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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HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates. Water Stewardship Efforts MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship. In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step. MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas. MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030. From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts. Caring for One Another MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include: Unserved perishable prepared foods from events Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community. Fostering Diversity and 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 understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.