Sep 16, 2021
After realizing that he wasn’t ready to pursue a career in engineering, Phelps Hope dropped out of college and took a job as a bellman at a local hotel. The decision turned out to be a life-changing one, prompting him to leave his home country of Australia to study at the University of Denver’s Hotel & Restaurant Management School while starting his career at Marriott at the same time. But it wasn’t until he’d spent more than a dozen years holding key positions with Marriott, Sheraton, Hilton and Loews Hotels, that he decided to chase his true passion: meeting and event planning.   Forty… more
Sep 09, 2021
From new leadership appointments to newly created positions designed to grow and expand burgeoning departments, trade show and event professionals are continuing to find new career opportunities as the industry forges ahead toward recovery. Here’s the latest news: Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau After 20 years with the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau, CEO Mary Ann Mahoney will retire on Oct. 15, 2021. Charlene Hoffman, the CVB’s current operations and financial officer, will assume the CEO role on Oct. 16. A valued leader in Colorado’s tourism industry who has mentored a… more
Sep 08, 2021
Ellen Schwartz isn’t exactly afraid to speak her mind. In fact, being outspoken is more like her superpower. A dynamic yet down-to-Earth industry professional who has worked for more than 40 years in the trade show and events industry, she exudes the kind of confidence that comes from years of experience and the wisdom gained from working her way up the ranks in show management, convention center sales and marketing roles and finally, venue management.   In this first edition of our new interview series about women in leading roles in the meetings and events industry, TSNN had the privilege… more
Aug 18, 2021
After 16 years as an extraordinary leading advocate for all segments of the travel industry, including meetings and events, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow recently announced his plan to retire in July 2022.   U.S. Travel’s board of directors extended Dow’s contract after he agreed to stay for one more year, continuing to advocate for the industry as it recovers from the financial devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.  “The board is very grateful to Roger for his steadfast leadership and profound influence on this industry and for strengthening U.S. Travel as a key… more
Aug 25, 2021
The trade show, events and destinations industries are continuing their hiring and promoting sprees at organizations far and wide. Check them out: Fern National exhibition and event services provider Fern has hired hospitality industry veteran Angi Van Berg as senior national sales manager. As part of Fern’s national sales team, Van Berg will focus on business development related to key trade show and association business across North America while also representing Fern at select industry events. She will join the company on Sept. 13 after a successful 25-year career at Louisville… more
Aug 12, 2021
After 23 years as president of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Dennis J. Slater will retire Dec. 31 and AEM Senior Vice President, Construction and Utility Sector Megan Tanel will become the first woman to take the helm in the association’s 127-year history, effective Jan. 1, 2022. Slater has been with AEM since 1982, when he joined the Construction Industry Manufacturers Association (CIMA), AEM’s predecessor. He became president of CIMA in 1998 and president of the newly formed AEM in 2002, following a merger between CIMA and Equipment Manufacturers Institute (EMI).… more
Aug 12, 2021
At the start of her career, Informa President Nancy Walsh recalls working in Manhattan in inside sales for a software company when the idea of transitioning into the trade show world basically fell into her lap. “The guy I worked for went to Reed (Exhibitions) and tried to recruit me there,” Walsh said. “What sold me was the focus on relationship-building. I loved the idea that we connected buyers and sellers and built communities. I joined the industry and never looked back!” To this day, Walsh says she still loves the industry’s focus on building relationships and connections. Walsh… more
Aug 11, 2021
What used to be a regular sight gathers some attention during an interview with Encore President and CEO Ben Erwin. Namely, an employee is seen in the background walking down the hall. Slowly but surely, Erwin is calling in the troops for some limited office work. It may never be five days in the office again, but the blending of physical meetings with Zoom calls has begun. Hey — that sounds a lot like the events industry. There is no company touching as many meetings, events and trade shows as Encore.  Having announced major partnerships with both Cvent and Intrado Digital Media, Encore… more
Megan Saad
Jul 28, 2021
Full-service production company CNTV has been helping clients tell their unique stories through dynamic video coverage experiences for nearly 14 years. To amplify those messages and further boost engagement, attendance and revenue, the company recently launched CNTV Marketing, offering a one-stop solution for the meetings, exhibitions, and events industry.  “We’ve consistently heard from clients that they are interested in more holistic offerings from CNTV, and the marketing division will provide just that,” said Carrie Ferenac, co-founder and president of the company. “It’s not only about… more
Jul 20, 2021
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau appointed David Whitaker as its new president and CEO following a six-month executive search by a 14-member committee comprising local business and community leaders who reflect Miami-Dade County’s rich diversity.  The appointment is a homecoming for Whitaker, who worked for the Greater Miami CVB from 1990-2007, most recently as executive vice president and chief marketing officer. He then went on to serve as president and CEO of Tourism Toronto for eight years, and then president and CEO of Choose Chicago for five years. “David brings back… more
Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.