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ARLINGTON, Va. — The Consumer Electronics Association announced that Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney-ABC Television Group; Mike Griffith, president and CEO, Activision Publishing and Dirk Meyer, president and CEO of AMD will deliver addresses at the 2009 International CES as part of the Industry Insider Series. Produced by CEA, the 2009 International CES, the world’s largest tradeshow for consumer technology, will return to Las Vegas, Jan. 8-11, 2009.

“We are thrilled to welcome this dynamic lineup of Industry Insider speakers to the 2009 International CES stage, each representing key markets in the consumer technology industry,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “Anne Sweeney has been instrumental in merging the worlds of technology and content to allow greater access for consumers, and Dirk Meyer and Mike Griffith are true pioneers shaping the future of the respective IT and gaming markets. CES attendees will gain incredible insight from these industry leaders regarding the next generation of technology innovations.”

Dirk Meyer, president and CEO, AMD, will kick off the 2009 Industry Insider Series with an address at 11 a.m., Thursday, January 8. Anne Sweeney, co-chair Disney Media Networks and president, Disney-ABC Television Group, will deliver Thursday afternoon’s Industry Insider address at 2:30 p.m. Mike Griffith, president and CEO, Activision Publishing, will round out the series with an address at 11 a.m., Jan. 9. All Industry Insider addresses will take place at the Las Vegas Hilton theater.

In 2004, Anne Sweeney was appointed co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney-ABC Television Group, where she is responsible for The Walt Disney Company's entertainment and news television properties globally. Sweeney oversees the ABC Television Network, which provides entertainment, news and kids programming to viewers via 228 affiliated stations across the U.S. in addition to other technological platforms. ABC series, many of which are produced by ABC Studios, are distributed to more than 200 territories across the globe by Disney-ABC Worldwide Television. She also oversees Disney Channel Worldwide, which has created such global franchises as “High School Musical,” “Hannah Montana” and “Camp Rock” starring the Jonas Bros. Since assuming her current role, Sweeney has repeatedly been named the "Most Powerful Woman in Entertainment" by The Hollywood Reporter, one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Business" by Fortune and one of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women" by Forbes.

Mike Griffith has served as president and CEO of Activision Publishing Inc., since June 2005. A leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products, Activision Publishing’s portfolio contains some of the biggest franchises in interactive entertainment, including Call of Duty and Guitar Hero. During his tenure, Activision’s net revenues have more than doubled and the company achieved some of the highest operating margins in the industry. Prior to joining Activision, Griffith had a 23 year career The Procter & Gamble Company, a manufacturer of consumer goods products, serving most recently as president of The Procter & Gamble Company's Global Beverage Division.

Dirk Meyer is president and CEO of AMD and also serves on the company’s Board of Directors. Prior to being named CEO in 2008, Meyer served as president and COO of AMD. From 2001 to 2006, Meyer led the company’s microprocessor business, overseeing related R&D, manufacturing, operations and marketing. His leadership during these five years resulted in a doubling of revenue for the microprocessor business and a substantial expasion of AMD’s global profile. Meyer joined AMD in 1995 and led engineering for the AMD Athlon microprocessor. As one of the world’s leading microprocessor design innovators, Meyer was presented with the prestigious Association for Computing Machinery Maurice Wilkes Award at the 2003 International Symposium on Computer Architecture.

The 2009 International CES will feature more than 2,700 exhibitors introducing the latest consumer technology products throughout 30 product categories including digital entertainment, high performance audio, digital imaging, electronic gaming and more. For more information and to register to attend the 2009 International CES visit www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for CES information.

Follow the 2009 International CES on Twitter at twitter.com/2009CES and visit the International CES Page on Facebook.

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NEW YORK— “Best of Show” new products were named at the 2008 New York Spa & Resort Expo and Conference and Medical Aesthetics Conference and Expo, and recognize the brightest stars in the spa, resort and medical aesthetics industries.  The New Product Showcase winners in both the spa and medical aesthetics categories were selected by a distinguished panel of judges from SpaFinder, a 360-degree media marketing and gift certificate company dedicated to the global spa marketplace.

The “Best of Show” award for best new spa product went to Susan Ciminelli, www.susanciminelli.com.  Susan Ciminelli’s products include Cleansing Milk face and eye make-up remover, Algae Deep Cleanse enzymatic skin polisher and Seawater, which drives moisture deeply into the skin.

The “Best of Show” award for best new medical aesthetics product was awarded to DoshaCare, www.doschacare.com. DoshaCare skincare products combine Ayurvedic healing with western science for customized skincare, using a “Skin Dosha” to decide which products are best for each individual’s skin type.

The “New and Notable” product winners include:

• AngelFeet, www.angelfeet.com – AngelFeet Pedicure Files are one-piece surgical stainless-steel products that don’t cut or grate the skin and are autoclave-safe. AngelFeet Pedicure Files are long lasting, and remove the toughest calluses.
  
  
• Blinc Inc., www.blincinc.com – Blinc Inc. Kiss Me mascara is not paint-based like traditional mascara. Instead, it relies on an acrylic co-polymer that formstiny little tubes around the lashes. As a result, Kiss Me doesn’t run, smudge, smear, flake, or clump.
  
  
• Bethesda Skincare, www.bethesdaskincare.com – Bethesda Sunscreen Soap contains a combination of healing and therapeutic properties. It not only moisturizes skin, but it also protects the body from the harmful rays of the sun by leaving behind an unnoticeable protective layer that provides daily sun protection.
  
  
• Clarisonic, www.clarisonic.com – Oscillating back and forth at a sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second, the two dynamic zones of the Clarisonic Skin Care System work with the skin, not against it for deep cleansing.

“We are so pleased with the quality and variety of the new product submissions this year, and choosing ‘Best of Show’ winners has never been so challenging,” said Susie Ellis, President of SpaFinder. “With so many innovative new products and technological advancements debuting at the Spa & Resort and Medical Aesthetics events, industry professionals and consumers are in store for truly great things in the coming year.”

As the only trade event that caters to both the fast-growing spa and medical aesthetics industries, the Spa & Resort Expos and Conferences and Medical Aesthetics Conferences and Expo are the ultimate resources for cutting-edge industry information, product innovations, technological advancements, and access to the newest developments in service and treatments.

For detailed descriptions of new products, exhibitors, events, conferences, and speakers at the 2009 Los Angeles Spa & Resort Expo and Conference and Medical Aesthetics Conference and Expo, February 21-22 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, visit www.thespashows.com.

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LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) have joined forces to increase their support of the community and the convention industry. The two organizations dedicated a new Convention Center Area Command this week.

“This facility is another example of the great benefits the visitor-paid room tax dollars provide to our residents,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of the LVCVA. “This partnership once again shows the commitment that the LVCVA and our resort partners have to this community.”

The Convention Center Area Command is located on the campus of the Las Vegas Convention Center and provides increased safety and security to the surrounding neighborhood and the tourism corridor.

"We are proud to provide the residents and tourists in this region with a new area command. We needed to make sure our city's core was not forgotten,” Clark County Sheriff Douglas C. Gillespie said. “In support of our Department vision to be the safest community in America, the CCAC's vision is to ensure we have the safest tourist corridor in the world."

The CCAC will begin operations on November 1 and service the area bounded by Sahara Avenue, I-15, Russell Road and Swenson Street. The facility will house one captain, four lieutenants, nine sergeants and 90 police officers. The Tourism Safety Unit will operate out of the new station in addition to car, bicycle, motorcycle and foot patrols.

The LVCVA partnered with Metro by providing the land and building the 26,000-square-foot facility as a part of the organization’s Enhancement Program for the convention center.  The LVCVA funded the construction of the $17 million facility and is leasing it to Metro on a long-term basis.

The LVCVA’s $890 million Enhancement Program will provide an overall facelift to the Las Vegas Convention Center, including a building-wide renovation and upgrade to critical infrastructure; adding a new meeting room concourse to the South Hall; adding a new grand concourse along Paradise Road that will connect all three halls and provide an unmistakable visual entrance to the facility. In addition to the new Metro facility, the LVCVA has also partnered with the Clark County Fire Department to construct a new fire station on campus as well.  The new fire station is expected to open in fall 2009.

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LAS VEGAS — JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa is offering an innovative opportunity for its customers booking group meetings to address climate change and improve the environment. The resort will contribute funds on behalf of its customers to protect the critically endangered Brazilian Amazonas rainforest for meetings booked between now and December 31, 2009.

For qualified green meetings/stays booked during select dates, JW Marriott Las Vegas will make a cash contribution equal to five percent of the total cost of the group’s guest rooms.  Donations will be made in the name of the group as part of Marriott International’s ongoing rainforest protection plan. This program will be available for meetings of 10 sleeping rooms or more booked directly with the resort’s sales department at 702-869-7031 or visit www.jwlasvegasresort.com.  All meetings must take place between now and Dec. 31, 2011.

“More and more, groups want to be ‘green’,” said Carmen Rubino, director of sales and marketing.  “By joining us in our effort to protect endangered rainforest and host green meetings, they will be helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that impact our climate.  Each year, rainforest destruction causes more carbon emissions than all of the world’s cars, trains, SUVs and trucks combined.”

JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa works closely with clients who want to design an eco-friendly green meeting and/or event using environmentally-friendly products and services. Examples include recycle bins in the meeting room, decorating with organic flowers, linen-less tables, name tag reuse and donating leftover food.

JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa features 548 oversized guestrooms set amid 54 acres of lush gardens. Located in Summerlin, 20 minutes northwest of the famous Las Vegas Strip, the resort is close enough to indulge in the city’s amenities, but far enough away to enjoy golfing on one of the courses surrounding the resort or explore beautiful Red Rock Canyon. Indulge yourself at JW Marriott’s luxurious Aquae Sulis Spa or lounge by the grass-edged pool. Plus, the resort features a wide selection of dining and entertainment options, from casual to elegant. All services and amenities synonymous with JW Marriott are at your fingertips when you visit.

LAS VEGAS — GES announced plans to extend its footprint at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre and offer a full portfolio of exhibition and event services to the Middle East though its United Kingdom company, Melville Exhibition and Event Services Limited, and subsidiary Melville Middle East.

Currently, Melville Middle East is the exclusive provider of venue services at ADNEC, providing rigging and specialist lighting features in addition to its exclusive provision of venue services such as electrical mains, piped services, primary rigging and floor mark out. The full services business will extend Melville's business into shell scheme, stand wiring, furniture, carpet, graphics, logistics, custom design and build, and data and registration.

"Abu Dhabi continues to be an important growth market and we are pleased with the progress of our operations there," said Kevin Rabbitt, GES president and chief executive officer. "ADNEC is a high quality exhibition center, and we are eager to launch a contracting service that is appropriate to that environment."

"We plan to expand our services in the Middle East market by creating a full service offering that leverages the innovations that we've developed across the GES Worldwide Network," said Melville Chief Executive Officer Nick Marshall. "Starting afresh in a market allows you to initiate the business in the optimal way and we intend to do that from our operating base in Abu Dhabi," continued Marshall. "Our intention is to operate all our core contracting services such as shell scheme and electrics from a Melville Middle East-run warehouse operation that will enable us to provide higher-quality products and service levels."

"Melville and the GES Worldwide Network have been great venue services partners," said ADNEC Chief Executive Simon Horgan. "Melville and GES are recognized as world-class exhibition contractors and this expansion of their services further establishes Abu Dhabi for growth in international shows."

"From our initial discussions with show organizers operating in the region, it is clear there is a demand for greater innovation, customer focus, and responsiveness from contractors operating in the Middle East," said GES Senior Vice President of International Jason Popp. "Melville has succeeded in the United Kingdom being a customer-focused exhibition and event contractor, and we plan to extend that philosophy to the Middle East," continued Popp. "This includes bringing our award-winning design expertise to the Middle East. Melville's design capabilities have allowed show organizers in the United Kingdom to differentiate the overall look and feel of their show."

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CHICACO — “Glass and Energy” was the main topic at glasstec 2008, International Trade Fair with Special Show glass technology live, where over 1,300 exhibitors from 48 countries presented their innovations for the glass industry. For the first time, the glasstec exhibitors occupied more than 785,700 square feet of net exhibit space. About 55,000 visitors — a slight increase compared to the 2006 staging — attended the event in Düsseldorf, Germany.

“Despite the tough economic situation, glasstec 2008 was extremely successful for all parties involved. Glass has an incredibly innovative potential – which producers, finishers and machinery manufacturers take advantage of. The solar theme, in particular, provided this year’s glasstec with fresh momentum,” commented Joachim Schäfer, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf.

Of the glasstec visitors, about 58 percent came from countries other than Germany. Among the most important countries of origin, France, Italy and the U.S. again recorded increased attendance figures. Over half the visitors held top management positions. As a result, exhibitors were extremely pleased with the trade fair. “For us glasstec this year was more successful than ever. It has fully lived up to its reputation of being the glass sector’s foremost trade fair in the world and proved to be a meeting point for visitors from around the globe. Many first-time customers signed important contracts on site where we installed a fully networked, automatic manufacturing unit at the stand,” stated Manfred Lesiak, Manager Marketing & Event at Lisec.

On the exhibitor side, 64 percent of the companies were from countries outside of Germany. The leading foreign exhibitor nations were Italy (206), China (152), the U.S. (64), the Netherlands (62) and Great Britain (50). The U.S. exhibitor figure includes 20 companies displaying the products within the successful North American Pavilion, organized by Messe Düsseldorf North America and co-sponsored by the National Glass Association (NGA).

In addition to solar technologies, topics covered by glasstec 2008 included the latest finishing and treatment technologies, innovations for technical glass as well as energy-efficient glass products and applications. Many solutions were presented to the public for the first time at glasstec 2008, including anti-microbial glass that kills up to 99.9 percent of all bacteria. Other innovations included glass which can be switched from transparent to frosted with the touch of a button and new thin-film modules for the solar sector.

The Special Show “glass technology live” during glasstec 2008 was a major attraction for visitors. The special exhibit with symposium provided interesting insights into the future of glass technology. The highlight was a bent bridge of cold-formed glass with a thickness of just 3.7 centimeters and a carrying capacity of seven tons.

Of special interest to visitors was also the International Architects’ Congress where internationally renowned architects, engineers and façade planners such as Lise Anne Couture of Asymptote Architecture in New York presented their latest projects.

Siegfried Glaser, Chairman of the glasstec Exhibitors’ Advisory Board, summarized the results of the trade show: “Both exhibitors and visitors are pleased. The industry reports to a large extend good orders, which means we can be optimistic despite the financial crisis.”

The next staging of glasstec will take place in Düsseldorf from Sept. 28 - Oct. 2, 2010. For further information on visiting or exhibiting at glasstec 2010, visit www.mdna.com.

RED BANK, N.J. — Exhibit Surveys, Inc., a leading provider of research and measurement services exclusively for the exhibition and event industry, announced a restructuring of its sales organization, including one promotion and two new hires.
 
Exhibit Surveys’ account executives are now responsible for developing business opportunities with exhibition/experiential brand marketing managers, and show organizer/association contacts instead of each specific market, as had been done previously. Each account executive has been assigned a regional U.S. territory.
 
“As our opportunities and customer base expands, offering the best quality research, measurement, and consulting services in the industry remains our priority,” said Joe Federbush, vice president of sales and marketing, Exhibit Surveys. “Expanding our team and providing one primary contact per territory is more efficient for us, and more importantly, our customers.”
 
Joining the Exhibit Surveys sales team are new account executives Jordan Adler and Richard Arneson. Former senior program manager Jennifer Mark has been promoted to account executive.
 
Adler is responsible for eastern regional sales.  Prior to joining Exhibit Surveys, he was an award-winning, top-selling sales leader, doing business development, sales, and marketing for leading office equipment manufacturers Canon Business Solutions, Ricoh Business Systems, and IKON Office Solutions. He holds a BS from Towson University, Towson, MD.  Adler is located at the Exhibit Surveys headquarters in Red Bank, N.J.
 
Concentrating on the central U.S. region is Richard Arneson, who brings over 20 successful years of award-winning sales and marketing experience with companies including Merrill Lynch, Sprint, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), and TalkRadio 1190 in Dallas. He holds a BA in English Composition and Language from University of North Texas. Arneson is located in the Exhibit Surveys branch office in Dallas.
 
Promoted from within Exhibit Surveys' ranks is Jennifer Mark, who is responsible for the west coast region. Mark began working for Exhibit Surveys in 1997 where she most recently excelled as a senior program manager. She holds a BS and MBA from Monmouth University, in West Long Branch, N.J. She is located at the Exhibit Surveys headquarters in Red Bank, N.J.
 
“Exhibit Surveys’ new territorial strategy requires solid, experienced sales leaders,” added Federbush. “Jordan, Richard, and Jennifer have all made considerable contributions to the success of many companies, and I am confident that their achievements will be significant for both Exhibit Surveys and our customers.”

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LAS VEGAS — Adam Schaffer, most recently a group publisher with 1105 Media, is now vice president for sales and business development with Green Media Enterprises, which currently produces Green East in New York and Green West in Southern California. Schaffer was publisher of Tradeshow Week until August 2007.

Long-time Recharger employee Patricia Ames was named Recharger Publisher. Ames has most recently served as Director of Global Events for Recharger.

Ames has several years’ experience in foreign business relations. Immediately prior to joining Recharger she was managing director at Equasphere Technology Consulting, a consulting firm for the telecommunications, semiconductor manufacturing and automotive industries, in Malaysia. There she specialized in startup development, marketing strategies and capital acquisition.

Prior, she was a senior consultant for San Francisco Consulting Group in the Netherlands, where her primary duties were site selection analyses for European call centers. Her primary clients included computer, electronic and automotive manufacturers as well as economic development agencies and government organizations. Ames also spent five years as an acting special envoy for foreign investment for LEG Thueringen, a semi-governmental trade and promotion board, in Germany. There she designed and implemented promotional strategies for the federal German and state governments and sales offices in Tokyo, Los Angeles and Paris.

"We are thrilled to have Patricia in this position," said Neal Vitale, CEO of 1105 Media. "Her international expertise and experience are enormous assets as we look at the opportunities for continuing to developing the Recharger franchise worldwide, and her business acumen has been and will continue to be of incredible value to the Recharger group."

Ames has bachelor’s degrees in economics and business finance and obtained her MBA in marketing and international business. In addition to English, Ames is fluent in German.

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By Barry Siskind

I’m lucky in many ways. Each year I get to meet thousands of people live or on the internet. What they all have in common is their desire to get more from their exhibit investment.

When I’m asked questions I keep them in a file and every once an awhile I get a chance to clean the file out and start over again.

So, here are four recurring questions I’ve been asked many times during the past year. I hope some of these answers are helpful.

[CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF SISKIND'S COLUMN…]

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CHICAGO — SmithBucklin, the world’s largest association management company, announced today that SmithBucklin Executive Vice President Michael Payne has been named the 2009 Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Education Foundation.

PCMA is the professional resource and premier educator for the meetings and convention industry, whose mission is to deliver superior and innovative education and promote the value of professional convention management.  Formed in 1985, the PCMA Education Foundation supports the mission of the PCMA through fundraising and grant giving focused on education and research that will benefit the meetings and conventions industry.  During the past 23 years, the Foundation has developed numerous educational offerings and has contributed to the creation of important industry research.

As executive vice president at SmithBucklin, Payne is the company’s executive representative to the hospitality industry.  In addition, he is responsible for the oversight of the Washington, D.C., and St. Louis office operations, as well as SmithBucklin’s service offerings worldwide, including those offered by the SmithBucklin + MCI Global Partnership.  Payne also serves as the executive director of the International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores, an international trade association of approximately 500 company members.  He is a member of SmithBucklin’s Board of Directors.

 “I had the pleasure of working with Michael when he was chairman of the PCMA Board of Directors and I truly look forward to working with him again as he leads the PCMA Education Foundation in 2009,” said Deborah Sexton, president and CEO of PCMA and president of the PCMA Education Foundation.  “His leadership skills and knowledge of PCMA and the industry will help ensure success for our foundation.”

Prior to joining SmithBucklin in 1980, Payne held several U.S. government positions, including deputy to the assistant secretary for congressional affairs in the U.S. Department of Commerce.  He also worked in the Department’s Office of Coastal Zone Management and the Economic Development Administration.  He has held many PCMA volunteer positions, including chairman of the PCMA board in 2004, and was recognized as the PCMA Education Foundation’s 2007 Meeting Professional Honoree.

Payne has also served on the board of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research and on several visitors bureau and hotel advisory boards including Hilton Hotels, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, and Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. He is a member of Meeting Professionals International and ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership.

Henry S. Givray, chairman and CEO of SmithBucklin, said, “I congratulate Michael on this appointment, which is a result of his passion, dedication and stature within our industry.  SmithBucklin remains committed to participating in a meaningful way with our partners in the hospitality community.”

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WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. — Kalahari Resort announced that Joey Greeno, senior convention sales manager, has been honored with the 2007-2008 Rising Star Award by the Wisconsin chapter of Meeting Professionals International. Meeting Professionals International is a community of colleagues involved in shaping the meetings and events industry through professional development, education, networking and leadership opportunities.

The Rising Star Award is presented to a newer member of the chapter who has become an active part of the organization. This award is designed to recognize an individual whose time and efforts put them on a path to becoming one of the chapter’s next leaders.

This year's Rising Star, Joey Greeno, has more than 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry and has been a senior convention sales manager at Kalahari Resort for the past five years. Greeno began his career as a restaurant host and has worked in almost every hotel department, allowing him to provide meeting planners with the intricate property knowledge needed to plan successful meetings and events.


Since joining MPI in 2007, Greeno has been an active member by attending monthly meetings and assisting in planning events including the annual golf outing and fall symposium. Greeno has also worked diligently with his own employer, Kalahari Resort, to support the chapter by donating raffle prizes at monthly meetings and special events.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Hospitality industry veteran Phil Coffey has been named general manager at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. Coffey brings more than three decades of hospitality industry experience to Gaylord Hotels.

In his new position, Coffey will focus on solidifying Gaylord National’s position as the leading meeting and convention property on the East Coast and will oversee all aspects of the resort and its management team, including hotel and convention center operations.

Most recently, Coffey spent eight years as the general manager of Marriott’s Orlando World Center Resort, one of the largest convention hotels in the Florida market.

He also served in several senior management positions with Marriott International, Inc., including market vice president of Florida and market manager for all lodging brands in Tennessee.

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TWINSBURG, Ohio — George Benson, acting president and CEO of Experient, announced today that Rick Binford, CMP, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer will be assuming Experient’s top sales position in his new role as Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing.  Binford has been serving in this capacity on interim basis since the position was vacated earlier this month.

“Rick’s extensive background in integrated marketing and sales leadership makes him an ideal candidate to lead Experient’s newly combined sales and marketing organization, said Benson.  “His performance as CMO and broad experience in sales management make combining the functions a true fit for efficiency and success going forward.”

Binford joined the firm in 1999 and is credited with building the Experient Sales Network, the company’s independent sales representative system. Under Binford’s leadership, the Sales Network created over 350 new clients and has generated over $20 million in new revenues for Experient. Later as Vice President, Corporate Sales and then Field Sales, Binford led efforts to expand Experient’s service capabilities.  Prior to joining Experient, he held a variety of senior sales and marketing leadership positions at both the Metropolitan Detroit and New York City Convention and Visitors Bureaus.