Martin Sirk, who has served as CEO of the Amsterdam-based International Congress and Convention Association since 2002, will step down from his post next month, according to ICCA's board. Sirk joined the organization in 2002; in that time, the group has grown from 600 to more than 1,100 member companies and organizations in 97 countries. ICCA's chief value officer, Dennis Speet, will serve as acting CEO until a replacement is found. An international recruitment firm has been hired to assist with the selection and evaluation process. "Sixteen years is an exceptionally long period in any role, and I'm immensely proud of the team in Amsterdam and our regional offices around the world," said Sirk. "I believe I have played a major role in safeguarding the unique culture of ICCA - genuinely global, friendly and open-minded, but always business-focused - throughout the many changes that we have gone through. I wish my successor joy and success with this extraordinary association, which I feel honored to have had the opportunity to serve." Meeting Escrow would like to pay tribute to Martin's visionary leadership for ICCA and for his enthusiastic support for Meeting Escrow’s efforts to mitigate financial risk in the Business Events industry.