People News: MMBC’s New Co-Chair, PCMA’s COO and More Fall Hiring News

October 8, 2020

From appointments to awards to new hires and promotions, this fall is keeping us on our toes for people announcements. Take a look:

Meetings Mean Business Coalition unanimously selected Michael Massari, chief sales officer for Caesars Entertainment, as its next co-chair in September. Effective January 2021, he will join Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company, in guiding the coalition and the meetings industry through the continued recovery from the pandemic.

PCMA has appointed Bruce MacMillan to the position of chief operating officer, effective Sept. 2. He was previously the organization’s chief marketing officer and brings more than 30 years of experience to his new position. He was also the architect behind PCMA’s Recovery Discovery initiative.

Jeff Hughes was named chief operating officer for Pittsburgh-based NEP Group, a technical production company for live sports and entertainment events. He was most recently with FOX Networks’ Digital Consumer Group, where he was president and COO.

Trumbull, Conn.-based Clarion Events has promoted Liz Irving, who's been with the company four years, to executive vice president and head of marketing, technology and customer experience. She will lead the company’s virtual product team on product development, integration, customer journey and audience engagement, as well as oversee new digital product offerings including virtual product showcases.

International Market Centers announced a new organizational structure for its leasing and leadership teams last month. Effective Sept. 11, Dorothy Belshaw and Scott Eckman are promoted into new executive leadership roles; and Ryan Mahoney, Julie Messner, Terence Morris and Caron Stover expand their category-specific leasing responsibilities across all IMC’s campuses. Belshaw is chief customer and marketing officer, also having executive oversight of LightFair, the world’s largest architectural and commercial lighting trade show; and Eckman will now oversee all permanent showrooms and temporary tradeshow leasing as chief revenue officer.

International Housewares Association named seven new directors, with three-year terms that began Oct. 1 that run through Sept. 30, 2023. They are: Kim Cole, CEO, Gleener Inc.; Kristine Malkoski, business unit CEO, foods, Newell Brands; Tom McMahon, president, Jura Inc.; Robert Michelson, president and CCO, Bradshaw Home; Keith Mirchandani, principal and CEO, Tristar Products.; Michael Otterman, president and CEO, Lodge Cast Iron; and Luke Peters, president and CEO, NewAir. Also elected were new board officers: Chairman William Endres, president, Select Brands; Vice Chair/Chair Elect Yvette Laugier, managing director, Peugeot Saveurs North America; and Treasurer Steve Greenspon, CEO, Honey-Can-Do International.

Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau Chief Operating Officer Rolando Aedo will join Destination International Foundation’s Board of Trustees, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering destinations globally to excel through innovation and resource incubation.

Claudia Stephenson has been appointed managing director for London-based [INVNT GROUP], EMEA region. She was most recently with Freeman and brings two decades of experience to her new position.

Fernando Gorbarán, president and CEO of Messe Frankfurt Argentina, was selected as one of 15 most influential leaders in Latin America’s meetings industry by Latinamerica Meetings Magazine. With 20 years of experience in the sector, he has led the Argentine subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt GMbH since 2003 and served as regional director for South America since 2010.

Venue management company Spectra has brought on David DiSalvo as director of sales for the 102,000-square-foot Owensboro Convention Center in Kentucky. Most recently, he served as director of sales at Kalahari Resort in Mount Pocono, Penn.

Have more People announcements? Send them to kogletree@tsnn.com.

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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