In October, event organizers, associations, and suppliers welcomed new talent and promoted seasoned professionals as the trade show industry continues a bustling fall and turns its attention toward a strong finish to a busy year. In addition to the news that Julie Coker has been tapped to lead NYC Tourism + Conventions, here’s our recap of trade show moves in the last month. 

TSNN’s take on the biggest move in October: Clarion Events has appointed Chris Brown, principal at Level Up Event Strategies, to lead The Clarion Events Collaborative: Elevating Association Events along with Liz Irving, president of Clarion Events North America.  

The big picture: Launched Oct. 3, The Clarion Events Collaborative is a strategic partnership initiative designed to maximize the value and impact of associations’ event approach and management, empowering associations to elevate their events while minimizing risk for potential new products. Through this initiative, associations are able to focus on their core mission, vision, and values, and maintain ownership interest, while Clarion Events handles event strategy and management and partners for meaningful community engagement.   

Need to know: Brown previously worked for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) for more than 25 years, where he most recently served as executive vice president, conventions and business operations, a role in which he was responsible for leading the growth and evolution of the annual NAB Show in Las Vegas. Prior to that, he was the association’s senior vice president, conventions and expositions. 

What he’s saying: “Clarion Events stands out as an organizer because they understand the importance of shared vision and value,” Brown said. “The partnerships they have built in North America and Globally are a true testament to their understanding of what it takes to form a successful association partnership and professionalism within the events they deliver. I am thrilled to work alongside Liz and her team on this new focused venture.” 

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America 

On October 21, brand marketing strategy and event marketing expert Cole Sales joined the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) as senior manager of conference events and meeting planning, responsible for managing the planning, implementation, and execution of logistical requirements for the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, and other association-hosted events.  

Focused on creating impactful events that foster learning and collaboration within the industry, Sales is tasked with strategically developing key activities and nurturing essential relationships, working closely with both internal and external stakeholders on long-term conference planning, for events such as the GCSAA Women’s Leadership Academy and the GCSAA Conference & Trade Show in February. He previously worked as a freelance brand marketing strategist. 

Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority 

The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) promoted Jose Martinez to vice president of venue operations for Reno Tahoe. Most recently as executive director of facility operations, Martinez has served the Reno Tahoe community for more than 30 years, focusing on customer service, operations, and project management at Reno Tahoe-managed event and entertainment venues.    

Reporting to the CVB’s president and CEO, Martinez is responsible for managing the operations of Reno Tahoe’s four major event venues: the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno Events Center, National Bowling Stadium, and Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center. He is responsible for capital expenditures, resource management, staffing and operational budgets at all four venues, and also oversees the management agreement with Aramark, which was awarded the food services contract in 2022. 

Visit KC 

Visit KC has tapped 24-year hospitality and tourism veteran Brett Oetting as its first-ever COO, effective November 11. In his new role, Oetting will work in collaboration with Visit KC President and CEO Kathy Nelson to lead the Visit KC team, providing strategic leadership while working to shape and implement new initiatives to help redefine and grow Kansas City’s tourism and convention industry.  

Oetting joins Visit KC from Visit Corpus Christi, where he served as CEO of the award-winning Texas-based tourism organization. Prior to that, he was CEO of Visit Topeka, where he played an integral role in the recent growth of Kansas’s state capital.  

In Memoriam 

After a lengthy battle with early-onset Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinson’s Dementia, trade show industry veteran Todd Iverson passed away on October 19. He was active in the trade show industry for more than 35 years at Brede Exposition Services, GES, and Fern Exposition Services. 

A native of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Iverson began his career in the trade show industry at 15 years old working for his father, Ralph Iverson, who was president of Brede Exposition Services. Starting in the union carpenter shop supporting the fabrication of displays and custom rental components, Iverson then moved over to lead a newly formed ExhibitsPlus unit at Brede focused on the rental of custom and portable displays in the mid-1980s. 

In 1990, he pursued an opportunity at GES in Southern California to lead the expansion of its exhibit services division, and within a couple of years, relocated to Las Vegas to lead a similar team, while also managing a leading trade show (Photo Marketing Association) national account with his father. After a decade in exhibit services at GES, Iverson moved into a vice president national sales position and was a high achiever in that role. 

Iverson finished his extensive career in the trade show industry as vice president, national sales and operations Western region at Fern, retiring on disability in 2017 after four years. Always present at major industry events and conferences, he also served as president of ESCA in 1999. Additionally, he co-founded the Ryan Kendall Iverson Foundation in 2010, which aims to support various charitable initiatives. 

Iverson is survived by two other trade show leaders in the Iverson family: his father Ralph Iverson, also a past president of ESCA 1988-89, (Brede and GES); and his brother Chad Iverson, who currently works as senior national account director at Pure Creative Solutions. 

Louisville Tourism 

Louisville Tourism appointed 20-year hospitality industry professional Jason Sojka as vice president of convention development, responsible for managing the convention sales team to achieve annual room night goals, developing and implementing the convention sales and marketing plan, outlining specific sales objectives and priorities for the convention sales staff, and establishing sales policies and procedures to maximize Louisville as a convention destination. 

Prior to joining Louisville Tourism, Sojka served as director of sales for the Ritz-Carlton Dallas as part of the opening team throughout a massive renovation and re-branding while the hotel was still operating. He also worked for Marriott International for several years in various Texas, Nebraska and Iowa markets, where he drove successful sales strategies and led sales teams. His tenured background includes myriad hotel and hospitality industry experience, including catering and event management positions held at various Marriott hotel properties. 

Communication Exhibits 

Custom face-to-face marketing services agency Communication Exhibits, Inc., (CEI), promoted Erik McLaughlin from CFO to president. Representing the third generation to serve in this capacity for the Canal Fulton, Ohio-based company that was founded 47 years ago by his grandfather, Richard (Dick) McLaughlin. He succeeds his father, Scott McLaughlin, who will remain with the company as owner and CEO.   

After graduating from Miami University’s Farmer School of Business, Erik McLaughlin spent three years with KeyBank Capital Markets, where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions as part of the Investment Banking division. He joined CEI in 2015, initially focused on developing its interactive products division before assuming the role of CFO in 2018. 

Oak View Group 

Oak View Group, operators of the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center and the Mobile Saenger Theatre, appointed venue and event management industry veteran Renee' Browning general manager of the Mobile, Ala.-based facilities, where she will work to further enhance operations and the guest experience.  

Before joining Oak View Group in Mobile, Browning served as assistant general manager for the Broward Convention Center, where she spearheaded a $1.4 billion expansion project from conception to near completion. She previously served as regional director of sales at the Mobile Convention Center for 13 years. 

Have some trade show-related people news to share? Reach out to lisa.savas@informa.com and danica.tormohlen@informa.com.

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