COLOMBO :The Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition & Event Organisers (SLAPCEO) held its 20th Annual General Meeting recently at the Imperial Hall, Mount Lavinia Hotel, which graciously hosted the venue.
The AGM marked a significant milestone for SLAPCEO, with President M. M. Imran addressing members and stakeholders. He provided an overview of the association’s achievements and actions taken during 2023/2024, highlighting its contributions to Sri Lanka’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector. Key resolutions were passed during the meeting
The event also witnessed the appointment of the main board for the upcoming term:
- President: Imran Hassan (CDC Events & Travels)
- Vice President: Janice Hakel-Ranasinghe (Kairos Events & Weddings)
- Secretary: Nadeeka Leeniyagoda (Aitken Spence Conventions & Exhibitions)
- Treasurer: Dileesha Bulathsinhala (Asia Tours & Events (Pvt) Ltd)
- Board Members:
Aasim Mukthar (Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services Ltd)
Yasantha Kuruvita Arachchi (Beyond Boundaries Global Ltd)
Hemal Oshadee Withanawasam (The International Institute of Knowledge Management Pvt Ltd)
Rapti Dirckze (B Connected (Pvt) Ltd)
Manuja Kariapperuma (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall)
Sandeep Jayawardhana (Walkers Tours Pvt Ltd)
Suranjith De Fonseka (DTH Lanka Pvt Ltd)
Zaky Zahireen (Classic Destination (Pvt) Ltd)
A significant highlight of the day was the launch of the Women in MICE initiative, an effort supported by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) and organized by SLAPCEO in collaboration with BMICH, Aitken Spence Travels, Golden Isle Travels, and CDC Events & Travels.
This groundbreaking initiative aims to empower women in the MICE industry, providing a platform to foster leadership and inclusion in this dynamic field. The launch event featured a panel discussion with esteemed speakers Paddy Paul (Golden Isle Travels), Kumudu Hennedige (Sri Lanka Convention Bureau), Rajani Pillai (ITC Ratnadipa) and Virazmi Aher(Sri Lankan Holidays)
These industry leaders shared valuable insights on creating opportunities for women in MICE, addressing challenges, and driving innovation and excellence within the sector.
The evening concluded with a fellowship session, creating an opportunity for networking and collaboration among MICE professionals and stakeholders.
SLAPCEO continues to lead initiatives that strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as a premier destination for MICE tourism, demonstrating its commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and industry growth.
