Jan 30, 2013
George Armando Aguel was named president and CEO of Visit Orlando, filling the open position after its prior leader, Gary Sain, passed away suddenly last year.
“George is an incredibly accomplished industry leader, with extensive experience in both leisure and business travel,” said Paul Mears III, chair of the Visit Orlando board of directors.
He added, “His knowledge of the meetings and conventions industry, as well as his relationships throughout the travel and tourism segment, matches perfectly with the criteria that our search committee identified as priorities.”… more
Jan 08, 2013
Scottsdale, Ariz.-based HelmsBriscoe already has strong stakes in the corporate and association markets, but in order to expand into the trade show realm, the company has hired industry veteran Adam Schaffer.
"Adam's addition to HelmsBriscoe is very exciting as we continue to expand our presence domestically and internationally,” said Richard Harper, executive vice president of HelmsBriscoe.
He added, "Adam is a proven leader in the trade show industry and we are confident he will be a highly sought after resource for our clients and our Associates."
Schaffer’s… more
Jan 07, 2013
December usually is a quiet month, but instead, there were a spate of new hires that led right into even more at the start of 2013.
With unemployment figures in the United States continuing to stabilize, the trade show industry is ahead of the curve with a busy hiring season.
Experient hired Heidi Voorhees as senior vice president of Housing, in which she will lead the company’s housing sales and operations.
“The meetings and event industry is ripe for unified registration and housing technologies backed by an organization with strong leadership,” said Shawn Pierce,… more
Jan 02, 2013
Robert "Bob" Jameson has been named the new president and CEO of the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Ernest (Ernie) Wooden, Jr., has been named president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LA Tourism).
Jameson will be replacing David Dubois, who ran the Fort Worth bureau for five years and now is president of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events.
Jameson takes office effective Jan. 19.
"We conducted an extensive national search through an executive placement firm, bringing qualified candidates from across the… more
Dec 25, 2012
The Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau’s Board of Directors has named Jay Burress the new president of the bureau, replacing long-time industry veteran Charles Ahlers.
“We are confident that Anaheim and Orange County will move forward under Burress’ leadership as a major leisure and convention destination,” said Steve Arnold, AOCVCB Chairman of the Board.
He added, “Our destination and partners will benefit substantially from his expertise, collaborative style and drive to succeed.”
In his new position, Burress will lead the… more
Nov 29, 2012
Based in the U.K., with shows around the world, dmg :: events has decided to expand its footprint with a new division in the United States, naming industry veteran Michael Green president to run it.
The new division will be a part of dmg :: events’ existing sector and geography groups of Energy, Digital Marketing and the Middle East.
The group, called dmg :: events USA, will be headquartered in Dallas and will be responsible for dmg :: events’ U.S.-based Digital Marketing businesses – ad:tech, iMedia Summits, iMedia Connection, Digital Collective and CMO Collective (23… more
Nov 14, 2012
Peter W. Nathan, president of PWN Exhibicon International, one of the most well-known and storied icons in the trade show industry, has announced he will retire after 58 years of service.
“It’s time … I’ve been in this industry 58 years,” Nathan said. “Not that I’m going to fade away. There are a number of volunteer opportunities I want to work with.”
Nathan, who is turning 80, started in the industry when he was a 22-year-old and worked with Saul Poliak of Clapp & Poliak.
“I had a fabulous mentor,” Nathan said. “His… more
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
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.