Trade show industry veteran, Tracy Garcia, was named the new show director for two of Hanley Wood Exhibitions’ mainstay shows - International Roofing Expo and International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo.

Garcia is taking over for Lindsay Roberts, who now is show director of the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, which Hanley Wood purchased earlier this year.

"Tracy Garcia has a great deal of expertise and an outstanding track record," said Donna Bellantone, the company’s vice president of operations.

She added, "Her considerable knowledge and skills will play a vital role in developing initiatives to grow the show."

Garcia has more than 25 years of trade show management experience. Most recently, Garcia was director of exhibits at Institute of Food Technologists. She also held positions with SmithBucklin and several associations, where she managed and produced their trade events.

In other people news, there continues to be a steady stream of new hires heading into the end of the year.

Shana Lee was brought on as chief marketing officer at Choose Chicago, where she will be charged with defining a sales and marketing strategy to further elevate Chicago’s brand globally.

Lee joins Choose Chicago with an extensive global business and marketing background, including technology, mobile innovation and new media across the travel and media/entertainment industries.  Most recently, she served as Vice President, Commercial Director Hospitality with UK-based Travelport, the Blackstone-owned travel industry distribution company. 

Shepard Exposition Services announced that Tara Wolff joined the Las Vegas branch as its newest national sales manager.

"Tara's strong industry experience and knowledge of the Las Vegas market will be invaluable in serving the growing list of clients in our market and throughout the country," said Ricardo Ortiz, Shepard's Las Vegas branch general manager.

Mike Hatch, a veteran of the meetings and event industry, has signed on as the business development director at Digitell, effective Nov. 1.

Hatch will be working out of the D.C. office and will be responsible for generating new business and new relationships with the thousands of associations that are in the D.C. Metro area, as well as help expand into government and international markets.

Francesca Sparacino has joined the SmithBucklin as senior manager of Marketing & Communication Services (MCS).

Sparacino brings more than 20 years of strategy experience, as well as in-depth account-, brand- and project-management expertise. In her new role, Sparacino will serve client organizations in both the Technology and Business Trade Industry Practices.

"We are thrilled to welcome Francesca to SmithBucklin and our marketing team," said Stephanie Yanecek, vice president of MCS. "Her strengths in developing and implementing integrated marketing campaigns will serve as a great resource for our client organizations."