ICCA Honours Marie Hunter, IEEE Managing Director of Conferences, Events & Experiences, With the 2024 Global Influencer Award

Link: www.iccaworld.org

FRANKFURT, GERMANY, 16 MAY 2024 — ICCA, the International Congress and Convention Association, is thrilled to announce that the 2024 Global Influencer Award was presented last night to Marie Hunter, Managing Director of Conferences, Events & Experiences (IEEE).

Each year at the IMEX Gala Dinner, ICCA announces the winner of the Global Influencer Award, which recognises an individual’s outstanding contribution to — and influence on — the global meetings industry. On the evening of 15 May at the Sheraton Frankfurt, ICCA President Marta Gomes and CEO Senthil Gopinath were delighted to present the 2024 award to Ms. Hunter.

Marie Hunter is a passionate advocate for event technology and professional development. As a business strategist, executive producer, and global events leader at IEEE, Marie’s transformative initiatives have significantly expanded the organisation’s virtual event product line. Her leadership in driving cross-cultural business development and emergency response has set new standards in the industry.

Marie’s role as the executive producer and founder of the annual premier event IEEE Convene highlights her innovative approach to creating platforms that foster engagement and disseminate knowledge globally. Her work extends beyond event management to influencing IEEE’s strategic direction and enhancing its mission through effective collaboration with volunteer boards and committees.

Before her tenure at IEEE, Marie was the founder and managing director of The Iconic Group, where she developed innovative marketing and business strategies that have served global brands. Her experience at Lehman Brothers as the managing director and head of global events, multimedia, sponsorships, and business services, where she managed more than 600 professionals, further highlights her ability to execute high-calibre projects and her deep understanding of global markets.

Marie Hunter’s visionary leadership and ability to deliver innovative, impactful solutions that enhance value and visibility are why she has been honoured with this year’s Global Influencer Award.

“The ICCA Global Influencer Awards is the time of year when we recognise a member of our community who has demonstrated excellence and dedication to serving the meetings and events community,” said Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA. “Marie Hunter is a talented professional whose career has spanned several decades. She has deep experience in a multitude of areas within the industry, including strategic planning, management, leadership, and operations. We’re proud to award her the Global Influencer Award at IMEX this year.”

The ICCA Global Influencer Award goes beyond the usual category confines of associations, sectors, and meeting professionals to recognise a true powerhouse in the industry — a professional who has made a profound difference through their contributions.

“Marie Hunter’s years of leadership, her dedication to innovation, and her wide range of experience in so many areas of the meetings and events space, make her an exemplary choice for this year’s Global Influencer Award,” said Marta Gomes, ICCA President. “Marie’s reputation as a multifaceted, visionary leader and innovator across the board make her an inspiration to all of us in the industry.”

The IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization. Founded in 1884, it is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. The organisation has more than 460,000 members, with more than 170,000 student members, and includes engineers, scientists, and allied professionals whose technical interests are rooted in electrical and computer sciences, engineering, and related disciplines.