Getting to Know Your Chapter - Meeting Professionals International ...

Here’s the latest changes and updates on people
we know, or should get to know, in the meetings industry!
By Sally
Magallanes, CMP
It’s the start of MPI-CAC’s new
year, with exciting changes on the
board and in its committees. There
are also great, new beginnings for
a number of other members and
companies! Read on for the latest
news about your colleagues.
People on the Move…
Congratulations to Joe Hirsch on his
recent career
move. Joe is
now in National
Sales Business
Development
for AVW-TELAV
Audio Visual Solutions,
A Freeman
Company.
Joe Hirsch
His new contact
information is (630) 420-1299 (phone);
(630) 420-1279 (fax) and email
address joe.hirsch@avwtelav.com.
Website is www.avwtelav.com.
Prior to employment with AVW-
TELAV, Joe was in national sales
for LXR Luxury Resorts. Although
he’ll be busy with his new responsibilities,
he plans to remain active
with the Chicago Area Chapter of
MPI. Best wishes to you!
Greg Leeper recently accepted a
new position as
Regional Director
of Sales for
two outstanding
Benchmark Hospitality
properties,
Turtle Bay
Resort, Oahu,
Greg Leeper
Hawaii
and
French Lick Resort Casino in
French Lick, Indiana. Greg has
been a leading sales professional
in the meetings industry
for over 20 years, most recently
serving as Director of Sales for
hinton+grusich. His career also
includes sales positions with
Hyatt, Starwood, the Greenbrier
and Loews Hotels. Greg can
be reached at (312) 451-6707
or send an email to gleeper@
benchmarkmanagement.com.
Take a moment to check out the
websites: www.frenchlick.com,
www.turtlebayresort.com, and
www.benchmarkhospitality.com.
Congratulations and best wishes
to you, Greg!
There’s a new face in the Swissôtel
Chicago’s sales’ team. Alana Zeiger
has just come on board as a Sales
Manager for the upscale property.
She is excited about this new opportunity
and can be reached at
(312) 268-8209, by fax at (312) 268-8202
or email alana.zeiger@swissotel.com.
Website is www.swissotelchicago.com.
Prior to her move, Alana was a
Sales Associate at Chicago-based
hinton+grusich. We wish her much
success!
Organizations in Change...
ProActive, Inc. is pleased to announce
an exciting new chapter in
its 14-year history! The event management/production
company has recently
been acquired by the Freeman
Companies. Tony Lorenz, CMM, will
continue as President of ProActive,
Inc. and also join Freeman’s senior
management team. He reports that
ProActive’s team of professionals will
remain intact and continue to run operations
in the manner its clients are
accustomed to. The new business arrangement
affords ProActive, Inc. to
have the name recognition and resources
afforded by Freeman, which
was founded in 1927. Drop Tony a line
at lorenz@proactiveinc.com or call
him at (312) 654-4300. For more information,
go to www.proactiveinc.com
and www.freemanco.com.
Special Honors...
Deborah A. Hall, Founder and
President of Hall & Associates,
Ltd.—executive recruiter for the
hospitality industry—has recently
been appointed Chairwoman of
the National Association of Executive
Recruiters. Hall & Associates,
Ltd. is the only hospitality executive
search firm in this association and
must meet the highest level in best
practices and ethics in its recruiting
process. For more details, go
to www.hallandassociatesltd.com.
Kudos to you, Deborah!
A round of applause to industrymember
Ted Miller, CHME, CHSP,
for receiving the first annual Partnership
Award at the Society of
10 news & views | july-august 2007 www.mpicac.org