FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Michele Payne, assistant director of communications for special events and CLE with the University of Arkansas School of Law has been elected regional director of Region 7 of the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International.

Payne was recognized at the association’s annual conference in New Orleans on March 25, 2014.

“I am proud to have been elected to regional director,” said Payne. “It is an honor to work with my peers at universities around the world, and I look forward to the upcoming year.”

Payne has been in the conference and events profession for eight years and has been a member of the association since 2010. For the year prior to assuming her duties as regional director, Payne was regional director-elect of Region 7. Region 7 represents the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. To close her three-year commitment, Payne will next serve as immediate-past regional director beginning in March 2015.

Payne has been a staff member at the University of Arkansas for 12 years. She served on the University Staff Senate from 2006-2011, serving as secretary from 2007-2009.

Payne recently started a university event planners group for all employees on campus involved in planning events, conferences and camps as well as those individuals in charge of reserving spaces for events. Anyone interested in joining the university event planners group should contact Payne for details.

The Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International was founded in 1980 and currently has a membership of more than 1,500 professionals at educational institutions in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom. ACCED-I is the largest independent educational association dedicated to professional growth and development in the conference and events profession.

For further information on the association, contact ACCED-I at 877-502-2233 or visit its website.