Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the largest association for meeting and event professionals, selected an industry veteran as its new chief business development officer.
In this role, Darren Temple will lead strategic business development and global sales planning for the association. He will officially begin his duties in mid-September and will report to MPI President and CEO Paul Van Deventer.
“Darren is a strong and well-respected leader in the global meeting and event community, and we are thrilled to have him join the MPI team,” said Van Deventer. “We conducted an extensive search to find the right sales leader for our association and firmly believe his proven track record in global sales and commitment to our industry will be valuable assets as we continue to transform and strengthen MPI.”
Temple has 25 years of both domestic and international experience in the meeting and event industry. He joins MPI from the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau where he most recently served as chief sales officer. Temple will be responsible for strengthening MPI’s relationships with industry organizations and strategic partners, such as destination management organizations (DMOs), hoteliers and global suppliers. In addition, Temple will develop global sales strategies for MPI and the MPI Foundation as well as oversee MPI’s sales and sales operations teams.
“I am very excited to join the MPI team and make a contribution to an organization that I have been so passionate about for so many years. I look forward to leveraging my experiences and relationships in this incredible industry as we take MPI to the next level. As our industry continues to change and evolve, we have a phenomenal opportunity for growth, and I am honored to be part of the leadership team,” said Temple.
Previously, Temple worked as a senior sales executive for both PSAV Presentation Services and Freeman. During his 19-year tenure with Freeman, he held various leadership roles, including senior vice president, branch sales; senior vice president, sales administration; and senior vice president, sales – Freeman Audio Visual.
Based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in Texas, Temple is a 15-year member of MPI and served as a member of the MPI board of directors from 2012-2014.
