Kenes Group, the Geneva-based
professional congress organiser (PCO), has appointed Ori Lahav as CEO - becoming only
the third person to occupy the position in 57 years.
Lahav succeeds Dan Rivlin,
who became CEO in 1999, following in the footsteps of his father Gideon Rivlin
who founded the company in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1965.
Rivlin takes on the
role of executive chair and chief vision officer (EC & CVO).
Kenes Group employs 350 people worldwide and is one of the largest and best known PCOs in the meetings industry, catering mainly, although not exclusively, for medical and scientific associations.
The company has more than 100 clients.
Lahav joined Kenes in 2013
to add some marketing expertise to the management team. Four years later he
moved sideways to lead the client accounts & operations team.
In 2020, Ori became president
of IAPCO, the international association of professional congresses organisers –
leading the organisation through the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic
Lahav wrote a well-received feature
on leadership for AMI, in which he stressed the importance of honesty and
transparency in times of crisis.
Rivlin said: “Ori is a natural
fit for the CEO position. I expect him to bring his character and personality
to this new and demanding role. Both Ori and I see eye to eye on the most
underlining issues and we plan to continue to grow the company in the same
spirit.”
Lahav said: “I am honoured to count
on this trust and recognition from Dan and the rest of the global team. It is
an exciting time to be in our industry and I plan to make the most of it for
Kenes Group.”
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
