The first quarter of 2016 saw a busy hiring period, with companies ranging from audio-visual to for-profit show management to convention and visitors bureaus.

Surf Expo, the largest and longest-running boardsports and beach/resort lifestyle trade show in the world, has named Rod Tomlinson as sales manager for the Surf Category of the show. He is replacing Ryan Nettleton.

Tomlinson was most recently a sales executive for Interbike, the largest bicycle trade event in North America, also owned and operated by Emerald Expositions.

“Surf Expo is excited to bring Rod Tomlinson to our sales team," said Roy Turner, Surf Expo vice president and show director.

He added, "Rod’s background in sales combined with his knowledge and passion for surf makes him the perfect fit. Rod will be working out of our San Juan Capistrano office, close to many of our Surf category clients.”

Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association, has hired Morgan Natzke to join its destination sales team as a sales account executive.

Natzke brings more than 8 years of experience in the hospitality industry to the job, serving most recently as the executive meetings manager at the Marquette Hotel in Minneapolis.

In her new role at Meet Minneapolis, Natzke will promote and sell Minneapolis as a premier destination for conventions and meetings, primarily handling association and corporate accounts headquartered east of the Mississippi River with 10-200 peak room nights.

Colette Fairchild, CEM, CMP, has joined FirstSource Events, and its parent company, International Conference Development LLC.

As event director, she will play an integral role in the development of a series of new and existing hosted buyer events, networking conferences and tradeshows.

Fairchild brings more than 25 years of experience in several different industries, including pet, dental, beauty, agricultural and pharmaceutical.

SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals has brought on three new employees.

Laura A. Longo joined SmartSource as account executive in the New York region.  She will be responsible for developing new business opportunities in the Business Solutions Channel, including the Entertainment, Legal and Staffing general business rentals verticals.

Mark A. Decker also was added to the SmartSource team as an account executive, serving in the District of Columbia metropolitan area. He will be responsible for driving new business opportunities across the trade shows, professional conference, and meeting and events markets.

Thomas Sentell also will join the SmartSource team as an account executive, serving as an in the Los Angeles region. He will be responsible for working with clients across the trade show and event organizer markets.

John S. Henderson has joined the Fixation Marketing team in the newly created role of vice president Industry Relations & Strategy.

Henderson brings to Fixation - and Fixation’s clients - an extensive background in trade association management with a particular expertise in developing and enhancing member outreach and education.

Most recently, Henderson spent 7 years at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) as vice president, Education, Training and Professional Development.

Jan Tonkin, managing director of Auckland-based The Conference Company, will take up the presidency of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers.

Tonkin was elected at the association's annual General Assembly in Cape Town in February, and takes over from outgoing President Michel Neijmann for a two-year term.