People on the Move This Month


Felicia Hamerman
UBM Americas has named Felicia Hamerman its new chief marketing officer. In this newly created position, she will provide direction and leadership to the company’s marketing teams. Hamerman will also further develop marketing strategies and capabilities at UBM’s events: trade shows, exhibitions, and conferences. Hamerman previously served as vice president of catering for the Catering, Chemical and Cruise (3Cs) portfolio under UBM Americas.

Brittany Cordova
Brittany Cordova has been promoted to assistant general manager at Elden Electrical Exhibition Services. Cordova, who works out of the company’s Anaheim office, joined the team in 2014 and played a major role in transitioning the new partnership with the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Rick Stoner
Derse has promoted Rick Stoner to the newly created role of vice president, sales and client strategy. Since 2015, he has served as director of marketing. In his new position, Stoner will focus on growth and retention strategies for key Derse clients, new business opportunities, and leading the client strategy department.

See more from the week of September 4.

Melissa Richter-Piraino
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) has hired Melissa Richter-Piraino as national sales manager in the convention sales division, responsible for maintaining and actively building the association segment in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland, for meetings ranging from 500–1,500 rooms on peak. Prior to joining the PHLCVB, Richter-Piraino spent more than seven years with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, most recently as a sales manager for group meetings and events at the Westin New York at Times Square.

Brian Hefner
ON Services, a GES company, has appointed Brian Hefner as executive vice president. Part of the GES team since 2013, he most recently served as vice president of strategy and planning for ON Services. Before joining GES, he worked for Accenture, where he oversaw high-impact strategy and operations consulting projects.

Carter Thorson
Inspira Marketing Group has named Carter Thorson vice president of client leadership. He has been with the firm since 2012, previously serving as account manager, experiential activation director, and senior account director before taking on his latest role. Thorson will assume his new position effective immediately as the primary contact between the agency and key accounts.

See more from the week of August 28.

Susan Salem Euritt
Susan Salem Euritt announced today the formation of Ruckus Strategic Partnership Consulting, where she will serve as founder and principal, to assist businesses requiring expertise with the creation, development, and implementation of meaningful marketing partnerships through strategic selling. Euritt has worked and collaborated with some of the largest brands in the business events industry, in the hotel, CVB, brand-agency, and association sectors.

Ed Svitak
Ed Svitak has been named president and CEO of VISIT Lake Geneva, the official Chamber of Commerce and destination marketing organization for the Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, area. Svitak brings more than 30 years of experience in direct sales and marketing efforts at hotels and destinations to the role. In his new position, Svitak will be responsible for the growth and development of the area by increasing tourist and business visits. 

Toby Purdy
The Expo Group has named Toby Purdy its new chief sales officer. Purdy, who has worked for family-owned firms and Fortune 100 companies alike, is a 25-year veteran in the trade show and events industry. He previously served at Freeman, Frito-Lay, Greyhound Bus Line, and Borden Dairy.

See more from the week of August 21.

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