People in the News
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 9/20/2004
Ray Gonzalez, 55, died Aug. 29 in Van Nuys, Calif.
Gonzalez was director of event management and services for the Pasadena (Calif.) Conference Center. Before joining the center in 2001, he was director of tradeshow development for the Assn. of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers. During his career, he was also director of operations for AMC Tradeshows, which produces the California Gift Show, and services manager for the Los Angeles Convention Center.
James Canfield, executive director of the Pasadena Conference Center, described Gonzalez as "one of the kindest, most dependable and even-tempered people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing."
Born in Los Angeles, Gonzalez was a theater management graduate of California State University Northridge, and began his career in stage production.
Gonzalez is survived by his father Joseph; sister Lee Wood; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Donn SanfordDonn W. Sanford, 64, died Aug. 30 in Tucson, Ariz.
In 1975, following an early career in journalism and broadcasting, Sanford founded association management company The Sanford Organization, which still bears his name. In 1989, Sanford and his daughter Donna launched EXPO magazine. He retired to Tucson in 2001.
Sanford contributed to the establishment of TS2- The Trade Show About Trade Shows, was a tradeshow manager and was among the original ASAE Certified Assn. Executives.
IAEM President Steven Hacker called Sanford "a true pioneer, entrepreneur and leader in the exhibition industry and industry media."
He is survived by his wife, Joyce; children Donna Phae Sanford, Angela Dion and James Bland; and three grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in the name of Donn W. Sanford may be made to the Gospel Rescue Mission, 326 W. 28 St., Tucson, Ariz., 85713.
AssociationsThe Natl. Business Travel Assn. announced the election of three directors-at-large to its board:
- Lynn Brunner, manager, travel management for Hospital Corp. of America
- Michael Lyons, commodity manager, travel, Avery Dennison
- Tracey Wilt, travel, meetings and incentives supplier manager, Xerox
The American Society of Assn. Executives and the Center for Assn. Leadership announced that Amy Ledoux has been named vice president of meetings and expositions.
Clifford "Rip" Rippetoe was recently elected to the board of the Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Assn. He is the vice president of E&D/I&D for GES Exposition Services.
As a result of its European partnership with Visit London, Meeting Professionals Intl. announced two staff changes:
- Titta Rosvall was promoted from European operations manager to European chapter relations manager.
- Hannah Pattison was hired to take Rosvall's place as European operations manager.
Mike Butts, formerly senior vice president of sales and marketing and interim president of Visit Charlotte, has been named its executive director. Butts will run the sales and marketing component of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, reporting directly to its CEO.
The San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau promoted Annette Gregg to vice president of its new destination services division. She joined the San Diego CVB in 2002 as director of convention services.
The Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau recently announced two promotions and a staff addition:
- Carol Motley was promoted to director of the bureau's Eastern regional office from director of sales, national accounts.
- Meghan Risch was named the bureau's director of public relations. Risch most recently served as assistant director of public relations for World Business Chicago.
- Mark Tester will be vice president of convention sales. Tester was most recently assistant vice president of sales for the bureau.
Michael Lesher was recently named vice president of sales and marketing for MICE DisplayWorks.
GES Exposition Services announced the following staff changes and additions:
- Mark McCutchan has been promoted to director of national operations for GES' New Orleans office. He joined GES in 1999 as logistic manager and later served as senior operations manager.
- Debbie Peatt has joined GES as sales manager in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Travel Technology Group hired Tamara McGiboney as regional sales manager. McGiboney most recently represented the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau as senior sales manager.
Jim Notarianni has been promoted to director of corporate marketing at Exhibit Works. An 11-year veteran of the company, Notarianni served most recently as director of museum services.
RES Exhibit Services promoted David Yauchzee to vice president of business development from his prior position as a senior account executive.
Facility ManagementSMG appointed new general managers for two of its facilities:
- Allan Vella was named general manager of Ford Park in Beaumont, Texas. Vella recently served as general manager of the Saginaw County (Mich.) Events Center, another SMG-managed facility.
- Mike Carrier has been named general manager of the Shreveport (La.) Convention Center. Carrier recently served as president and CEO of the Knoxville (Tenn.) Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Andrew Morris has been appointed CEO of The NEC Group in the United Kingdom. Morris previously held the same title for Earls Court and Olympia.
Global Spectrum, the Pueblo (Colo.) Convention Center's management company, named Christine Walters the center's general manager. Walters recently served as director of the Monroe (La.) Civic Center Complex.
Show ManagementAmerican Business Media announced three new members of its board of directors:
- Bart Catalane, president and COO, Ziff Davis Media
- Joseph Loggia, chairman and CEO, Advanstar Communications
- Jeffrey Klein, president and CEO, 101communications
