The LGBT Meeting Professionals Association (LGBT MPA), a professional MICE organization based in Philadelphia, announced its newly elected 2022 Board of Directors.
Led by Jim Clapes, Director of Meetings at M3 Meet, the organization’s Nominating Committee convened virtually in October to determine the slate of the 2022 board officers and directors for open positions. The final board was elected in November and began their positions Jan. 1.
LGBT MPA is the first and only organization solely committed to connecting, advancing and empowering the LGBT+ meeting professional community, providing the opportunity for LGBT voices to be uplifted and represented, and educating the industry on a broad range of topics pertaining to inclusion and diversity.
Statistically, there are an estimated 100,000 meetings professionals currently practicing in the U.S. LGBT MPA estimates that 8,000 to 12,000 of professionals working in this field are members of the LGBT community. Globally, the current estimate is 18,000 to 23,000.
“As the world and our industry continue to evolve, LGBT MPA’s north star remains to create a global event industry where all are equal, included and welcome,” said current Chair Derrick Johnson, II, CMP, DES.
“The 2022 BOD will continue helping our industry achieve this vision and leverage our over 2,000 members to impact and strengthen global communities.”
Johnson who is President/CEO at the Organization for Social Empact, will be joined by other Executive Officers: Vice-Chair Ann Garvey, CEO at blueskies marketing and Secretary/Treasurer, and Gary Murakami, Vice President of Sales and Industry Relations at Teneo Hospitality Group. In addition, Jim Clapes, Director of Meetings at M3 Meet will stay on as the Immediate Past Chair.
The following are LGBT MPA’s 2022 Board of Directors.
Charles Bello, CDS
Vice President/Team Director
ConferenceDirect
Avery Chase Bender
Event Manager
University of Florida, Conference Department
Ted Bradpiece
Explorer Travel Services
President/Owner
Michelle Burton
Sr. Operations Manager, Events & Membership
Computer Science Teachers Association
Scott Clay, DES, CTA, PCA
Director of Catering Sales
AC Hotel by Marriott Columbus
Kyle Jordan
Director of Meetings
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)
Chemain Kellogg
Sales Director
Visit Knoxville
Alan Kleinfeld
Director
Arrive Management Group
David Kliman
President
The Kliman Group
Kerry Kurowski, CMP
Director of Meetings and Member Services
Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute
Lipian Mtandabari
Operations Head
Ntsako Travel Africa
Brent Ries
Global Marketing Events Manager
CAS
Gustavo Rivas-Solis
Vice President
Enroute Communications
Larry Sieg
President & CEO
MeetAC
Glenn Stress
Senior Director of B2B Marketing and Events
Marriott International
Trey Weaver
Meetings Manager
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Thomas Whelan, Jr.
Director of Banquets at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
Levy Restaurants
