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 unique expertise that positions the sales and account teams for growth.

“Our value proposition to the marketplace is our industry expertise and technical leadership,” he added, “Christine Davis and Megan Pierce bring to the table strong skills in both areas. We are also dedicated to adding diversity to our team and are pleased to welcome both women to the management ranks of the company.”

Surf Expo, a boardsports, paddle and beach/resort lifestyle trade show, has brought on Kenneth Andres as sales manager for the SUP, Wake, Wind, Kayak & Canoe sections of the show.

Andres brings more than 16 years of industry experience and a deep background in B2B sales, trade show management and association management which will be an asset to the show and his role.

Roy Turner, Surf Expo senior vice president and show director, said, “In this role, Kenneth will be a strategic partner with the associations who represent the industries we serve and will ensure that Surf Expo meets and exceeds their needs, and ultimately build upon the value that Surf Expo delivers to retail buyers and the industry.”

Prior to joining the Surf Expo team, Andres was show director for ICAST, produced by The American Sportfishing Association (ASA).

Hargrove, the creator of environments for events, experiential marketing activations, custom exhibits and trade shows, made some strategic changes to its Creative Services department.

Jorge Mijares has been promoted to the position of director of Creative Services. His new responsibilities include managing the company’s creative directors and design team and interfacing with the extensive sales force to bring creative vision to reality for Hargrove's clients.

Jayna Champeau has been promoted to Visual Communications and Experience Design strategist.

This is a new position that enhances Hargrove’s abilities to offer clients higher-level strategy consultation, better understanding and to incorporate consumer journey mapping into Hargrove’s design solutions.

David Cusack also joins the growing events team at Hargrove as a senior sales executive. Cusack most recently served as a Director of Operations at The White House responsible for the daily operations and finances of the White House and the Executive Office of the President.

Prior to this role, he served as a commissioned officer to President Obama as his Director of Advance and produced summits at the State Department.

Fern, a provider of exhibition, event and marketing support services, hired Matthew Witt as a national sales manager. Witt will be based in Washington, D.C.

Witt brings an extensive background in exhibition sales and marketing.

Prior to joining Fern, he worked as senior manager, Exhibition Sales for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA).

He also spent time with Washington Sports and Entertainment as an Account Executive for the Washington Wizards.

“Matthew’s many years in this industry make him a tremendous addition to the Fern team,” said Jeffrey Hoffend, vice president of National Sales. “With creative insights and a relationship-building attitude, he understands the value of working as a team to achieve great results.” 

IMN Solutions, a global leader in the full-service association, meeting and event management industry, has promoted Mariana Gallo to executive vice president.

As executive vice president, Gallo will have overall responsibility for IMN’s growing account management team with a commitment to strong service delivery, innovative thinking and enhancements for clients while maintaining account management responsibilities for key accounts.

"This organizational change supports our clients’ growth,” said Barbara Myers, CAE, CEO, IMN. “Mariana is an accomplished veteran in our industry with a successful track record of client development. Her outstanding leadership is instrumental in continuously aligning IMN with the needs of our association, meeting and event management clients.”