EVENTIA, THE EVENTS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES ‘GANG OF FOUR’ LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

Eventia’s 2007-08 Board has elected a new Chairman and Vice Chairman and announced a strengthened Board leadership structure.

Rob Allen, Chief Executive of marketing communications agency TRO is to head the Association’s Board, supported by new Vice Chairman Patrick Collins, Chairman of international event management agency Universal CIT Ltd.

Both were members of Eventia’s 2006-07 Board and have been unanimously elected by their fellow board members.

Says Executive Director, Izania Downie: “I’m delighted that we have two such highly-respected individuals to lead the Board; all the more so since they clearly have the complete support of their fellow board members. Rob’s broad marketing communications experience, including B2C activity, supported by Patrick’s excellent standing in the international arena, will give us a dream team to represent the entire corporate events sector.”

The last resolution voted-upon by Eventia’s 2006-07 Board, had been to strengthen its leadership structure by establishing that henceforth the Chairman’s term of office reduces from two years to one; and the Chairman will automatically be succeeded by the incumbent Vice Chair.

The retiring Chairman will become Immediate Past Chair. For 2007-08 this role will be taken by Nigel Cooper, Managing Director of P&MM Travel. These three senior positions, working in partnership with the permanent Executive Director, will effectively constitute a ‘Gang of Four’ leadership structure to maximise Board stability.

Adds Downie: “Nigel Cooper was a phenomenal Chairman for the last two years and his agreement to maintain a hands-on role will be hugely appreciated, not just by his fellow board members but by the membership as a whole.”

Eventia’s 2007-08 Board was elected by the Association’s membership and announced at the Association’s AGM on 25 June. Its first Board Meeting took place on 1 July, immediately prior to Eventia’s annual summer conference.