People News: VisitPittsburgh’s New CEO, a Flurry of New Hires at MCI USA and IMC

May 1, 2020

Announcements of new hires and promotions are coming back slowly but surely in the events industry. Here’s a roundup of the latest People moves since mid-April.

Jerad Bachar was hired as new CEO for VisitPITTSBURGH, following a nationwide search for new leadership that began in January. Bachar had been serving as interim CEO, and Bryan Iams, chairman of the CVB’s board of directors, said that though their search produced some extremely qualified candidates, “[Bachar’s] exceptional leadership during these unprecedented times really made him stand out.” Bachar has more than three decades of experience in tourism and economic development.

MCI USA, an event experience company headquartered in Washington, D.C., promoted 10 senior-level professionals this week, including:

  • Lisa Altamira, Director, Association Events, Strategic Events, Meetings & Incentives
  • Jay Blankenship, Director, Sales Consulting & Advisory, Sales Solutions & Services
  • Kathy Bradley, Associate Vice President, Resource Development, Association Solutions
  • Agnès Canonica, Vice President, Corporate, Strategic Events, Meetings & Incentives
  • Jonathan Gilad, Senior Director, Association Solutions
  • Joonas Järvinen, Associate Vice President, Digital Innovations, Association Solutions
  • Amy Lestition Burke, Senior Vice President, Engagement, Association Solutions
  • Amy Lotz, Executive Vice President & Chief of Staff, Association Solutions
  • Jessica Smith, Director, Association Events, Strategic Events, Meetings & Incentives
  • Alison Teitelbaum, Vice President, Association Solutions 

The National Grocers Association, the trade industry representing the independent supermarket industry, hired Jim Dudlicek as director of communications and external affairs. He was most recently editorial director at “Progressive Grocer” magazine.

Following a wave of new hires we first announced here, International Market Centers has announced its second major staffing move, adding nearly 20 new staff members for its digital innovation division IMC_di in the fields of sales, development, implementation, marketing and customer success. Of particular note, Teddy Pekalski —a well-known figure in the gift and home industry — has been hired as sales director.

Downers Grove, Illinois-based CompuSystems — which provides registration, data management, data analytics and lead retrieval services — has expanded its management team by three. Mark LoGiurato is now chief operating officer, responsible for daily operations as well as sales, marketing and account management departments; John Studdard is head of global sales, responsible for sales and business development; and Adam Forman is chief technology officer, leading all technical departments.

Fred Chuck has been hired as executive director of the Geosynthetic Materials Association, based in Roseville, Minnesota. Most recently, he served as vice president of sales, marketing and business development for geosynthetics company Huesker.

On April 30, event technology provider Aventri announced Lisa Choi Owens has joined its board of directors. She's currently chief revenue officer and head of global partnerships at TED.

Have People news to share? Email your press releases and relevant headshots to kogletree@tsnn.com.

 

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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