On the Move
Workin’ It
Scentiments Florals and Director of Special Events Joey Galon joined to create Venice, Calif.-based Scentiments Events Company . Malta-based Corinthia Hotels International (represented by Chairman Karmenu Vella) signed an exclusive collaboration agreement with the Association of Master Chefs of France (represented by Michel Blanchet) that will enable CHI to regularly send chefs to France for specialized training. Homewood Suites by Hilton opened the 92-suite Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel in Brighton, Mich. International Association Executive magazine forged a partnership with ConventionPlanit.com that will provide advertising and promotional opportunities for both organizations. The Los Angeles Convention Center completed a major technology enhancement by converting its data backbone to a one-gigabit single-mode fiber optic network. Convention planners and trade show exhibitors are now able to transmit data at higher speeds with more reliability, easier service installation and higher bandwidth capacity levels. The International Card Manufacturers Association hired CMA Association Services Group to coordinate its spring workshops. The Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro Hotel officially opened.
On the Job
Jill Demeter was named catering sales manager at the Sheraton Orlando North in Maitland Center. The Meetinghouse Companies Inc. added David Halsey as floral director and promoted Steven Kalapsa to producer specializing in holiday décor. Jay Decker was named director of business development for MICE Creative. Claudia Aubuchon joined the central division of the Conferon Global Services sales network. The San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau appointed David Peckinpaugh as president and CEO. Don Mauchan will oversee all product development for Face Place LLC. Katie Serafin joined Minneapolis-based Martin Bastian Productions as an executive producer. Amy Brown joined the George R. Brown Convention Center’s sales team as sales manager. Worktopia appointed Brian McCabe as executive vice president. Merestone hired Janet Erickson as an account executive. John O’Connell Jr. was named executive vice president and COO of Dallas-based Freeman; Rob Engelhardt was promoted to general manager of its Orlando operation; Doug Van Ort was promoted to senior vice president, central division. MJM added Maris Newbold to its Washington, D.C., office as vice president of strategic development.
Awards and Achievements
Richard S. Pollak of Rainbow Entertainment was named the gold, silver and bronze award winner for entertainment production by the International Festival and Events Association. Molly Wolfe, CSEP, a program manager at Pacific Partners, became a Certified Meeting Professional. Will Childers celebrated his six-year anniversary with Huntsville, Ala.-based Mullins Five Points Rental; Deneen Calavitta celebrated her one-year anniversary. St. Petersburg, Fla.-based event design company conceptBAIT was a finalist in the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Business of the Year, Entrepreneur Academy Graduate category. Beth Goodell, president of ReServe Interactive, was named a 2005 Businesswoman of the Year by the Business Advisory Council of the National Republican Congressional Committee. UVLD lit the 26th New York International Orchid Show. Golf Magazine rated the Walt Disney World Resort a Gold Medal Resort. Edwards gourmet desserts won four blue ribbons at the American Pie Council’s National Pie Championship. TSEA awarded its CME designation to Nancy Hoppe, associate director, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals; Sylvia Gross, trade show manager, ITT Industries; and Harris Schanhaut, manager, events marketing, American Express.