People News: Los Angeles, Cleveland Venues Make new Hires, ReedPop & Connect Tap Talent

June 5, 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 president and associate publisher at Tradeshow Week Magazine.

“Nancy will be a great addition to the outstanding LACC sales and marketing team,” said Ellen Schwartz, assistant general manager at the LACC.

She added, “Her expertise and fresh perspective will strengthen our Sales and Marketing Department and the facility as a whole.”

The Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and the Global Center for Health Innovation, managed by SMG, appointed Travis Poppell as director of sales. Poppell will begin his new duties on June 4.

“Following an extensive national search, the Cleveland-based SMG team is delighted to welcome Travis to lead our successful sales team,” said Ron King, General Manager.

He added, “He brings more than 20 years of sales and leadership experiences across a broad spectrum within the convention and hotel industry. Travis has worked in sales and leadership positions in the convention center, hotel, and hospitality fields in Florida and Ohio and brings an extraordinary knowledge base to our facility at a time when we are experiencing extreme national and regional interest in our community as a convention destination.”

Poppell comes to the Huntington Convention Center after serving as director of sales at the International Exposition (I-X) Center for the past five years, developing and leading the facility’s sales and marketing efforts and recruiting and cultivating major trade shows, conventions,and large consumer events.

Connect has added Steven Hacker, formerly president of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, as executive director of Connect Expo.

Hacker joins the Connect team after a successful career as the CEO of several nonprofit associations.

His most recent position was as the principal of the Bravo Management Group, providing expertise to associations and event planners around the world. In his new role, Hacker will guide Connect Expo's growth as it continues to expand to serve the needs of the industry. 


"As a seasoned events professional with a reputation that precedes him, Hacker's experience and knowledge to Connect Expo comes with a warm welcome," said Chris Collinson, president of Connect.

The supervisory board of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH headed by its chairman Lord Mayor Thomas Geisel extended the contract of Werner M. Dornscheidt as president and CEO until June 30, 2020.

“It means a lot to me that I will be able to work for this company until 2020,” Dornscheidt said.

Brad Dean, CEO of the newly established Puerto Rico Destination Marketing Organization (“Corporación para la Promoción de Puerto Rico como Destino”), tapped Ed Carey as its chief sales officer, effective May 28.

Carey is the most recent executive to join the new DMO’s leadership team since Dean was appointed CEO in March 2018.

The new DMO will become the Island’s official off-Island sales and marketing organization effective July 1.

Reed Exhibitions brought on industry veteran and former head of marketing at Men’s Journal, Rob Weinstein, who will join the ReedPOP West leadership team.

Weinstein joins RXUS on the heels of the announcement of Ron Walden leading as group vice president overseeing the Fashion & Festival portfolios of ReedPOP West.

Weinstein will serve as vice president of Marketing heading ReedPOP West’s Marketing team, currently overseeing 5 events, which include Agenda Shows, Agenda Festival, ComplexCon and more to be announced.

The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau named Julie Calvert its new president and CEO.

Calvert currently is the founder and Executive Director of Source Cincinnati and returns to the CVB where she served as a senior executive from 2001-2016.

The announcement was made by CVB board chair Jim McGraw and comes after a months-long search by Minneapolis-based SearchWide, following the retirement of former CEO Dan Lincoln in December.

 AVIXA™, the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association, hired Hamlet Ambersoom as the organization's vice president of Sales and Marketing.

Ambarsoom will manage AVIXA's strategy for sales and marketing activities, ensuring growth in product and service areas.

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact