Travel Industry News - Appointments

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.

Mr Manuel Butler succeeds Ms Petra Hedorfer of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) for a three-year term.

Effective 1 April 2013, Ivan Walter has been appointed CEO of GTA where he was previously Senior Vice President for Global Sourcing & Product Development. GTA is Kuoni’s business to business provider of ground products and services for fully independent travel (FIT).

Joining the Board will be Christie Hicks, senior vice president of Starwood Sales Organization at Starwood Hotels and Resorts; Volker Huber, president of the Americas, Asia Pacific & Global sales at AirPlus International Inc.; Laurie Kazimer, manager of travel services at Target Corporation; and John Slater, vice president of sales for the Americas at United Airlines.

Global Sustainable Tourism Council Appoints Chief Executive Officer - Opens Madrid Office at World Tourism Organization

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has announced that Vanessa Ledesma will assume the role of director of operations, a new position with responsibilities for overall day-to-day oversight of the Association. She will retain her position as director of conferences and events, a job she has held for the past 12 years.

Davis most recently served as the general manager of ResortQuest Delaware overseeing and managing Wyndham Vacation Rental operations for over 1,000 rental accommodations in the Mid-Atlantic and over a dozen independent homeowner associations Wyndham manages on a fee-for-service basis.

Rodahl has served as interim head since October, 2012. Prior to that, she was the interim human resources leader for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Americas, from March – October, 2012. From 1991 to 2004, Rodahl served as a divisional vice president of Human Resources at Carlson Wagonlit Travel and Carlson Marketing Group.

He succeeds Mark Liberman who served in the role since 2003 and announced his retirement this past May.

Ms Poillerat, who acts as Global Category Leader, Meetings & Events at AstraZeneca in Paris, will join Mr Yann Le Goff, who acts as the region's President. Ms Poillerat will formally take on the role beginning on January 1st 2013.