Washington -- Mary Power, president and chief executive of the Convention Industry Council (CIC) for the past seven years, has resigned. Her last day at CIC, which represents 32 meetings-related trade and professional organizations, was Friday.
"My decision to leave has not been an easy one, but I am very proud of what we've been able to accomplish during my time as president," said Power in a statement issued yesterday. She gave no reason for her departure or said whether she has accepted a position at another organization.
Management Options Inc., an association management firm here that CIC hired one year ago, will continue to manage CIC's daily operations, including its 10-person staff, according to the company. A search within the industry for Power's replacement is underway, said company spokesman Tom Rigsby.
John Graham IV, CIC chair and chief executive of ASAE, yesterday praised Power, who joined CIC in 2000.
"Mary has clearly advanced CIC from an operating standpoint," said Graham, adding, "More intangible but equally important to CIC is her vision, which has been integral in positioning the organization to meet future challenges."
During Power's tenure, the industry's leading certification program, Certified Meeting Professional, which CIC administers, grew from 2,000 to 12,000 credentialed individuals.
Power also oversaw the Accepted Practices Exchange Initiative, better known as APEX, which created voluntary standards for industry best practices; and led the effort to set up pavilions honoring the CIC's Hall of Leaders in the Washington, DC, Convention Center and Chicago's McCormick Place.
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