People News: Core-apps, L.A. Convention Center, Comexposium and More Make Hires, Promotions

July 25, 2018
LACC's Ellen Schwartz named GM

In the past, companies typically slowed down with their hiring and other employee changes throughout the summer months, but not anymore.

Now, it’s full steam ahead all-year long with a plethora of new hires and promotions occurring throughout the past few months.

Ellen Schwartz has been promoted to General Manager of the Los Angeles Convention by AEG Facilities, operators of the downtown Los Angeles facility.

Additionally, Brad Gessner, who has held the position of general manager of the Convention Center since AEG Facilities was awarded the management contract in October of 2013, has been promoted to senior vice president of the LACC, responsible for contract administration, strategic planning and participating on the expansion & modernization team for the LACC.

In her new role, Schwartz will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the 867,000 square foot facility including sales & marketing, public relations, operations, guest services & security, event services, human resources, food & beverage and parking operations while also overseeing the convention center’s operating budget, and revenue maximization.

Having joined the staff of the Los Angeles Convention Center in Oct. 2013, Schwartz has held a variety of executive and management positions including vice president of sales and marketing before being named assistant general manager in July 2017.

Comexposium, the global events organiser, appointed Romain Chassinat as chief digital officer (CDO).

Romain joins Comexposium from Rexel, where he most recently was MarketPlace business development director.

As CDO, Romain will be responsible for driving the digital transformation of the business, as Comexposium seeks to deliver more value to its customers through the integrated alignment of data and technology.

Core-apps, a technology platform for the events industry, hired on Scott Andryk as senior manager, National Corporate Sales.

Andryk is a meetings management, sales and event technology professional with more than 20 years’ experience as both an organizer and supplier. He also is rejoining the company and his former role, as sales executive to the expanding corporate event market.

Andryk most recently served as director of business development for Bucom International, an incentive and meeting management firm headquartered in Chicago.

He’s also developed an ongoing strategic partnership with industry leader PCMA, served on many corporate boards including Hilton, Marriott, and United Airlines and currently is serving on SITE Chicago's BOD, as director of Sponsorship.

Reed Exhibitions (RX) tapped industry veteran Tony Shellman, best known as co-founder of cult-followed streetwear apparel labels Mecca, Enyce and Parish Nation, who will join the ReedPOP West leadership team.

Shellman joins RXUS on the heels of the announcement of Ron Walden leading as group vice president overseeing the Fashion & Festival portfolios of ReedPOP West.

Shellman will serve as Agenda Vegas event director working with ReedPOP West’s sales and marketing teams for the Agenda Vegas event.

The ReedPOP West team currently produces 6 events, which include Agenda Shows, Agenda Festival, ComplexCon, Pop Sugar Playground and more to be announced.

Full-service sourcing, housing and event management company Connections Housing has made an executive team promotion to enhance its continued growth and customer service focus, with Robert Colvin has assumed the role of COO.  


As COO, Colvin will focus on growth and expansion initiatives, overall executive oversight of operations, customer service enhancements, call center and travel department operations and enterprise-wide increased efficiencies.

Previously executive vice president for Connections, Colvin joined the company in June of 2010 after numerous years in various housing and hotel executive positions.  

Colvin also has been an active member of numerous industry trade organizations, as well as leadership roles with the Southwest Chapter of IAEE.  

Jill Buckley joined Meet Minneapolis as a national account executive and will lead the sales effort in the Northeast association and corporate meetings market.

In addition, Buckley will be responsible for sales efforts in the government meetings market across the country.

Prior to joining Meet Minneapolis, Buckley was a sales manager with GES, a global event marketing company.

Buckley’s career also includes roles as a global account executive for ConferenceDirect, a corporate sales manager at US Airways, and she spent nearly a decade with Visit Charlotte as its national sales manager.

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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