It may be the slowest time of year on the trade show calendar, but that didn’t stop companies from continuing to fill their ranks, as well as promote people from within.

Cleveland-based International Exposition Center (I-X Center) added two new members to its sales staff - Travis Poppell, as director of sales, and Lisa Shields, as associate director of sales.

Poppell will be responsible for developing and leading the I-X Center sales team to identify and cultivate new major trade shows, conventions, large consumer events and other new business opportunities for the venue

“Travis is a talented leader with a friendly, professional manner and a hands-on, teamwork attitude,” said Brad Gentille, I-X Center president and CEO.

He added, “He is excited about the resurgence of Cleveland as a convention and meeting destination and strongly believes in the I-X Center’s key role in its future success.”

Shields will manage the development of sales leads, building new relationships, networking with existing partnerships and assisting with identification of new business opportunities for large conference and consumer events.

Gentille added, “We’re looking forward to having Travis and Lisa’s combined professional experience to continue building on our success with new trade shows, meetings and special events.”

The Professional Convention Management Association's Education Foundation has hired Susan Mennenga as its new executive director.

Mennenga immediate focus will be to ingratiate herself with the new strategic plan, introduce herself to the Board of Trustees and familiarize herself with the activities relating to upcoming foundation events.

“Susan brings a wealth of knowledge to the Education Foundation, she has a proven track record as both a leader and a fundraising executive,” said PCMA President & CEO, Deborah Sexton.

She added, “I have no doubt she will advance the initiatives of the PCMA Education Foundation and cultivate new successes.”

Association management company SmithBucklin promoted Brian Teague to vice president, Financial Management & Accounting Services (FMAS). Teague will continue to work out of the company's Chicago office, reporting to Al Koob, executive vice president and CFO.

In his new role, Teague will be responsible for overseeing the accounting and financial management of all full-service and outsourced services client organizations located in the Chicago and Washington, D.C. offices. He will also continue to manage the Client Statistics and Analytics group. In addition, he will serve as a member of the SmithBucklin Corporate Management Team.

"Brian's strong financial skills, coupled with his impressive leadership qualities and passion for business growth will continue to position SmithBucklin as the leading provider of financial management services to associations," Koob said.

He added, "With more than 17 years of experience in financial management, operations and analytics, Brian's promotion is in recognition of his incredible business acumen and commitment to superior client service."

dmg events USA has upped trade show industry veteran Nicole Buraglio to managing director of the Collective Group. She will have full P&L responsibility of 16 annual conferences tailored to high-level marketing executives. Prior, She was Marketing Director for dmg events USA’s two ad:tech North America events.

Buraglio has spent her 16-year career marketing events of all sizes. Most recently, at Hanley Wood Exhibitions as Director of eMedia, she managed the sales, marketing, operations and technology of the digital business across the company’s 18 annual events.

She also led the divisional marketing team in operational efficiencies and systems implementation and training.

“Nicole’s marketing and event industry experience, combined with her diverse career path, makes her a perfect fit to lead this business,” said Amy Allen, executive vice president, dmg events USA. “I have confidence in Nicole’s leadership and her ability to successfully grow this franchise.”