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Tribute to Vanessa Cotton

One of the meetings industry's most outstanding professionals has died after a long battle with cancer

Vanessa Cotton gave up her role with Reed Travel Exhibitions earlier this year saying she had completed her role but she had kept details of her illness a secret from all but a few close friends. Vanessa had been in remission for the past couple of years but the cancer returned at Christmas. She fought her illness in secret with the same strength of purpose that made her so successful in her career and went into hospital two weeks ago.

Together with her husband, Mike Selway, she built her business The Event Organisation to become one of the most important conference organising agencies in the country, organising major corporate and even inter-governmental meetings. Vanessa and Mike were a formidable and perfect partnership on many levels.

Vanessa Cotton was dynamic, clever, witty, glamorous, energetic and perceptive.  She was one of the first recipients of the Eventia Outstanding Achievement Award for her contribution to the industry back in 2007.  Her involvement with organisations such as Meeting Professionals International will be remembered but it is the warmth of her personality that will be missed by all who knew her.

The funeral has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 23.

Donations to cancer research in place of flowers can be made at http://www.justgiving.com/vanessacotton