Sue Tinnish, a professional meeting planner, trainer, and facilitator, and an active volunteer member of the Educational Advisory Council of APEX, the Accepted Practices Exchange initiative, has been named the director of APEX. An initiative of the Convention Industry Council, APEX aims to bring together all stakeholders in the development and implementation of industrywide accepted documents and forms to create and enhance efficiencies throughout the meetings, convention, and exhibition industry.

Tinnish has 25 years of experience in business, having worked in the financial services industry before forming her own company, SEAL Inc. She has a master of business administration degree in finance and marketing from the University of Chicago and a bachelor of science degree in communication studies from Northwestern University. She is a former president of Meeting Professionals International’s Chicago Chapter (2004 to 2005) and is also an adjunct professor in Roosevelt University’s Manfred Steinfeld School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.

Tinnish replaces Rich Hunter. She will based in Chicago.

Another newsmaker with ties to CIC and APEX is Terri Breining, CMP, CMM, commissioner of APEX and founder and CEO of Concepts Worldwide, San Diego. She received the 35th Annual James V. Cunningham Service Award given by Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International at the end of February.

The prestigious award "honors the individual who, regardless of palpable pressures and demands, consistently displays--through measurable action--a willingness to serve."