Jun 07, 2018
The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority has hired Joyce Leveston as General Manager to oversee Boston’s Hynes Convention Center and Boston Convention & Exhibitions Center.
She begins her new role July 16.
“It is a privilege and an honor to be welcomed into the MCCA family. I look forward to supporting the vision and growth of such well respected professionals in the industry,” said Joyce Leveston.
She added, “It is my intention to build on Boston’s outstanding industry reputation for customer service excellence as we welcome and host visitors from around the world to the MCCA’… more
Jun 05, 2018
With the trade show industry continuing to grow, according to the latest Center for Exhibition Industry Research, there were plenty of new hires and promotions up the ranks recently.
The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), owned by the City of Los Angeles and managed by AEG Facilities, welcomed Nancy Walker as the new vice president of Sales and Marketing.
Walker joins the LACC with more than 20 years’ experience in the events and trade show industry, most recently as the director of sales, North America at Reed Travel Exhibitions.
Prior to her work with Reed, Walker was the vice… more
May 03, 2018
GES has named Jay Altizer president of its North America division, effective May 14.
Altizer will lead GES’ exhibition and exhibit program business in the U.S. and Canada, with a focus on accelerating growth.
He brings extensive management experience, including operational excellence, business development and product innovation.
Altizer successfully has led teams at Dean Foods, PepsiCo and Bain & Company.
Altizer will report directly to Steve Moster, president of GES, and president and CEO of Viad.
“Jay has distinguished himself throughout his career as a strategic and creative… more
May 02, 2018
The UFI Board of Directors has elected Diversified Business Communications’ Mary Larkin as president of UFI for 2020.
This decision was made at the board meeting during the UFI European Conference in Verona, Italy, and becomes effective at the conclusion of the 85th UFI Global Congress, which runs from Oct. 31- Nov. 3 in St. Petersburg.
Corrado Peraboni, UFI’s current president, welcomed the election of Larkin, saying: “I congratulate Mary Larkin for being elected as the new UFI incoming President. It will be a great privilege for me to be part of the presidential trio, together with… more
Mar 29, 2018
Lance Fensterman has been promoted to president of Global ReedPOP, the rapidly growing pop culture division of Reed Exhibitions that he helped to conceive and launch.
Thanks to Lance’s vision and leadership, ReedPOP has become the leading producer of pop culture events in the world, and is the fastest-growing portfolio within Reed Exhibitions, according to company officials.
"Lance’s passion is unmistakable and contagious, and that passion has driven the explosive growth of ReedPOP from a quirky offshoot of Reed Exhibitions to the global powerhouse brand that it is today" said Hervé Sedky… more
Mar 29, 2018
For the first time in Freeman’s 90-year history, a non-family member was named its fourth CEO – Bob Priest-Heck.
“We are focused on building our clients’ brands and helping them succeed in a dynamic environment by creating meaningful brand experiences that help build relationships and drive clear and measurable outcomes,” said Joe Popolo, CEO of The Freeman Company, the newly created parent company that encompasses Freeman, Encore Event Technologies and Alford Media.
He added, “Bob is no stranger to this, having previously served as the president of Freeman. He has a history of driving… more
Mar 28, 2018
Michael Fetter has been hired as the director of marketing in the Marketing Communications department for the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Before coming to the bureau, Fetter was a media buyer for Bandy Carroll Hellige (BCH), as well as a marketing manager for Phoenix Process Equipment Company where he oversaw all strategic marketing and communications plans.
Fetter returned to BCH in 2016 as an account manager, with the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau among his clients.
He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in… more
Mar 06, 2018
February wasn’t just a month to celebrate Valentine’s Day and slog through the dog days of winter in some areas of the U.S., it also was a busy time for companies to hire new employees and promote from within.
PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, promoted Dave Newcorn to senior vice president, Digital & Data.
The newly created position allows PMMI to centralize its digital and audience resources under Newcorn with data, new product development, web site development and information technology all now falling under his purview.
The Cobb Galleria Centre and… more
Dec 11, 2017
With the holiday season upon us, the trade show industry busily continues to grow its ranks and promote from within.
In addition, some long-time people in the industry passed away recently.
Bob Lozier, former executive vice president of sales and director of The Freeman Company, passed away peacefully at his home with his family Dec. 7 after a long-term illness.
Lozier, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, was hired at The Freeman Company by Buck Freeman in 1967 after service in the United States Marine Corps.
After a period of employment with Wernecke Exposition Services and United… more
Nov 26, 2017
Karen Gonzales, CMP has joined the staff of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events as director, Partnership Relations.
In this role, she will assist with selling exhibit space for Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition and manage the sponsorship and advertising programs for IAEE, as well as fundraising for Exhibitions Mean Business. Gonzales will also engage in outreach and attendee acquisition for the Center for Exhibition Industry Research Foundation’s initiatives.
“I am honored to join the IAEE Team! This role allows me to engage and expand global… 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.