When Carole McKellar first learned that she was to be inducted into the Events Industry Council’s (EIC) Hall of Leaders, she was “surprised and overwhelmed by the recognition and warmth from the industry, the EIC and from my professional colleagues at MPI.” In an official press release, the EIC said that the inductees and award recipients “demonstrate a deep commitment and passion to advancing the events industry in meaningful ways” and are exemplary figures of influence, altruism and innovation. In McKellar’s case, you can add incredibly humble to the list.
McKellar admits that her first thought on the induction was surprise that she was even considered.
“I have attended the EIC dinner for many years and have seen well-respected professionals being inducted into the Hall of Leaders,” she says. “They have all been great role models with very different backgrounds and inspiring stories. I feel privileged to be considered a peer amongst this group of very special individuals and thought about how to provide inspiration to others in the future.”
McKellar has been a member of the MPI UK and Ireland Chapter for the past 20 years and is chair of the MPI Foundation’s European Council. She is also the managing director, Northern Europe for HelmsBriscoe and was recognized as the Industry Personality of the Year in 2014 at the M&IT Awards. In her time with MPI, McKellar has been a standout contributor to industry education by creating a core competency framework for industry qualifications and has designed and delivered certificate courses in support of international standards. She would like to thank both the EIC for the great honor and her many colleagues for their support and inspiration.
In addition to McKellar, two other MPI leaders, David DuBois and Michael Dominguez, will also be inducted into the Hall of Leaders in recognition for being movers and shakers in the meeting and event industry.
DuBois was a member of the MPI Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter from 1996-2012 and is currently president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events. During his career, DuBois has been the chief operating officer at MPI (1996-2000), has supported programs and services for more than 16,000 members worldwide and served as the executive vice president of the MPI Foundation.
DuBois says that he was “pleased and honored and humbled” when he heard about his nomination.
“I have been very fortunate to work in the meetings, exhibitions and hospitality industry for over 40 years,” he says. “It has provided a nice living for me and my family. It has also allowed me to be challenged every day and to enjoy what I do for my job.”
Michael Dominguez was recently named president and chief executive officer of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) and was chief sales officer for MGM Resorts since 2015. Currently an honorary member of the MPI Southern California Chapter, Dominguez served on the MPI International Board of Directors (IBOD) for six years, was previously IBOD chair (2013-2014) and immediate past chair in 2015, the same year he received MPI’s first Industry Leadership Award.
“There is a feeling of great responsibility to continue to contribute to make the industry better and seeing where we can work towards a greater good,” Dominguez says about his nomination. “I think the scale, power, creativity and passion of our industry are such great assets to tackle some of the larger issues in the cities that our hotels, convention centers and venues reside. We could be a shining example of what working together can do to improve our world.”
Anne Heller, executive editor and publisher of USAE and a member of the MPI Potomac Chapter, will also be inducted, along with Barry Smith of Convention Centres Canada and posthumous inductee Ellsworth Milton Statler, owner of Statler Hotels. At the event, EIC will also award the Pacesetter Awards to Robyn Davis, Desiree Knight, Chance Thompson and Frank Yang. The 2019 Hall of Leaders Celebration will take place Tuesday, Sept. 10 at the LIGHT Nightclub at MGM’s Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
