About us

Mark Handforth

Director

A recognized expert in meetings and events with over 20 years strategic and tactical experience.

A career starting in the hospitality sector took Mark via a number of operational roles to a position as Director of World Events (now Ashfield Events) a Global Event Management company where he delivered bottom line growth and service differentiation for over 15 years. As Head of Global Events for F. Hoffmann La Roche Mark was the principal architect to the successful consolidation of above market activities, considered by many to be an industry benchmark, integrating over 35 markets into a centralized solution. More recently he enjoyed a role as subject matter expert at Grass Roots, where he worked with international offices to create an aligned multi market offer for meetings and events.

As the content Director for the HealthcareMeetingsForum.com since 2011, Mark is able to contribute to the dialogue at a global level around the important topics affecting meetings and events in the Healthcare Sector.

Betsy Bondurant

Head, US Operations

Betsy offers a unique 360o perspective with over 30 years of experience in meeting & trade show management, hotel sales, and procurement, including 17 years of direct involvement in the discipline of Strategic Meetings Management (SMM). During her 15-year tenure at the world’s largest biotech company, Betsy developed a pioneering SMM program as well as a venue compliance process for the early PhRMA guidelines. In 2007, she opened a consultancy dedicated to providing independent and unbiased SMM support. Betsy is considered a Subject Matter Expert, and has authored many articles, developed educational content, and presented to audiences in North/Central America, Europe and Asia.

Betsy holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is an active member of MPI’s MD Advisory Council, is Vice-chair of the GBTA Meetings Committee, and Co-chair of PCMA’s Corporate Task Force.

In 2016, Betsy was recognized as one of the Top 25 Women in the Meetings Industry by Meetings and Conventions Magazine. Additionally, Betsy has been recognized as “Best Practitioner” by Business Travel News and one of the Meeting News “25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry”.

Andrew Winterburn

Director

Andrew has over 25 years MICE and FIT industry experience, working closely with multiple international blue chip companies in the B2B and B2C markets. He has held a number of board positions within Ashfield Meetings & Events including Operations Director and Client Services Director.

A Healthcare & Lifesciences meetings & events expert Andrew has over 20 years industry experience working globally, regionally & locally with over 45 healthcare/life science companies in Europe, Asia and North America. Through his extensive industry insights he provides consultancy services on strategic meetings management, future trends and HCP engagement.

Andrew is passionate about the meetings, incentives and event market previously being involved in a number of industry associations and advisory boards during his 25 years in the business. He has recently been appointed Chairman of the EVCOM board, a leading Meetings and Communications association, where he is committed to investing his time in helping EVCOM’s development in the future.