The trade show industry continues to be busy, with several promotions and new hires within supplier and show management companies.

Rick McConnell, who already was president of Informa Exhibitions U.S. Construction & Real Estate, has expanded his role to include being named president of Informa Canada as well.

“McConnell’s tradeshow career, expertise in growing businesses and strong leadership skills made him the natural choice for this dual role in managing and growing these North American teams,” said Will Morris, CEO of Informa Exhibitions.

He added, “With his outstanding track record, we believe he is the right person for the job to implement synergies and growth strategies more effectively.”

McConnell began his career at Hanley Wood in 2001 as show director. Prior to Hanley Wood, McConnell held senior management positions with Miller Freeman/VNU, MAGIC International, and the Dallas Market Center.  

“This is an exciting time at Informa with many growth opportunities,” McConnell said. “I look forward to leading this dynamic business and our incredibly talented teams as we continue to move forward as a leading exhibitions company in North America and abroad.”

Vin Saia and Terry Campanaro were promoted at Global Experience Specialists to further grow its Corporate Accounts business. GES’ Corporate Accounts group manages exhibit programs for many leading brands including Bristol-Myers Squibb, General Dynamics, Pfizer and Philips.

Vin Saia was promoted to executive vice president of corporate accounts. In his new role, Saia is responsible for leading the sales, creative and operations functions of the group.

GES also promoted Terry Campanaro to senior vice president of client relations - corporate accounts. In her new role, she is responsible for leading the sales efforts of the Corporate Accounts group, overseeing and developing the strategic global program management capabilities and new business development activities.

Tradeshow Logic named Butch Bartlett as its chief creative officer. In this role, Bartlett will create company growth strategies and oversee the Tradeshow Logic brand and marketing.

Bartlett has been with Tradeshow Logic since 2009, applying his more than 35 years of experience in the trade show and event industry to propel Tradeshow Logic’s growth. His former title, chief strategy officer, was re-assigned to industry veteran Chris Price, who joined the company in April and is responsible for developing strategies that enable Tradeshow Logic customers to elevate their events.

BlueHive Strategic Environments hired Amadeus Finlay as director, Media and Public Relations. Amadeus brings a decade of international experience to the table, having worked in Edinburgh, Scotland and London, England, as well as throughout Europe as a business journalist. Finlay has a strong background in editorial, digital marketing and communications, and will head-up BlueHive’s newly-formed Media Management department and social media agency.

AEG Facilities’ Los Angeles Convention Center hired culinary extraordinaire, Jeff Leidy, to head the Center’s food & beverage (F&B) department as Director of Operations for Taste of L.A. by Levy Restaurants

Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association, has hired Natalie Ortiz to join its destination sales team as East Coast national account executive. Ortiz brings more than 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry to the job, serving most recently as the Eastern Regional senior sales manager with the San Mateo County/Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.

SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals appointed Lauri A. Christiansen, MBA, PMP as director of marketing. Christiansen brings 15-plus years of B2B marketing and sales experience, both for major corporations and as an entrepreneur.