LVCVA’s Murphy, ConvExx’s Schwartz Make Moves

Lisa Plummer -- Tradeshow Week, 3/28/2008 11:53:00 AM

Among the local industry members changing jobs and getting promotions recently are Nancy Murphy, now with Advanstar Communications, and Jeff Schwartz, now with Encore Productions.

• MG Design Associates has hired Julia Casale as account manager. In her new role, Casale will oversee client projects; work with account executives on sales; coordinate with design, production and estimating; and administer all aspects of exhibit development. She brings 10 years of marketing and account management experience to her new position.

• After six years as president and director of Wynn Resorts, Ronald Kramer has resigned. Kramer will leave the resort and gaming company March 31 to join New York-based manufacturing company Griffon Corp. as CEO. Prior to his role at Wynn, Kramer served as a managing director at investment banking firms Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and Wasserstein Perella & Co.

• Advanstar Communications has hired Nancy Murphy as director of venues, housing and travel. In her new role, Murphy will work with tradeshow teams to determine venue and housing requirements, develop and maintain relationships with hotels and venues, and negotiate housing contracts. A 25-year hospitality industry veteran, Murphy had been with the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority for 17 years, most recently as vice president of sales.

• Encore Productions recently brought Jeff Schwartz on board as sales manager of its tradeshow division. With 10 years of industry experience, Schwartz served most recently as sales manager at ConvExx. In his new role, Schwartz will manage the promotion and direction of sales and service activities, handle client generation and relations, and establish and drive sales campaigns.