Ellen Beckert retires from Freeman

Industry veteran was integral part of company, industry

DALLAS — Ellen J. Beckert is retiring as Freeman's corporate director of marketing and communications effective April 24, after 32 years with the company. Over that time, she witnessed the dramatic growth and development of the face-to-face marketing industry, which she served in numerous capacities through the years, as well as the growth of Freeman.

Carrie Freeman Parsons, Freeman's chief marketing officer and vice chair, said, "Every function within Freeman's marketing program today — as well as many other roles within the corporate office -- has a thread to Ellen. Her experience and unparalleled devotion to the company, unquestioned ethics and institutional knowledge are the cornerstones of why she has been such a valued member of the Freeman family."

Beckert has a diverse background. A graduate of Cornell University with a bachelor of arts degree in English and a minor in psychology, she taught high school English and psychology in Michigan.  In the mid-seventies, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked in sales for Marriott and Hyatt. In 1977, she moved to Dallas and joined AVW, Freeman's audio visual division, to launch her career in the face-to-face industry.

Her initial challenge with AVW was to develop the Dallas in-house hotel market, where was successful in signing two of the area's leading properties. Soon Beckert was working as a trusted resource with many of the company's national customers as national sales manager.

Beckert was transferred to the corporate office in Dallas in1983 to launch Freeman's corporate communication and training programs. She took a major step when she was tapped as the project coordinator on Freeman's Republican National Convention project in 1984.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s Beckert assumed more responsibility for Freeman as the company's meeting planner, corporate communications manager and marketing manager. In 1998 she helped create the company's more formalized marketing department, where she has pioneered numerous projects for the growing and increasingly successful company.

Beckert has had very active roles in industry and professional organizations. She was president of the Dallas chapter of MPI, served on MIP's international executive board and was recognized as Supplier of the Year in 1991. Beckert has served on Richland College's Travel, Exposition and Meeting Management  program advisory board since 1993, and has worked with CIC and the APEX committee on the industry Glossary of Terms as well as standards for industry RFP.

Martin Knott joins MC2 as vice president, Northeast Division

CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y. — MC2 has announced that Martin Knott has been named Vice President, Northeast Division. Knott will work closely with Division President Richard Rubio to develop new business and market share for MC2 Northeast.

"Martin is uniquely positioned to take MC_ Northeast to the next level of service and sales," said Rubio. "His wealth of experience and ability to connect with clients will make all our efforts more productive."

With more than 25 years experience, Knott has earned a reputation for being a valuable client liaison and for instituting comprehensive production processes. He began his career as a project manager with Czarnowski Exhibit Services. He served as account executive for Exhibit Group/Giltspur before returning to Czarnowski as vice president /general manager.

Knott's background in new business development and operational efficiencies, will be an important addition of MC2 Northeast's strategy to continue to develop sales performance and new business initiatives.

MC2 is a recognized leader in the exhibit and event industry. The company specializes in design, production and management of integrated marketing programs including events, exhibits, permanent and mobile environments and executive briefing centers.

Phoenix CC welcomes new communications director

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Convention Center welcomes Cynthia Weaver as its new Communications Director. Weaver will be responsible for media relations, internal and external communications, promoting environmental and sustainability programs and Web Content Management.  Weaver comes to the position from the city of Phoenix Public Information Office where she worked as a Public Information Officer since 2002.

Weaver's experience includes managing Public Relations for several city programs and departments including Housing, Environmental Programs and Sustainability, Youth & Education and Phoenix Sister Cities among others. Weaver was the first PIO for Phoenix's Downtown Development Office (DDO) and spearheaded communication efforts for the establishment of that office. As PIO for DDO, Weaver lent her expertise to the transformation of downtown Phoenix by working on high profile projects including the opening of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), University of Arizona College of Medicine — Phoenix, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown and Metro Light Rail.

Other positions held include working as a Public Information Specialist for the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department and as the Media Coordinator for Maricopa County's Tobacco Use Prevention Program.

In 2008, Weaver was recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal as one of Forty Under 40 up and coming community leaders and received a Rotary International Group Study Exchange fellowship to the Caribbean.  She is the recipient of numerous awards including a city of Phoenix Employee Excellence Award, City and County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) Award of Excellence and a Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Copper Anvil Award.

Actively involved in her community, Weaver has mentored several youth and young adults as a member of the Laveen Elementary School District governing board and as an adjunct professor at Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. Weaver has a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Arizona State University and holds memberships with PRSA and 3CMA.

New Orleans CVB Convention Sales Managers awarded with
Meeting Professional Certification

Four members of the New Orleans CVB convention sales team recognized by the meetings industry

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau announced that Raquel (Rocky) P. Dufauchard, Susan Ives and Carl Lauto received a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation, while Fay Nedd received a Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) certification.

Established in 1985, the CMP program recognizes individuals who have achieved the industry's highest standard of professionalism. According to the Convention Industry Council, through the CMP program, individuals who are employed in meeting management pursue continuing education, increase their industry involvement, and gain industry-wide recognition. The CMP credential increases the proficiency of meeting professionals by stimulating the advancement of the art and science of meeting management; increasing the value of practitioners to their employers; and recognizing and raising industry standards, practices and ethics.

The CGMP certification is recognized by the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP), which was founded in 1981. SGMP is a nonprofit professional organization involved in planning government meetings and supplying services to government planners. The group is the only national organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to improving the knowledge and expertise of its individuals through education, training and industry relationships. The CGMP title recognizes meeting professionals who frequently work with groups associated with the federal, state and local governments.

"The New Orleans CVB is proud to employ some of the finest meeting professionals this industry has to offer," said Nikki Nicholson, Vice President of Convention Sales for the New Orleans CVB. "The hard work and discipline of our staff is further exemplified through the recent certification of these individuals."

Rocky Dufauchard, senior convention sales manager, joined the New Orleans CVB sales team in September 1999. Prior to joining the New Orleans CVB, she worked for the New Orleans Morial Convention Center for 10 years as an event coordinator, where she later became a sales manager. Dufauchard is a member of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners as well as the Religious Conference Managers Association.

As a senior convention sales manager, Susan Ives has been an employee with the New Orleans CVB for the past seven years. Prior to working with the New Orleans CVB, Ives was membership director for the City Club of New Orleans, followed by four years of experience with the Marriott Corporation. She also worked in convention sales with Hilton Hotels Corporation for 11 years.

Carl Lauto, convention sales manager, has worked with the New Orleans CVB for the past six years. Before joining the New Orleans CVB sales team, Lauto was in hotel operations as a food & beverage director, assistant general manager and general manager. He then became an asset manager for a hotel development group, followed by national sales manager with Crowne Plaza Hotels and Westin Hotels.

Fay Nedd, senior convention sales manager, joined the New Orleans CVB sales staff in 2000. Nedd previously worked with the Belize Global Travel Agency as director of group travel. While receiving her degree in the Hotel Restaurant and Tourism Program at the University of New Orleans, she completed an internship with Le Meridien Hotel (now the JW Marriott) as a sales trainee and marketing research analyst. Nedd currently serves as secretary of the Louisiana chapter of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals. She is also a member of the Louisiana Society of Association Executives, Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International and National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners.

Edlen Electrical expands its team

LAS VEGAS — Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services, the nation’s largest independent electrical contractor to the convention and trade show industry, is pleased to announce new additions to its Las Vegas, San Diego and Miami offices. 

Lori Key has joined Edlen’s Las Vegas office in the role of national sales manager. Her responsibilities include establishing new accounts and maintaining existing relationships in the Las Vegas market and nationwide.

Key brings with her 13 years experience in the tradeshow, convention and special event industry.  Lori has provided the convention and special event industry with plant and floral along with other decorating solutions for over a decade.

Key has assisted with shows such as: CES, SEMA, ConExpo, Home Builders’, World Shoe, Magic and the Association of Operating Room Nurses.

She can be reached at 3010 Builders Avenue, Las Vegas, NV  89101.  Phone (702) 385-6911 Fax (702) 385-1810 or lkey@edlen.com.

Edlen’s San Diego team welcomes Jacqueline Eiswerth as event manager.  She is a graduate of Miami University and has five years experience working for one of the nation’s largest speaker and entertainment bureaus.  Elswerth can be reached at 1844 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA 92102.  Phone (619) 696-6625 Fax (619) 696-7762 or jeiswerth@edlen.com.  

Giancarlo Solari has joined Edlen’s Miami office as event manager.  He is a Florida International University graduate and comes to Edlen after serving as Centerplate’s Catering Sales Manager and Concessions Manager.  Solari can be reached at 16110 NW 13th Avenue, Miami, FL 33169.  Phone (305) 623-5335 Fax (305) 623-5337 or gsolari@edlen.com.

Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services is the nation’s leading independent temporary utility contractor to the trade show, convention and special event industry.  Edlen is a national company based out of Las Vegas, servicing more than 5,000 events annually providing exclusive, preferred or recommended services in over 200 convention facilities nationwide.  For more information, visit www.edlen.com. 

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