People in the News: Cathy Breden Named Executive Vice President of IAEE, Sharon Enright Upped to Executive Vice President of Business Journals Inc.

December 20, 2014

The holidays brought good cheer for companies looking to hire or promote from within throughout the end of 2014.

The International Association Exhibitions and Events appointed Cathy Breden, CAE, CMP as the organization's executive vice president.  In this role, she will oversee additional strategic planning and operational responsibilities.

"Cathy has been an integral member of the IAEE team for many years and has worked tirelessly to promote IAEE's strategic plan and initiatives," said David DuBois, president and CEO of IAEE. "She has earned respect and appreciation from our staff, volunteer leaders and global members."

Breden manages the day-to-day operations of the association including overseeing marketing and communications, membership, education, conventions and events, and administration.

In addition, she currently serves as the managing director of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) whose primary purpose is to promote the growth, awareness and value of exhibitions and other face-to-face marketing events by producing and delivering research-based knowledge tools.

Sharon Enright has been promoted from vice president to executive vice president of the Trade Show Division of Business Journals Inc, a leading integrated business-to-business media company primarily serving the men’s and women’s fashion industry. The promotion is effective immediately.

In making the announcement, Britton Jones, president and CEO of Business Journals, said, "In her almost 17 years with the company, Sharon has demonstrated relentless passion and outstanding leadership skills. She has been and continues to be a driving force in the outstanding growth and success of the BJI Fashion Group trade shows."

Hargrove hired on Dan Cole as their new senior vice president for Trade Shows and Exhibits.
 
With more than 27 years of professional sales and leadership experience, Cole was most recently vice president of Business Development for the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the organization which produces it - the Consumer Electronics Association.  

He began his career in the trade show industry in 1992 as a national accounts manager for National Trade Productions, progressing there to Sales Director and went on to hold a number of important executive positions at companies such as Advanstar and Yellowbrix. 

Hargrove COO and EVP Diana Simmons said, “Dan Cole brings outstanding, award-winning experience to Hargrove. This is a huge addition for us. I worked with Dan at National Trade Productions, and am very excited about his joining Hargrove leadership team. His insight and background will no doubt help the company grow and enhance our visibility and reach in the industries we serve.”

CompuSystems named Chris Williams as its new president. Williams joined CompuSystems in 1996 and within a few short years became director of sales. Under his leadership, sales nearly tripled and most recently in his role as senior vice president, Williams has been Instrumental in directing CompuSystems' product development and setting strategic goals.

In his new role, Williams will be responsible for all aspects of day-to-day operations and overseeing the senior management team.

Also at Compusystems, Scott Allen was hired on as chief sales officer. Allen, who was hand-picked by CompuSystems' President Chris Williams, previously served as senior regional manager at Oracle where he was in charge of the Central Region.

Allen has 20 years of experience with four Fortune 500 companies in the IT and technology service industries. 

Freeman named Paul Cunniffe business development vice president of the Exposition division at Freeman.

“We are excited to announce the addition of Paul Cunniffe to our Exposition team. Paul joins us with more than 20 years’ experience working with customers such as the Democratic National Convention, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, and the American Physical Therapy Association,” said Steve Anderson, executive vice president, Business Development, Freeman.

Andrew P. Riester has rejoined ShowNets after a 13-year hiatus.  He began his professional career with ShowNets, LLC as an operational technician and now rejoins the team as a strategic account representative.  

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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.