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 50^th 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 SITE’s interim executive director for two years.

Gregg joins SITE following her role as chief revenue officer with Meeting Professionals International (MPI). In the course of her career, she has worked across the full MICE spectrum in the business events industry, spanning the public and private sectors, corporate and associations, agencies and end-users.

“We’re thrilled to announce Annette Gregg as our new CEO knowing that the depth of her experience, the strength of her relationships and the clarity of her vision will help SITE navigate the road ahead and realize its vision to build and bridge cultures through the transformative power of incentive travel and motivational experiences,” said SITE President Kevin Edmunds.

ASM Global 

Global venue and event strategy and management leader ASM Global has named industry veteran Kelvin D. Moore as regional vice president and general manager of McCormick Place in Chicago. As general manager, he will focus on providing strategic leadership and day-to-day operational management as well as creating new programs and partnerships designed to differentiate Chicago as a chosen event destination.

A 30-year facility-operations veteran, Moore has held leadership positions at convention centers, stadiums and multi-purpose facilities throughout the U.S., most recently as regional vice president and general manager for ASM at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Prior to his time there, he served as regional general manager for Chicago’s Festival Hall Complex at Navy Pier. 

Moore succeeds David Causton, who served as McCormick’s general manager since 2004. During his tenure, Causton oversaw strong revenue growth as well as the convention center campus expansion, including planning and construction of the McCormick Place West Building and the construction of the 10,000-seat Wintrust Arena.

After less than one year with ASM Global as its executive vice president of marketing, Alex Merchán has been promoted to chief marketing officer, responsible for overseeing a global portfolio representing 20,000 events across 350 venues. In his new role, Merchán will spearhead ASM’s branding and positioning across key areas, including global partnerships, digital and CRM strategy, business development and advisory and investing efforts across the U.S. and internationally.

Since joining ASM Global, Merchán has also overseen all strategic marketing, PR, creative services and digital efforts across the ASM portfolio’s stadium, arena, convention center and theater network worldwide. He has also been actively involved with the company’s CSR Global Acts commitment to sustainability, community and DEI efforts. Previously, Merchán oversaw marketing for Live Nation’s Clubs & Theaters division following a decade of overseeing both sales and marketing at Hard Rock International.

More recently, ASM Global grew its commercial partnership division with three executive hires aimed at expanding the company’s leverage of its global portfolio of 350 arenas, stadiums, theaters, convention centers and entertainment zones.

Bringing more than 20 years of strategic consulting, brand marketing and commercial strategy experience to his new role as senior vice president, commercial partnerships, Bryce G. Townsend boasts a diverse background, including executive leadership roles at GroupM, Momentum Worldwide and the Drone Racing League.

After spending more than 25 years in various sports and lifestyle corporate sponsorship roles, including AT&T, NBA, MLS, the Summer Olympics and Host Communications, Kevin Dent has been appointed vice president, sponsorship sales and business development. 

New Director of Marketing Solutions Emily Wilson comes to ASM Global from Dotdash Meredith, the U.S.’s largest digital and print publisher, following roles at Time Inc. and Universal McCann.

Ungerboeck 

Global venue and event management software provider Ungerboeck has appointed seasoned software executive Alex Alexandrov as its new CEO. He joins Ungerboeck from SoftwareONE, where he served as a member of the executive board, COO and president of the Latin American region. 

During his tenure at SoftwareONE, Alexandrov and the executive team grew revenue by more than 300% and quadrupled EBITDA. He was instrumental in driving profitable growth, industrializing global shared service centers, building an M&A and post-merger integration program with 20 acquisitions and creating internal digital transformation. He also led the company’s successful IPO in 2019. 

Prior to SoftwareONE, Alexandrov served as a managing director at Thomas H. Lee Partners, where he participated and led investments in technology services and fintech with Systems Maintenance Services, CompuCom, Black Knight, ServiceLink, System One, Nielsen and FIS.

Aramark

Aramark, the exclusive caterer for the Anaheim Convention Center (ACC), has welcomed Bernard Foster as executive chef, responsible for leading the venue’s food and beverage program. In his new role, Chef Foster will bring a diverse and fresh perspective to the ACC by blending fusion foods and traditional cuisine from different cultures.

Foster has previously held executive chef positions at several Hyatt hotels and has been instrumental on the grand opening and renovation teams for numerous hotels worldwide. Through his work, he has remained committed to reducing his carbon footprint, a mission that aligns with Aramark’s existing sustainable sourcing commitments.

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