In this series, Jim Cohn, Publisher/Editor of Mid-Atlantic Events Magazine, talks with hospitality professionals about their role and experiences in the industry


A Cohnversation with Mike Lyons


Q: Mike, you and I have known each other for many years. It’s been fun watching you evolve from starting your own Destination Management Company (GEP Philly) to working for the Hub Conference Centers, and then being recruited by Reed Exhibitions to take on the job of managing the MICE trade show AIBTM, before leaving to go out on your own 3 years ago. What led you to that decision?


A: Jim, after 40 plus years, 12 different companies, and working in 7 different cities, I felt the time was right for me to finally pursue my passions - namely acting, speaking and writing.


Q: You’ve been busy! A stream of speaking engagements, roles in film and TV shows, such as Veep, House of Cards, Outsiders and What Would You Do? Plus, there was the release of your book.


A: Yes, I have, fortunately. But that is what my book is about. It encourages - and hopefully inspires - peo- ple to take steps to change their lives so they are happy doing what they are doing. I started hustling for work on day one when I left AIBTM, but instead of selling a trade show I was selling myself.


Q: How did you get your start in the meetings industry?


A: My first job out of college in 1973 was working for CertainTeed - a major building materials company. One day, my boss told me I had to put together the arrangements for the annual sales meeting. I had no clue how, but I figured it out. Through that process I learned that I really enjoyed serving people and that my organizational skill set matched up well with the demands of being a meeting planner. From that first job, I stayed in the travel, meetings and trade show business all the way until my exit in 2014.





  


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92