SmithBucklin and MCI Form Global Partnership
Partnership Creates World's Largest Network of Association and Event Management Resources
CHICAGO - February 14, 2006 – SmithBucklin, the world's largest association management company, announced today that the company has joined with MCI to create the SmithBucklin + MCI Global Partnership to deliver seamless association and event management services worldwide. MCI is the foremost pan-European association, communications and event management company.
The Partnership – comprising nearly 1,000 professionals in 15 offices throughout eight different countries – creates the world's largest network of association and event management resources. In addition to providing clients immediate access to leading expertise and resources around the globe, it also affords unmatched purchasing and negotiation power in the hospitality industry.
"This is a very proud moment for our companies, our associates and our clients," said SmithBucklin Chairman and CEO Henry S. Givray. "Leveraging our combined expertise, resources and technologies, we plan to further drive the growth and success of our clients, as well as our companies, around the world."
Roger Tondeur, MCI President, will serve on SmithBucklin's board of directors, and Givray will serve on MCI's board. "This Partnership takes the longstanding working relationship we have had with SmithBucklin to a whole new level," said Tondeur. "We are pleased to work with such a prestigious partner and look forward to a long, productive future together."
The Partnership will be governed by an executive council comprising executives from both companies. In addition to Givray, SmithBucklin executive council members include Michael Payne, executive vice president, and Brenda Anderson, vice president of global business development. In addition to Roger Tondeur, executives from MCI serving on the council include Sebastien Tondeur, CEO - Corporate Division, and Robin Lokerman, CEO - Institutional Division. Brenda Anderson and Sebastien Tondeur will also serve as managing directors of the Partnership and will have overall responsibility for implementing Partnership business strategies and plans, as well as ensuring responsiveness and seamless delivery of client services and resources.
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SmithBucklin + MCI Global Partnership
The SmithBucklin + MCI Global Partnership delivers seamless association and event management services throughout the world. The Partnership sets the industry standard for service excellence by bringing together U.S.-based SmithBucklin, the world's largest association management company, and MCI, the foremost pan-European association, communications and event management company. With nearly 1,000 professionals in 15 offices around the world, the Partnership affords associations, corporations, and government institutions and agencies with ready-access to leading expertise, as well as unmatched purchasing and negotiation power. The Partnership delivers services in association management, creative production and special event management, professional conference organization, marketing and communications, meeting and conference management, and incentive travel. Association management services include executive management, member and chapter administration, convention and trade show management, marketing and branding, Web services, education and programs, government relations and financial management. For more information, please visit www.smithbucklin-mci.com or call +1.312.321.5179 in North America or +32.2.7434435 in Europe.
About SmithBucklin
SmithBucklin is the world's largest association management and professional services company providing flexible, tailored full-service management and function/project-specific services to more than 210 trade associations, professional societies, technology user groups and government institutes/agencies. SmithBucklin's mission is to drive growth and build sustained competitiveness for client organizations. Founded in 1949, the company employs 630 professionals specializing in all phases of association activity, including executive management, member and chapter administration, convention and trade show management, marketing and branding, Web services, education and programs, government relations and financial management. SmithBucklin manages more than $200 million in annual client budgets from offices in Chicago, Washington, DC, St. Louis and Durham, NC. For more information, please visit www.smithbucklin.com or call 1.800.539.9740.
About MCI
Founded in 1987, MCI is the foremost pan-European association, communications and event management company with offices in Brussels (Belgium), Petersfield/London (UK), Geneva, Zurich (Switzerland), Paris and Lyon (France), Berlin and Stuttgart (Germany), Barcelona and Madrid (Spain) and Singapore. MCI is a thought leader in building community around brands, products, services, companies and institutions. The company employs 350 people and its turnover by year-end 2004 was 83,7 M€ (CHF 129,7 M). For more information please visit www.mci-group.com.
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