JMIC “Profile and Power” Award Announced

Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) President Barbara Maple today announced the winner of the 2006 JMIC Profile and Power Award as Mr. Hervé Bosquet, Managing Director of the Brussels Convention Bureau (Brussels International – Tourism & Congress - BITC) for his role in developing and staging the Brussels Meetings Week. The “Meetings Mean Progress” week took place in Brussels from the 13th to the 17th of February 2006 with the aim of increasing public awareness of the importance of the Meetings Industry and raising its profile through various events in Brussels.

“Mr Bosquet is a very appropriate winner, as his actions exemplify the kind of initiative we are trying to encourage through our “Profile and Power” program to raise the profile of the Meetings Industry and give those of us who work in the industry more influence over global events and decisions that influence our future”, said Maple. “We hope his efforts will serve to stimulate other organizations and cities in the same direction, so that more in our industry can join the growing family of organizations and destinations that are developing awareness events like this all over the world.”

The Brussels Meetings Week incorporated a number of activities, including a special business reception and presentation, a career day, a press conference and presentations to government officials. It will be continued and strengthened in the years ahead, with the next “Brussels Meetings Week 2007” already underway and special committees gathering together each month to work on the program.

The JMIC Profile and Power Award was established by the Council as a way of recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing the awareness and influence of the Meetings Industry in their respective communities. The winner is selected each year based on criteria which evaluate the efforts of an individual or organization in increasing industry profile.

JMIC – the Joint Meetings Industry Council – was established in 1978 as a vehicle for creating a forum for the exchange of information and perspectives amongst international associations engaged in various aspects of the Meetings Industry. It has met annually each year and served as a link between its member organizations as well as a means of reviewing industry conditions and strategies.

JMIC members include AIPC (The International Association of Congress Centres); COCAL (The Latin American Confederation of PCO and Related Companies); EFCT/ECT (The European Federation of Conference Towns); EVVC (The European Association of Event Centers); IAPCO (The International Association of Professional Congress Organizers); ICCA (The International Congress and Convention Association); MPI (Meeting Professionals International) and SITE (The Society of Incentive & Travel Executives).

For further information contact:
Marianne de Raay, JMIC Secretariat Office
Tel: (32) (2) 534 59 53 Fax: (32) (2) 534 63 38
e-mail: Marianne.de.raay@aipc.org


Previous JMIC Media Releases:

JMIC Unity Award for 2006 Announced
JMIC Profile & Power Award 2005 Announced
JMIC Unity Award 2005 Announced
JMIC Launches Web Site