DALLAS | Signaling a strong commitment to global partnership growth, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) today announced the appointment of Katie Callahan-Giobbi as executive vice president, MPI Foundation and strategic partnerships, and the promotion of Didier Scaillet to the newly created position of vice president of global development.

In her new role, Callahan-Giobbi will lead the operations and activities of the MPI Foundation, as well as MPI’s overall publication sales and partnership marketing activities – all key areas that financially support the educational programs, research and business resources MPI delivers to its members.

“We’re extremely pleased to have Katie as an executive leader of the MPI Foundation and working with the MPI Foundation Board of Trustees to help build investment in the global meetings industry through MPI,” said David G. Gabri, MPI Foundation Board of Trustees chair. “Katie’s an experienced, energetic, entrepreneurial leader who is widely respected and will make a real contribution to the development and achievement of the MPI Foundation going forward, as well as impact other MPI client and partner relationships during this time of global growth.”

Callahan-Giobbi joins MPI from LA Inc. the Convention and Visitors Bureau, where she served as senior vice president of sales, service and membership since 2004. LA Inc. the Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the City of Los Angeles.

Prior to that, she was the area director of sales and marketing for W Hotels of New York where she managed sales, promotions, public relations and marketing for five Manhattan-based properties. She also served in similar capacities at the Westin Century Plaza and St. Regis Hotel in Los Angeles and the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago.

Callahan-Giobbi also has been an active MPI volunteer leader at both the chapter and international board levels for more than a decade, having most recently served as the MPI Board’s vice chair of finance and as chair of the International Marketing Strategies Committee.

“The financial resources MPI receives from the MPI Foundation and our business partners support our growth and our ability to deliver on our promise to help make our members more successful,” said Bruce M. MacMillan, C.A., MPI president and chief executive officer. “Katie has powerful human connections that have earned her a proven track record of meetings industry sales success and the respect of meeting professionals and their organizations. This experience and her deep knowledge of MPI’s vision and operations made her the perfect candidate for this leadership role. We look forward to the contributions she’ll make as a member of the MPI management team.”

Callahan-Giobbi will relocate to MPI headquarters in Dallas, Texas, to begin her new role in early March.

Global Growth Drives Expanded Role

Didier Scaillet has been promoted to vice president of global development to lead the organization’s strategic expansion into new markets where the meetings industry is expected to flourish. Scaillet has been one of the architects of MPI’s growth in Europe. For the past six years, he has served as director of European operations and global development. Under his direction, MPI’s European membership across 13 chapters has doubled since 2002 and in the past 12 months alone has grown by 20-plus percent to more than 1,740 members.

“Our European chapters represent the fastest-growing segment of MPI’s membership, and we believe Didier’s business development expertise and strategic capabilities will play a critical role as we evaluate and capitalize upon new opportunities in the global meetings industry,” MacMillan said. “Didier has developed a powerful network of organizational and individual connections around the world that will translate into new value for all of our members.”

Along with Scaillet’s announcement, MPI will create a new position for a director of sales and EMEA (Europe/Middle East/Africa) partnership development, based in Europe, which will be responsible for growing publication sales in Europe, as well as executing new partnership opportunities as the meetings industry continues its global growth.

About the MPI Foundation | Since 1984, the MPI Foundation () has invested more than $11 million in visionary research and education to shape the meetings industry and prepare meeting professionals for the future. Operating on volunteer contributions, the MPI Foundation is the fundraising arm of Dallas-based Meeting Professionals International (MPI). Contributions from MPI chapters, individuals and organizations are invested in high-impact programs to support MPI’s strategic plan which drives education, business development opportunities and clearly defined career pathways for meeting professionals.

About MPI | Meeting Professionals International, the leading association for the global meetings industry, is committed to delivering success for its more than 21,000 worldwide members by providing innovative professional development programs, building industry awareness and creating business development opportunities. Founded in 1972, the Dallas-based organization elevates the role of meetings through its 68 chapters and clubs in 20 countries around the world. For more information, visit .

Kathryn Goldstein
972-702-3071
MPI