Gianluca Buongiorno
PRESIDENT, AIM GROUP INTERNATIONAL
Gianluca is President of AIM Group International. He has been a key figure and driver to the international development and growth of AIM Group International. Additionally, Gianluca is closely working with the industry, engaging as former Vice President of Italcongressi and contributing internationally through his membership of several prestigious associations such as IAPCO and ICCA.
Patrizia Semprebene-Buongiorno
VICE PRESIDENT, AIM GROUP INTERNATIONAL
INCON CO-CHAIR
Patrizia is Vice President of AIM Group International. Under her leadership, the company has consolidated its position in the domestic and international markets and is now one of the global players among PCOs.
Ahmed El Shal
Chairman, ICOM
Ahmed is the founder and chairman of ICOM. He is a highly entrepreneurial individual who has developed ICOM into an integrated, international events company over the past 24 years. Together with his brother Belal, he leads a talented team that provides exceptional services to their event and association clients and he has also played an active role in the Egyptian Tourism and Aviation Association, the Egyptian Junior Business Association, and the Alexandria Businessmen Association (ABA).
Lior Gelfand
CEO, ORTRA
INCON TREASURER
Lior stepped up to the role of CEO in 2002 and since then has been leading ORTRA to become Israel's top PCO and DMC with members of the ICCA. Lior is well involved in the Israeli tourism and MICE industry, acts as a board member and treasurer of ITTOA (Israel tour operators association) and a MICE industry advisor to various local governmental and cities bodies.
Inge Hanser
MANAGING DIRECTOR, CPO HANSER SERVICE
Inge is a founding partner and Managing Director of CPO HANSER SERVICE, the foremost professional conference organiser in Germany. She is also a former President of the International Association of Professional Conference Organisers (IAPCO, 2002-2006). Together with her husband Hermann and their team, they have been handling conferences for up to over 15,000 delegates in Germany and worldwide for more than thirty years.
Sungmin Hwang
CEO, OPENER
Sungmin Hwang, based in Seoul, South Korea, is a professional in the MICE and PCO industry. In 2013, he founded Opener DOC, embarking on a career dedicated to the growth and advancement of the sector. Holding a Ph.D. in Convention and Exhibition Management from Kyung Hee University, Sungmin Hwang is a certified MICE Professional Instructor. His achievements have not gone unnoticed, earning him commendations from the Governor of Gyeonggi Province, the Mayor of Yeosu City, and the Minister of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, recognizing his successful management of international conferences.
Cengiz Korkmaz
CEO, DEKON GROUP
Cengiz has been leading the DEKON Group of companies since 2004. He has also been appointed as the Advisor to the President of the Turkish Association of Travel Companies in MICE related matters and he is a member of the Executive Board of the Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center. He lectures at various universities in Istanbul and in his leisure time likes cooking, soccer, Formula 1 and travelling.
Nicola McGrane
CEO, CONFERENCE PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL
INCON CO-CHAIR
Nicola McGrane established Conference Partners International and Event Partners Ireland in 1998 after recognising her love for the industry at the very beginning of her career. Driven by passion & enthusiasm, the values which drive her are quality, trust and integrity. Eager to raise the standards across the industry, Nicola is also chair of the Association of Irish Professional Conference Organisers (AIPCO) and the European Director of Education for the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO).
Carol McGury
EVP, EVENT AND EDUCATION SERVICES, SMITHBUCKLIN
Carol McGury leads the team that delivers powerful results to Smithbucklin’s clients through the creation and management of educational programming, conference design, business model development, marketing, technology, logistics, and trade show and sponsorship sales and fulfilment…
Jurriaen Sleijster
PRESIDENT, mci group
Jurriaen Sleijster is President & COO of mci group. As a member of mci group’s Executive Committee, Jurriaen is jointly responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of an international group with offices around the world. Day-to-day, Jurriaen leads management processes, a range of service departments and the integration of new mci group offices…
Alejandro Ramírez Tabche
CEO, BTC
Alejandro Ramírez Tabche has been in the tourism industry for more than 25 years. Having graduated from the Faculty of Administration and Finances at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Alejandro has become one of the most prominent consultants for corporate events, professional conference organizer and innovative projects, such as the Aeromexico franchises. He is currently the President of PCO Meetings Mexico, an association that brings together leading meeting companies in the country.
Nicole Walker
CEO, ARINEX PTY LTD
INCON CO-CHAIR
As Managing Director, Nicole provides leadership, management and vision to help grow Arinex and ensure its financial strength and operating effectiveness. Nicole has an in-depth working knowledge of conference operations and a strong focus on exceeding client outcomes. Nicole is leading the Arinex team with the latest technological advancements including the development of an in-house Digital Conference Organising team. She has a strong belief in ongoing training and development focused on global best practice to ensure continued growth of the individual, the company and the events sector.
Lisa Xu
MANAGING DIRECTOR, EAST STAR
Lisa Xu is an international events professional with more than 19 years experience in both government and corporate meetings & events, including: strategic planning, theme development, marketing, events & hospitality, logistics, client account management and sponsorship management. She is responsible for managing a team of more than 80 people and is interested in developing international PCO business, building local and international cross-cultural teams and applying her extensive business experience.
Roslyn McLeod OAM
FOUNDER, ARINEX PTY LTD
Roslyn McLeod is Founder/Chair of Arinex. Roslyn is a well-known and respected figure in the Australian events industry and a leading authority on global congress management.
In recognition of her significant contribution to the Australian tourism industry Roslyn was awarded the Order of Australia by the Australian Government. In 2018 she was recognised by the international meetings industry with an ICCA Top 10 Inspirational Women award.
Angela Guillemet
INCON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Angela is an integral part of INCON, she manages the diverse group with dedication, creativity and diplomacy. She has turned around the look and feel of the partnership, putting in place a new brand identity, website, digital marketing strategy as well as curating content and raising the partnership profile. Prior to joining INCON, Angela managed several communications campaigns whereAbout Angela she united more than 100 global stakeholders. She is specialised in association management and spent the earlier part of her career as a public affairs consultant in Brussels and Paris.