Puerto Rico, San Jose CVBs Name New Leaders, Hiring Continues Across Industry
August 4, 2013
The summer months haven’t slowed down the busy hiring pace by show management and supplier companies, with two new leaders being named at CVBs and a host of other people news in the past month.
Milton Segarra was named the new president and CEO of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. Segarra previously was executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and served as Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce. He also has held various sales, marketing and C-level management positions with some of Puerto Rico’s top international hotel brands, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Hyatt Resorts Puerto Rico.
After a year-long search, Team San Jose (Calif.) hired Karolyn Kirchgesle as its new CEO. Kirchgesle was president and CEO of Visit Saint Paul and was brought on in San Jose, for one reason, because of her experience of successfully merging the Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Bureau and RiverCentre Convention & Visitors Authority in Minnesota (a similar model to San Jose), and has run that combined entity successfully for nine years.
Prior to serving as leader of Visit Saint Paul, she held executive level roles with Greater New Haven Convention and Visitors Bureau (executive director), Sioux Falls Convention Center (director of sales and Marketing) and Aberdeen Convention and Visitors Bureau (executive director).
Shepard Exhibition Services promotes Frances Maestre to director of sales in its Orlando office. "The solid growth we've experienced throughout all of our offices is a testament to the hard work of people like Frances,” said Richard Maples, Shepard's executive vice president
Exhibit design firm EP&M International hired Rob White as business development manager, who most recently held the position of director of marketing at Protective Industrial Products, and Amber Walley as marketing coordinator, who recently graduated from Johnson & Wales University. In addition, Deb Flack, who has been with the firm as a Project Manager since 2009, assumes the duties of marketing director.
Global Spectrum, operators of the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds in Nueces County, Texas, named Amie Daniel Lee as the first-ever marketing coordinator for the seven-year-old facility. Prior to joining Global Spectrum, Lee was the marketing director of La Palmera in Corpus Christi, Texas for Trademark Properties, Inc. and the marketing manager for SMG at the American Bank Center.
AVT Event Technologies, a division of Freeman Audio Visual, has named Eddy Eisenberg as the company’s new president. One of the company’s original founders, Eisenberg replaces AVT’s former president, Martin Kwitschau. Eisenberg most recently served as the executive vice president and chief financial officer at AVT. Prior to AVT, Eisenberg served as the executive vice president and chief financial officer of Presentation Services.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s (LVCVA) Chris Meyer, vice president of global business sales, has been elected to serve as the vice president/president elect of the Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) board of directors. Meyer’s term begins in July, where he will serve one year as the vice president, followed by another year as president.
Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau, has been elected chair of the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) board of directors.
Kevin M. Hinton joined SmithBucklin as chief staff officer of Site and executive director of the Site International Foundation. Hinton previously served as executive vice president of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) and CEO of hinton+grusich.
Sven Krister Sandvoss has assumed new responsibilities as head of the Global Fairs department at Deutsche Messe AG’s subsidiary Hannover Fairs International GmbH. His predecessor, Tessa Forsblad, has taken on leadership responsibilities for HANNOVER MESSE.
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.
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