People News: SmartSource, The Expo Group, Emerald Expositions, Hannover Fairs All Make Hires

November 7, 2016

The fall continues to be a busy time with brisk hiring at a variety of companies ranging from show management companies to convention and visitors bureaus to general service contractors.

The Expo Group continues to grow and has added Dan DiPietro to the team as national sales director.

DiPietro has a rich industry experience that includes a technology background and strong sales acumen.

“With The Expo Group’s growth, it is important to have the right people in the right places to serve our clients and share how we can impact their trade shows and events,” said Randy Pekowski, president and COO of The Expo Group.

He added, “Dan’s ability to understand the challenges and opportunities presented by technology make him uniquely qualified to assist associations looking to grow their conventions and deepen member engagement through compelling event experiences.”

Hannover Fairs USA, the Chicago-based subsidiary of Hannover, Germany event organizer, Deutsche Messe, has named Raymond Bianchi as vice president of North American Events & Business Development.

Bianchi is charged with managing Hannover Fairs North American portfolio of exhibitions and conferences, currently covering the renewable energy, industrial technology, and commercial vehicle segments.

Hannover Fairs North American portfolio showcases the wide range of B2B events organized by Deutsche Messe in Hannover and across the globe. 

SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals appointed Nikki Corsini as marketing automation specialist, reporting to the company’s digital marketing manager.

Corsini will be instrumental in the development and implementation of the company’s email marketing campaigns, as well as lead nurturing, lead scoring, and identifying tactics for improvement.

Corsini brings to her new role extensive experience in lead generation, graphic design, and content management for digital, traditional and social marketing applications.

Her skill-set includes in-depth knowledge of Marketo, Salesforce and Pardot.

Emerald Expositions has hired Lara Osment as senior vice president and group show director of the ASD Merchandise Group, responsible for the management of ASD Market Week, IGES and the 2017 launch event, Jewellery Box, effective Oct. 19.

Osment will be responsible for the creation and development of sales, attendee acquisition, marketing opportunities and strategies as well as creating customized solutions to meet our ever-changing customer needs. 

Visit Spokane has brought in Jeff Poole to the organization's sales team. Poole will be filling the newly created position of senior director of sales and national accounts Mid Atlantic and Eastern Region. 

As a member of the sales team, Poole will work to promote the Spokane region to meeting and convention planners. 

With a long career in the meetings industry, including positions at Visit Albuquerque and Omni Hotels, Jeff has extensive experience working with meeting planners throughout the country, primarily in the Washington D.C. market. 

Shepard has made the leadership changes that will position the company for continued long-term growth, effective Jan. 1. Carl Mitchell will continue to lead strategic direction of Shepard as Executive Chairman and Steve Basch will be promoted to CEO from Vice President of Finance and assumes an expanded leadership role in all aspects of the company.

“These changes underscore our commitment and responsibility to investing in the future of Shepard and our customers,” Mitchell said. “Make no mistake, I am not going anywhere; rather, evolving my role to focus my attention on strategies and partnerships that will continue to position Shepard for growth and success for generations to come.”

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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