On the Move
Workin’ It
Louisville, Ky.’s Galt House Hotel & Suites lit its conservatory in pink every evening during October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. MQ Power opened a new facility in Lewisville, Texas. UV/FX, which creates custom UV scenic design, completed a painting as part of the Walking with Buddha attraction at Ngong Ping 360 in Hong Kong. Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club celebrated the completion of a multimillion-dollar capital improvement project with a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) introduced on-site recycling efforts during MAGIC International at the Las Vegas Convention Center; the LVCVA saved over $28,000 compared to the previous MAGIC show; MAGIC enjoyed cost savings of 100 percent on trash removal. Pembroke Park, Fla.-based ME Productions donated over 250 props, decorative items and assorted materials to local non-profits and groups. Janet Pickover launched Site Inspections Plus to help companies and associations find the right event venue. Donald J. Trump and Irongate announced plans to open Trump Ocean Resort Baja Mexico in North Baja, Mexico. MiamiPlus1, a destination management, vacation and meeting planning company specializing in Miami and the surrounding area, launched. Paradigm Shift Worldwide partnered with Chinese PR firm @PR to deliver event marketing, production and PR services. Sapsis Rigging provided rigging design, equipment, labor and supervision for New York Fashion Week. Australian integrated live events company Staging Connections’ event services group is now established in over 90 locations in six countries. Hilton Hotels Corporation announced plans to open a $27 million first-class hotel in Bogota, Colombia, scheduled for completion in mid-2009.
On the Job
Tim Olson was selected to lead AV Concepts’ lighting department. Jill Dotts was appointed foundation and fund development director for the International Association of Assembly Managers Foundation. Puff ’n Stuff Catering promoted Jennyfer Rahill to special event planner. Brad Gessner was named general manager of the San Diego Convention Center. Paul Kenny is Staging Connections’ new international creative director. Villa Christina, a Northern Italian fine dining restaurant and event facility in Atlanta, selected Andrea Georgakopoulos as executive chef. Shadow Mountain Productions Inc. appointed Matt Farmelant as director of sales. Reed Exhibitions appointed Kate Dobson to run the Reed Medical Education unit of Reed Exhibitions Americas. Gerhard E. Seibert was elected chairman of the PCMA board of trustees. David C. Holder was selected as president of the Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau. PRA Destination Management San Francisco appointed Shaina Kerrigan as account manager. Theresa Weiss joined Poretta & Orr of Doylestown, Pa., as manager of special projects. The San Diego Convention Center Corporation named Ron King director of event services. Lester Cobrin was appointed chief executive for all U.K. and European operations of Bandit Lites. Jerry Kern was promoted to vice president of global sales for Exhibit Works. Bill Dierberger was named the vice president of sales and marketing for Skyline Exhibits. Michael A. Valentino was appointed director of group sales at The Kahala Hotel & Resort in Honolulu. Molly Olk joined Chicago DMC CTC. Brian Murphy joined Aramark Harrison Lodging’s management team as national director of marketing; Jamie Hodgson joined as resident district manager for the Olympic Peninsula operations.
Awards and Achievements
LG Chem and Exhibitgroup/Giltspur were awarded Best Island Booth in the 800 to 1,500 square feet category by the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association. Columbia Hospitality Inc. was named one of Puget Sound Business Journal’s 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Washington State for 2006. Global Design Solutions’ BlueBeam and BlueDome product range won the Innovation Award at PLASA 2006. Experient employees Mariann Gorman, Mike Sullivan and Donna Kastner received an Experient Pinnacle Award. Carol Wallace, president and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, was named to Tradeshow Week’s Power Pack 100. Jamaica was named the Caribbean’s Leading Destination at the 13th annual World Travel Awards. The Passing Zone received the Award of Excellence from the International Jugglers’ Association. The Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre Catering Department earned the 2006 International Association of Congress Centres’ Apex Award for World’s Best Congress Centre. The Promotional Products Association International was awarded Best of Show in the IAEM 2006 Art of the Show Competition. 3D Exhibits received a 2006 Sizzle Award from Exhibitor for the experience it created at Exhibitor2006. The Balmoral in Edinburgh, Scotland’s was voted the Top Hotel in Scotland by readers of Celebrated Living. Mitchell Crosby of JMC Charleston made it in the November issue of Every Day with Rachael Ray. Video Production Specialists Inc., along with Sparks and Olesen Lighting and Video Production Specialists Inc., won a 2006 Silver Award from Event Design for Best Outdoor Consumer Event Exhibit/Environment. Chicago’s Hyatt Regency McCormick Place received the AAA Four Diamond lodging honor.