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Meeting Professionals International Names Paul Van Deventer, President and CEO
Leader Tapped to Build on Existing Strategic Direction, Expand MPI Impact
Telephone Press Conference Scheduled For 9:30 AM CDT Today
DALLAS – April 16, 2013 – After a comprehensive search, the Meeting Professionals International (MPI)
Board of Directors has appointed Paul Van Deventer MPI president and chief executive officer, filling the top
leadership role for the largest global meetings and events industry association.
Most recently, Mr. Van Deventer served as a Vice President in the Health & Wellness Division at
Walgreens, the largest drugstore chain in the United States. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing
revenue generation and client retention for Walgreens’ $500 million suite of employer-focused healthcare
solutions. During his tenure at Walgreens, Mr. Van Deventer also led the national sales and account
management team for the company’s $1 billion Prescription Benefit Management (PBN) subsidiary,
Walgreens Health Initiative.
“Having led business groups for blue chip Fortune 100 companies, Paul is a seasoned senior executive with
both international and travel industry experience and a proven track record for driving growth, creating
brand value and developing high-performing, engaged teams from the inside out,” said Kevin Hinton, MPI
Chairman and Executive Vice President of Associated Luxury Hotels International.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Van Deventer spent 22 years with American Express. While there, he had direct
experience with the business travel sector and meetings and events when, as Senior Director of
Multinational Sales and Operations, he led a $350 million global business unit with responsibility for more
than 50 business travel customer service centers, 500 employees and a meetings/events group focused on
the automotive industry. He also spent two years directing American Express’ $3 billion travel and
corporate card businesses in Australia and New Zealand. In his last position at American Express, Mr. Van
Deventer built and led a team managing $8 billion in global corporate card relationships with the
company’s largest multinational customers. His team achieved annual double digit top-line revenue growth,
while delivering 32% year-on-year international growth, $1.9 billion in new sales and achieving “worldclass” status in 14 of 14 employee satisfaction dimensions.
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MPI Names New CEO – Page Two
“Paul is client-focused, smart and engaging, possessing the skills and experience to build strong
relationships and transform businesses,” Hinton said. “We believe he’s the right leader to leverage our
existing strengths and strategy to broaden MPI’s impact – be it through new partnerships, products or
market opportunities. He will be a compelling evangelist for MPI, as we look to expand our engagement
with members, chapters, the business community and the broader meetings and events industry.”
Mr. Van Deventer will begin his new role leading the association’s global staff, which includes offices in
Europe and Canada, on April 29, 2013. As CEO, he will have responsibility for managing MPI’s operating
budget, while overseeing all membership programs and services and working closely with MPI’s Board of
Directors to guide the association’s vision and industry growth. He will also serve as liaison to the MPI
Foundation, dedicated to advancing the meetings and event profession.
“The search committee looked at a broad array of candidates within and outside the industry,” said Michael
Dominguez, MPI CEO Search Committee Chair and Senior Vice President of Sales at MGM Resorts
International. “Our primary focus was to find a high-caliber, globally-minded leader with exceptional
communications skills, brand building experience and the ability to drive incremental growth and
engagement. Paul was that person. We believe he will prove to be a collaborative leader whose
conviction, focus and intensity aligns well with the job at hand at MPI.”
Mr. Van Deventer added that he feels fortunate to be stepping into a strong organization primed for
continued success.
“MPI has a rich history of industry leadership, education and best practice facilitation, led by a group of
passionate and engaged volunteers and professional staff,” he said. “I am excited to be returning to my
meetings and travel roots to help leverage MPI’s strong brand and vibrant chapter network to invigorate and
engage MPI members and expand MPI’s global reach and role as an industry advocate.”
About MPI
Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the meeting and event industry’s largest and most vibrant global
community, helps members thrive by providing human connections to knowledge and ideas, relationships,
and marketplaces. MPI membership is comprised of more than 21,000 members belonging to 71 chapters
and clubs worldwide. For additional information, visit mpiweb.org.
NOTE: A TELEPHONE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD TODAY, APRIL 16, 9:30 A.M.
(CDT). DIAL-IN NUMBER: 800-371-9219; CONFERENCE CALL CODE: 3363565.
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