Hannah Deters
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) promoted Hannah Deters, CEM, CMP, SEPC to Vice President of Exhibitions and Events.
Deters will oversee IAEE’s global events portfolio and be responsible for setting long-term event strategy in alignment with IAEE’s strategic plan, while building and maintaining relationships with industry partners and key stakeholders.
Deters joined IAEE in 2019 as Events and Registration Manager, and has served in multiple roles since, including Director, Event Management, and Director of Events and Sustainability.
Chris Konecki
The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority announced Chris Konecki has been appointed as the new General Manager of McCormick Place, effective August 24.
The journey is full circle for Konecki, who began his career at MPEA and ultimately spent 16 years with the organization.
After MPEA, Konecki worked at the Chicago Automobile Trade Association for more than 20 years, overseeing the production of the Chicago Auto Show as, most recently, the Executive Vice President and Director of Auto Show Operations.
Joey Bartman
The trade show exhibit company Purple Exhibits promoted Joey Bartman to Lead Account Manager for all Orlando trade show projects.
He will oversee the complete client experience for all projects in the city, including early planning, design coordination, budgeting, production schedules, graphics, audiovisual requirements, freight, show services, installation, on-site execution and post-show follow-up.
Geoffrey Sauer
Messe Düsseldorf North America appointed Geoffrey Sauer as CEO and President, effective Aug. 17.
Sauer will work to further develop the existing trade fair portfolio while expanding new, sustainable event formats and business models, and further strengthening the collaboration and international connectivity between North America and Messe Düsseldorf’s headquarters in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Sauer has more than 20 years of leadership experience across the international trade fair, media and technology sectors and spent the majority of his career at RX.
Marie Browne
Marie Browne joined ReedPop as Senior Vice President, Head of ReedPop.
Browne will lead ReedPop’s U.S. business, working with teams across its portfolio to help flagship events flourish, strengthen relationships with creators, partners and exhibitors, and keep delivering unforgettable experiences for fans.
Browne was part of the founding team of New York Comic Con and has worked at RX for more than two decades. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President and helped shape the organization’s growth strategy by expanding the Functional Fabric Fair portfolio, supporting the evolution of PGA into a global brand and leading the development of RX’s Conferences business.
Chris Schimek
The Freeman Company (TFC) promoted Chris Schimek to President of Freeman Events & Exhibits.
Schimek joined TFC in 2005. In this new role, he will continue leading one of the industry’s largest event operations organizations, focusing on safety, rigor and helping clients create experiences that matter.
Jennifer Nicholson
Jennifer Nicholson joined the Seattle Convention Center (SCC) as its new Vice President of Commercial Strategy and Sales.
She will strengthen booking pace, optimize space utilization, build industry partnerships and advance Seattle as a premier event destination.
Previously, Nicholson was Area Director of Sales & Marketing for the Seattle Hyatt Collection, representing Hyatt Regency Seattle.
Julie Coker
Julie Coker will become President and CEO at Visit California on Oct. 1.
Coker is currently President and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions and has more than 30 years of hospitality and events experience, which includes roles at the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau and San Diego Tourism Authority.
Caroline Wright
Legends Global appointed Caroline Wright as Executive Vice President, North American Venues.
Wright has more than 30 years of executive leadership in sports and entertainment, specializing in multi-venue operations, capital project delivery and major event execution.
In this role, she will lead venue operations for Legends Global’s portfolio of North American arenas, stadiums, theaters and convention centers.
Wright was previously Senior Vice President & Chief Venues Officer at Tepper Sports & Entertainment.
Rachel Riggs
Rachel Riggs joined Visit Seattle as Vice President of Meetings and Conventions.
Riggs will oversee the organization’s sales and services departments and collaborate closely with the Seattle Convention Center and downtown hotels to drive the region’s meetings and events economy.
She has more than 30 years of industry experience and previously worked as General Manager, Environmental Strategy, at Maritz. In 2023, Riggs was inducted into the Smart Meetings Smart Women Hall of Fame and she has also earned the Event Industry Council President’s Award and PCMA’s Supplier of the Year award.