People News: SGIA, Reno, Atlanta, Bellagio and More Make Hires
August 25, 2018
Hiring didn’t slow down in the typically mellow month of August with several cities adding to their convention and visitors bureau ranks, as well as some service providers and show organizing companies.
Rachel Thomas has joined the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) as the new Director of Exhibit Services, overseeing the SGIA Expo and upcoming PRINTING United trade show floors and managing exhibitors’ experiences.
Thomas will handle communication and coordination related to the 2018 SGIA Expo — both prior to and during events — to make the show more engaging for both exhibitors and attendees.
In 2019, the SGIA Expo will transition to PRINTING United, a brand-new trade show focused on the opportunities in convergence of the printing industry.
The Board of Directors of Visit KC has selected industry veteran Jason Fulvi as its new President and CEO. With more than 32 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industries, Fulvi comes to Kansas City from VisitPITTSBURGH, where he has served for 16 years and most recently as the organization’s Executive Vice President.
A Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME), Fulvi begins his new role at Visit KC Sept. 12.
Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) promoted Brandy Hudgins to sales manager, small meetings.
In her new role, Hudgins is responsible for leveraging client relationships in all domestic markets to book small meetings and reunions in Atlanta requiring 10-50 hotel room nights on peak. Prior to joining the in-house sales team, she served as trade show sales coordinator, assisting in selling and marketing Atlanta and Georgia as well as coordinating logistics for Atlanta’s presence at national trade shows.
Hudgins began her career with ACVB in 2015 as a trade show administrative assistant. Before joining ACVB, Hudgins worked with Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart, World of Coca-Cola and Atlanta Braves.
The Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority (RSCVA) brought on two new hires on the heels of the Authority’s recent deal with SMG to take over management of the area’s meetings and convention facilities.
Kelly Carr has been appointed general manager for SMG-contracted facilities in northern Nevada, and Dante Nicastro has been brought on as the northern Nevada General Manager for SAVOR, SMG’s food and beverage division.
MCI USA has welcomed two longtime event industry professionals to its Strategic Events, Meetings & Incentives (SEM&I) business unit based out of Plano, Texas.
Jeff Moore has joined the team as Vice President, Technology & Innovation. In his role, Moore will work with the established technology development team to accelerate programming goals for the company’s proprietary ONEsystem+ and identify key integration and partner technologies for MCI SEM&I.
Moore has spent the past 15 years working on key systems for Experient, including a registration and housing platform, lead retrieval app, database marketing tool, exhibitor CRM, event app, attendee behavioral tracking systems and analytics platform.
James Kelley will serve as Director, Onsite, Lead Retrieval & Business Development. He will lead and develop MCI USA’s expanding onsite and lead retrieval teams while helping the company drive registration business.
Kelley also joins the team from Experient, where he held positions over the course of 19 years as Account Executive, Senior Account Executive, Strategic Account Manager and Director, Onsite Services. His vast array of experience and knowledge were utilized to drive all onsite registration products and services.
Bellagio named Amanda Voss as the resort’s new vice president of Sales. In this role, she is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction for Hotel Sales and Convention Services at Bellagio, a AAA Five Diamond, 3,933-room resort.
With more than 200,000 square feet of space, Bellagio’s elegant and flexible meeting and convention facilities have received numerous awards including 5 Keys (the highest designation) from Green Key Meetings Rating Program.
SmartSource® Computer & Audio Visual Rentals, a provider of computer, audio visual (AV) and technology solutions for businesses and events, announced the appointment of Marty Fuchs as Solutions Architect.
Fuchs will be based in SmartSource’s Orlando, Florida location. He will be responsible for providing technical and customer service expertise for audio visual solution installations and working closely with the sales team to prepare RFPs.
Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates.
Water Stewardship Efforts
MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship.
In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step.
MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas.
MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030.
From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts.
Caring for One Another
MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include:
Unserved perishable prepared foods from events
Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens
Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses
The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community.
Fostering Diversity and 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 understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.
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