Jan 13, 2025
As 2024 came to a close, the trade show industry remained on the fast track, actively hiring and promoting experienced industry professionals to gear up for a promising 2025. Here’s our roundup of trade show moves in the last month.
TSNN’s take on the biggest move in the last month: Nora Ellingwood joined CloserStill Media as vice president of operations, North America. In this newly created position, she will build a centralized operations team for the company’s U.S. events business, focused on creating innovative events and empowering its team members to learn, grow, and thrive while… more
Jan 09, 2025
To kick off the new year, TSNN sat down with some of the trade show industry’s most well-respected leaders to gain insights into what we can expect for B2B exhibitions in 2025.
In this second installment of our series running through the month of January, we spoke with Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, producer of CES, the nation’s largest annual consumer electronics trade show and conference taking place this week in Las Vegas.
Here’s what Shapiro foresees for CTA’s events and the overall industry in the coming year.
What are your predictions for the trade… more
Jan 07, 2025
Event and exhibition organizer Clarion Events has promoted Kelly Comboni to CEO of Clarion Connect, a new division focused on connection-driven, one-to-one formats, digital platforms, and community-building event experiences that was launched in November 2024. Most recently, Comboni had served as president of LeftField Media, Quartz Network, and Consero Events.
Operating globally, with business units and events spanning North America, Europe, and beyond, Clarion Connect brings together brands that facilitate more than 60,000 business connections annually via its portfolio of more than 80… more
Dec 12, 2024
As the trade show industry moves into the holiday season, a plethora of associations and suppliers announced good tidings in the form of leadership appointments and executive promotions in November. Here’s our roundup on trade show moves last month.
TSNN’s take on the biggest move in November: The Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA) welcomed Jenn Heinold as senior vice president, expositions, Americas. She is responsible for leading the strategy and operations for AVIXA’s exposition and conference portfolio in the Americas, including InfoComm and InfoComm América… more
Dec 03, 2024
Privately owned event and exhibition industry organizer Clarion Events North America has promoted Liz Irving to CEO. Since joining the company in May 2018, Irving has steadily moved up the ranks, assuming the helm as the company’s first-ever president, North America in August 2023.
The announcement, made on December 2, recognizes Irving’s exceptional leadership and transformative vision that have significantly contributed to the company’s growth and industry collaboration, according to Clarion officials.
“Liz has consistently demonstrated an ability to identify new opportunities, navigate… more
Nov 27, 2024
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), which generated more than $500 million in economic impact for Toronto and the Province of Ontario during its 2023/24 fiscal year, appointed Kathy Haley as its new president and CEO, effective November 26. She takes over the position from MTCC Interim President & CEO Ron Pellerine, who held the position for the last year.
Haley, who most recently served as chief customer experience officer for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ), makes history as the first woman to hold this position at the MTCC, which is celebrating its… more
Nov 25, 2024
Look up “bad-ass event professional” and you’ll likely see a photo of Monique Ruff-Bell next to it. As the chief program and strategy officer for TED, producer of world-renowned TED conferences, Ruff-Bell isn’t afraid to push boundaries and disrupt TED’s winning formula to keep its events compelling, engaging, memorable, inclusive, and always on-trend.
Since joining TED almost three years ago as its head of events, following a transformative tenure at leading FinTech event Money 20/20, this seasoned event strategist has found ways to leverage TED’s leading platforms and legacy of… more
Nov 08, 2024
In October, event organizers, associations, and suppliers welcomed new talent and promoted seasoned professionals as the trade show industry continues a bustling fall and turns its attention toward a strong finish to a busy year. In addition to the news that Julie Coker has been tapped to lead NYC Tourism + Conventions, here’s our recap of trade show moves in the last month.
TSNN’s take on the biggest move in October: Clarion Events has appointed Chris Brown, principal at Level Up Event Strategies, to lead The Clarion Events Collaborative: Elevating Association Events along with Liz Irving… more
Oct 24, 2024
In less than two months, Julie Coker, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA), will leave San Diego to lead New York City Tourism + Conventions as its new president and CEO. Coker will remain in her current role until December 6.
As the first Black woman to serve as leader of NYC Tourism + Conventions, Coker will be filling the role of former President and CEO Fred Dixon, who served as the organization’s leader for 10 years, from 2014 until his departure in June 2024, when he was tapped to lead Brand USA. Since Dixon left the organization on July 15, Nancy Mammana, CMO… more
Oct 11, 2024
September was another busy month for the trade show industry, especially among industry suppliers, with organizations across the U.S. welcoming new leadership, promoting hard-working staff, and naming seasoned professionals to executive teams.
TSNN’s take on the biggest move in September: Jennifer LeMaster assumed the helm of the Seattle Convention Center (SCC) as its new president and CEO on September 16. As the first female CEO in the venue’s 36-year history, she replaced Jeff Blosser, who retired earlier this year.
The big picture: LeMaster joins the SCC from the Georgia World… 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.