry Council. “We know the impact we have on the communities we serve, and we are grounded in our common beliefs and commitment to social responsibility and sustainable practices.
“Together we will positively impact our recovery. We will offer our collective leadership through these necessary adaptations and leverage this moment to transform so that our industry is better understood, supported and relevant now and into the future.”
Anyone interested in contributing may contact covidtaskforce@eventscouncil.org.
To learn more about the Events Industry Council, visit this link.
###
