Dickinson Named CEO of dmg :: events; Mellor, Poss Promoted
September 4, 2013
U.K.-based Daily Mail and General Trust, owner of dmg :: events, recently made several executive changes, including promoting Geoff Dickinson to CEO, as well as Simon Mellor to senior vice president for the Middle East and Asia and Galen Poss to vice chairman.
Suresh Kavan, who held both CEO and chairman titles of dmge, now will shift into a chairman role, but maintain his CEO position for dmg information.
The new appointments were announced at DMGT’s Investor Day presentation in London and will be effective beginning Oct. 1.
Dickinson is currently president of dmge Middle East and Asia, the largest division within dmge and headquartered in Dubai.
He joined the company in September 2010 and was instrumental in helping to expand its portfolio not only into the Middle East and Asia, but also Northern Africa.
“Under Geoff’s leadership, our Middle East and Asia division has experienced outstanding growth expanding from eight events to twenty, which now take place in seven countries,” said Suresh Kavan, chairman of dmge.
He added, “His division has delivered double-digit revenue and profit growth each of the last three years, while growing his teams and dmge’s reputation in the region.”
Dickinson will be assuming some of the COO roles that Poss currently has, as Poss shifts into his vice chairman position.
As CEO, Dickinson will be responsible for all dmge businesses globally and will serve on the dmge Board. He will continue to be located in Dubai.
Mellor, who currently is senior vice president for the Middle East & Asia, will replace Dickinson as president of the dmge Middle East and Asia.
“Simon has a consistent and successful track record of launching, building and growing events – both large and small. He is also a strong leader and so this is a terrific move for both Simon and dmg events,” Kavan said.
He added, “As evidenced by this promotion, we are blessed with a strong roster of talent in the events business and it’s nice to see our focus on employing top talent and then developing them as future company leaders, really paying off.”
An industry veteran with 30-plus years of experience, Dickinson began his professional career with emap in publishing before moving into exhibitions.
He became managing director of Focus Events in 1986 and held senior management positions with the Maxwell Group and Haymarket Publishing, prior to moving to the Middle East in 1996 to launch operations for IIR as managing director for the region.
Dickinson established his own exhibitions company Epoc International in 1998, which grew to twelve events before being sold to Messe Frankfurt in 2005. He launched Mecom Forums in 2006, which sold to Clarion in 2009.
Mellor joined dmg in 2001 and during the past 11 years he has worked as a publishing director, vice president, business development director and senior vice president in seven industrial markets, across three office locations in Surrey, Calgary, Canada and Dubai in the UAE.
During his time with the company, he has been involved in business in China, Brazil, Venezuela, Canada, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Mellor has overseen the company’s construction and energy portfolio of events, including the Big 5 exhibition and the ADIPEC event, among many others.
Headquartered in Stamford, Conn., dmge was founded in 1989 and now organizes more than 80 events in 25 countries each year.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:
Protecting Natural Resources
MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.
Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.
Add new comment