Alexandria, VA – Peggy Daidakis, executive director of the Baltimore Convention Center, and Eduardo Chaillo, former head of the Mexico Tourism Board, were among the five honorees named to the Convention Industry Council (CIC) Hall of Leaders Class of 2013.
Joining Daidakis and Chaillo at the formal induction October 13 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas will be Jorge Castex, a pioneer of Argentina’s trade show industry; Liz Erickson, director, meetings & incentives, for Fairmont-Raffles-Swissôtel, and Stephen Powell, vice president, worldwide sales, Intercontinental Hotels Group. The induction will be held prior to IMEX America in Las Vegas.
The Hall of Leaders honorees were nominated by CIC member organizations and the general industry community based on those who substantially contributed to the industry and whose efforts continue to shape it. “The 2013 Class of Hall of Leaders honorees clearly meet the criteria for this award,” said Karen Kotowski, CEO of the CIC. “All have shown remarkable leadership and their prolific work continues to advance the field.”
* Daidakis has been part of every major redevelopment in Baltimore’s meeting and tourism history. In 1978, she was instrumental in creating Baltimore’s convention and visitors bureau. She reached a milestone in 1986, becoming the first woman to manage and operate a convention center in the U.S. As co-chair of a joint IAVM-DMAI committee, she was a key force in creating the landmark white paper, “Best Practices, Convention Center Sales and Convention Center Operations.”
* Chaillo was instrumental in launching Mexico chapters of the Professional Convention Management Association and International Congress and Convention Association. He was instrumental in launching the Economic Significance Study of the Mexico Meetings Industry to articulate the value of events to the Mexican economy. He is committed to elevating the image and standards of the profession through credentialing, involvement and education.
* Castex began organizing conventions in exhibitions in Argentina in the 1970s and was chair of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers Training Academy for 10 years.
* Erickson has more than 40 years experience in the hospitality industry and currently oversees strategy for the Fairmont brand.
* Powell was youngest-ever president of Meeting Professionals International and an early industry proponent of technology’s role in association community building.
Reach Karen Kotowski at (571) 527-3116 or kkotowski@conventionindustry.org
