Oct 07, 2021
Joyce Leveston truly understands the transformative power of the convention industry. As a recent college graduate working part-time as a telephone operator at the newly built San Diego Convention Center in 1989, she witnessed how the nascent venue was poised to transform what was then a sleepy military beach city into a highly desirable tourism and convention business destination. From then on she knew she was hooked.
“I will never forget how intrigued I was as I watched the venue being built from the ground up,” Leveston recollected. “I just wanted to be a part of something bigger than… more
Oct 04, 2021
A bevy of new hires and promotions are moving at record pace as the event, hospitality and destination marketing industries continue to forge ahead, pandemic or no pandemic. Check out who’s moving in and up at event-related organizations across the country.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Bill Liedholm has been appointed general manager of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Miramar Beach, Fla, where he will serve as its ambassador while overseeing its leadership team and all day-to-day operations. As a mentor to staff, he will lead the resort team in delivering consistent, unique… more
Sep 20, 2021
While the words “startup” and “epiphany” seem to go hand-in-hand nowadays, a pivotal moment of realization is not what inspired Adam Riggs to create Frameable and build out its suite of remote-first digital experiences, including its virtual and hybrid event platform, Social hour.
“Many founder stories start with a magical ‘aha!’ moment—a sudden spark of inspiration an aspiring entrepreneur scribbles on a coffee shop napkin,” he said. “I don’t have one of those.”
What Riggs does have is an incredibly varied career that has led him to reflect on learnings from his many prior roles, including… more
Sep 13, 2021
From new leadership positions at leading organizations to management roles at new hotel properties, corporate event professionals are continuing to find fresh career opportunities as the industry forges ahead toward recovery. Here’s the latest people news to keep on your radar:
Associated Luxury Hotels International
Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) has welcomed 25-year meetings and events industry veteran Silvia Zamora as its new vice president of meeting design and experience. In this executive role, Zamora will lead and accelerate the global sales organization’s vision for… more
Sep 09, 2021
Ellen Schwartz isn’t exactly afraid to speak her mind. In fact, being outspoken is more like her superpower. A dynamic yet down-to-Earth industry professional who has worked for more than 40 years in the trade show and events industry, she exudes the kind of confidence that comes from years of experience and the wisdom gained from working her way up the ranks in show management, convention center sales and marketing roles and finally, venue management.
In this first edition of our new interview series about women in leading roles in the meetings and events industry, TSNN had the privilege… more
Aug 27, 2021
The flurry of hiring and promoting in the corporate events industry continues, with event and destination organizations expanding staff and bringing on industry veterans to lead up teams. Take a look:
Banzai
Leading SaaS-based engagement marketing solutions company Banzai has appointed Ashley Levesque as its new vice president of marketing. She comes to Banzai from webinar platform Demio, which the company acquired in February, starting as an executive assistant and working her way to senior executive in just five years.
A results-oriented, impact-driven communications professional,… more
Aug 20, 2021
After 16 years as an extraordinary leading advocate for all segments of the travel industry, including meetings and events, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow recently announced his plan to retire in July 2022.
U.S. Travel’s board of directors extended Dow’s contract after he agreed to stay for one more year, continuing to advocate for the industry as it recovers from the financial devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The board is very grateful to Roger for his steadfast leadership and profound influence on this industry and for strengthening U.S. Travel as a key… more
Jul 27, 2021
Mirroring the red-hot U.S. job market, the meetings and events industry is continuing to experience a deluge of new hires and promotions as it works to get back to normal. Check out who’s moving up the ladder at a host of organizations across the events spectrum:
Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Randy Fiveash has been named interim president and CEO of the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau in Fayetteville, N.C. Charged with leading and directing strategic planning and executing research-based marketing, sales and public relations, he will also work to… more
Jul 21, 2021
The Greater Miami CVB appointed David Whitaker as its new president and CEO following a six-month executive search by a 14-member committee comprised of local business and community leaders who reflect Miami-Dade County’s rich diversity.
The appointment is a homecoming for Whitaker, who worked for the Greater Miami CVB from 1990-2007, most recently as executive vice president and chief marketing officer. He then went on to serve as president and CEO of Tourism Toronto for eight years then president and CEO of Choose Chicago for five years.
“David brings back to us a rare and powerful… more
Jul 19, 2021
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) and Corporate Event News are pleased to announce the appointment of Lori Tenny as Editorial Director. She is an award-winning editor, writer and strategist who has worked in publishing for more than 25 years, 16 of which have been spent covering the meetings and events industry.
In her new role, Tenny will be overseeing TSNN, the No. 1 online news source for the trade show industry, and Corporate Event News, an online news publication for corporate event planners and professionals.
"TSNN and Corporate Event News are extremely fortunate to have Lori joining on… 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