May 10, 2023
The U.S. trade show industry is continuing a robust Q2 as event-related companies and venues far and wide expand their teams and appoint experienced industry leaders to guide their growth trajectories. Take a look!
Encore
Global event technology and production services provider Encore recently made two senior executive hires focused on elevating customer experience: Trevor Ferguson as COO and Michelle Brown as senior vice president of operations and customer excellence.
Ferguson joins Encore’s leadership team from Aramark, where he worked for more than 17 years, most recently serving as… more
May 08, 2023
As May begins, TSNN is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the U.S. by spotlighting an AAPI woman who has enriched the event and trade show industry and been instrumental in its future success.
Sonia Fong, senior vice president of convention development for Louisville Tourism, has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 25 years. Her current responsibilities include managing the convention sales team to achieve annual room night goals, developing and implementing the convention sales and marketing plan, outlining specific sales objectives and… more
May 05, 2023
It can’t be easy trying to fill the shoes of a longtime, widely respected industry veteran who held your new role for more than four decades. But that’s exactly what Mac Campbell, the new executive director of the Baltimore Convention Center (BCC), has been attempting to do since taking the helm in January 2023.
Campbell replaced the legendary Peggy Daidakis, the first female director of a major U.S. convention center, who retired last fall after 44 years with the BCC. In 1979, Daidakis helped open the BBC, Maryland’s largest convention venue, ran it from 1986 to 2022, and was instrumental… more
Apr 24, 2023
Across the U.S., trade show-related organizations are appointing new leadership and expanding their teams. Take a look!
Clarion Events
Leading event organizer Clarion Events has promoted Sophia Fasano to group marketing director of its Energy Portfolio, which covers all markets related to transmission and distribution, interconnection, renewable energy and power generation.
In her new role, Fasano is responsible for marketing strategy, customer and data insights and marketing team leadership and development for event brands, including DISTRIBUTECH International, POWERGEN… more
Apr 21, 2023
IMEX Group has long been at the forefront of championing important industry topics such as mental health and well-being, sustainability, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), all of which it has become a model for with its two annual shows in Frankfurt and Las Vegas, as well as numerous other initiatives throughout the year.
We checked in with Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group, to get her thoughts and insights on these pertinent industry topics, as well as the group’s 2023 Talking Point: “Human Nature,” which embraces all of them.
Every year, the Talking Point provides a framework for… more
Apr 14, 2023
Leading global tech media, data, research and marketing services provider International Data Group (IDG) has tapped Steve Corrick as senior vice president of events for International Data Corporation (IDC) and Foundry, a subsidiary of IDG.
A highly experienced international event leader who has run large event portfolios for UBM, CMP, Canon Communications and Andry Montgomery, Corrick most recently served as CEO Americas for Comexposium Group, France’s largest event organizer and owner of 170 B2C and B2B events across 11 market sectors, including food, agriculture, fashion, security, digital… more
Apr 05, 2023
After 11 years as president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), David DuBois will retire effective Dec. 31, 2023.
DuBois will lead the association through its strategic growth initiatives in 2023 and continue to build on his legacy of advancing IAEE’s mission and member community.
“IAEE is a large and diverse global association that represents a vast ecosystem,” DuBois said. “I look forward to continuing to lead the exhibitions and events industry's trade association, and over the months ahead, my goal is for IAEE to continue delivering valuable… more
Apr 03, 2023
Workplace culture can have a direct impact on the overall success of an organization, as it affects how employees perceive their jobs, colleagues and their employer. When staff are happy and motivated in their work environment, they tend to be more productive and engaged, as well as more likely to stay at a company long-term, thus reducing turnover and contributing to the organization’s productivity and financial success.
Contrast that with a toxic work culture that often leads to high employee turnover, low productivity and morale, as well as difficulties in attracting new talent, and it’s… more
Mar 28, 2023
Across the trade show spectrum, event-related organizations are continuing to grow their teams and appoint new leadership as the industry forges ahead into Q2. Take a look!
CORT Events
Leading provider of furniture rental and transition services, CORT, recently expanded its executive sales and marketing team with the addition of Phil DeSarno in the newly created role of vice president of sales, marketing and merchandising. In his new role, DeSarno will be responsible for enhancing divisional relationships and alignment with CORT’s top clients to drive business development while boosting… more
Mar 13, 2023
The story of how Laura Purdy found a career in the exhibitions and meetings industry will be a familiar one for many event professionals: she fell into it – and never left. While in the process of building a marketing and retail management career at a prestigious commercial real estate firm in Toronto, Canada, Purdy had the chance to participate in new business development projects, including responding to RFPs for management contracts for global commercial real estate properties.
One of those projects was for The National Trade Centre (now Enercare Centre), which was under construction at… 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.