Nov 20, 2013
Trade show industry veteran, Tracy Garcia, was named the new show director for two of Hanley Wood Exhibitions’ mainstay shows - International Roofing Expo and International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo.
Garcia is taking over for Lindsay Roberts, who now is show director of the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, which Hanley Wood purchased earlier this year.
"Tracy Garcia has a great deal of expertise and an outstanding track record," said Donna Bellantone, the company’s vice president of operations.
She added, "Her considerable knowledge and skills will… more
Oct 27, 2013
A few months shy of the two-year anniversary of John Gallagher stepping into the dual roles of president and CEO for Germany-based Messe Frankfurt's Atlanta-based U.S. subsidiary, he is leaving and will be replaced by Kathryn Fitts and Dennis Smith.
Fitts has been serving as vice president of finance and administration, and Smith has been serving as vice president of sales in the Atlanta office.
The changes will be made effective immediately, though their new titles have not been revealed yet.
"Kathryn Fitts and Dennis Smith are the new leadership team at Messe… more
Oct 15, 2013
Convention and visitors bureaus all over the United States made several hires in positions ranging from sales and marketing to business development.
In addition, other companies also kept us the brisk hiring pace that has been the trend for the past year.
The Fort Worth (Texas) Convention & Visitors Bureau (FWCVB) named Mitch Whitten as the new vice president of marketing and communications. A long-time resident of Fort Worth, Whitten is set to begin his new position Oct. 2.
On Nov. 18, Amy Patterson will join Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) as vice president, business… more
Sep 18, 2013
After 40 years with J. Spargo & Associates, John W. Spargo will step down from the CEO post and Susan Bracken, president and COO, will step in, effective Sept. 23.
Spargo founded the company in 1973 that now employs 160 full-time professionals.He will retain his chair position of the company’s board of directors.
The change in leadership was part of what the company called a “carefully crafted strategic plan” that was adopted by the board.
“Working at the company and with its talented employees and management team for nearly 40 years has been an honor,”… more
Sep 04, 2013
U.K.-based Daily Mail and General Trust, owner of dmg :: events, recently made several executive changes, including promoting Geoff Dickinson to CEO, as well as Simon Mellor to senior vice president for the Middle East and Asia and Galen Poss to vice chairman.
Suresh Kavan, who held both CEO and chairman titles of dmge, now will shift into a chairman role, but maintain his CEO position for dmg information.
The new appointments were announced at DMGT’s Investor Day presentation in London and will be effective beginning Oct. 1.
Dickinson is currently president of dmge Middle East and… more
Aug 04, 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… more
Jul 18, 2013
Freeman’s chief sales officer, Bob Priest-Heck, will step into the president and COO role when John O’Connell, the company’s current president, retires June 30, 2014.
The leadership transfer will be in phases, with Priest-Heck assuming the COO role Aug. 1 of this year and reporting to O’Connell and Freeman CEO Joe Popolo.
When O’Connell retires, Priest-Heck will step in his new president role, overseeing the Freeman Companies, overseeing Freeman’s Exposition business, as well as Freeman AV and FreemanXP.
"As a family and employee-owned business, we… more
Jul 06, 2013
The start of summer has kicked off with a steady stream of hires and promotions at both show management companies, convention and visitors bureaus and supplier companies, signaling a continued healthy environment for the trade show industry.
The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau promoted of Rachel Peavy to director of public relations. In her new role, Peavy will create and implement campaigns to support ACVB marketing, sales and tourism programs.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry, hired former Reed Exhibitions… more
Jun 24, 2013
Douglas L. Ducate, president and CEO of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, announced today at the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association’s Annual Summer Educational Conference that he will step down at the end of this year.
Ducate, a 45-year industry veteran who has held the CEIR post for 15 years, explained he believed CEIR deserves "younger and stronger legs to carry some of the new initiatives to success."
CEIR Chairman and Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Greg Ortale said, "The respect and presence that our… more
Jun 11, 2013
Cathy Griffith has been promoted to operations director for Nielsen Expositions, replacing Cindy Sample, who now runs the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show.
Griffith also will oversee the production of the ASD events, a general merchandise show with more than 2,800 exhibitors held biannually in Las Vegas, as well as spearheading several centralized services for Nielsen Expositions, according to company officials.
"Nielsen Expositions strives to exceed our customer's expectations and with Cathy's strong industry connections and leadership skills she will… more
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact