Hiring didn’t slow down in the typically mellow month of August with several cities adding to their convention and visitors bureau ranks, as well as some service providers and show organizing companies.

Rachel Thomas has joined the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) as the new Director of Exhibit Services, overseeing the SGIA Expo and upcoming PRINTING United trade show floors and managing exhibitors’ experiences.

Thomas will handle communication and coordination related to the 2018 SGIA Expo — both prior to and during events — to make the show more engaging for both exhibitors and attendees.

In 2019, the SGIA Expo will transition to PRINTING United, a brand-new trade show focused on the opportunities in convergence of the printing industry. 

The Board of Directors of Visit KC has selected industry veteran Jason Fulvi as its new President and CEO. With more than 32 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industries, Fulvi comes to Kansas City from VisitPITTSBURGH, where he has served for 16 years and most recently as the organization’s Executive Vice President.

A Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME), Fulvi begins his new role at Visit KC Sept. 12.

Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) promoted Brandy Hudgins to sales manager, small meetings.

In her new role, Hudgins is responsible for leveraging client relationships in all domestic markets to book small meetings and reunions in Atlanta requiring 10-50 hotel room nights on peak. Prior to joining the in-house sales team, she served as trade show sales coordinator, assisting in selling and marketing Atlanta and Georgia as well as coordinating logistics for Atlanta’s presence at national trade shows.

Hudgins began her career with ACVB in 2015 as a trade show administrative assistant. Before joining ACVB, Hudgins worked with Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart, World of Coca-Cola and Atlanta Braves.

The Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority (RSCVA) brought on two new hires on the heels of the Authority’s recent deal with SMG to take over management of the area’s meetings and convention facilities.

Kelly Carr has been appointed general manager for SMG-contracted facilities in northern Nevada, and Dante Nicastro has been brought on as the northern Nevada General Manager for SAVOR, SMG’s food and beverage division.

MCI USA has welcomed two longtime event industry professionals to its Strategic Events, Meetings & Incentives (SEM&I) business unit based out of Plano, Texas.

Jeff Moore has joined the team as Vice President, Technology & Innovation. In his role, Moore will work with the established technology development team to accelerate programming goals for the company’s proprietary ONEsystem+ and identify key integration and partner technologies for MCI SEM&I.

Moore has spent the past 15 years working on key systems for Experient, including a registration and housing platform, lead retrieval app, database marketing tool, exhibitor CRM, event app, attendee behavioral tracking systems and analytics platform.

James Kelley will serve as Director, Onsite, Lead Retrieval & Business Development. He will lead and develop MCI USA’s expanding onsite and lead retrieval teams while helping the company drive registration business.

Kelley also joins the team from Experient, where he held positions over the course of 19 years as Account Executive, Senior Account Executive, Strategic Account Manager and Director, Onsite Services. His vast array of experience and knowledge were utilized to drive all onsite registration products and services.

Bellagio named Amanda Voss as the resort’s new vice president of Sales.  In this role, she is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction for Hotel Sales and Convention Services at Bellagio, a AAA Five Diamond, 3,933-room resort.

With more than 200,000 square feet of space, Bellagio’s elegant and flexible meeting and convention facilities have received numerous awards including 5 Keys (the highest designation) from Green Key Meetings Rating Program. 

SmartSource® Computer & Audio Visual Rentals, a provider of computer, audio visual (AV) and technology solutions for businesses and events, announced the appointment of Marty Fuchs as Solutions Architect.

Fuchs will be based in SmartSource’s Orlando, Florida location. He will be responsible for providing technical and customer service expertise for audio visual solution installations and working closely with the sales team to prepare RFPs.