As 2024 came to a close, the trade show industry remained on the fast track, actively hiring and promoting experienced industry professionals to gear up for a promising 2025. Here’s our roundup of trade show moves in the last month. 

TSNN’s take on the biggest move in the last month: Nora Ellingwood joined CloserStill Media as vice president of operations, North America. In this newly created position, she will build a centralized operations team for the company’s U.S. events business, focused on creating innovative events and empowering its team members to learn, grow, and thrive while working across multiple shows. 

The big picture: CloserStill Media is a leading international event organizer specializing in creating and managing large-scale exhibitions and conferences across various sectors. Focused on delivering high-quality events that connect businesses, professionals, and industry leaders, it runs more than 200 market-leading, B2B events, publications, and brands focused on the Business Technologies, Healthcare and Future Transport and Infrastructure sectors. The company has earned numerous accolades and prestigious awards for its events, such as the London Vet Show, Learning Technologies, Tech Show, and DevLearn. 

Need to know: Prior to joining CloserStill, Ellingwood established her own consulting business in 2021 after leaving Informa Markets in 2020. She served as VP Operations for Informa for six years. She got her start in the industry in 1999 when she joined UBM/Advanstar, where she worked for 15 years before it was acquired by Informa. 

What she’s saying: “I am thrilled to officially join CloserStill Media as the Vice President of Operations, North America!” Ellingwood said. “After two incredible years working with this stellar company as a consultant, stepping into this role feels like coming home. CloserStill Media’s culture of excellence and innovation is unmatched, and I’m beyond excited to help drive the vision forward, ensuring that every event is an extraordinary experience from A to Z.” 

Travel Portland  

On January 1, Travel Portland welcomed Megan Conway as its new president and CEO. She takes the reins from President and CEO Jeff Miller, who announced his intention to retire in June 2024 after nearly 19 years in the role.  

Since 2020, Conway has served alongside Miller on the executive team as the organization’s chief strategy officer. Her work has encompassed collaboration with Miller, the executive team, and the board of directors to ensure that Travel Portland’s structure and priorities are geared toward the economic success of Portland’s hospitality industry. Alongside this work, Conway has directed communications and public relations, international tourism, the Regional Cooperative Tourism Program (RCTP), policy and research, events and visitor-facing staff, while also managing agency partnerships.  

Conway joined Travel Portland in 2010 as vice president, communications and public relations, before being promoted to the executive leadership team as senior vice president, communications and regional strategy, in 2017. She originally came to the organization in 2003, serving nearly five years as a communications and public relations manager, a role she left for adidas, where she oversaw public relations work in the U.S. for prime time sporting events, including the 2008 Summer Olympics, the 2008 Olympic Track & Field Trials and the 2010 World Cup.  

ASM Global  

Venue and live events company ASM Global appointed Lance Zanett as the new general manager of the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. He is responsible for leading the company’s efforts in elevating the venue’s guest experience and operations, unlocking new opportunities to attract high-profile events, trailblazing sustainability in venues and event management, and delivering significant economic impact to the local community. 

Boasting more than 25 years of experience with the downtown facility, Zanett most recently served as assistant general manager. 

Destination DC 

Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC, announced new executive team members and senior staff promotions.  

Joining the DDC’s executive team as vice president, convention services after 35 years at the organization, Dianna Waldroup leads a dedicated hospitality team that provides critical support to meeting professionals to ensure the successful execution of meetings and conventions in the destination. She also oversees a team of more than 120 temporary personnel, known as “Redcoats,” who provide onsite assistance at events. Her new role will enhance customer experience and strengthen partnerships with local stakeholders.   

Also joining the executive team is 17-year DCC team member Letizia Sirtori, who as vice president, tourism and global development, focuses on the tourism development of international markets and the creation of strategic relationships with airlines, corporations and other destinations. Sirtori also manages the international representation offices for Washington, DC in the UK, Mexico, Brazil, China, Australia, India and Japan.  

Alex Gnafakis was promoted to senior creative director following an eight-year tenure at DCC, where she has led the organization’s in-house creative team in the development of award-winning visual content for domestic and international audiences as well as meeting planners and members. Gnafakis’ strategic leadership and branding expertise guided the organization through the development of the award-winning “There’s Only One DC” campaign, the largest and most comprehensive evolution of DDC’s brand messaging and visual style in recent history.  

Joining the senior staff, Lindsay Hill was promoted to director of visitor experience and group tour. An employee of DCC since 2012, Hill’s strategy and vision has led to new programs such as member onboarding, travel agent training, accessibility, luxury, and an extensive university and welcome center portfolio. She is the primary contact for all group tour operators and works with the student market.  

Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority 

The Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority in northwest Atlanta named 25-year venue management veteran Charles Beirne as general manager and CEO, responsible for the administrative oversight and strategic growth of the Cobb Galleria Centre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Galleria Specialty Shops, and ArtsBridge Foundation. 

Beirne joins the Authority from the Broward County Convention Center Expansion and Hotel Project, where he served as regional general manager responsible for the day-to-day operations of the convention center. He has operated and expanded a variety of other facilities, including the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the convention center, two theaters, and an arena, as well as the Atlantic City Convention Center, where he held a variety of roles, including regional general manager for the convention center and arena.  

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) promoted Micah Allen-Chambers from assistant director of sales to director of sales, tasked with developing and implementing strategies to promote the Convention Center’s facilities and services, driving revenue growth through business development, client relationship management, and strategic planning. 

In her elevated role, Allen-Chambers will manage account placements around the facility’s $557 million building renovation, ensure service excellence, and work closely with the event services team to maintain database information consistency. She will also participate in the preparation of the annual budget and team travel schedules. 

She brings extensive experience to the position, having previously served as director of sales at the Miami Beach Convention Center and regional director of sales and marketing at the Jackson Convention Complex.  

In Memoriam 

Trade show and tourism industry titan William “Bill” McGowan, Jr. passed away on December 18, 2024, at the age of 89. His leadership as CEO of the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association (ICVA), now known as Visit Indy, from 1984 to 2002, played a pivotal role in shaping Indianapolis into a premier destination for conventions, tourism, and amateur sports. 

During his tenure, McGowan was instrumental in numerous initiatives that transformed the city. He helped bring the NFL’s Colts to Indianapolis, secured the city’s first NCAA Men’s Final Four in 1980, and played a key role in hosting significant events such as the National Sports Festival in 1982 and the Pan American Games in 1987.  

His vision contributed to the development of major landmarks including the Hoosier Dome, the Indiana Convention Center expansion, White River State Park, Circle Centre Mall, and Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Under his guidance, Indianapolis’ convention and tourism industries thrived, attracting major annual events such as the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC), which remains a cornerstone event for the city. 

According to Visit Indy officials, McGowan leaves behind a significant legacy in the growth of Indianapolis’ convention and trade show industry. His efforts to expand the Indiana Convention Center and develop a network of connected hotels positioned the city as a top-tier destination for large-scale events. 

“We are grateful for Bill’s vision and leadership,” said Leonard Hoops, Visit Indy president and CEO. “Everything we do today was built on his very broad shoulders. Bill championed Indy before, during, and long after his nearly two decades running our destination management organization. His unwavering support and vision for this city are irreplaceable.” 

A lifelong resident of Indianapolis, McGowan began his career in banking before transitioning to lead the ICVA in 1984. His contributions were recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from four Indiana governors and induction into the Destinations International Hall of Fame in 2022. In his honor, Visit Indy established the Bill McGowan Leadership Award to recognize individuals who shape Indianapolis’ tourism landscape. 

Have some trade show-related people news to share? Please send announcements and high-resolution professional headshots to lisa.savas@informa.com.

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