Samuel Thomas
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
Jul 25, 2023
While some industries are known for slowing down in the summer months, the corporate event industry has been doing anything but resting idle, as evidenced by the extensive array of event-related organizations and suppliers continuing the industry’s ongoing hiring and promoting trend. Read on for all the latest People News you need to know! Associated Luxury Hotels International Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), a luxury global sales organization catering to the hospitality industry, has appointed Jim Perrin as vice president of sales for the Mid-Atlantic region. Boasting an… more
Jul 05, 2023
Throughout the nation, corporate event-related organizations are continuing to elevate team members, expand teams and tap experienced leaders as they prepare for strong third and fourth quarters this year. Take a look!  Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority  The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) has welcomed four new sales leaders to help grow meeting, convention and trade show sales for Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).  As vice president of destination sales, Rebecca DeLuca will oversee the sales and marketing efforts of LVCVA’s destination… more
Jun 06, 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
Jun 01, 2023
Event-related organizations, particularly CVBs and meeting and convention venues, have been busily appointing industry veterans to executive roles and promoting team members. 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 brings a wealth of experience in sales, events and… more
May 16, 2023
The U.S. corporate event industry is forging a strong Q2 as event-related venues and organizations across the country tap experienced industry leaders and appoint new team members to expand their growing teams. Take a look!  ASM Global Leading venue and event strategy and management provider ASM Global recently welcomed three event industry professionals to three convention centers in its expansive client portfolio. The Hawai‘i Convention Center in Honolulu welcomed Executive Chef Brooke Tadena to lead its award-winning food and beverage team. He brings more than a decade of culinary… more
May 12, 2023
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the U.S., a time to honor and recognize the contributions and influence of those in the AAPI community to the history, culture and achievements of the U.S., in addition to the industries in which they work. It’s also an ideal opportunity to learn about the AAPI community through their valuable insights. Corporate Event News checked in with five AAPI events industry professionals to get their thoughts on how their organizations support the AAPI community, AAPI event professionals to watch, advice for the next generation of… more
May 11, 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 01, 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 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
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