Dec 17, 2024
As the business events industry moves into the holiday season, myriad organizations and suppliers announced good tidings in the form of leadership appointments and executive promotions in November. Here’s our roundup on corporate event moves last month.
CEN’s take on the biggest move in November: Twenty-four-year events industry veteran Russ Callahan was recently promoted from vice president of sales and operations to Chief Revenue Officer for Quest Events, where he is responsible for overseeing sales leadership, marketing strategy, strategic planning, and customer experience.
The big… more
Nov 29, 2024
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), which generated more than $500 million in economic impact for Toronto and the Province of Ontario during its 2023/24 fiscal year, appointed Kathy Haley as its new president and CEO, effective November 26. She takes over the position from MTCC Interim President & CEO Ron Pellerine, who held the position for the last year.
Haley, who most recently served as chief customer experience officer for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ), makes history as the first woman to hold this position at the MTCC, which is celebrating its… more
Nov 15, 2024
In October, meeting and conference organizers, and suppliers welcomed new talent and promoted seasoned professionals as the corporate event industry continues a bustling fall and turns its attention toward a strong finish to a busy year. In addition to the news that Julie Coker has been tapped to lead NYC Tourism + Conventions, here’s our recap of corporate event moves in the last month.
CEN’s take on the biggest move in October: Conference producer TED promoted Sabina Osorio from director of marketing and customer engagement to senior director acquisition and growth marketing.
The big… more
Nov 11, 2024
Look up “bad-ass event professional” and you’ll likely see a photo of Monique Ruff-Bell next to it. As the chief program and strategy officer for TED, producer of world-renowned TED conferences, Ruff-Bell isn’t afraid to push boundaries and disrupt TED’s winning formula to keep its events compelling, engaging, memorable, inclusive, and always on-trend.
Since joining TED almost three years ago as its head of events, following a transformative tenure at leading FinTech event Money 20/20, this seasoned event strategist has found ways to leverage TED’s leading platforms and legacy of… more
Oct 25, 2024
In less than two months, Julie Coker, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA), will leave San Diego to lead New York City Tourism + Conventions as its new president and CEO. Coker will remain in her current role until December 6.
As the first Black woman to serve as leader of NYC Tourism + Conventions, Coker will be filling the role of former President and CEO Fred Dixon, who served as the organization’s leader for 10 years, from 2014 until his departure in June 2024, when he was tapped to lead Brand USA. Since Dixon left the organization on July 15, Nancy Mammana, CMO… more
Oct 11, 2024
September was another active month for the corporate events industry, especially among industry suppliers, with organizations across the U.S. tapping new leadership, promoting seasoned staff, and welcoming experienced professionals to executive teams.
CEN’s take on the biggest move in September: Tavar James has joined the executive team of AI-powered, full-service event planning and services platform BoomPop as its new vice president of events and industry advocacy.
The big picture: James most recently served as head of events and experiences at virtual professional coaching platform… more
Sep 06, 2024
A record number of business event professionals are now working full-time as freelancers, according to a recent study designed to highlight the motivations, demographics, and work values of independent workers in the events industry.
In fact, across all industries, the independent workforce trend has significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 36% of the U.S. workforce across all industries engaging in freelance work in 2023, an increase of 4 million total professionals from 2022, according to a December 2023 study conducted by leading online freelance marketplace Upwork. … more
Aug 16, 2024
This summer, event planning companies, hotels, and suppliers blazed hot with talent acquisitions and promotions, attracting experienced industry professionals and young talent alike as they prepare for a robust fall season.
CEN’s take on the biggest move in July: Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide welcomed Lauren Parr as its chief meeting and exhibits officer, responsible for overseeing Optica meetings and events. Bringing a robust background in scientific program development, instructional design, and event strategy to her new role, Parr boasts more than 20 years of experience… more
Jul 29, 2024
Ask Visit California President & CEO Caroline Beteta about her path into the destination marketing industry, and she will share that she has always been interested in the power of connection in bringing people together, particularly those who may otherwise have different goals and business objectives.
A California girl through and through, Beteta grew up and went to school in the southern part of the Golden State, graduating from UCLA with an undergraduate degree in political science, earning her masters in public administration, and completing the Stanford University Graduate School of… more
Jul 16, 2024
To address the meetings and events industry’s gender gap in leadership roles and equitable pay, talent platform Soundings recently launched Soundings Elevate, a new customized career coaching service created to help elevate the careers of business event professionals.
“I am deeply passionate about advancing the careers of women, not only as a female founder and business owner who has navigated these challenges but also as a leader who believes in the transformative power of diversity and inclusion for driving equity, innovation, and collective business success,” said Tracy Judge, founder and… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is more