Paul_van Deventer

Paul van Deventer

CEO , Meeting Professionals International 

Paul Van Deventer joined the MPI Global Team in April 2013 as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In this role, he leads the strategic direction of MPI’s global association and the MPI Foundation, with responsibility for leading its global staff and overseeing its operating budget, membership programs, and community services. Throughout his career, Paul has established a proven track record for driving business growth, creating brand value, and organizational development. Prior to joining MPI, Paul served as divisional vice president of the Health & Wellness Division at Walgreens, the largest drug store chain in the United States. Before Walgreens, he was the senior vice president of sales and field services at Mitchell International Inc., a leading provider of information, software, and business solutions for the automotive insurance and collision repair markets. He joined Mitchell after leaving American Express, where over a 22-year career he held a number of domestic and international positions in publishing, business travel, meetings and events, and corporate payments, including his last position as the vice president and general manager of the Multi-national Client Group. Paul serves on the board of the Events Industry Council, the Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMB), the board of directors for the U.S. Travel Association, the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), Tourism Diversity Matters (TDM) and the California State University Hospitality and Tourism Alliance Council. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Villanova University and an MBA with a finance concentration from Columbia University. He and his wife Dennie have been happily married for more than 30 years and they are the proud parents of five young adults. Paul is also an avid fan of Villanova basketball.

Appearances