Speaker Biographies
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z |
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Dr. Brené Brown Research Professor University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work
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Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor and writer at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent the past ten years studying vulnerability, courage, and authenticity. Brené writes, “Vulnerability is the source of our most profound feelings and experiences. It’s at the core of shame, fear, and our struggle for worthiness, but it is also the birthplace of authenticity, courage, joy, love, belonging, inspiration, and creativity. Vulnerability is also our wisest teacher. When we understand how and why we feel vulnerable, we gain clarity about what is truly important to us. When we have the language and courage to embrace the vulnerability of both our greatest struggles and our most joyful moments, we create deeper purpose and meaning in our lives. If we want to change the way we live, love, parent, teach, lead organizations, and build communities, we have to start with a conversation about vulnerability - this is where our story begins." |
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President & CEO Visit Orlando
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Gary C. Sain is President and CEO of Visit Orlando where he is responsible for leading the organization that markets and sells the Orlando area as the #1 family destination in the world and one of the top meetings destination in America. Gary is a leading figure in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry and is frequently seen in the media touting the benefits of travel and the industry’s importance to the economy as a vehicle for economic development and prosperity. He has been recognized for his leadership as one of the 25 most powerful people, forces or trends in the meetings industry by MeetingNews magazine (2007 and 2008); as Orlando’s most influential tourism executive by Orlando Business Journal (2008) and as one of the 50 most prominent people in Orlando by Orlando Magazine (2008, 2009, 2010). |
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Senior Vice President Strategic Account Services
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Gary has (26) years of experience in the hotel and meeting planning industry. In his current role, he leads Experient’s Strategic Account Services Department which includes service renderings such as sourcing, meeting planning logistics, partner relations, legal affairs, contract negotiation, the SMM services division and Experient's Customer Relationship Management platform. Gary serves on the Metropolitan State College of Denver’s Hospitality School Advisory Board, the Salt Lake City, Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Philadelphia Customer Advisory Boards. He served on the PCMA Board of Directors from 2006-2008 and the San Antonio and Visit Denver Customer Advisory Boards. Gary has also sat on the Senior Assistance Center's Board of Directors since 2006. He is a frequent speaker at major industry meetings including: PCMA, CSAE, Meetings Industry Council of Colorado, CESSE, IAAM and MPI. |
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Executive Vice President U.S. Travel Association
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Geoff Freeman is Executive Vice President for the U.S. Travel Association, the nation's leading voice for increasing travel to and within the United States. He is responsible for driving the travel industry’s response to the latest challenges and seeks to position travel as a critical asset to the country, American business, and the traveling public. Under his leadership, the industry has enacted the Travel Promotion Act, referred to by Travel Weekly as the “industry’s biggest legislative victory in a decade”; derailed an assault on corporate meetings and events through the highly successful “Meetings Mean Business” campaign; and begun the march to building an army of one million employee activists via its burgeoning Power of Travel Coalition. Geoff has led a variety of complex and successful issue campaigns during his fifteen years in Washington. Previously, he was a Vice President with APCO Worldwide, a global public affairs firm, where he led the highly visible Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA). The PPA, supported by America's pharmaceutical companies, was the largest effort ever created to connect uninsured Americans with free prescription medicines. |
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| George A. Aguel Senior Vice President The Walt Disney Company
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A respected leader in the global meetings and events industry, George Aguel oversees all of the Disney businesses that sell and produce meetings and special events held at Disney destinations in the US, Europe, Asia, and aboard the ships of Disney Cruise Line. In this capacity he also serves on the U.S. Travel Association’s Meetings, Incentives, and Trade Show Council. Meetings and events are just one part of an expansive and diverse portfolio of businesses that George oversees for The Walt Disney Company. That portfolio also includes the Disney Institute, one of the most recognized names in the training and development industry. Disney Institute facilitators and consultants travel the globe providing a full range of professional development and consultative services to Fortune 100 companies and other organizations. In addition to its transformational work with healthcare and myriad other industries, Disney Institute played an important part in the phenomenally successful World Cup, providing service training for thousands of South African service workers and volunteers who hosted the games. |
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Chairman & Co-CEO Tecker International LLC
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Glenn Tecker's consulting accomplishments: Redesigning the governance, operations, and cultures of national trade and professional associations to better fit today’s demanding high speed, rapidly shifting environments. |
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Howard A. Wallack, MA ,MSc GPHR Global Member Programs
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Howard A. Wallack is currently the Director, Global Member Programs at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), which has more than 250,000 individual members around the world and 580 chapters in the US. At SHRM, he shares responsibility for the organization’s internationalization strategy, which currently focuses on bringing SHRM products, services and information to Canada, China, and India; servicing the nearly 8,000 SHRM members in 140+ countries outside the US; and bringing worldwide HR best practices back to SHRM’s US members. His 30-year career in international business, associations and non-profit organizations, and government includes experience in close to 70 countries. Prior to joining SHRM, Howard held senior international positions at the Latin American Venture Capital Association, Goodwill Global Inc. (a strategic international business development affiliate of Goodwill Industries International), the US Peace Corps, and the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), an affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce. |
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Managing Partner and Chief Consultant McKinley Marketing Inc.
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We can’t help but notice that Jay’s reputation often precedes him. It has to do with his uncanny ability to advance Board and staff relationships, his constant state of calm, his skill in crunching numbers on the most complex spreadsheets, and the rumor that he can keep up with the best of them at late night ASAE events. Back in the office, Jay is the Managing Partner and Chief Consultant who makes sure that McKinley is one of the best places his employees have ever worked while earning the loyalty of his clients who seek his guidance again and again.
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Jim Gurowka IMA - Institute of Management Accountants
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As IMA’s Vice President of International Business Operations, Jim Gurowka is responsible for promoting the value of management accounting, IMA membership, and the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification program globally. He oversees the activities of IMA’s international offices in IMA’s Middle East, Asia/Pacific, and European regions. Mr. Gurowka has led the efforts to establish and grow IMA’s operations in these regions including the development of government partnerships in all three areas.
Jim Gurowka has held positions with companies in both the finance and human resources fields as diverse as the automotive industry, the construction industry, and the labor relations field. He brings practical, real world experience to IMA working with over 100 organizations to implement strategic costing and profitability analysis solutions. A former Managing Director of Focused Management Inc., he brings his consulting expertize coupled with his insights as a former Senior Finance Analyst at Volkswagen, where his leadership in costing resulted in significant product mix profitability improvements. |
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Kenneth J. Fischang, CHME, CMP President/CEO Sonoma County Tourism Bureau
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Kenneth J. Fischang, CHME, CMP, believes the success within the hospitality industry is, “The power of many in one.” That philosophy drives his leadership within the Bureau and the hospitality industry. Along with a storied career in hotels, Ken has served in industry organizations including the PCMA Southern Pacific Chapter board, MPI Chicago Area Chapter, St. Louis SAE, the Association Forum of Chicagoland, and the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce board.
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Senior Vice President – Group Sales and Industry Relations Hilton Worldwide
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Larry Luteran is Senior Vice President – Group Sales and Industry Relations for Hilton Worldwide. Prior to that role he was Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the company’s Southeast and South Central regions where he had direct oversight for all Sales and Marketing operations in the region. Larry currently oversees the group sales operation of Hilton Worldwide Sales in the Americas, Canada, Mexico, and South America. He also serves as Hilton’s primary contact for all customer industry organizations, oversees the Hilton Special Events department, manages sales contracting and policy, conflict resolution, and trade show marketing for the company.
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President Ultimate Ventures
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Laurie Sprouse, CITE, CMP, DMCP co-founded Ultimate Ventures, a DMC Network company, in 1993. She currently serves as President of Ultimate Ventures and Director of Sales and Marketing for The DMC Network, LLC. Laurie's broad experience, visionary ability and commitment to the destination management industry have earned recognition and praise from her peers including being named 'Destination Management Professional of the Year' by the Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME) in 2010. Her efforts on behalf of her industry resulted in achieving legislative tax relief for Texas DMCs by successfully passing two bills in the Texas legislature in 2009. In the proccess, the country’s first legislative definition of a 'Qualified Destination Management Company' was established. |
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President International Conference Services
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Mathias Posch, President of International Conference Services (ICS), is constantly striving to set new standards of excellence for the meetings industry. He is currently a council member of the International Association of Professional Congress Organizers (IAPCO), whom he also represents on the Convention Industry Council (CIC) besides other industry activities. His speaking engagements include lectures on corporate social responsibility, environmental best practices and strategic management.
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Director, Information Resources and Professional Engagement
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Matt Petersen has been with the American Diabetes Association since 1993, first as Managing Editor of the Association's professional publications, and then as Director of the Association's Research Program. Since 2001 he has directed the Association's Information Resources and Professional Engagement Department, which oversees the Association's messages about diabetes (diabetes treatment and management information, statistics, etc.) for the general public. The department is also been charged with improving and expanding the ways in which the Association provides services to its professional members and other health care professionals. Matt Petersen leads the Association’s Health Information Technology Team and the Professional Engagement Team, which he developed. The department maintains the Association’s professional website, DiabetesPro, and he oversees the Association’s involvement with new technologies to deliver information and education content to consumers and health professionals. |
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Executive Director Virtual Edge Institute
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Michael is the founder of the Virtual Edge Institute an industry organization dedicated to advancing the development and adoption of digital event and meeting technology and best practices for collaboration, marketing and learning. He is a 20-year veteran of trade shows, magazines and online publishing with extensive marketing, content and business development experience. Michael has served as Vice President at TradeComet, Vice President at 365Media, Group Publisher at Reed Business Information and Interex’s HP World, General Manager at Online Market World, Executive Director of the Solution Provider Institute, and Publisher and Trade Show Director at Gordon Publications. He is a frequent speaker and blogger on topics related to the use of virtual technologies for business at events such as: the Virtual Edge Summit, PCMA’s Convening Leaders, Event Solutions, Life Sciences Meeting Management Forum, IAEE, MPI, ASAE, CCCA, IMEX and Meeting Technology Summit.
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Michael D. Gehrisch President & CEO DMAI
| During his ten years as President & CEO of Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), Michael D. Gehrisch has reenergized and positioned DMAI as one of the world’s leading hospitality associations. With Michael at the helm, the association repositioned itself in 2005 as Destination Marketing Association International (previously the International Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus), to enhance the relevancy and visibility of its members to individuals outside the industry. Michael led the industry’s historic Destination Marketing Accreditation Program initiative, which established a consistent standard for destination marketing operations, and which has accredited nearly 100 DMOs around the globe.
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President Marketing Challenges International
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A seasoned expert who possesses more than 30 years of experience in the leisure, corporate and association travel markets, Michel Couturier is Founder and President of Marketing Challenges International, a leading international destination marketing company in New York City. The Barcelona Convention Bureau, Berlin Convention Office, Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Vienna Convention Bureau are among the current clients that his firm markets in North America. Michel's professional involvement in the international travel community extends to being an active member in ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership (ASAE), Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE) and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). He served as the Chair of the Brand Strategies Advisory Council of MPI, and is currently on the MPI Faculty Task Force.
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Vice President Global Association Management & Consulting, MCI Group
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As the Vice President of Global Association Management & Consulting for the MCI Group, Nikki Walker is responsible for defining and implementing the extensive service and consulting solutions MCI provides to associations from its global infrastructure of 45 offices in 22 countries. As such she oversees MCI’s regional hubs in Brussels, Dubai, Singapore and Buenos Aires serving Europe, Middle East, Asia and Latin America, respectively, as well as many national offices and markets, providing strategy, management and leadership to MCI’s clients and professional association staff. Prior to her promotion as global Vice President, Nikki served as Managing Director of the MCI Brussels office (headquarters to many associations) heading a team of some 100 association, communications and event management professionals from 21 countries speaking 23 languages.
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Attorney Client Services Experient
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Patricia. Ekers is Attorney, Client Services at Experient Inc. in Twinsburg, Ohio. She consults on the legal, contractual and risk management aspects of the hospitality industry. She works with account managers in the association, corporate and government markets by preparing, reviewing and negotiating a wide variety of agreements for conventions, trade shows and strategic meetings programs. |
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Peter Sheahan has spent a decade teaching business how to flip their thinking and find opportunity where others cannot. He believes that the real money gets made in the cracks, and that the opportunity for mind-blowing success is all around us. The problem is we get conditioned by our experience, blinded by our business models and conned by the popular media to believe success is a product of the economic conditions. Peter will show you how to be up, in an upside-down world. He will not only help you and your people to develop the mindset required to find opportunity everywhere, he will mobilize you to exploit it. Peter Sheahan is a unique and inspiring speaker whose ideas and experiences are changing the face of the business world. Don’t miss your chance to engage with this leading mind on innovative and entrepreneurial thinking! |
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Meeting Planner Advocate and Speaker MeetingMatrix International, Inc.
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Renea Anderson: Named an "industry player to watch" and a "meeting and events daredevil"; Renea frequently speaks sharing her passion for the future of meetings, creative design and technology. Renea is a visionary who loves design, creation of an experience, and voicing next generation significance. Recognized for her innovation, influence, and achievement, Renea is a generational thought leader on the future of meetings. Renea is very engaged, serves as Industry Relations Chair for Global Emerging Leaders and was the 2010 IMEX MPI Future Leaders Forum International University Challenge Winner. She has been featured in Meetings Today, Association Meetings and Tradeshow Weekly. Renea currently works as a Meeting Planner Advocate for MeetingMatrix International, Inc. |
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Richard A. Vaughan, CDME & CTA
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34 year tourism professional with 22 years of experience in sales & marketing within the hotel industry with Marriott, Sheraton and Westin brands, 12 years as Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing for the MTCVB. Responsible for $6.5 million dollar budget and oversees all sales, marketing, advertising, public relations, convention services, creative services and website development. Past Chairman: Sales and Marketing Committee for the Destination Marketing Association International 2008-2010 |
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Originally from Scotland, he studied science at the University of Glasgow before going on to fulfill a childhood ambition by becoming a successful comedian, appearing regularly on radio and having his own television show. In 1986, at the age of 29, he was diagnosed with cancer. In what is best described as a wake-up call, he began to realize that success is not a matter of luck, but of design. He has spent the last twenty years researching, and continues to study, the principles behind true success. Robin Sieger is a successful businessman, best-selling author, and leading success strategist. Robin is dedicated to the creation of success cultures within organizations. He has a world-class reputation as a conference speaker who passionately delivers high impact presentations that are informative, inspiring and funny. Robin’s humor and ability to connect emotionally with audiences has seen him become the first-choice speaker at major conferences for some of the world’s most successful companies, including IBM, Coca-Cola, Nokia, General Motors and Microsoft. |
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Fast Future Research
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Rohit Talwar is an award winning speaker and global futurist who specializes in studying the future associations and the meetings sector. He is the founder and CEO of Fast Future Research - a global foresight research and consulting company. His book on association strategy - Designing Your Future - was published by the American Society of Association Executives in August 2008. He is currently leading the Convention 2020 study on the Future of Meetings, Venues and Event Destinations - for which IMEX, ICCA and Fast Future Research are founding sponsors. |
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President and CEO U.S. Travel Association
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Roger Dow is President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Travel Association, the national umbrella organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. that represents all segments of travel and tourism in America, an industry responsible for generating $1.8 trillion in economic output annually.
Roger was instrumental in leading an industry-wide movement for creation of the Travel Promotion Act. This bipartisan legislation, signed into law by President Obama in March 2010, established a first-ever communications and promotion program aimed at increasing international travel to the United States. |
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CEO Seafood Experience Australia Ltd
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Since 1972 Roy has been involved in exporting, importing and trading seafood and other food products - travelled the seafood world extensively. From 2003 after winning the inaugural Australian Seafood Training Award took up a career in training and was a key member of Seafood CRC Bid Team being involved in the organizing, bid and interview team. Involved with SEA since 2006 and took up opportunity to be CEO since May 2008. Roy became President of the WAS-APC in November 2009 at the Kula Lumpur Conference, which he opened with the Deputy PM of Malaysia. IAFI presented Roy with a special recognition Award of the International Association of Seafood Professionals in 2009. Chairman of the AA2010 in Hobart, the International Seafood &Health Conference in Melbourne and APC Conference in Kochi, January 2011. In September 2010, he was a Panel Member for both Marketing and Training & Services Panels at FAO Global Aquaculture Conference in Phuket. |
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CEO American Forests Association
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As Chief Executive Officer, Scott Steen drives the American Forests vision, steers its creative direction, and ensures its effective operational and financial well-being. He is responsible for leading the strategic development of American Forests’ programs and initiatives, forging key partnerships, and advancing the organization’s growth and impact on the environment and society. “There are few things that clear my head like a walk in the woods. As a kid, I developed a deep appreciation for the awesome beauty of forests. Later, I discovered the critical role they play in the health of our planet. Forests are among the most important ecosystems on earth. We ignore them or misuse them at our own peril.” |
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SPIN
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Shawna Suckow, CMP, was a corporate planner for seven years and owner of her own independent planning company for 11 years before founding SPIN (The Senior Planners Industry Network) in 2008. With more than 2,200 members, SPIN is now the largest association in the world that is strictly comprised of senior-level planners. Shawna has written many columns and has been featured in numerous industry publications including ONE+, EXHIBITOR, Corporate Meetings & Incentives, Meetings & Conventions, Smart Meetings, and more. She speaks domestically and internationally to CVBs and their suppliers on building successful planner relationships and how to use social media including the new Google+. |
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Executive Vice President ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
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Susan Robertson is the Executive Vice President of ASAE & President of the ASAE Foundation. As part of the executive office of the organization, her responsibilities include strategic and operational planning, and the leadership of teams focused on finance, community, meetings, membership, marketing, advertising, sponsorship, fundraising, publishing, social media and website, communications and public relations, fund raising, research, and credentialing. During the past ten years with ASAE, she has served in progressively responsible roles including overall leadership of industry and market research and of the award-winning magazine, Associations Now. Prior to joining ASAE, Susan was the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for U.S. Office Products, a multibillion dollar business products company, owning brands such as Mail Boxes, Etc. and Blue Star Group. |
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Partner VMark Media
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Victor has been at the helm of the leading marketing company, The Valorem Group, since 2001. Prior to joining Valorem Victor spent over 20 years working in Global Marketing. He spent eleven years working in Europe initially for Creatur, a Spanish DMC, and then at Maritz Europe as an Account Director designing incentive programs for the automotive industry. In the United States he was head of Marketing for Club Med's 125 global resorts. Victor has been consulting to major corporations around the world for over one decade and has been involved in pricing policies for import and export products, inventory control methods, strategic service pricing, logistics, hotels and DMCs . Victor also consulted on strategic partnerships with international governments from Latin America to Micronesia for CBS Television. |
