Jan 24, 2023
The corporate meetings industry is moving full steam ahead into 2023, with organizations far and wide continuing to welcome new leaders and fill newly created positions with experienced professionals. Here’s the latest people news you need to know!
Radisson Blu Mall of America
Radisson Blu Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., has tapped 36-year hospitality industry veteran Alberto Abreu as its new general manager, charged with providing leadership and strategic direction to all areas of the hotel. He most recently served as general manager of the Ennismore–21c Museum Hotel Oklahoma City… more
Jan 16, 2023
Leading hospitality partner Sodexo Live! has tapped proven international business leader Belinda Oakley as its new CEO, North America. Bringing two decades of foodservice management experience to her new role, Oakley is responsible for leading more than 20,000 team members at more than 150 partner venues throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Oakley replaces outgoing CEO Steve Pangburn, who will stay on with the company to help with the transition in an advisory capacity through the end of March 2023. Pangburn is stepping down in order to spend more time with his family in France, where he will… more
Jan 09, 2023
As the corporate events industry kicks off 2023, event-related organizations across the country are welcoming new leaders and promoting hard-working staff as they prepare for a year of growth, increasing demand and continued post-pandemic recovery. Take a look!
Destination DC
Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, D.C., recently appointed a new executive and senior staff to its leadership team.
Danielle Davis has been promoted to vice president of communications after joining the organization as director of communications in 2015. She… more
Dec 29, 2022
Straight out of college, Kelly Gleeson Smith knew she had fallen into her dream career after landing her first job in “meeting connection sales” at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, Texas. From the start, she reveled in what she described as the “power of meetings” that affect so many people.
“It was like a pebble falling into the water, and then the centrifugal rings just continue to expand,” Gleeson Smith said. “I thought, ‘Wow, this is an amazing industry.’”
She became very passionate about face-to-face interactions and where her career could go, traveling the world… more
Dec 15, 2022
Starting a new job in a difficult business climate can be challenging enough, but what about during the height of a global pandemic? That’s exactly where Claude Molinari found himself when he took the helm of Visit Detroit as its new president and CEO in January of 2021 as the global events industry was reeling from the impacts of COVID-19. A self-proclaimed extrovert by nature, Molinari’s outgoing and positive attitude certainly came in handy as he worked tirelessly to guide the CVB and its team through one of the biggest challenges travel and tourism has ever faced.
“It is important to… more
Dec 13, 2022
While the hiring craze that has consumed the corporate events industry over the past 18 months is beginning to slow, event-related organizations far and wide are still welcoming new and experienced talent to their teams, including established industry veterans, as they set their focus on success and growth in 2023. Take a look!
SITE
Just in time for its 50th anniversary, the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) has tapped business events industry veteran Annette Gregg as its new CEO, serving both SITE and the SITE Foundation. She takes the helm from Rebecca Wright, who served as… more
Nov 28, 2022
Taste Trends: Chef Walter Perez, Executive Sous Chef, Walter E. Washington Convention Center/Aramark
Growing up in Guatemala, Chef Walter Perez remembers watching his mom and aunt cooking and admiring their creative talent for combining different ingredients into their recipes, an admiration that inspired his journey into the culinary arts. Fast-forward almost three decades later, and you will find the award-winning chef infusing his talent and passion for food and culture into culinary creations bearing a unique Latin American flair that continues to please meeting and event guests at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., year after year.
“It’s truly a blessing to… more
Nov 15, 2022
While the job market may be cooling off across the nation, the meetings and events industry appears to be keeping steady as venues, tourism agencies, event tech companies and more continue attracting new talent, promoting staff and expanding their leadership teams.
Events DC
Events DC has chosen Angie M. Gates as its new president and CEO. Starting Nov. 14, Gates will guide the organization tasked with generating economic and community benefits for D.C. residents and businesses through impactful events. A 20-year veteran in event management, entertainment, film and public service with… more
Nov 08, 2022
Ask Kerry Painter about her celebrated career in the events industry and she will tell you she can’t imagine doing anything else with her life. As the director and general manager of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex in Raleigh, N.C., Painter is responsible for overseeing three downtown venues: Raleigh Convention Center, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts and Red Hat Amphitheater, as well as the nearby Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek.
As if that’s not enough to keep her busy, the award-winning venue professional also serves as the first vice-chair of… more
Oct 17, 2022
Despite rumblings of a slowing job market, the events industry is continuing its robust hiring and promoting momentum, with organizations far and wide filling executive roles with seasoned industry veterans and elevating strong-performing team members to new positions. Check them out!
Caesars Entertainment
Caesars Entertainment, Inc. has promoted 20-year sales and hospitality industry veteran Kelly Gleeson Smith to vice president of sales, meetings and events, responsible for leading the global sales strategy for meetings and events for the enterprise and overseeing a team of more than 120… more
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las more