Long-time trade show industry veteran Martin C. ("Skip") Farber passed away Jan. 4 in Los Angeles.

Farber worked for many years in both the business-to-business events and media worlds. Starting his career with Security World in 1974, he held leadership positions at Cahners Publishing, Reed Exhibitions, Reed Publishing USA, and Advanstar.

While the job market may be cooling off in many markets across the nation, the trade show and events industry appears to be staying steady as show organizers, tourism agencies, event tech companies and more continue attracting new talent, promoting staff and expanding their executive teams. 

Hiring and promoting was fast and furious during the past month, with several trade show companies growing their company rosters.

Ungerboeck, an event and venue management technology company, added Eric Kaser to the company’s executive leadership team.

As vice president of sales, Americas, Kaser will lead sales strategy and execution from company headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.

Two long-time facility leaders – the Houston George R. Brown Convention Center’s David Osterhout and the New Orleans Ernest N. Moral Convention Center’s Robert Johnson – both are set to retire.

Osterhout, known universally as simply Dave O, is turning in his keys after nearly three decades as the facility manager at the George R. Brown CC.

Osterhout, 69, retires on April 28 with a celebration joined by co-workers, clients, partners and many other friends.

Instead of ending on a quiet note, last year finished up with a flurry of new hires and promotions at venues, convention bureaus and other companies.

John Gonzalez, the long-time director of event and guest services at the George R. Brown Convention Center, has been promoted to the new vice president position at Houston First Corporation’s downtown convention complex.

People hirings and promotions seemed to be happening at warp speed as winter turned into spring, with suppliers and show management companies strengthening their ranks.

Ungerboeck Software International’s Manish Chandak, who was CTO of the company, was named president and CEO.  

“Manish possesses the unique ability to translate vision and strategy into world-class execution,” said Ungerboeck founder and chairman of the board, Dieter Ungerboeck. “This will move us forward with the speed required to capitalize on the opportunities in front of us.” 

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.