Summer hiring and promotions continued through the middle months, with the Meat Institute, Professional Convention Management Association and SnowSports Industries America all make executive announcements.

The SnowSports Industries America Board of Directors has named Nick Sargent as SIA’s incoming president. Sargent, who most recently held the position of vice president of global business alliance at Burton Snowboards, will begin in a transitional role before succeeding David Ingemie as president following the 2016 SIA Snow Show in Denver and On-Snow Demo at Copper Mountain.

“Selecting the ideal leader to take SIA into the future has been a long and careful process for the board of directors. With significant experience in snow sports and a penchant for growing the industry, Nick will be a huge asset for the organization and our partners,” said Bob Gundram, chair of SIA’s Board of Directors, and president of C3.

In his new role as president, Sargent will leverage his sales and marketing expertise and utilize a unique ability to connect brands, people and ideas to create mutually beneficial partnerships that ultimately progress the winter industry.

The Professional Convention Management Association has brought on Susan Katz to the newly created position of senior vice president of operations.

“We couldn’t be more excited about Susan joining the PCMA executive team,” said Deborah Sexton, president and CEO.

She added, “She knows our organization well and will make an immediate positive impact with both our members and industry. Susan is a remarkable consensus builder, her addition to the PCMA team helps ensure that we remain relevant with our audience and continue to 'walk the talk' of the meeting professional.”

Katz has been in the meetings and events industry for more than 30 years.  Most recently as director of corporate events and travel for the True Value Company. 

Prior to joining True Value, she worked for several nonprofit organizations, including the National Safety Council and the American Dental Association.

North American Meat Institute promoted Anne Halal from vice president to senior vice president of exposition, education and member services. 

Halal has served at NAMI for 14 years and oversees all logistical and promotional arrangements for the annual trade show, and for Institute and Foundation meetings, workshops and events.       

“Anne Halal’s leadership and expertise in meeting and conference management have proven invaluable to the Meat Institute, to our members and to the entire industry,” said NAMI President and CEO Barry Carpenter.  “This well-deserved promotion reaffirms the important role Anne plays as part of our team.”

Reed Travel Exhibitions’ appointed David Hidalgo Ayala as the new show director for ICOMEX and Event Production Forum for the Reed Exhibitions Mexico Portfolio.

Prior to joining Reed Travel Exhibitions, Ayala was general director of Yucatan Convention and Visitors Bureau where he was the strategy leader in charge of promoting Yucatan as a destination for Meetings and attracting new Congresses, Conventions, Exhibitions and Corporate Events.

“I'm delighted to join the Reed team and to have the chance to build on the great success of the portfolio,” said David Hidalgo Ayala. “I hope to bring a fresh perspective though applying my experience in marketing, communication, sales, public relations, event publication and development of the meetings industry to ensure the continued success of ICOMEX.

NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, has hired industry veteran Abby Spatz as the company as chief marketing officer.

In her new role, Spatz will lead the company’s marketing group and will oversee the in-house creative, digital, editorial, photography and video teams as she directs and implements the company’s strategic marketing plan.

Spatz will report to Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company.

“Abby is a forward-thinking and accomplished marketing executive who will play a critical role in spreading the welcoming image of New York City’s five boroughs around the world,” Dixon said. “We are dedicated to inspiring travel to the City, and Abby’s wealth of experience will help expand the future potential of the industry and motivate visitation.”