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 picture: In her new role, Osorio leads data-driven strategies to grow TED’s reach across conferences, memberships, and partnerships. She oversees a team focused on boosting engagement, conversions, and brand visibility through multi-channel campaigns, while collaborating closely with TED’s Impact team to increase philanthropic support and educate new audiences on TED’s non-profit mission. 

Need to know: With more than a decade of marketing experience, Osorio previously worked as director of product marketing at Payroc/Worldnet Payments, where she applied her marketing skills to the financial technology sector, positioning embedded payment solutions for software companies, enhancing customer experiences, and driving growth through B2B strategies. Prior to that, she spent more than five years as head of marketing for leading fintech industry event Money 20/20, and as marketing manager for leading retail and e-commerce forum Shoptalk during its launch year. 

What she’s saying: “I’m incredibly grateful to help strengthen the close, personal relationship people around the world have with TED. It’s a privilege to connect more people to TED’s ideas, giving them access to insights that inspire growth, learning, and curiosity. Every conference, every talk, and every connection we foster brings ideas that impact people's lives, in both big and small ways. This work reminds me daily that marketing can be a powerful force for good, connecting people to ideas that truly make a difference.” 

Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority 

The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) promoted Jose Martinez to vice president of venue operations for Reno Tahoe. Most recently as executive director of facility operations, Martinez has served the Reno Tahoe community for more than 30 years, focusing on customer service, operations, and project management at Reno Tahoe-managed event and entertainment venues.    

Reporting to the CVB’s president and CEO, Martinez is responsible for managing the operations of Reno Tahoe’s four major event venues: the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno Events Center, National Bowling Stadium, and Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center. He is responsible for capital expenditures, resource management, staffing and operational budgets at all four venues, and also oversees the management agreement with Aramark, which was awarded the food services contract in 2022. 

Visit KC 

Visit KC has tapped 24-year hospitality and tourism veteran Brett Oetting as its first-ever COO, effective November 11. In his new role, Oetting will work in collaboration with Visit KC President and CEO Kathy Nelson to lead the Visit KC team, providing strategic leadership while working to shape and implement new initiatives to help redefine and grow Kansas City’s tourism and convention industry.  

Oetting joins Visit KC from Visit Corpus Christi, where he served as CEO of the award-winning Texas-based tourism organization. Prior to that, he was CEO of Visit Topeka, where he played an integral role in the recent growth of Kansas’s state capital.  

Oak View Group 

Oak View Group, operators of the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center and the Mobile Saenger Theatre, appointed venue and event management industry veteran Renee’ Browning general manager of the Mobile, Ala.-based facilities, where she will work to further enhance operations and the guest experience.  

Before joining Oak View Group in Mobile, Browning served as assistant general manager for the Broward Convention Center, where she spearheaded a $1.4 billion expansion project from conception to near completion. She previously served as regional director of sales at the Mobile Convention Center for 13 years. 

Louisville Tourism 

Louisville Tourism appointed 20-year hospitality industry professional Jason Sojka as vice president of convention development, responsible for 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 priorities for the convention sales staff, and establishing sales policies and procedures to maximize Louisville as a convention destination.   

Prior to joining Louisville Tourism, Sojka served as director of sales for the Ritz-Carlton Dallas as part of the opening team throughout a massive renovation and re-branding while the hotel was still operating. He also worked for Marriott International for several years in various Texas, Nebraska and Iowa markets, where he drove successful sales strategies and led sales teams. His tenured background includes myriad hotel and hospitality industry experience, including catering and event management positions held at various Marriott hotel properties. 

Brand USA  

Brand USA, the country’s destination marketing organization, made several new additions to its leadership team.  

As senior vice president, industry partnerships and engagement and chief development officer, Angie Briggs will lead the partner engagement team with a focus on increasing value to new and existing partners while expanding relationships with corporate and destination stakeholders. Bringing a wealth of experience driving growth and engagement through strategic partnerships, business development, and marketing strategy across multiple verticals, she most recently served as vice president, industry relations and destination engagement at the U.S. Travel Association. 

Chris Heywood, senior vice president, public relations and chief communications officer, will serve as chief media spokesperson and lead global PR, communications, and media relations, and is responsible for spearheading efforts to elevate the U.S. as a leading travel destination. Most recently, he served as senior vice president, global communications for the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. 

In the newly created position of senior vice president, innovation and chief AI officer, Janette Roush will lead the organization’s AI strategy and innovation initiatives to pioneer new paths for consumer promotion, trade and partner engagement. She previously served as executive vice president, marketing and digital for New York City Tourism + Conventions. 

As senior vice president, global markets and chief trade and product development officer, Malcolm Smith will lead the global trade engagement team, oversee product development and new initiatives to attract international meetings, incentives and events. A seasoned leader in the international inbound industry, Smith was previously senior vice president, business development and general manager of IPW at the U.S. Travel Association, where he led the largest inbound tourism trade show in the nation.  

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

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