People News: Flurry of New Hires Marks Busy End of Summer

August 18, 2015

Traditionally a slower time for trade shows, companies in the industry utilized their time instead hiring new talent and promoting from within before the fall kicks off a busy season again.

The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) hired Jason Means as director of membership. In his new role, Means will lead recruitment and retention programs for current and prospective ACVB members while managing the membership department.

Means brings nearly 10 years of combined hospitality and event experience to his new role.

“Jason’s knowledge and experience within the local hospitality community will be helpful as he works to retain and build our membership,” said Amy Patterson, vice president of business development and corporate events, ACVB. “This makes him a very valuable asset to our organization.”

Means most recently served as senior event manager with Hilton Atlanta. Prior to that, he worked as events manager for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, where he oversaw volunteers, managed hotel relationships and supervised the hospitality program.

Shepard Expositions Services appointed Susan Hall to their executive team, filling the role of vice president of talent.

Hall brings deep knowledge in human resources, specifically staffing and recruiting, to the Shepard Team.

Previously, Hall served as the director of Human Resources at Spanx, a highly-recognizable international brand; and during the course of the past 20 years has maintained director level positions across the human resources space, including 9 years with Portman Holdings from 1998 to 2007.

In her new role at Shepard, Hall will be responsible for developing human asset strategic plan goals, implementing human resources policies and procedures, and complying with federal and state regulations related to employment and benefits.

The position will also be responsible for the well-being of all associates in connection with safety, benefits, training, performance management and career development.

“We conducted a long and in-depth interview process and Susan was a front-runner from the beginning. She is knowledge about the industry, our company and knows the important of driving customer satisfaction,” said Carl Mitchell, president, “Shepard is growing and Susan is the right person to continue to bring in the top-notch talent we pride ourselves on.”

Visit KC recently made a trio of appointments - Cori Day will assume the role of vice president of sales and services. Day brings to the tourism organization more than 16 years of experience in hospitality sales and marketing; Traci Preus was appointed to the position of Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications, bringing more than 25 years of experience in strategic marketing, public relations and advertising; and Ashley Jones assumes the role of vice president of partnerships and events, bringing with her 14 years of experience in destination management and community development organizations.

Visit Spokane is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris McKinney to the position of Director of National Accounts.

As a member of the Visit Spokane sales team, McKinney will work with meeting planners - specifically in the health, medical, scientific and engineering markets - to bring conventions and meetings to the Spokane region.

A veteran of hotel industry sales, McKinney previously worked for Marriot, Hilton and, most recently, Renaissance Seattle Hotel.   

Riverhouse Hotel & Convention Center, a full-service hotel and Central Oregon’s largest convention center, overlooking the picturesque Deschutes River, has hired Heidi Albertson as Director of national sales.

Nth Degree has strengthened its global presence by adding a new account director, Anthony Lacey, to its London office. Lacey will support European Director, Francis Mugford, and the company’s ongoing effort to expand event marketing and management services across its global portfolio.

Jason Ahart is bringing his 16 years of exhibit production experience to Olympus Group (“Olympus”) as its new COO.

Ahart’s focus as COO at Olympus will be quality initiatives and production systems, particularly Lean Manufacturing and long-term growth. As part of the executive team, Ahart will be responsible for the digital printing, sewing, purchasing, warehouse and prepress departments.

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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.