Traditionally a slower time for trade shows, companies in the industry utilized their time instead hiring new talent and promoting from within before the fall kicks off a busy season again.

The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) hired Jason Means as director of membership. In his new role, Means will lead recruitment and retention programs for current and prospective ACVB members while managing the membership department.

Means brings nearly 10 years of combined hospitality and event experience to his new role.

“Jason’s knowledge and experience within the local hospitality community will be helpful as he works to retain and build our membership,” said Amy Patterson, vice president of business development and corporate events, ACVB. “This makes him a very valuable asset to our organization.”

Means most recently served as senior event manager with Hilton Atlanta. Prior to that, he worked as events manager for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, where he oversaw volunteers, managed hotel relationships and supervised the hospitality program.

The position will also be responsible for the well-being of all associates in connection with safety, benefits, training, performance management and career development.

“We conducted a long and in-depth interview process and Susan was a front-runner from the beginning. She is knowledge about the industry, our company and knows the important of driving customer satisfaction,” said Carl Mitchell, president, “Shepard is growing and Susan is the right person to continue to bring in the top-notch talent we pride ourselves on.”

Visit KC recently made a trio of appointments - Cori Day will assume the role of vice president of sales and services. Day brings to the tourism organization more than 16 years of experience in hospitality sales and marketing; Traci Preus was appointed to the position of Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications, bringing more than 25 years of experience in strategic marketing, public relations and advertising; and Ashley Jones assumes the role of vice president of partnerships and events, bringing with her 14 years of experience in destination management and community development organizations.

Visit Spokane is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris McKinney to the position of Director of National Accounts.

As a member of the Visit Spokane sales team, McKinney will work with meeting planners - specifically in the health, medical, scientific and engineering markets - to bring conventions and meetings to the Spokane region.

A veteran of hotel industry sales, McKinney previously worked for Marriot, Hilton and, most recently, Renaissance Seattle Hotel.   

Riverhouse Hotel & Convention Center, a full-service hotel and Central Oregon’s largest convention center, overlooking the picturesque Deschutes River, has hired Heidi Albertson as Director of national sales.

Nth Degree has strengthened its global presence by adding a new account director, Anthony Lacey, to its London office. Lacey will support European Director, Francis Mugford, and the company’s ongoing effort to expand event marketing and management services across its global portfolio.

Jason Ahart is bringing his 16 years of exhibit production experience to Olympus Group (“Olympus”) as its new COO.

Ahart’s focus as COO at Olympus will be quality initiatives and production systems, particularly Lean Manufacturing and long-term growth. As part of the executive team, Ahart will be responsible for the digital printing, sewing, purchasing, warehouse and prepress departments.