May 25, 2017
Sharon Enright has joined NXT Events Media Group as its president and COO.
After serving in top operations management positions at Conference Management Corporation and Reed Exhibitions, Enright moved to Business Journals Inc. in 1997 as its director of operations, where she rose to the ranks of EVP of the company’s Trade Show Division.
As the second person in BJI’s 90-year history to earn this prestigious title, Enright helped build the company’s event portfolio from three to 27 annual shows, managing virtually all facets of the portfolio for more than 18 years.
Her special areas of… more
May 16, 2017
It’s been a busy spring, with a lot of companies growing their ranks with several new hires, including InfoComm International, The Expo Group, UBM Americas, Urban Expositions and Connect Travel, to name a few.
InfoComm International has named Heidi A. Voorhees, MBA, CAE, as the organization's new COO. As COO, Voorhees will lead InfoComm's North American operations and global marketing and communication efforts.
"I am thrilled that Heidi has chosen InfoComm International for the next chapter in her exciting career," said David Labuskes, CTS®, CAE, RCDD, Executive Director and CEO of InfoComm… more
May 10, 2017
The UFI Board of Directors has elected Craig Newman, CEO of the Johannesburg Expo Centre, as the president of UFI for the 2018/2019 term.
The decision was made at a board meeting during UFI European Conference in Cologne, Germany and becomes effective at the conclusion of the 83rd UFI Global Congress, running Nov. 1-4 in Johannesburg.
The UFI Presidential Trio for the 2017-18 term will comprise Corrado Peraboni (Fiera Milano, Italy), President 2017-2018; Craig Newman, Incoming President and Andreas Gruchow (Deutsche Messe AG, Germany), Outgoing President.
In 2014, Newman was elected onto the… more
Apr 17, 2017
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.
His first order of business in the new life of leisure will be to head to his lake house north of Houston to gather with family, including… more
Apr 10, 2017
The winter months ended with a flurry of hirings and promotions in several for-profit companies and association show organizations, as well as suppliers to the trade show industry.
Comexposium Group has appointed Simon Foster as CEO as of August 2017. At that time, Renaud Hamaide will transition from CEO to executive chairman.
Foster will lead the Comexposium Group strategic development and implementation across the Globe, managing existing products and teams, optimizing products’ performance, as well as overseeing new business launches and acquisitions integration.
All division managing… more
Mar 22, 2017
The Board of Directors of Visit Mobile (Ala.) have tapped hospitality professional, David Clark, to fill the role of president and CEO, beginning April 1.
Clark joins The Visit Mobile team with 29 years of hospitality, lodging, tourism and leadership pf which 27 of those years working and living in Coastal Alabama.
“I am excited to join the Visit Mobile team and stakeholders to continue to raise the bar with promoting tourism, lodging and positioning Mobile as one of the South’s leading destinations,” Clark said.
He added, “I believe that Visit Mobile is about sales, service and experience… more
Mar 13, 2017
The positive overall jobs report last week seems to be reflected in the trade show industry as well, with more companies bringing on new hires and promoting from within.
Core-apps hired association and events veteran Christine Davis as sales manager and promoted long-time employee Megan Pierce to director of Account Management.
Davis comes to Core-apps from roles at SmithBucklin, PCMA and in association management.
Pierce has been with Core-apps for five years and now will lead the account management team as second in command for that division.
Core-apps CEO Jay Tokosch said both women offer… more
Feb 06, 2017
The brisk hiring trend that kicked off the beginning of the year has continued, with several companies that serve the bustling trade show industry making hires.
RD Whitney was appointed as executive vice president of Business Development Tarsus Americas, a division of U.K.-based Tarsus Group, with immediate effect Feb. 1.
RD previously was group vice president at Diversified Communications overseeing a growing portfolio of business communities and events.
Prior to Diversified, and in just 27 months as a Partner at Greenhaven Partners, RD transformed former BNA (now Bloomberg) publishing… more
Jan 31, 2017
Ed Several, formerly senior vice president and general manager of PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions, has been tapped for a new role as senior vice president, integration and commercial optimization–Reed Exhibitions Americas.
In his new role and during the transition, Several will continue to assist with relationships and long-term strategy on events from his previous portfolio and will be reporting directly to Hervé Sedky, President of Reed Exhibitions Americas.
“Ed Several’s sustained success over the past 12 years in elevating the value of the PGA Shows portfolio, plus multiple additional… more
Jan 23, 2017
The year continued to start off strong with several show organizer and supplier companies making new hires and promotions.
Atlanta-based meeting management, convention housing and travel services leader Connections Housing kicks off its 30th year by naming Mark Sussman, vice president of Business Development.
As part of a continued growth strategy focused on further strengthening and enhancing In this newly created position, Sussman will focus on developing and growing the Connections client portfolio through his vast knowledge, tenure and connections in the industry.
A 35-year… 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.