LAS VEGAS — Chris Schimek, Freeman's general manager in Las Vegas, announced that Mike Lamoreaux has joined the company's Las Vegas operation as director of material handling.  Lamoreaux comes from Yellow Transportation, where he was senior director of exhibit services. He is replacing Terry Corbin, a long-time Freeman employee who is relocating to the Freeman office in Dallas.

A native of Las Vegas, Lamoreaux began his career in the exhibition and meetings industry working for GES and Freeman as a foreman. In 1996, he joined Consolidated Freightways as a tradeshow specialist, and later became national sales director.  In 2002, he joined Yellow Transportation as director of exhibit services, and in his most recent role, was responsible for all tradeshow related activities.  Mike has been active with ESCA for over 10 years, currently serving on its board of directors, and is also active in other industry organizations, including IAEE, TSEA and EDPA.

"We are very pleased to have someone with Mike's excellent reputation and experience join the Freeman staff here in Las Vegas," Schimek said.  "As we continue to grow in this market, Mike will be an integral part of maintaining our high standards of customer service and production efficiencies."

Lamoreaux has a degree in Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University, and is currently enrolled at Colorado State University where he is seeking an M.B.A.  He is relocating to Las Vegas from his current home in Dallas.

TWINSBURG, Ohio — Ed Shartar, President and CEO of Experient since 2004, will be stepping down as President and Chief Executive Officer as of June 6.

Under Shartar's leadership, Experient became a truly unified organization bound by a common strategy and vision. During his four-year tenure, Experient undertook a successful re-branding effort, extended its geographic footprint, aligned its internal structure to support an integrated approach to service, grew revenues, enhanced its presence in the corporate market space and successfully entered the government market.

"As a result of Ed's commitment and passion, we are well on the way to making our vision a reality," said Andrew W. Strauss, Chairman of the Board for Experient and partner with The Riverside Company, Experient's majority shareholder.

"Ed was initially signed to a four year contract, which was up for renewal, and with the strategy work behind us, Ed and the Board mutually agreed that the future focus of the CEO role needs to shift toward execution and operational excellence," said Strauss.  "And, we also agreed that the CEO should reside in one of our major operating offices.  Because of Ed's strong ties to the Atlanta community, he did not want to relocate his family.  For these reasons, the mutual decision was made not to extend Ed's contract."

Riverside is firmly committed to the vision and employees of Experient.  Presently, the Board is looking outside the company for a CEO whose primary charge will be to aggressively drive the continued execution of Experient's strategy - a plan the Board continues to support.  Strauss affirms that no radical adjustment to defined tactics or initiatives will occur in 2008.

The Experient board has appointed George S. Benson to serve as Interim President and CEO while the search is conducted. George is an operating partner at Riverside and has held a number of CEO positions in a variety of business situations including transitional, turnaround and growth. As interim CEO, Benson's focus will be on accelerating the pace of full and successful execution of the company's strategy. 

DALLAS — Don Freeman, chairman and CEO of Freeman, announced that Craig Smith, president of the U.S. audio visual solutions division of Freeman, has decided to retire as of September 30, 2008.

"Although we most certainly will miss Craig as part of our leadership team, we are very pleased that he will be able to enjoy a well-deserved retirement after many years of contribution to our company," Freeman said.

Smith's 40-year, full-time career in the industry began when he joined Freeman in 1969 after graduating from East Texas State University with a degree in marketing. He actually began his career in the convention industry earlier in 1964, when he worked part time for Sullivan Transfer Company, Freeman's freight division at the time.  Craig was first successful in sales as one of only three national sales managers for Freeman, and later moved up to become general manager of both the Dallas and Atlanta offices. In 1981, he left the company to become senior vice president of Andrews Bartlett and Associates, a regional convention services company.  When Andrews Bartlett was purchased by GES, he returned to Freeman in 1995 at the request of Don Freeman, where he has since served as president of the audio visual U.S. division.

"Since Craig rejoined us, the U.S. audio visual division has grown significantly, acquiring many new high-profile accounts, and expanding its service capabilities to include full digital services, webcasting, entertainment and other enhancements," Freeman said. 

Smith was presented the Buck Freeman Award in 2002, which is the company's highest honor for personal contribution to the success of the company the previous year.  In addition, Smith is well-known and respected for his contributions to the growth and professional development of the industry, including many leadership positions with major industry associations such as CIC, PCMA, ESCA and IAEE.