Oakley Dyer
Oakley Dyer was promoted to Chief Corporate Development Officer at Diversified.
Dyer joined Diversified in 2013 and has overseen its strategy and corporate development team through more than 30 acquisitions and dozens of new product launches: He will continue leading it and collaborating with brand managers across divisions to identify, evaluate and integrate acquisition and launch opportunities.
Dan Cole, CEM Fellow
Dan Cole, CEM Fellow, joined eMerge Americas as Senior Director, Partner Relations.
Cole’s more than 35 years of professional sales and leadership experience include positions at the International Spy Museum, AVIXA and the Consumer Technology Association™.
Samantha Grimaldi
Samantha Grimaldi was promoted to Vice President of Marketing for the Retail & Specialty portfolio of events at Clarion Events Inc. – North America.
She joined the organization in 2013 as a Conference and Marketing Manager and has held various other roles, including, most recently, Group Marketing Director. Before Clarion, she worked at RX as a Marketing Associate.
Grant Ogburn
Grant Ogburn joined Sparks as Chief Growth Officer.
He previously worked as Chief Growth Officer for Media North America at dentsu. As Global Chief Growth Officer at UM (IPG Mediabrands), Ogburn led a transformation that delivered billions in net new media billings.
He will extend his track record of client success to new brands and categories at Sparks.
Adam Charles
Sparks promoted Adam Charles to the newly created role of Chief Client Officer and head of Sparks’ Events & Experiences business.
Charles has worked at The Freeman Company for more than a decade in numerous roles, including Executive Vice President of its agency business, and joined Sparks in 2024.
In his new role, he will ensure every client partnership drives measurable outcomes and lasting results.
Lauren Ocoma
Clarion Events Fire & Rescue Group promoted Lauren Ocoma to Senior Vice President, Events & Brand Strategy.
Ocoma will focus on the overall strategy for FDIC International, the development of the event’s leadership team, strategic partnerships and expanding Clarion Fire & Rescue’s engagement with the fire and emergency services community beyond the annual event.
She will build deeper, more direct channels for customer feedback and insight, and ensure that the voices of the fire service, exhibitors and sponsors continue to shape every decision the team makes.
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.