WASHINGTON, DC, USA (11 January 2026) — The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition and standards, today announced the election of officers and directors to its 2026 Board of Directors.
The EIC Board brings together senior leaders from across the global business events ecosystem and serves as the governing body of the Council, providing fiscal oversight and strategic direction for all EIC programmes and initiatives.
Stephanie Harris, President of the Incentive Research Foundation, will serve as Chair of the Board in 2026, following her term as Chair-Elect. Jason Dunn, Chief Executive Officer of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals, will serve as Chair-Elect, with Dr Senthil Gopinath, Chief Executive Officer of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), continuing his service as Immediate Past Chair. Tina Wehmeir, CMP, CAE, President and Chief Executive Officer of AMC Institute, was elected Treasurer and will serve a one-year term beginning 1 January 2026.
“I am honoured to serve as Chair of the EIC Board at a time when our industry is navigating both opportunity and complexity,” said Harris. “Business events are a powerful driver of economic growth, skills development and human connection, and EIC plays a critical role in advancing those outcomes globally. I look forward to working with this Board to strengthen collaboration across our ecosystem and position our industry for long-term impact.”
Jason Dunn emphasised the importance of EIC’s role as a unifying force for the sector. “As Chair-Elect, I am excited to support EIC’s mission of advocacy, standards and professional recognition at a time when our industry’s voice has never been more important,” Dunn said. “In a year that will include the release of the 2026 Global Economic Significance Study and Global Meetings Industry Day, EIC has an important opportunity to clearly articulate the value of business events and the benefits they deliver to economies and communities around the world.”
EIC President and CEO Amy Calvert congratulated the incoming Board. “EIC benefits immensely from the expertise, diversity of perspective and commitment of its volunteer leaders,” Calvert said. “The 2026 Board reflects the strength of leadership across our global membership as well as a longstanding commitment to the value of a collaboration across our collective industry for greater impact and support of our sector and our people. I look forward to partnering with them as we continue to champion the value and impact of business events worldwide.”
2026 Board of Directors
Officers
Chair: Stephanie Harris, President & Chief Executive Officer, Incentive Research Foundation
Chair-Elect: Jason Dunn, Chief Executive Officer, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals
Immediate Past Chair: Dr Senthil Gopinath, Chief Executive Officer, International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)
Treasurer: Tina Wehmeir, CMP, CAE President & Chief Executive Officer, AMC Institute
At-Large Directors (Two-Year Terms: 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2027)
Association Member: Mark Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, International Association of Conference Centres (IACC)
Association Member: Annette Gregg, CMM, MBA, CIS, Chief Executive Officer, Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE)
Association Member: Paul Van Deventer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Meeting Professionals International (MPI)
Directors Continuing Their Terms (Through 31 December 2026)
Association Member: Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed, CEM, President & Chief Executive Officer, IAEE
Association Member: Don Welsh, President & Chief Executive Officer, Destinations International
Association Member: Sherrif Karamat, President & Chief Executive Officer, PCMA
Corporate Member: Natasha Richards, Director of Impact & Industry Relations, IMEX
Director Serving a One-Year Term (Through 31 December 2026)
Corporate Member: Steve O’Mallely, Chief Operating Officer, Business Events, Maritz