Meeting Focus magazine has selected 22 meetings industry personalities - innovators who have a significant impact on its development around the world.

Traditionally, attention was paid to commitment to the development, professionalization, local initiatives and corporate social responsibility. All the winners were divided into three groups according to their professional duties.

Krzysztof Celuch, manager of the Poland Convention Bureau Polish Tourist Organisation was among the trendsetters of business tourism.

 

EDUCATOR

James Spellos, President, Meeting U
Specialties: Meetings technology; speaker, author and blogger

Corbin Ball, President, Corbin Ball Associates
Specialties: Meetings technology; author, blogger and speaker

Dr. Swathi Ravichandran
Specialties: Hospitality school professor; F&B; lodging management

Krzysztof Celuch, Poland Convention Bureau PTO
Specialties: Educator; industry advocate; speaker; CVB leader

SUPPLIER

Ray Bloom, Chairman & Founder, IMEX Group
Specialties: Leader of the leading meetings industry exhibitions in the U.S. and Europe

Greg DeShields, Executive Director, Multicultural Affairs Congress (PHLDiversity). A division of the Philadelphia CVB
Specialties: Diversity in meeting planning; creating a career pipeline for minorities in hospitality fields

Aoife Delaney, Director of Global Sales, Ovation Global DMC
Specialties: International DMC sales; industry association leader

Michael Owen, Managing Partner, EventGenuity
Specialties: Industry advocate; events producer; educator

PLANNER

RobYn Mietkiewicz, Director, Global Meeting Management, Meeting Sites Resource
Specialties: Contract negotiation and site selection; industry education

Stuart Ruff, Director, Meetings, Exhibitions and Events, RIMS, The Risk Management Society
Specialties: Industry associations; industry advocacy

MaryAnne Bobrow, President, Bobrow Associates, Inc.
Specialties: Industry advocacy and issues; meeting planning

Nancy J. Zavada, Principal, MeetGreen
Specialties: Sustainable meetings; author, speaker and blogger