Aug 04, 2023
Oak View Group (OVG), which takes over venue management for Chicago’s McCormick Place on Oct. 1, named veteran convention and hospitality executive Samuel Thomas Jr. as senior vice president and general manager of the campus, which includes McCormick Place, featuring 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, the 10,000-seat Wintrust Arena and the 4,249-seat Arie Crown Theater.
Thomas, who will relocate to Chicago from Washington, D.C., where he was executive vice president and chief operating officer of Events DC, will begin his new role the first week of September.
McCormick Place… more
Aug 01, 2023
While some industries tend to slow down in the summer, the U.S. trade show industry has been doing anything but resting on its laurels, as evidenced by the plethora of event-related organizations and suppliers continuing the industry’s still-hot hiring and promoting trend. Here’s all the latest People News you need to know!
RX
RX has appointed Peter Lindsay as its new global chief strategy officer, responsible for formulating and executing strategies, leading corporate development activities, including mergers and acquisitions, and overseeing various projects and initiatives geared… more
Jul 03, 2023
Throughout the U.S. and across the pond, event-related organizations are promoting successful team members as well as appointing experienced leaders. Check them out!
Visit Winston-Salem
Stephanie Pace Brown has taken the helm of Visit Winston-Salem as its new president, responsible for overseeing a staff of 17 with the prime directive of generating overnight leisure, convention and sports visitation to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County. A tourism industry veteran of more than 30 years, she replaces Richard Geiger, who officially retired on June 30 after leading the organization for 13 years… more
Jun 01, 2023
When Larita Clark began her career at the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), owner of Chicago’s McCormick Place, she never imagined she would one day become its CEO. Since accepting her first position there in 1984 as assistant controller, the certified public accountant by trade went on to successfully hold an array of positions at MPEA, including director of finance and administration of McCormick Place, controller of MPEA and then its CFO, responsible for the financial and administrative operations of the massive McCormick Place campus, which includes four buildings: Hyatt… more
May 30, 2023
Trade show and event-related organizations, particularly CVBs and meeting and convention venues, have been busily appointing industry veterans to leadership roles as well as promoting hard-working team members to elevated positions. Take a look!
Orange County Convention Center
The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Fla., has welcomed two industry veterans to its executive leadership team with the appointment of Anthony “Tony” Camarillo as the venue’s new general manager and Keri Burns as its new director of sales.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Camarillo… more
May 10, 2023
The U.S. trade show industry is continuing a robust Q2 as event-related companies and venues far and wide expand their teams and appoint experienced industry leaders to guide their growth trajectories. Take a look!
Encore
Global event technology and production services provider Encore recently made two senior executive hires focused on elevating customer experience: Trevor Ferguson as COO and Michelle Brown as senior vice president of operations and customer excellence.
Ferguson joins Encore’s leadership team from Aramark, where he worked for more than 17 years, most recently serving as… more
May 08, 2023
As May begins, TSNN is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the U.S. by spotlighting an AAPI woman who has enriched the event and trade show industry and been instrumental in its future success.
Sonia Fong, senior vice president of convention development for Louisville Tourism, has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 25 years. Her current responsibilities include managing the convention sales team to achieve annual room night goals, developing and implementing the convention sales and marketing plan, outlining specific sales objectives and… more
May 05, 2023
It can’t be easy trying to fill the shoes of a longtime, widely respected industry veteran who held your new role for more than four decades. But that’s exactly what Mac Campbell, the new executive director of the Baltimore Convention Center (BCC), has been attempting to do since taking the helm in January 2023.
Campbell replaced the legendary Peggy Daidakis, the first female director of a major U.S. convention center, who retired last fall after 44 years with the BCC. In 1979, Daidakis helped open the BBC, Maryland’s largest convention venue, ran it from 1986 to 2022, and was instrumental… more
Apr 24, 2023
Across the U.S., trade show-related organizations are appointing new leadership and expanding their teams. Take a look!
Clarion Events
Leading event organizer Clarion Events has promoted Sophia Fasano to group marketing director of its Energy Portfolio, which covers all markets related to transmission and distribution, interconnection, renewable energy and power generation.
In her new role, Fasano is responsible for marketing strategy, customer and data insights and marketing team leadership and development for event brands, including DISTRIBUTECH International, POWERGEN… more
Apr 21, 2023
IMEX Group has long been at the forefront of championing important industry topics such as mental health and well-being, sustainability, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), all of which it has become a model for with its two annual shows in Frankfurt and Las Vegas, as well as numerous other initiatives throughout the year.
We checked in with Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group, to get her thoughts and insights on these pertinent industry topics, as well as the group’s 2023 Talking Point: “Human Nature,” which embraces all of them.
Every year, the Talking Point provides a framework for… more
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024.
Enhanced Technology
Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space.
Refreshing New Design & Fine Art
The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights.
Sustainable Spectacles
Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles.
The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.