Oct 30, 2012
Companies related to the trade show industry have been busy as of late with a spate of new hire announcements and promotions, signaling optimism about the future.
Choose Chicago, the city’s CVB, named D. Bradley Kent senior vice president of sales and services.
Kent most recently served as the vice president of industry relations for Freeman and he will join Choose Chicago Dec. 3.
"Brad is an influential leader with tremendous respect throughout the industry,” said Don Welsh, Choose Chicago’s president and CEO.
He added, “Choose Chicago has an aggressive… more
Sep 26, 2012
Two well-known industry veterans have been named to new posts recently, with Reed Travel Exhibitions bringing on Michael Lyons as the new exhibition director for AIBTM, the Americas Meetings & Events Exhibition, and Michael Krouse was tapped as the president and CEO of the Ontario (Calif.) Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Lyons is a 30-year member of the meetings and events community and will lead AIBTM's efforts to enhance its position as the premier global exhibition for the U.S. meetings, events, incentive and business travel industry, according to Reed officials.
"We are… more
Sep 05, 2012
Overall unemployment in the United States still might be down, but hiring in the trade show industry has continued to pick up speed though the summer and into the fall.
L.A. Mart proudly recently brought back Frank Joens as senior vice president and general manager of the venue in Los Angeles.
Joens returns to the L.A. Mart after a brief break in his decade-long tenure of service with the building. He began his career at the L.A. Mart in 2001 as director of marketing and then two years later was promoted to director of leasing, where he helped his team achieve a more than 90 percent… more
Jul 30, 2012
Summer might be a slow time for actual trade shows being held, but it’s been a busy time for new hires, signaling a boost in business.
The Georgia World Congress Center recently announced the selection of Mark Adams as director of sales for the 3.9 million square foot facility.
"We are all looking forward to the addition of Mark Adams to our GWCC team,” said Mark Zimmerman, general manager of the convention center.
He added, “I am confident that with his experience he will make an immediate impact on our sales program.”
Adams joins the GWCC after working as… more
Jul 08, 2012
Trade show veteran Kevin O’Keefe has taken a new post at GLM as senior vice president, leaving his position at UBM Canon Communications at which he oversaw several 2011 TSNN Top 250 shows, such as Medical Design & Manufacturing West, East and Midwest, as well as other shows in the UBM Canon portfolio.
O’Keefe has worked in the trade show industry for 20 years and will assume many of the duties of GLM’s departing Senior Vice President Phil Robinson, who has decided to leave the company as of Aug. 1 after 22 years, but will remain as an advisor through year-end, according… more
Jun 20, 2012
The Face2Face Series is sponsored by MarketArt.
Talk to most trade show managers and executives and you might notice a common theme: they seem to have no idea what they’d be doing if they weren’t working in the trade show industry.
The same rings true for 23-year industry veteran Alan Sims, who like many trade show lifers, began working in and around events right out of school, realized it was a good fit and never looked back.
“Relationships are important to me and face-to-face interaction is important, so (the industry) suits my skill set well,” Sims said.
He… more
Apr 16, 2012
The Face2Face Series is sponsored by MarketArt.
While some people might anticipate big challenges with a sense of trepidation, David Audrain thinks they’re what keep life interesting. But then, this 19-year trade show veteran, who recently became president and CEO of Clarion Events North America, has never been one to shy away from daunting propositions. Like the time he had to learn everything he needed to know about being a show manager – in nine weeks.
“When I moved to the U.S., I ended up working for the Texas Restaurant Association, managing part of their membership… more
Mar 12, 2012
For nearly 20 years, Dorothy Belshaw has worked for George Little Management, most recently as vice president and show director of the New York International Gift Fair, but now she’s taken a new position as president of the International Market Centers’ Gift Division.
"I am very pleased to have a true industry leader and professional join our executive team. Dorothy brings the leadership and experience to accelerate the growth of our Gift+Home show in Las Vegas,” said Robert Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers.
He added, “As a recognized and proven… more
Feb 27, 2012
This year has been a busy one so far for association staffing and executive-level changes, with several appointments being announced.
National Association of Convenience Stores appointed Molly Hoyt its meetings coordinator. Prior to joining NACS, Hoyt worked at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, where she served as a meetings concierge and eventually assistant banquet manager, supervising all banquet functions at the hotel.
Destination Marketing Association International has named Cindy Kong, CMP, as its director of meetings effective Feb. 22. Kong has more than 20 years of… more
Jan 04, 2012
Matthew Rotchford, long-time sales and events manager for the Portland Expo Center, has been named facility director after a national industry search, according to Metro Visitor Venues, which oversees the center.
He replaces former Director Chris Bailey, who retired in September, after 17 years managing the regional venue.
Metro general manager of visitor venues Teri Dresler said the decision best supports the facility’s expansion into new markets.
“By far, Matthew demonstrated the perfect combination of drive, innovation, flexibility and financial stewardship for this… more
Partner Voices
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