BESTMEETINGSINC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- CEO & CFO, Meeting Manager
LEADERSHIP: Barbara Louis, Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), has worked as a professional and a volunteer in the meetings and association management industry for over 30 years.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP: In 1989 she formed the company, Creative Meetings Inc. with a partner, and their first contract was for the National Association of Women Business Owners, Minnesota Chapter's (NAWBO-MN) Conference. In 1996 Barb became sole owner of Best Meetings Inc. Best Meetings Inc. provides comprehensive services to associations, corporations and government agencies in the areas of association management and meeting, event, convention and trade show planning.
MEETING PLANNING AND ASSOCIATION EXPERTISE: Barb served as program coordinator for the Upper Midwest Health Conference managed by the Minnesota Hospital Association from 1980 to 1984. The conference had 9,000+ registrants, 290 exhibits and 135 educational programs. Barb coordinated and developed all education programs with volunteers from five states and the Province of Manitoba. She was responsible for marketing, meeting planning and the development of computerized registration.
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
- Database Manager
Cathy Olsen is the database manager and customer service representative. Cathy processes registrations, credit card payments and maintains membership databases for Best Meetings Inc.'s clients. Cathy has worked for Best Meetings Inc. since we opened our doors in 1996.
Deanna Merdink is our office manager and on-site registration representative. Leila provides bookkeeping services to a number of our clients and works with our accountant on our accounts payable and receivable. She is responsible for issuing client invoices and coordinating payroll. On-site she coordinates registration services for a variety of clients.
Job Titles:
- CAE - President & CIO, Specializing in Association Management
James Louis is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), and the Chief Information Officer for Best Meetings Inc. Jim recently graduated with a Master's of Science in Organizational Psychology and Non-Profit Management. While pursuing his Bachelor's Degree, Jim started an online business selling various specialty products - combining his computer skills and expertise with his entrepreneurial interests. Jim received his B.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and his first Master's Program focused on multi-disciplinary studies in human relations.
Susanne Becker is our newest member. She brings a variety of skills from customer services to writing.