Dallas -- Bruce MacMillan, head of the Toronto convention bureau, today was named the new president and chief executive of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the largest association of meeting planners.
The naming of MacMillan ends months of impermanence in MPI's top staff position. Colin Rorrie stepped down as CEO in March, six months' shy of fulfilling his initial three-year contract, and was temporarily replaced by Mark Andrew, MPI's current chairman.
In appointing MacMillan as CEO, the MPI board selected one of its own. MacMillan, who will assume his new position in December, currently serves as an MPI board member.
He also served as MPI's vice president of marketing and digital services for more than two years before joining Tourism Toronto as chief executive in January 2003.
Christine Duffy, MPI's 2005-2006 chairwoman and chief executive of Maritz Travel, called MacMillan "an exceptional leader capable of propelling both MPI and the profession forward with innovative strategies and quality execution."
Said MacMillan, "I'm honored to be returning to MPI in this new role at a time when the organization is so strong and poised for new opportunities."
Prior to joining MPI the first time, MacMillan served as executive director for the Vancouver Whistler 2010 Bid Society, where he was responsible for developing and executing Vancouver-Whistler's successful bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics. He served as chief operating officer for Ad2Media.com, a Vancouver-based Internet advertising venture.
In his new role, MacMillan will lead the MPI's 75-person staff and manage an $18 million annual budget. The association's membership now stands at more than 21,000 people.