people and development

Straight Talk: Louisville Tourism’s Cleo Battle on Baseball, Bourbon, DEI and Evolving Beyond the Pandemic

Right off the bat (pun intended), I knew Cleo Battle was someone who makes the most of an experience.

No more than a couple of minutes into our conversation, the discussion turned to how much he treasures his personalized Louisville Slugger in purple—the color of his hometown baseball team, the Colorado Rockies—which he’s had since moving to Louisville almost 10 years ago, and how he enjoys his fine Kentucky bourbon on occasion—with a nice cigar and a great Sinatra album.

Taste Trends: Lumarie Rodríguez-Soto, F&B Director and Executive Chef, Waterloo Convention Center/OVG Hospitality 

Growing up in a culinary family in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, Chef Lumarie Rodríguez-Soto initially avoided a career in the culinary arts. As a young woman, she tried pursuing other career paths, but her innate creativity and love for baking eventually led her back to the kitchen and then to culinary school at La Escuela Hotelera de Puerto Rico, where she honed her skills, grew her knowledge and perfected her craft. 

People News: Spiro, Visit Albuquerque, Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau and More Promote Staff, Expand Teams

While the meetings and events industry tends to slow down a bit during the sultry summer months, that hasn’t stopped event-related organizations from welcoming established industry professionals to their teams while rewarding hard-working staff with elevated titles and responsibilities. Take a look!

People News: OVG360, Encore, Cobb Galleria Centre and More Unveil New Leadership, Make Myriad Promotions

As the meetings industry continues its steady journey out of the COVID-19 pandemic, event-related organizations across the U.S. and abroad are tapping new executives, promoting staff and welcoming new team members in preparation for clearer skies ahead. Here are the latest exciting new people developments you need to know!

Straight Talk: Paul Van Deventer, President and CEO, Meeting Professionals International

Having been at the helm of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) since 2013, Paul Van Deventer has steered the biggest and most vibrant meeting and event industry association on the globe through both challenging and triumphant times over the years. Yet 2022 is turning out to be one of the most celebratory for him and the MPI community at large.

People News: JUNO, Radisson Blu Mall of America, Destination Colorado and More Make Promotions, Fill Teams

In their quest for recovery and growth, event technology providers, CVBs, hotels and other event-related organizations have been busily tapping new executives as well as filling director and management positions with experienced professionals. Check out all the hard-working individuals moving up in the corporate events industry across the U.S. this month!

People News: Visit Salt Lake, Ungerboeck, Visit Spokane and More Expand Leadership Teams, Welcome New Staff

From expanding leadership teams to newly created positions designed to better position organizations for accelerated growth and scale, the meetings and events industry remains a plentiful source of expansive opportunities for hard-working professionals seeking career advancement. Take a look at the latest people moves!

Spring continues to blossom with a slew of new hires and promotions at trade show and event-related organizations across the U.S. and abroad. Here’s the latest news about professionals in the trade show industry that you need to know!

Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.  Remodeled Guest Rooms MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las more