Leadership Teams | MCI United States

Stay ahead of the curve and stand out above the rest. The leaders of MCI are constantly developing relevant forward-thinking solutions to meet our clients’ business goals.

Ajay Bhojwani

Managing Director - United Arab Emirates

An Indian national who has spent over 25 years in the Middle East brings a vast experience of doing business and building new revenue streams for MCI over the past many years. With a masters in marketing, Ajay has spent several years in his initial years working with market research companies studying consumer behavior and trends to launch new products & services in the region. With over 15 years in the meetings industry, he has launched several events and shows in various emerging markets in the region and beyond as well as worked with several associations helping them launch and build new business in the region. A solution-driven, he has always strived for excellence and looking beyond the norm for opportunities and creating a magic that has assisted in the growth of the business.
André Carvalhal

Managing Director - Brazil
Andreas Laube

Managing Director - Germany

After graduating his studies of Business Administration and Marketing, Andreas Laube launched his career in Live Communication and Brand Experience. For many years, he designed and managed large-scale event productions and exhibitions. Andreas was Managing Director of the agency “p’concept” before he joined MCI in 2007. Today, Andreas runs MCI Germany as joint Managing Director, together with Thomas Wüthrich. Andreas takes care of communication and marketing, brand experiences and creative solutions for MCI’s customers. As engagement architect and experience designer, he develops MCI’s solutions portfolio to deliver engaging physical, hybrid and digital solutions. Andreas is also Member of the MCI Global Management Board.
Antoine Alexandre

Managing Director - France

As General Manager of MCI France, Antoine ALEXANDRE defines and organizes the agency's overall development strategy and manages the Event activity. With more than 20 years of experience in strategy, design and event production, Antoine ALEXANDRE joined MCI France in 2014, after selling the Yves HUNT event agency of which he was the founder to the Group. He has developed his know-how in the organization of trade shows and general public within the Reed group (Boat Show, Book Fair, Apple Expo), then strengthened its expertise in the design and production of large-scale event operations in the Carat group.
Arnaud Chouraki

Managing Director - France

Arnaud CHOURAKI is General Manager of MCI France. Arnaud has more than 20 years’ experience of organizing and activating BtoB and BtoC events. Expert in automobile and pharma industries, Arnaud is also highly involved in the strategic transformation of MCI France and the development of its digital and consulting expertise. From concept to realization, Arnaud has led some of the biggest sports and corporate events in recent years with references including Cannes Yachting Festival, Longines Masters, Jeux Olympics, Tour de France and more. Arnaud joined MCI in 2014 after selling the Yves HUNT event agency of which he was the co-founder. He started his career in 2002 as event director for the Paris base marketing agency Connect Factory and has since strengthen his expertise in strategy, design and production for large scale events. He is an active Board member of l’Evènement, the leading French professional association representing consulting, design and production agencies in the event and communication field.
Bernard Alkili

Managing Director - Indonesia
Carrie Hartin

President - Sales, Solutions & Services USA

Carrie Hartin leads a talented team that generates revenue for more than 40 top associations across the United States, providing a wide range of customized sales solutions—in media, sponsorships, training programs and more—so these organizations have the funding they need to serve hundreds of thousands of members in law, medicine, education and other key industries. She intuitively knows that in today's evolving association marketplace, media sales is about finding new and creative ways to align advertisers' messages with audiences valuable to our clients.
Cathie Cusin

Managing Director - Geneva

Cathie Cusin is born with one dream. Working in tourism! Gratuated from the Ecole Hotelière from Strasbourg, her carrier has started in a traditional travel agency followed by air brokering in Paris. She joined MCI 30 years ago and she followed the evolution and expansion of the company, from Project management to leadership.
Chris Fountain
Chris Oh

Managing Director - Korea

Chris Oh is the Managing Director of South Korea and he and his team focus on helping clients with their international conferences and corporate meetings, live or virtual.
Daniel Wiesinger

General Manager - Vienna

Daniel has an experience of many years in the events industry. He is passionate about exceeding clients’ expectations and boosting customer satisfaction. Daniel will focus on leveraging market leads and grow our share in Austria.
Erin Fuller

Managing Director & President, Associations Solutions

Erin Fuller leads MCI USA’s team of more than 100 nonprofit management professionals, and assesses business-development and partnership opportunities that advance our mission and model. Through her work with MCI USA’s consulting clients, Erin and her team have delivered expert guidance to high-profile national and international nonprofits on topics including governance redesign, comprehensive marketing, branding, and communication plans, and non-dues revenue development.
Frankie Gao

Managing Director - China

Frankie Gao works for MCI Group in China since year 2007 to oversee strategic planning and business operation across China , he is a guest professor at East China Normal University and Shanghai Business School to train undergraduate student interested in business event industry. Gao spent seven years with Air China, the China’s flagship air carrier and seven years with Tourism Australia, the Australian federal force promoting Australia as tourism destination internationally,
Idoia Rodes Torrontegui

President MCI - Benelux

Idoia Rodés is Vice President of Global Business Development for the MCI Group. Her role is to further consolidate MCI's leading position in the meetings and events industry by driving the company's global commercial activities. Idoia's primary objective is to contribute to the organic growth of the company by ensuring market and client relevance.
Juliano Lissoni

Managing Director - Canada

Juliano Lissoni works for MCI since 2012, when he joined as Managing Director of the Brazilian offices. In 2016, Juliano moved to Canada to oversees the Canadian offices in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, being also Board Member of Blockchain Revolution Global, a worldwide community of enterprise blockchain. His career in the events industry includes content & TV production, sports, entertainment and consulting, having in his portfolio the organization of tennis tournaments, music festivals and concerts with artists like Paul McCartney. Lissoni is an economist with MBA in Marketing and MSc in Management, and currently taking an Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation at MIT Sloan School of Management. Juliano believes that organizations in all sectors need to preserve the core and stimulate the progress, reason why he is passionate about helping organizations to re-designs business models and innovate.
Mariano Castex

Managing Director - Argentina & Chile

Passionate about developing strategies to create communities, designing unforgettable experiences and connect teams in Latin America. Used to acting in changing and volatile scenarios, always looking for opportunities. In every challenge, there is an opportunity.
Michael Libotte

Managing Director - Italy

Michael Libotte is Managing Director of MCI Italy and has covered this position since 2007. Michael has a significant track record on business events and his career in the international meetings and events sector began in 1996. He oversees the agency’s operations and manages the event activity across Italy ensuring execution in a seamless manner. Michael also leads the DMC division under the Ovation brand. He has a wealth of experience in logistics for large-scale events and has managed some of the largest ground operations in Italy.
Oscar Cerezales

Global Executive Vice President Corporate Division | Chief Operating Officer - Asia Pacific

"I embrace innovation as an unmissable opportunity to craft strategic solutions that give our client partners a competitive advantage in our fast-changing world."
Peter-Willem Burgmans

Managing Director - The Netherlands
Richard Torriani

Chief Operating Officer Americas & Global Vice President Strategic Events

I drive the expansion of MCI in the Americas with P&L responsibility on a regional turnover in excess of 250 Million USD and the ambition to develop strategic partnerships with our clients focusing on innovation and value creation. We have built one of the largest association management practices in the USA recruiting and retaining an outstanding global workforce and defining the vision, strategy and priorities with professional membership organisations. We future-proof organisations to retain relevancy with an engagement model that integrates e-platforms where communities can engage year round.
Rob Allidine

Managing Director - Ireland

Rob has been at the forefront of the live event and experiential marketing space for over 25 years. He has led a range of ground breaking events including being the live producer for Arthur’s day for five years working with acts including Stereophonics, Snow Patrol, Westlife and Manic Street Preachers. He has created and managed Ireland’s biggest ever conference for The international Bar Association and delivered the biggest marquee build in the country for CIES Gala Dinner. Rob and his team have a “can do will do” attitude to their work and value every client interaction they have.
Samir Kalia

Managing Director - India

Samir Kalia spear heads the India business of MCI Group. A strong player in the association market, and with an experience of two decades in conference management, Samir led his own company, GeTS Conferences, into a JV with MCI India in July 2017. With this joint venture, Samir is set to take MCI India to new heights, for MCI to be the sole International player in the events and conference industry in the country with a true local market reach, a long list of client success stories and an extensive global and national experience. Backed with a wealth of experience in the healthcare domain, Samir Kalia has ensured that MCI continues to raise the bar on quality and service offered to its corporate clients, with the addition of a new dimension towards the acquisition of healthcare clients – a cornerstone of MCI’s global success. As a young enthusiast and passionate traveler, the entrepreneur bug bit Samir early in 1987 when he founded GeTS Holidays, the first vertical of GeTS. Samir pioneered the e commerce travel portal in 1998, the first of its kind in India. From starting with a small room office, his company soon spread its wings across 4 locations in India. Technology and online marketing remain his biggest passions. With the JV, Samir also enhances MCI India’s Corporate Events and Destination Management capabilities in supporting meetings, social events, pre-and post-tours, hotel procurement as well as tour logistics and sourcing, more effectively. An Out-of-the-Box thinker, Samir has a proven track record of increasing revenues through strategic planning and creating a team-work environment to encourage productivity & innovation and increase profitability. When not working he’s found watching soccer or traveling around the globe. He loves the outdoors and a dream holiday for him is sailing in a house boat in Kerala or looking for penguins in South America. Another big passion is wildlife and he has been exploring jungles for the past 35 years.
Sandrine Castres

Managing Director - Spain

Sandrine is Managing Director of MCI Spain and Portugal. She is graduate from French Universities, where she received a Degree in Tourism Management and master’s degree in destination marketing. After graduating she moved to Barcelona where she started her career in the event industry, first as Project Manager for International Association Meetings. In 2003, she joined the project of the International Convention Centre of Barcelona and became the Sales Manager for Association Meetings. In 2007 she was appointed by MCI as PCO global sales manager for the Institutional division. She was promoted to MD of Spain in 2010. Teacher in universities from Barcelona Madrid & Bilbao Former President of MPI Spain she is currently member of the EMEA Board of PCMA.
Shawn Pierce

President Strategic Events, Meetings & Incentives USA

As President of MCI USA’s Strategic Events, Meetings & Incentives (SEM&I) business unit, Shawn Pierce leads a 100+ person team that delivers strategic solutions to the meetings and events industry. Pierce steers five divisions from the Plano, Texas-based office – Strategic Event Management, Corporate Meetings & Events, Incentive Events, Convention Housing & Registration, Site Selection, Lead Cultivation, and MCI’s Investment & Management Partnerships.
Stellan Eriksson

Managing Director - Sweden
Sylvie Neves

Managing Director - Czech Republic

Sylvie Neves is the Managing Director of the MCI Prague office since 2009. Beside administration duties, Sylvie is also responsible for the developments of engagement and marketing strategies at a local level. In addition to this role she also leads the DMC division under the Ovation brand. On a daily basis she ensures the execution of activities in a seamless manner and efficient collaboration with colleagues around the world. Her active contribution to local organisations keeps her up to date to the latest trends and gives opportunities to broad cooperations to the benefit of her clients.
Tahir Masood

Managing Director - Saudi Arabia

Tahir Masood uses an outcomes-focused resilient approach to realize his growth ambitions. As an industry expert with 40+ years of experience in Hospitality and M.I.C.E. industry, he has a track record of driving business expansion and revenue growth through aggressive business development initiatives and increased market penetration / market share. As direct, decisive leader, Tahir remains enthusiastic about continuous improvements in quality, productivity, and efficiency. Influencing, motivating and engaging talent to collaborate and build the capabilities needed to ensure they prosper in a future where disruption and change have become business as usual.
Tatsuo Arai

Managing Director - Japan

Tatsuo has been serving as Managing Director of MCI Japan since its establishment in 2008. He engages in developing and maintaining client relationships, managing staff members, and keeping MCI in a high profile within meetings industry in Japan. During over-40-year experience in the global meetings industry, Tatsuo had many occasions to speak at industrial associations such as ICCA, IAPCO and MPI. He has also served on several advisory committees for the Japanese government.
Thomas Wüthrich

Managing Director - Germany

Thomas Wüthrich launched his career in hospitality and tourism in the late 90ies in the airline industry. In 2002, he joined MCI in Zurich, and he took the head in 2008. Four years later, he moved to Stockholm to lead MCI’s operations in the Nordic countries. And in 2017, Thomas transferred to Berlin, as Joint Managing Director for MCI Germany and its subsidiaries in Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Munich, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart. Thomas, certified CMM MPI, collated a substantial knowledge of the international MICE- and Event-Management-industries, he co-edited a leading industry-text book in Switzerland, and he served on several boards and international working groups. Thomas is also member of the MCI Global Management Board.
Tom Gibson

CEO USA

"I've always believed the best leaders cultivate a wide field of vision. That's especially true in a time of accelerated economic shifts and compressed decision making. Leading today also requires a relentless push for innovation. At MCI USA, we're always focused on what’s next––so we can give our clients the strategic insights needed now to drive business in a world of volatility and uncertainty."

Leadership Teams | MCI United States | EN

The people behind MCI

Ajay Bhojwani

Managing Director - United Arab Emirates

André Carvalhal

Managing Director - Brazil

Andreas Laube

Managing Director - Germany

Antoine Alexandre

Managing Director - France

Arnaud Chouraki

Managing Director - France

Bernard Alkili

Managing Director - Indonesia

Carrie Hartin

President - Sales, Solutions & Services USA

Cathie Cusin

Managing Director - Geneva

Chris Fountain

Chris Oh

Managing Director - Korea

Daniel Wiesinger

General Manager - Vienna

Erin Fuller

Managing Director & President, Associations Solutions

Frankie Gao

Managing Director - China

Idoia Rodes Torrontegui

President MCI - Benelux

Juliano Lissoni

Managing Director - Canada

Mariano Castex

Managing Director - Argentina & Chile

Michael Libotte

Managing Director - Italy

Oscar Cerezales

Global Executive Vice President Corporate Division | Chief Operating Officer - Asia Pacific

Peter-Willem Burgmans

Managing Director - The Netherlands

Richard Torriani

Chief Operating Officer Americas & Global Vice President Strategic Events

Rob Allidine

Managing Director - Ireland

Samir Kalia

Managing Director - India

Sandrine Castres

Managing Director - Spain

Shawn Pierce

President Strategic Events, Meetings & Incentives USA

Stellan Eriksson

Managing Director - Sweden

Sylvie Neves

Managing Director - Czech Republic

Tahir Masood

Managing Director - Saudi Arabia

Tatsuo Arai

Managing Director - Japan

Thomas Wüthrich

Managing Director - Germany

Tom Gibson

CEO USA