The year continued to start off strong with several show organizer and supplier companies making new hires and promotions.

Atlanta-based meeting management, convention housing and travel services leader Connections Housing kicks off its 30^th year by naming Mark Sussman, vice president of Business Development.  

As part of a continued growth strategy focused on further strengthening and enhancing In this newly created position, Sussman will focus on developing and growing the Connections client portfolio through his vast knowledge, tenure and connections in the industry.  

A 35-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Sussman began his career with the Marriott Corporation in 1982 and held various sales, convention services and marketing positions at properties throughout the country.

 His most recent position was director of tradeshow sales for the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“I am excited about this new opportunity with Connections”, Sussman said. “I look forward to leveraging my experience and relationships in multiple market segments to continue to grow the Connections client base.”

Visit Spokane has hired Kate Hudson to the destination marketing organization as Public Relations Manager.  

She will use her new role to promote Spokane to travel, lifestyle, and business media and increase the awareness of Spokane as a destination to live, work, and play. 

Tourism is an important component of economic development and she will target key media outlets to position Spokane as a region all types of travelers need to experience. 

A long-time resident of Spokane, she recognizes that tourism and conventions are important to our quality of life and economy and appreciates the local tax relief visitor spending affords our residents. 

“Kate plays a pivotal role in promoting the destination," said Rob Enriquez, Visit Spokane vice president of sales and marketing. “Her knowledge of the region, and because of her media background, she’s well suited for the job and we feel very fortunate to have her on the team.”

Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services, an independent electrical contractor to the convention and trade show industry, made promotions in its Las Vegas and Southern California offices.

Jennifer Maloney recently was promoted to general manager. Maloney joined Edlen in 2008 and is responsible for the day to day operations in Edlen’s Las Vegas office. She has more than 20 years of customer service experience and has worked with the Edlen team on such events as HIMSS, Solar Power International, The Clean Show, ABC Kids Expo, SGIA EXPO and JCK.

Edlen’s Southern California team promoted Amber Fleming to director of Event Services. Fleming joined Edlen in 2011 and is responsible for the day to day operations in Edlen’s Pasadena office.

Prior to her time at Edlen, Fleming managed events for the University of Redlands and also served as a publicist for music artists and music award shows. Fleming has worked with the Edlen team on such events as International Makeup Artists (IMATS), the Alma Awards, OFC and the NAACP Image Awards.

SPARGO promoted Tiffany Melton, CMP to the position of vice president, Strategic Meetings Management at SPARGO, Inc., effectively immediately. 

Melton joined SPARGO in 2008 as a key member of the meeting logistics team.  Her initial role as a Meetings Manager for the ASCO Annual Meeting quickly expanded to include the management of several key accounts. 

ASCO’s ever expanding portfolio of meetings coupled with the addition of several new clients including the American Society of Hematology (ASH), hosting the largest hematology meeting in the world, required the skill and leadership of a true industry professional. 

In her most recent role as senior director, Meeting Logistics, Melton played a critical role in the expansion of the department and the onboarding of new talent. Today, she oversees the operations of 40 domestic and international meetings annually and supervises a staff of 11.

The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau expanded its sales department with the recent hire of national sales manager, Tamara Whiting.

A veteran of the industry since 2000, Whiting comes to Cincinnati USA from VisitPittsburgh where she held the role of National Sales Director and engaged with social, military, educational, religious and fraternal groups as well as government and national association markets in the US Southeast.

Her experience and expertise in these markets will be used to bring new conventions to Cincinnati, maintaining the region’s reputation as a top national meetings destination.