Michael Lyons

Michael Lyons is a Professional Speaker, Actor, Author and Meetings Industry Consultant. A highly respected veteran of the meetings/travel industry, his diverse professional background - covering more than 40 years - includes senior level posts with some of the industry's best known names. Until 2014, he served as Exhibition Director for Reed Travel Exhibitions, with responsibility for managing IBTM America, a global meetings industry trade show. Prior to his stint with Reed, he worked for companies such as Carlson Wagonlit Travel, EGR International and McGettigan Partners (now Maritz). He was also the President and CEO of Global Events Partners, Philadelphia, the premier Destination Management Company in the greater Philadelphia region which he co-founded and ran successfully from 2002 through 2010.

As a professional speaker, Lyons has given talks in the U.S. and abroad to numerous groups on a variety of topics, with an emphasis on how to turn daydreams into reality and pursue your passion. He has also authored a number of articles in both hospitality industry trade journals and consumer magazines and is frequently sought out by the media as one of the experts in the meetings & events industry. He co-wrote the chapter on Marketing Strategies in the book "Best Practices in Destination Management" as well as the chapter entitled Making ROI-based Decisions in Today's Business Environment in the business book "Improving the Profitability of Your Company", published by Aspatore Books.

As a SAG (Screen Actors Guild) actor for the past 25 years, he has appeared in major films, TV shows and commercials, and has more than 350 live appearances under his belt on home shopping network QVC as a product host. His credits include speaking parts in "The Sixth Sense", "All My Children, "Veep", "What Would You Do", "Arrest & Trial", "Outsiders" and "House of Cards" among others. He is also an Emcee and a singer and performs a Frank Sinatra tribute show called "Mike Sings Frank", named after his CD of the same name.

In 2017, Michael released his book "Set Yourself Free: Daydream it... Believe it... Achieve it!" to widespread acclaim. Set Yourself Free is a call to action to people everywhere who are not fulfilling their potential, feel stuck and aren't sure what to do about it.

Drawing from his life experiences and stories of well-known people who have struggled on the road to success, the book outlines tangible and achievable steps that position the reader to pursue goals they might feel are outside their grasp. Seven time Emmy Award winner and ABC-TV correspondent John Quiñones wrote the Foreword. ​

Lyons has been a very active participant in hospitality industry organizations including MPI, PCMA, GBTA, ILEA, HSMAI, SITE and ADMEI. He served two terms on the Philadelphia chapter of MPI's board as VP Finance, was named Supplier of the Year, and also received the chapter's Partner Award twice. He served on the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau from 2004-2012 and also served on their Marketing and International committees. During those years he was also a member of the Advisory Board of Visit Philadelphia, the tourism marketing arm for the region. On the academic front, he was an adjunct professor at Temple University from 2010-2012, teaching in their Event Leadership Executive Certificate Program.

Mike has earned industry certification as a Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) and has spoken at dozens of meetings industry gatherings, including PCMA Chapter Events as a PCMA "Best in Class" Speaker.

Having lived in Paris, France for 3 years, Mike speaks nearly fluent French. A resident of suburban Philadelphia, he and his lovely wife Lorie are the proud parents of Michael Jr., Erin Oosthuizen, and Aimee - and are grandparents of 7 wonderful children.