In 2024, the EIC Council approved an expansion and restructuring of the Board to ensure ongoing continuity and representation. The expanded Board will have four directors, including the new position of Treasurer who automatically advances to Chair-Elect. In addition to seven at-large association seats on the board, the slate will now include two at-large representatives from EIC’s corporate membership.
Senthil Gopinath, CEO of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) transitions to Chair of EIC, having held the role of Chair-Elect in 2024. With more than 20 years of experience in the global meetings, association and leisure industry, Gopinath is known for leadership, passion and commitment to the business events and meetings industry.
Stephanie Harris, President of the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) was elected Chair-Elect, and Jason Dunn, CEO of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals, was elected Treasurer. Harris will serve as Chair in 2026, followed by Dunn in 2027. Ana María Viscasillas, MBA, CDME, Board Liaison for COCAL, will serve as Past-Chair on the 2025 Board.
The 2025 Board will help guide the organisation through an important year with numerous noteworthy milestones, including the release of the Futures Landscape Study, a report examining the emerging trends likely to shape the business events industry developed with input from EIC’s 60+ member organisations; the highly anticipated update to the CMP International Standards; and revisions to the EIC Sustainable Event Standards.
“I look forward to supporting Senthil and the Board during this important period of growth and forward vision,” Harris said. “The work we do in the next year will positively impact our industry, growing workforce, and all the lives we touch for years to come.”
EIC President and CEO Amy Calvert congratulated the incoming Executive Committee and Officers, and said she is looking forward to working with the board, volunteer leaders and management team to carry out EIC’s ambitious vision. “I am incredibly enthusiastic about the work ahead of us as we engage with EIC’s global stakeholder community to share our industry’s purpose and impact more broadly.”
The EIC Board is comprised of elected members of the overall Events Industry Council, which consists of associations and corporate organisations spanning the globe and every sector in the business events industry. The Board serves as the governing body for the overall council and has fiscal and strategic responsibility for all EIC programmes.
Executive Committee
- Chair: Senthil Gopinath, Chief Executive Officer, International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)
- Immediate Past Chair: Ana Maria Viscasillas, MBA, CDME, Board Liaison, COCAL
- Chair-Elect: Stephanie Harris, President, Incentive Research Foundation (IRF)
- Treasurer: Jason Dunn, Chief Executive Officer, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals