People News: New CEOs for Global DMC Partners, San Diego Tourism and More
February 24, 2020
The latest round of people announcements is all about girl power. Check out the latest promotions, new hires and appointments of (mostly) women across the industry this month:
Catherine Chaulet is now president and CEO of Global DMC Partners, a network of independently owned destination management companies. Serving as president of the company for six years, her promotion to CEO came as a result of her strong leadership skills.
Julie Coker, president and CEO of Philadelphia CVB, will depart from her role in March to take on a new position as president and CEO of San Diego Tourism Authority. She has been with Philadelphia CVB since 2016.
Destinations International has hired Gail Mutnik for a newly created position of director of meetings within the organization. She will begin on March 19 and brings more than three decades of experience to her new role.
Sonia Fong has been named vice president of convention sales for the Greater Miami CVB. She’s been with the organization for 20 years, and her main focus will continue to be selling the Miami Beach Convention Center for citywides.
Womenswear trade event COTERIE has appointed Colleen Sherin to lead as president. She was most recently vice president of wholesale at Alexander McQueen.
Crystal Kennedy is now senior national accounts director at Philadelphia CVB. With 17 years of hotel sales experience, she was most recently associate director of sales at Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. She’ll be based in Dallas to focus on customers in the Western U.S.
The Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB welcomed Mike Sophia as vice president of sports business development. He’ll oversee efforts to draw professional, collegiate, amateur and recreational sporting events to Broward County.
Karin Gillard has joined CSI DMC as senior account executive. She was most recently director of catering sales at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas and will be based in Las Vegas for her new role. Also within CSI DMC, Morgan Alexander has been promoted to director of event management in the Chicago office.
Elizabeth Yienger is now a national sales manager at Louisville Tourism, where she is responsible for Northeast sales territories. She’s held previous regional director roles with Hilton and Starwood Hotels in the region.
Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Board of Directors in Chicago has named Larita Clark, the organization’s previous CFO, as active CEO and CFO. She has been with the Authority since 1984.
In combining its Learnings and Meetings department functions, ASAE has appointed Amy Ledoux as chief learning and meetings officer to oversee this new combined operation. She’s been with ASAE for 15 years and brings 30 years of industry experience to her new role.
Detroit Metro CVB has restructured its leadership organizational structure, promoting four directors to newly created vice president positions: Harriet Carter is now vice president of customer/partner services; Renee Monforton is vice president of marketing and communications; Susan Richardson is vice president of group and convention sales; and Jessica Strasser is vice president of talent resources.
Exhibition and event services company Fern has hired Mark Shadwick as senior national sales manager. He’ll be based in the Alexandria, Virginia, office and brings more than 30 years of industry experience to his new role.
Kari Morehead has been named special events and partnerships coordinator for New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, where she’ll be responsible for coordinating all activities related to special events.
Washington, D.C.-based trade show marketing agency Fixation Marketing has a new hire and two promotions. Sydney Bowker has joined the company as senior account executive, and both Rachel Gellman and Julia Ruxer have been promoted to account manager.
CEDIA Expo, an event for technology within the intelligently built environment, has brought on Ron Trznadel as account executive.
Edmonton, Canada-based event rentals company River City Events has appointed a new general manager, Marnie Gomes. She has more than 25 years of experience in the events industry.
Debbie Megna has joined Travel Costa Mesa as destination sales executive, where she’ll be focused on bringing in new group business to Costa Mesa in Orange County, California.
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Partner Voices
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Protecting Natural Resources
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Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.
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