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Kristina Thorne
Visit Seattle has named Kristina Thorne its new national account director for its Southeastern territory and sports market sales management. Thorne has nearly 10 years of combined experience in visitor center management and sports development and sales in Seattle’s Southside. Previously, Thorne worked as visitor center manager for Seattle Southside Visitor Services. In her new role, Thorne will promote and sell Seattle as a destination for conventions and meetings for associations and corporations. She will also work closely with the Seattle Sports Commission to book tournaments and programs into Seattle’s facilities and hotels.
Travis Poppell
The Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and the Global Center for Health Innovation, managed by SMG, has announced Travis Poppell as director of sales. Poppell brings more than 20 years of sales and leadership experience to his new role. Previously, he worked as director of sales at the International Exposition Center. Poppell also spent 16 years working in the hotel industry in Florida.
Rob Weinstein
Reed Exhibitions has appointed Rob Weinstein as vice president of marketing for ReedPOP West. In this position, he will lead ReedPOP West’s marketing team, which is currently overseeing five events including Agenda Shows, Agenda Festival, and ComplexCon. Weinstein has more than 20 years of industry experience, most recently serving as head of marketing for Men’s Journal.
See more from the week of June 4.
Erin Brungardt
Visit Omaha has announced the promotion of Erin Brungardt to direction of convention services. Brungardt started her career with Visit Omaha 11 years ago as convention services coordinator. In 2016, she was promoted to the position of convention services housing manager. In her new role, Brungardt will continue assisting planners with their events, work with the marketing team to create promotional content for meetings, and lead the day-to-day operations of the services team.
Ken Madden
George P. Johnson (GPJ), an experiential marketing agency, has appointed Ken Madden as senior vice president, digital engagement. In this position, Madden will amplify GPJ’s digital services offerings and team to a new level to further establish the company in the experiential space. Madden is a 20-year industry veteran who has worked on both the agency and client side. He previously served as senior vice president, head of engagement at GPJ’s sister agency, Shoptology.
Sarah Wexler
Hilton New Orleans Riverside has named Sarah Wexler its new director of events and catering. Wexler will be responsible for overseeing all catering operations on the property, including event planning and execution. Wexler has 10 years of event experience with Hilton Worldwide, and most recently served as the complex assistant director of events and catering for Hilton San Francisco Union Square and Parc 55 San Francisco.
See more from the week of May 28.
Nancy Walker
The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) has appointed Nancy Walker as the new vice president of sales and marketing. She has more than 20 years of experience in the trade show industry, and most recently worked as director of sales, North America, at Reed Travel Exhibitions.
Luis Mendez
Kimpton EPIC Hotel has announced the appointment of Luis Mendez as director of sales for the Downtown Miami property. Mendez will be tasked with planning and implementing sales and development programs for EPIC, with a focus on new and existing markets. Mendez has more than 25 years of international hospitality experience in sales and marketing. Most recently, he worked as associate director of sales and marketing at the InterContinental Miami.
Brian Falati
Skyline Exhibits has hired Brian Falati as manager of its regional service center in Las Vegas. Falati has worked in the industry for more than 10 years, and most recently worked at CORT as the assistant district general manager. In his new role, Falati will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Las Vegas Service Center.