Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) President Barbara Maple today announced the winner of the 2006 JMIC Unity Award as Luca Favetta, Director, Global Events Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific for SAP. Mr. Favetta formally received the award at the IMEX Awards Banquet in Frankfurt, Germany on the evening of May 31, 2006.

"Mr. Favetta has been a good friend to the industry for many years", said Maple in presenting the award. "While many of us know him as a valued client, he has also been a big supporter of our industry and always made himself available to lend his knowledge and expertise to industry gatherings and organizations over the years. He is a keen industry observer who has provided valuable guidance on many issues, and he continues to lend his perspectives and insights generously in support of further industry development".

The JMIC Unity Award was established by the Council as a way of recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the Meetings Industry and the level of professionalism it represents. The Award is made each year based on criteria which evaluate industry leadership and initiative.

Mr. Favetta oversees the event marketing strategy and implementation for SAP, the world's largest business software company and the world's third-largest independent software provider overall, serving more than 32,000 customers worldwide. He has successfully re-focused the use of events as a strategic marketing and communication tools for SAP while generating significant savings for the company. His previous position was as Executive Events Manager for Hewlett Packard Europe.

At the same time, he has had a significant involvement as a volunteer within the Meetings Industry, having contributed to numerous conferences, industry associations and position papers. He has been an MPI European Council member in 2002 - 2003 and 2003 - 2004, Co chair of the MPI Global Corporate Circle of Excellence Co-Chair 2005 - 2005 and 2005-2006 and Chair of the MPI Global Strategy Committee Chair 2006 - 2007. In addition he has been responsible for many different published articles on various dimensions and issues within the meetings industry.

JMIC - the Joint Meetings Industry Council - was established in 1978 as a vehicle for creating a forum for the exchange of information and perspectives amongst international associations engaged in various aspects of the Meetings Industry. It has met annually each year and served as a link between its member organizations as well as a means of reviewing industry conditions and strategies.

JMIC members include AIPC (The International Association of Congress Centres); AIVFC (Association Internationale des Villes Francophones de Congres); COCAL (The Latin American Confederation of PCO and Related Companies); EFCT (The European Federation of Conference Towns); EVVC (European Association of Event Centers); IAPCO (The International Association of Professional Congress Organizers); ICCA (The International Congress and Convention Association); MPI (Meeting Professionals International) and SITE (the Society of Incentive & Travel Executives).