O'Keefe Leaves UBM Canon Communications for GLM's Senior Management Team

July 8, 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 to company officials.

O'Keefe will oversee three GLM shows, International Contemporary Furniture Fair, National Stationery Show and SURTEX, and the company's management of the Greeting Card Association, while also working on new product development.

"Kevin's deep experience in show management, his implementation of Canon's highly successful expansion strategy and his long track record in launching new shows and products make him a valuable addition to our senior management team,” said Charles G. McCurdy, chairman and CEO of GLM.

He added, “He will build on the work already done by Phil and others on new products and shows, including SPACE New York, which will be collocated with the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in May 2013."

O’Keefe will report to McCurdy, who he previously worked with when McCurdy ran Canon Communications.

"GLM has a longstanding reputation for producing quality events and providing superior customer service,” O’Keefe said.

He added, “I am eager to join the team as it prepares to launch several new initiatives.”

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