Event-related organizations far and wide, particularly CVBs and suppliers, are elevating staff, welcoming new industry professionals and saying farewell to long-standing team members this month.

Huntington Place

Detroit’s Huntington Place welcomed Heather Anderson as its new marketing and communications director. She is succeeding Mary Klida, who has headed the downtown convention center’s marketing and communications efforts since 2010 and is retiring March 31.

In her new role, Anderson is responsible for leading the facility’s marketing and communications team and working closely with its sales and guest experience departments. She will also become an integral part of the LEED-certified venue’s award-winning sustainability program, heading marketing and communications to all customers and stakeholders to encourage zero waste practices and coordinating local Detroit green efforts with the convention center.

Anderson comes to Huntington Place from Cox Business Convention Center in Tulsa, Okla., where she served as its strategic marketing manager for more than two years.

Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) recently announced a bevy of promotions and a new hire.

Sheretha Bell was promoted to senior vice president, marketing and brand strategy, responsible for spearheading the strategic development and coordinated execution of ACVB’s integrated marketing efforts. With nearly 24 years of experience at the CVB, she will oversee audience engagement, creative partnerships, creative direction and brand leadership. Bell began at ACVB in August 2000 as a sales and marketing research specialist, and most recently served as vice president, brand.

In her elevated role as senior vice president, human resources, Cynthia Mokotoff is tasked with leading the overall people strategy of the organization, which includes talent acquisition, employee engagement and retention, learning and development, compensation and benefits programs, workforce management, compliance and succession planning. Mokotoff started at ACVB in 1999 and has held numerous roles in operations, finance and corporate events, supporting the board of directors, ACVB annual meeting and Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame.

Aubree Dumas was promoted to video production creator/producer, responsible for continuing to enhance ACVB’s visual storytelling capabilities. She joined ACVB as a content specialist in 2022 while completing her master’s program in digital media strategies at Georgia State University.

Promoted to senior director, partner activation and engagement and executive director, ACVB Foundation, Jo Ann Haden-Miller will continue to foster relationships with partners while overseeing collaborations, programs and co-op fundraising as well as annual ACVB Foundation initiatives. Beginning her tenure with ACVB in 1989 as manager, Central Atlanta marketing, Haden-Miller has held various positions with ACVB throughout the years.

With her promotion from junior graphic designer to graphic designer, So Jin Lee will continue to design collateral to ensure brand consistency and amplify destination appeal, and is responsible for developing engaging and innovative concepts, designs and templates across various platforms.

Lauren Dismuke Rushing was promoted to senior director, group markets, responsible for promoting Atlanta as a premier destination for meetings and conventions. She began her career with the CVB in 2011 as manager, group markets, progressing into new roles as senior manager, group markets and director, group markets.

In her elevated role as manager, human resources, Ankita Varman will take on additional employee relations responsibilities, become more involved with benefits renewal, ensure ACVB remains in compliance with employment laws and focus on improving the recruitment and onboarding process. She recently earned her SHRM-SP HR certification while serving as the CVB’s human resources specialist.

Candace Woodruff was hired as trade show project manager, responsible for managing the logistics for all trade shows, special sales events and familiarization tours, and to act as a liaison between sales, destination services, marketing and outside vendors. She joined ACVB as a sales administrative assistant in 2019 and assisted with the coordination of major shows on a part-time basis. Before joining ACVB, she worked with the AC Atlanta Hotel Downtown and the Marriott Southeast sales office.  

Promoted to data and analytics manager, LyLy Nguyen will have more responsibility over the coordination and execution of ACVB’s data management and analytics strategies and will work on an expanded range of data sources and analytical tools that can be shared with ACVB’s partners. Nguyen joined ACVB in 2022 as data and reporting specialist to assist with updating and refreshing reports. She previously served as administrative lab coordinator for Georgia State University.

Streampoint 

Streampoint, a marketing technology company specializing in events, recently tapped Chad Blaise as its new CEO to usher in a new chapter of innovation, strategic growth and advancement. Bringing more than a decade of expertise spearheading event technology ventures for industry giants, his career spans pivotal leadership roles at Microsoft, Event Farm, Bizzabo and Stova.

Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek

Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek has promoted 30-year hospitality industry veteran Clyde “Chip” Minick from senior sales manager to associate director of sales, responsible for assisting with the property’s day-to-day meetings and events business.

Before joining the resort, Minick served as senior account executive for Marriott International. He has also held various sales and general manager positions with properties throughout Florida, including Hutchinson Island Marriott, Sanibel Harbour Marriott, Casa Marina Resort, Bahia Mar Resort and others.

Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) recently announced several promotions on its communications and global tourism teams.

As senior director of strategic communications, Robin Bloom will spearhead efforts to refine PHLCVB’s domestic and international strategy. This elevation will involve leveraging the organization’s new collaborations with agency partners, expanding reach in key international markets and a renewed focus on advocacy.

Promoted to social media and content manager, John Ryan will use his skills for creating engaging short-form videos and social content, augmented by his new responsibilities to strategize content needs and keep track of the department’s project calendar.

Chelsea Ann Rovnan is now serving as social media content specialist, focused on managing PHLCVB’s daily social media activities across all platforms.

Melissa McClure has been promoted to senior global tourism sales manager, responsible for driving the development of sales and marketing strategies across European source markets, now expanding her scope to cover 14 countries.

Have some corporate event-related people news to share? Please send announcements and high-resolution headshots to lisa.savas@informa.com.

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