Jun 17, 2022
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.
“This year is MPI’s 50th anniversary, an anniversary shared with Disney World and National Public Radio, among others—a lot was going on in 1972!” he said. “It’s thrilling to be able to celebrate this benchmark for the association, but even more… more
Jun 16, 2022
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!
JUNO
Corresponding with its Community solution expansion, digital engagement platform JUNO has promoted event, community and relationship-building expert Megan Martin to director of engagement. In this newly created, multi-faceted role,… more
May 30, 2022
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!
Visit Salt Lake
Visit Salt Lake recently… more
May 23, 2022
When asked how she started her career in convention facility management, Peggy Daidakis chalks it up to being in the right place at the right time. The much-respected convention industry veteran started her events career in the late 70s at the genesis of Baltimore’s meetings and events industry, cutting her teeth as an event coordinator and sales representative for the newly formed Baltimore Convention and Visitors Bureau (now Visit Baltimore), tasked with attracting conventions and trade shows to the soon-to-be-opened Baltimore Convention Center (BCC).
“I was working as an aide to the… more
May 20, 2022
As an 18-year-old professional cheerleader, Thuy Diep was so joyfully immersed in the tasks of organizing dinners, hotel arrangements, welcome events and competitions for her cheerleaders association, that she just may have been belting out her own personal cheer: “5, 6, 7, 8! Who do we appreciate? Event planners!”
During college, her curiosity for event planning became more intense, along with her enthusiasm for it.
“My major was public relations, and I realized that I was enjoying more of the event designing portions of PR versus writing all the press releases,” she explained. “Those… more
May 16, 2022
The second quarter of the year is moving full steam ahead as organizations covering all facets of the corporate events industry continue their robust hiring and promoting activities to fill key positions and reward hard-working staff with elevated titles. Take a look!
Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) has named Alex Batista vice president of convention sales. In his new role, Batista is responsible for managing the organization’s daily sales activities as well as assisting Senior Vice President of Convention Sales… more
Apr 28, 2022
Born and raised in the Hawaiian islands, Teri Orton’s passion for the hospitality industry started early. In fact, it’s part of her family legacy. Both her parents worked in hospitality, so she was born into and exposed to the industry as a small child, yet never felt the need to rebel against or stray from the family business as a young adult.
After majoring in communications at the University of Hawai‘i and advancing her training in hospitality management through various certifications with Starwood and Hilton Hotels, Orton stayed the course, spending more than 25 years holding an array… more
Apr 25, 2022
Event industry suppliers, CVBs and hospitality groups throughout the U.S. and across the pond are fine-tuning their teams and elevating staff via robust hiring and promoting moves. Take a look!
CORT
Leading furniture rental and transition services provider CORT recently announced the retirement of Executive Vice President Mark Koepsell after more than 34 years of dedicated service to the company.
After beginning his successful career with CORT in January of 1988 as national accounts manager, Koepsell soon became the director of national accounts, vice president of national sales and in… more
Apr 21, 2022
Some people are fortunate enough to be born into their life’s calling. Chef Purvill Chaney is such a lucky individual. A consummate culinary professional who discovered his passion for cooking while working as a chef in his parents’ restaurants in his hometown of Flint, Mich., the budding chef wasted no time in embarking upon a professional career path in hospitality after college, cutting his teeth as a sous chef at a local Hyatt Regency. Since then, Chaney’s long and storied career has included more than 27 years with Hyatt at a dozen different locations in multiple cities followed by a 15-… more
Apr 07, 2022
Hotels and event-related organizations throughout the country are scooping up new team members and elevating executives as the hiring frenzy across the events and hospitality industries continues unabated. Check them out!
Visit Seattle
Following a nationwide search, Visit Seattle and its board of directors have tapped hospitality veteran Tammy Blount-Canavan to be its president and CEO, starting May 9. As Visit Seattle’s first female CEO, she replaces 15-year leader Tom Norwalk, who retired earlier this spring.
With a rich leadership history spanning two countries and three decades,… 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