Sep 18, 2013
After 40 years with J. Spargo & Associates, John W. Spargo will step down from the CEO post and Susan Bracken, president and COO, will step in, effective Sept. 23.
Spargo founded the company in 1973 that now employs 160 full-time professionals.He will retain his chair position of the company’s board of directors.
The change in leadership was part of what the company called a “carefully crafted strategic plan” that was adopted by the board.
“Working at the company and with its talented employees and management team for nearly 40 years has been an honor,”… more
Sep 04, 2013
U.K.-based Daily Mail and General Trust, owner of dmg :: events, recently made several executive changes, including promoting Geoff Dickinson to CEO, as well as Simon Mellor to senior vice president for the Middle East and Asia and Galen Poss to vice chairman.
Suresh Kavan, who held both CEO and chairman titles of dmge, now will shift into a chairman role, but maintain his CEO position for dmg information.
The new appointments were announced at DMGT’s Investor Day presentation in London and will be effective beginning Oct. 1.
Dickinson is currently president of dmge Middle East and… more
Aug 04, 2013
The summer months haven’t slowed down the busy hiring pace by show management and supplier companies, with two new leaders being named at CVBs and a host of other people news in the past month.
Milton Segarra was named the new president and CEO of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. Segarra previously was executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and served as Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce. He also has held various sales, marketing and C-level management positions with some of Puerto Rico’s top international hotel brands, including… more
Jul 18, 2013
Freeman’s chief sales officer, Bob Priest-Heck, will step into the president and COO role when John O’Connell, the company’s current president, retires June 30, 2014.
The leadership transfer will be in phases, with Priest-Heck assuming the COO role Aug. 1 of this year and reporting to O’Connell and Freeman CEO Joe Popolo.
When O’Connell retires, Priest-Heck will step in his new president role, overseeing the Freeman Companies, overseeing Freeman’s Exposition business, as well as Freeman AV and FreemanXP.
"As a family and employee-owned business, we… more
Jul 06, 2013
The start of summer has kicked off with a steady stream of hires and promotions at both show management companies, convention and visitors bureaus and supplier companies, signaling a continued healthy environment for the trade show industry.
The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau promoted of Rachel Peavy to director of public relations. In her new role, Peavy will create and implement campaigns to support ACVB marketing, sales and tourism programs.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry, hired former Reed Exhibitions… more
Jun 24, 2013
Douglas L. Ducate, president and CEO of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, announced today at the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association’s Annual Summer Educational Conference that he will step down at the end of this year.
Ducate, a 45-year industry veteran who has held the CEIR post for 15 years, explained he believed CEIR deserves "younger and stronger legs to carry some of the new initiatives to success."
CEIR Chairman and Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Greg Ortale said, "The respect and presence that our… more
Jun 11, 2013
Cathy Griffith has been promoted to operations director for Nielsen Expositions, replacing Cindy Sample, who now runs the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show.
Griffith also will oversee the production of the ASD events, a general merchandise show with more than 2,800 exhibitors held biannually in Las Vegas, as well as spearheading several centralized services for Nielsen Expositions, according to company officials.
"Nielsen Expositions strives to exceed our customer's expectations and with Cathy's strong industry connections and leadership skills she will… more
May 01, 2013
April continued the trend as a busy hiring month with some companies, such as Hanley Wood Exhibitions, announcing several key promotions and The Expo Group upping a few executives and hiring two others.
Two long-time Hanley Wood team members – Tom Cindric, who ran the World of Concrete portfolio and Dana Teague, who formally ran SURFACES | StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas – both were promoted to vice president positions. Both still will have P&L responsibilities over their events.
Cindric joined Hanley Wood Exhibitions in April 2001. Working on World of Concrete the entire time,… more
Mar 31, 2013
After 33 years with Diversified Communications, the company’s president and CEO, Nancy Hasselback, will be retiring June 28.
Ted Wirth, Diversified’s vice president of Business Development, will assume Hasselback’s role.
“For many years, Nancy has been at the heart of Diversified Business Communications’ expansion from the U.S. to a truly global business as well as being responsible for diversification into new industries,” said Daniel Hildreth, chairperson of the board.
He added, “Though perhaps the most important legacy Nancy leaves is from her… more
Feb 06, 2013
The month of January signaled a continued positive trend in the trade show industry – several suppliers and show management companies added to their employee ranks.
George Little Management named Craig Dooley to senior vice president and group show director, IR Events Group, effective Feb. 4. Working from GLM's downtown Chicago office, Dooley will report directly to GLM’s CEO Charles McCurdy.
In this newly created role, Dooley will oversee the strategy, operations, and expansion – including conference development, sales, marketing, financial management, operations and… 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.