MPI COO DuBois Takes On Role As PCMA Prez & CEO

<B>MPI COO DuBois Takes On Role As PCMA Prez & CEO</B>

By Chris Davis

Stressing education, technology and stability, longtime meetings industry association executive David DuBois will assume the role of president and CEO of the Professional Convention Management Association.

DuBois, currently COO of Meeting Professionals International, will join PCMA April 1. DuBois will replace longtime PCMA CEO Roy Evans, who is retiring June 30 after 17 years at the helm.

DuBois steps into a time of upheaval at PCMA, as the association is in the process of moving its headquarters from Birmingham, Ala., to Chicago; some staff turnover is expected. "Our goal is to have at least an operational office in Chicago by May 1, with another goal of having the entire operation there by July 1," DuBois said.

A former Sheraton sales executive, DuBois served as the second in command at PCMA between 1991 and 1995. After that he took on a similar role at MPI. Working behind Evans and MPI CEO Edwin Griffin has given DuBois the perspective and experience to help lead the group where he wants to go. "I'm not going to come in with a box of new initiatives," DuBois said. "Our first board meeting is in June, so I'll have two months to try to get my arms around the elephant."

DuBois emphasized a commitment to offering quality educational opportunities, grow individual chapters and increase association membership. "I want to continue to support PCMA's focus on education, with an emphasis on our North American membership. Where MPI is a truly global association, PCMA is a truly North American one, and it's not our priority yet to change."

DuBois has spent much of his time with MPI studying the impact of new technology and the Internet on the meetings industry, and he'd like to see PCMA continue to focus on the same topics. "There are a lot of technological applications and a lot of technology companies approaching all meetings industry organizations," DuBois said. "So technology will continue to be a major priority for me and PCMA, as it is for our members. At MPI, my absolute, number-one focus was technology and I've worked with volunteers to help identify, expand and promote effective technological applications both within the organization and externally."

DuBois' appointment comes during an extended unsettled period for PCMA, beginning with the dismissal of COO William Myers in 1998 after he was named in a sexual harassment suit--which since has been settled--and continued with the announcement of Evans' retirement and the move out of Birmingham.

"I will bring stability to this environment and be a stabilizing force from a staff and volunteer perspective," DuBois said. "It is actually a very stable organization right now. The membership and staff have been waiting patiently for decisions on the move and the new CEO."

DuBois' appointment was approved March 3 in a conference call among the PCMA board of directors. "David DuBois is one of the rare individuals who has enjoyed success on both the association and supplier sides of the business," said PCMA Chair Jean O'Donnell. "In a time of rapid change, challenge and opportunity, he is uniquely qualified and eager to lead PCMA into the future.