People News: New CEOs for Global DMC Partners, San Diego Tourism and More

February 24, 2020

The latest round of people announcements is all about girl power. Check out the latest promotions, new hires and appointments of (mostly) women across the industry this month: 

Catherine Chaulet is now president and CEO of Global DMC Partners, a network of independently owned destination management companies. Serving as president of the company for six years, her promotion to CEO came as a result of her strong leadership skills. 

Julie Coker, president and CEO of Philadelphia CVB, will depart from her role in March to take on a new position as president and CEO of San Diego Tourism Authority. She has been with Philadelphia CVB since 2016.

People

Destinations International has hired Gail Mutnik for a newly created position of director of meetings within the organization. She will begin on March 19 and brings more than three decades of experience to her new role.

Sonia Fong has been named vice president of convention sales for the Greater Miami CVB. She’s been with the organization for 20 years, and her main focus will continue to be selling the Miami Beach Convention Center for citywides. 

Womenswear trade event COTERIE has appointed Colleen Sherin to lead as president. She was most recently vice president of wholesale at Alexander McQueen. 

Crystal Kennedy is now senior national accounts director at Philadelphia CVB. With 17 years of hotel sales experience, she was most recently associate director of sales at Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. She’ll be based in Dallas to focus on customers in the Western U.S.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB welcomed Mike Sophia as vice president of sports business development. He’ll oversee efforts to draw professional, collegiate, amateur and recreational sporting events to Broward County.

People

Karin Gillard has joined CSI DMC as senior account executive. She was most recently director of catering sales at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas and will be based in Las Vegas for her new role. Also within CSI DMC, Morgan Alexander has been promoted to director of event management in the Chicago office.

Elizabeth Yienger is now a national sales manager at Louisville Tourism, where she is responsible for Northeast sales territories. She’s held previous regional director roles with Hilton and Starwood Hotels in the region.

Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Board of Directors in Chicago has named Larita Clark, the organization’s previous CFO, as active CEO and CFO. She has been with the Authority since 1984.

In combining its Learnings and Meetings department functions, ASAE has appointed Amy Ledoux as chief learning and meetings officer to oversee this new combined operation. She’s been with ASAE for 15 years and brings 30 years of industry experience to her new role.

Detroit Metro CVB has restructured its leadership organizational structure, promoting four directors to newly created vice president positions: Harriet Carter is now vice president of customer/partner services; Renee Monforton is vice president of marketing and communications; Susan Richardson is vice president of group and convention sales; and Jessica Strasser is vice president of talent resources. 

Exhibition and event services company Fern has hired Mark Shadwick as senior national sales manager. He’ll be based in the Alexandria, Virginia, office and brings more than 30 years of industry experience to his new role.

People

Kari Morehead has been named special events and partnerships coordinator for New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, where she’ll be responsible for coordinating all activities related to special events.

Washington, D.C.-based trade show marketing agency Fixation Marketing has a new hire and two promotions. Sydney Bowker has joined the company as senior account executive, and both Rachel Gellman and Julia Ruxer have been promoted to account manager.

CEDIA Expo, an event for technology within the intelligently built environment, has brought on Ron Trznadel as account executive.

Edmonton, Canada-based event rentals company River City Events has appointed a new general manager, Marnie Gomes. She has more than 25 years of experience in the events industry.

Debbie Megna has joined Travel Costa Mesa as destination sales executive, where she’ll be focused on bringing in new group business to Costa Mesa in Orange County, California.

 


Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on TwitterFacebookLinkedIn and Instagram!

Add new comment

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.