The Event Industry Council (EIC), the global voice for advocacy, research, professional recognition and standards for the business events industry, today announced the election of officers and directors for its 2025 Board of Directors.
In 2024, the EIC Council approved the expansion and reorganization of the Board of Directors to ensure continued continuity and representation. The expanded board will have four directors, including a new treasurer position with automatic promotion to chairman-elect. In addition to the seven At-Large seats on the Board of Directors, the list now includes two At-Large representatives from EIC Corporate Members.
Senthil Gopinath, CEO of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), has transitioned into the role of President of the EIC and will serve as President-elect in 2024. Gopinath has over 20 years of experience in the global meetings, associations and leisure industries and is known for his leadership, passion and commitment to the business events and meetings industry.
Stephanie Harris, president of the Inspiring Research Foundation (IRF), was elected president-elect, and Jason Dunn, CEO of the National Alliance of Black Meeting Professionals, was elected treasurer. Harris will serve as chairman in 2026 and Dunn will serve in 2027. Ana María Viscasillas, MBA, CDME, COCAL Board Liaison, will serve as Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors in 2025.
“I am deeply honored to lead the EIC Board of Directors at this exciting and critical time in the business events industry,” said Gopinath. “I thank former Chairs Ana María Viscasillas and Sherrif Karamat for their steadfast leadership and their continued support as we continue our efforts to advance the industry in all areas for the benefit of all members and partners.”
The 2025 Board of Directors will help guide the organization through an important year, achieving a number of noteworthy milestones, including the release of the Future Landscape Study, which examines emerging trends likely to shape the business events industry, based on more than 60 EIC Developed with input from member organizations; the much-anticipated update to the CMP International Standard; and the revision of the EIC Sustainable Activity Standard.
“I look forward to supporting Senthil and the Board through this important period of growth and vision for the future,” said Harris. “The work we do next year will be important to our industry, our growing workforce and the exposure we have in the years to come.” Make a positive impact on all lives.”
EIC President and CEO Amy Calvert congratulated the incoming executive committee and officers and said she looks forward to working with the board, volunteer leaders and management team to realize EIC’s ambitious vision. “I am extremely enthusiastic about the work ahead of us as we work with EIC’s global community of stakeholders to share our industry’s purpose and impact more broadly.”
The EIC Board of Directors is comprised of elected members from the entire Events Industry Council, which is comprised of associations and corporate organizations around the world and across all sectors of the business events industry. The Board of Directors is the governing body of the entire Council and has financial and strategic responsibility for all EIC programs.
The complete board of directors list is as follows:
2025 Board of Directors
executive committee
- Chairman: Senthil Gopinath, CEO, International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)
- Past President: Ana Maria Viscasillas, MBA, CDME, COCAL Board Liaison
- President-Elect: Stephanie Harris, President, Inspiring Research Foundation (IRF)
- Treasurer: Jason Dunn, CEO, National Alliance of Black Meeting Professionals
At-large officers are appointed for two-year terms, commencing January 1, 2025
- Association Member: Marsha Flanagan, IAEE President and CEO
- Company Member: Ben Goedegebuure, Chief Global Strategy Officer, Maritz
- Association Member: Sherrif Karamat, PCMA President and CEO
- Corporate Member: Natasha Richards, Director of Impact and Industry Relations at IMEX
- Association Member: Tina Wehmeir, AMCI President and CEO
- Association Member: Don Welsh, President and CEO, Destinations International
Officers continue their two-year terms, which will end on December 31, 2025
- Association Member: Michelle Mason, ASAE President and CEO: Association Leadership Center
- Association Member: Vincent Polito, CEO, SISO
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