A Propos

Raised in the UK and having lived in Canada and the US, Bruce’s background has contributed to his appreciation of diverse approaches and a deep understanding of the global market. With a career spanning over three decades in the industry, including 20 years at BCD M&E, there is very little Bruce doesn’t know about meetings and events.

His journey through roles in sales, marketing, global event management and both regional and global leadership has been marked by significant accomplishments. Playing a key collaborative role in guiding BCD M&E through critical transitions, Bruce has been instrumental in the company’s growth. His leadership is characterized by his commitment to fostering a transparent and collaborative culture which reinforces the company’s emphasis on human connection and makes him an approachable figure in any room.

As someone who is often on the move for business, Bruce values his time at home, where you might catch him enjoying a meal with friends at a local pub, FaceTiming with his twin boys (who are attending college in the U.S.), or unwinding to a timeless Prince record. But no matter the setting, Bruce’s authentic nature and genuine interest in people’s passions and stories make him as much a friend as a leader.

Geert Jan is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of BCD Meetings & Events (BCD M&E), responsible for overseeing all global financial processes. With over 45 years of experience in financial and statutory roles, Geert Jan brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Over the last 25 years, he has held various positions across BCD, including (Statutory) CFO for the Netherlands and the Nordics, CFO EMEA, and SVP of Global Controlling, M&A, and Tax and officially joining BCD M&E in 2014.

Geert Jan has played a pivotal role in many acquisitions that have shaped BCD, particularly leading five key acquisitions that significantly influenced BCD M&E’s structure in the NORAM and UK regions. Geert Jan is known for his sense of humor and hands-on approach, which helps him drive decisions and simplify processes, encouraging dialogue and collaboration.

When Geert Jan isn’t traveling, he enjoys dinners at his favorite hometown Italian restaurant, working and relaxing in his garden, and spending quality time with his friends and family—and spending time with his first grandson!

Brittany has responsibility for our global marketing and brand strategy across regions. With 19 years of experience spanning public relations, brand development, marketing strategy, communications, and creative direction, she has developed a love for balancing the art of storytelling with the practicality of marketing strategy to inspire and connect with audiences. In 2024, Brittany was honored with Ragan’s Top Women in Marketing Agency Leader Award, reflecting her impactful contributions to the industry.

On a daily basis, you can find her cultivating our brand story, holding creative brainstorm sessions with her team, or dreaming of her favorite travel destinations in the beautiful countrysides of the UK and Ireland. When she’s not at work, Brittany enjoys curling up on the couch with a great book and her dog, Teddy.

Ted oversees the development and execution of innovative solutions that drive growth and efficiency in the meetings and events industry. With over 15 years of experience in technical strategy, product development, solution architecture, artificial intelligence, analytics, and business process reengineering, he is dedicated to leveraging technology for success. Since joining BCD M&E in 2012, Ted has been instrumental in expanding the technology division from one department to six distinct global teams that provide innovative technology solutions across the organization.

Ted’s leadership philosophy revolves around empowerment, collaboration, and accountability. He believes in fostering a team environment where creativity flourishes and collective problem-solving drives results. His current focus is on leveraging AI and automation to enhance creativity, efficiency, and engagement across BCD M&E teams, enabling them to prioritize strategic initiatives that drive the business forward.

Christine Erickson is the Senior Vice President of Global Supplier Relations & Partner Network at BCD Meetings & Events, bringing over 35 years of diverse industry experience to her collaborative leadership role. Known for her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for crafting exceptional experiences, Christine is dedicated to driving client growth and fostering meaningful connections.

Her career began as a trip director, where she traveled extensively for a decade, followed by 15 years in sales. Today, she leverages her extensive background in meetings, events, travel, and hospitality to enhance our Global Supplier Partner Program and lead the Partner Network Program across 41 markets.

Outside of the office, Christine enjoys attending her sons’ basketball games, traveling the globe, and embracing her new passion for gardening. Christine has been with BCD M&E for ten years, she previously excelled as Senior Vice President of Experience & Events Solutions and The Collective, NORAM.

Senior Vice President of People & Culture, Audrey Lambert, is a broad-based executive with over 25 years of leadership experience at BCD. Audrey has developed and led teams across multiple functions including human resources, finance, global pricing, and sales support.

Audrey’s passion for our employees led her to her current role overseeing People & Culture globally focusing on talent acquisition and retention; global learning and development; and employee engagement.

Audrey comes from a close-knit family and enjoys traveling with her parents, siblings and especially her husband and twins. During family gatherings she is rumored to be an “enthusiastic” participant in competitive family games of pickleball, volleyball and dominoes.

As SVP & NORAM Managing Director, Charlene is at the helm of strategic initiatives for North America while skillfully overseeing all operational aspects. This encompasses addressing customer needs, ensuring seamless operational execution and account management, achieving financial goals, and fostering innovative solutions to propel our organization forward.

Her enthusiasm lies in mentoring a premier team that consistently delivers outstanding service and performance for BCD’s North American and global clients, with an emphasis on crafting memorable experiences through expert meetings management, customized event solutions, and influential brand experiences that drive business success. Leveraging her 30 years of industry experience, and over 20 with BCD, Charlene has played a pivotal role in advancing the global expansion of the Meetings & Events Division.

As a respected authority in the industry, Charlene regularly imparts her expertise at major industry gatherings organized by entities like Meeting Planners International (MPI), the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), and SITE (Society of International Travel Executives). She is a Certified Meetings Management leader and an MPI-certified trainer, having previously acted as an instructor for Strategic Meetings Management Programs (SMMP). Honored in Collaborate magazine’s first « 40 Under 40 » list in 2012, Charlene adeptly juggles her professional duties with family commitments.

In her free time, she enjoys activities like Pilates, skiing, golfing, running, and biking. When she’s not supporting her two sons at their sports events, you may catch her actively engaging on the soccer field herself.

Ana Paula leads operations in the LATAM region, managing a talented team of over 400 meeting and event designers across countries including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. With more than 20 years in the industry, she brings a wealth of global expertise combined with keen local insights, enabling her to develop effective strategies that resonate with both clients and the organization. Her leadership is characterized by a commitment to building safe and positive environments that foster collaboration and innovation.

A dedicated advocate for the meetings and events sector in Latin America, Ana Paula has held numerous influential positions, including Chairwoman of ICCA Mexico and Vice President of PCMA Mexico. She has also co-founded the renowned International Balloon Festival in León and played a critical role in establishing the Mexico Convention Bureau. Her significant contributions to the industry have earned her recognition as one of the Most Influential Leaders in Latin America by LM Magazine, reflecting her deep commitment and impact in the region.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ana Paula enjoys exploring vibrant cities such as New York, Istanbul, and Prague, while proudly championing the beauty of Mexico’s inviting beaches—her ultimate happy place. Balancing her career and family life, she immerses herself in her children’s activities as a dedicated « sports mom » and advocate. She loves to stay active through fitness and yoga and her favorite way to spend quality time is by sharing meals with family, friends and her husband, who is a fantastic cook.

Ana Paula lidera las operaciones de BCD Meetings & Events LATAM, gestionando un talentoso equipo de más de 400 diseñadores de reuniones y eventos en países como Argentina, Brasil, Colombia y México. Con más de 20 años en la industria, aporta una gran experiencia global combinada con agudas percepciones locales, lo que le permite desarrollar estrategias efectivas que resuenan tanto con los clientes como con la organización. Su liderazgo se caracteriza por un compromiso con la creación de entornos seguros y positivos que fomentan la colaboración y la innovación.

Como impulsora del sector de reuniones y eventos en América Latina, Ana Paula ha ocupado numerosos cargos en las Asociaciones de la Industria incluido el de Presidenta de ICCA México y Vicepresidenta de PCMA México. También cofundó el reconocido Festival Internacional del Globo en León y tuvo un papel clave en el establecimiento del Buró de Convenciones de México. Sus contribuciones significativas a la industria le han valido el reconocimiento como una de las Líderes Más Influyentes en América Latina por la revista LM, lo que refleja su profundo compromiso e impacto en la región.

Más allá de sus logros profesionales, a Ana Paula le encanta explorar ciudades vibrantes como Nueva York, Estambul y Praga, mientras defiende con orgullo la belleza de las acogedoras playas de México, su lugar feliz por excelencia. Equilibrando su carrera y vida familiar, se involucra en las actividades de sus hijos como una dedicada « porrista e impulsora” de sus deportes. Le gusta mantenerse activa a través del fitness y el yoga, y su forma favorita de pasar tiempo de calidad es compartiendo comidas con familia, amigos y su esposo, quien es un gran cocinero.

Sanjay is charged with developing strategy focusing on growing Asia Pacific, developing local teams and continuing to offer expanded services to our customers. Residing in Singapore, he brings extensive meetings & events experience to our business. Sanjay’s passion for building a customer-centric approach with a focus on quality service and bottom-line contributions as well as cultivating our culture within the region aligns perfectly with our global strategy. He can be found breaking the sound barrier in his Land Rover on the weekends, conveying his children to ballet, drumming and swimming classes. He is passionate about the All Blacks, loves discovering great food spots with his wife and is an avid vinyl art toy collector.

Helen is the Managing Director of the UK region, bringing over 30 years of extensive knowledge and experience to the role. Since joining the company in 1991 when it was just a small team of five, she has played a significant part in its remarkable growth and evolution. Her multiskilled background encompasses key roles in IT, HR, and Facilities Management, providing her with a holistic understanding of the business and the industry. Helen is particularly skilled in Venue Search operational leadership, People Management and Development, and the Live Events sector.

As a dedicated servant leader, Helen is committed to driving strategic growth for BCD M&E, its people, and its brand in the region. She believes in collaboratively defining business goals and empowering those around her to lead efforts towards achieving successful outcomes. Helen’s passion for BCD M&E’s values is evident, as she strives to model these behaviors in her daily work, fostering an environment of trust built on transparency, honesty, and reliability.

Outside of her professional life, Helen enjoys the vibrant culture of Europe, taking advantage of quick flights to sunny Mediterranean destinations. Helen also cherishes her time in her expansive garden during the warmer months, enjoys walks in the Peak District with her Cockapoo, and loves spending quality moments with her 2-year-old granddaughter.

With over 25 years of experience in the meetings and events sector, Mikael EK serves as the Managing Director of the EMEA region. Throughout his career, he has held various senior managerial roles in local event agencies across Europe and within a global Travel Management Company. In his position, Mikael is dedicated to setting the strategic direction of the company while ensuring effective sales and operations across the region.

Mikael firmly believes that successful leadership is built on a combination of leadership, personal accountability, teamwork, and grit. He emphasizes that « chance favors only the prepared mind, » which highlights his ability to quickly assess opportunities and pursue his goals with passion.

Outside of work, Mikael enjoys quality time with his wife, two children, especially during their family road trips to their summer house in southern Sweden. An avid foodie, Mikael spends his weekends either experimenting in the kitchen or dining at select restaurants. He has a fondness for his local pub, where he often enjoys a cellar-cooled Guinness. Mikael is committed to continuous personal and professional growth, striving to be a better leader, father, and colleague. Since joining us in 2020, he has made it his mission to deliver on his promises with sincerity and dedication.