Rick McConnell, Shawn Pierce
Hanley Wood Exhibitions names McConnell president, Pierce senior VP
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DALLAS [July 2009] — Hanley Wood, one of the 10 largest B-to-B media companies in the United States, named Rick McConnell President of Hanley Wood Exhibitions and Shawn Pierce Senior Vice President. Hanley Wood Exhibitions produces 12 tradeshows, four of which are on the 2009 Tradeshow Week 200.
“Rick McConnell has a great deal of expertise and an outstanding track record,” said Frank Anton, CEO. “We believe he is the right person for the job and will successfully grow our exhibitions business.”
McConnell succeeds Galen Poss, who has served as President since the division’s inception in 1999. Poss resigned on June 15, along with Executive Vice President, Michael Green.
“Preserving a level of excellence while creating a new and exciting future is a challenge I look forward to tackling,” said McConnell. “We will continue moving forward as the leading exhibitions company in the building industry.”
McConnell has more than 21 years experience in the trade show industry and began his career at Hanley Wood in 2001 as Show Director. Most recently McConnell was Senior Vice President, with overall profit and loss responsibilities for the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, International Roofing Expo, Remodeling Show, JLC LIVE Residential Constructions Shows, DeckExpo and CONNECT, the online social networking tool. In addition, McConnell was responsible for sales and marketing initiatives across the exhibitions group.
“McConnell is a superb choice to lead the exhibitions group in its next era,” said Peter Goldstone, President of Hanley Wood. “Rick has demonstrated the ability to grow exhibitions and is completely onboard with the power of integrated, cross-platform selling. I look forward to working with him on growing our business.”
Prior to Hanley Wood, McConnell held senior management positions with Miller Freeman/VNU and MAGIC International.
Pierce has more than 16 years experience in the trade show industry and began his career at Hanley Wood in 2000, after seven years at Miller Freeman. Most recently Pierce was Vice President of Divisional Operations. Pierce continues to have overall profit and loss responsibilities within the exhibitions group for the e-media team and internal operations, while finding new efficiency improvements. In addition, Pierce will take on an increased role developing revenue-generating e-media initiatives company-wide.
"Shawn has played a vital role in guiding technology efforts and revolutionizing the way traditional operations are done," said McConnell. "His new position will allow him to concentrate his considerable knowledge, expertise and skill to e-media initiatives that will open up new revenue opportunities."
Pierce has been instrumental in developing and implementing many of Hanley Wood’s technology initiatives, including ADAPT (A Database Analyzer & Prospecting Tool), a database system that tracks attendee and marketing data, which was later sold to a2z. Most recently he developed and implemented CONNECT, a matchmaking/networking tool, and ConnectionPOINT, the customized portal for attendees and exhibitors of Hanley Wood events.
Pierce was the recipient of Hanley Wood’s Red Point award for the Smart category and was recently selected by Tradeshow Week as one of 14 leaders in for-profit exhibitions show management. In 2003, he received the Trade Show Executive Innovation of the Year Award.
McConnell and Pierce are long-time active members of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events [IAEE] and Society of Independent Show Organizers [SISO] and are frequently speakers at events and seminars. Pierce serves on the Board of Directors of the newly-formed International Center for Exhibitor and Event Marketing [The Center].
Chef Leon West
Convention Center Executive Chef West
cooking up other culinary pursuits
 NEW ORLEANS [July 2009] — New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s Executive Chef Leon West is stepping down as executive chef of ARAMARK at the Convention Center, a position he has held for 25 years.
An employee of ARAMARK since 1978, West has been at the Convention Center since 1984 and helped prepare the Convention Center for its 1985 opening. He is considered by his peers, both locally and internationally, as one of New Orleans’ most talented chefs. He has delighted the most discriminating tastes with his versatile talent and his unique ability to adapt from small elegant functions to dinners for over 10,000.
“Chef Leon’s outstanding characteristics are dedication, extraordinary creativity and being well-versed in every aspect of culinary,” said Jean-Pierre Turgot, general manager of ARAMARK at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Over the years, West has served as executive chef for high-profile events such as National Football League Commissioner’s Party, Taste of The NFL, NCAA Bowl Championship Series VIP Reception and the NBA All-Stars Players Party.
West recalls one of his more challenging experiences at the Convention Center: “One year, our team of 200 had to cook for over 35,000 people in a 24-hour period: breakfast, lunch and a reception followed by breakfast the next morning,” said West. “It was a challenge but we were able to pull it off for the client.”
A native of Boston, Massachusetts, West began his culinary industry career as a busboy and dishwasher at Johnny’s Diner. Later, he graduated from the Massachusetts Vocational and Technical School’s Culinary Arts Program and also worked in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Las Vegas before settling in New Orleans.
West is routinely honored for his participation in charitable events for Dollars for Scholars, YMCA, Christmas in October, Friends of City Park, and Children’s Hospital. He works closely with Second Harvest Food Bank as well as Bridge House and Ozanam Inn. Following Hurricane Katrina, Chef Leon played an integral role in assisting the Convention Center and the community through the recovery process by feeding the National Guard and first responders who were stationed at the Convention Center.
West is a member of the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs international culinary society and served as Maître de Cuisines at three annual dinners. He is an active member in the Local Chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and in 1996 received “Chef Of The Year” Honors from ACF’s New Orleans Chapter. In 1997, he was inducted into A Taste Of Heritage Foundation’s African-American Chef’s Hall Of Fame.
“Chef Leon is an icon of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Our attendees know him for his signature praline crêpes, and the community knows him for his service to charity. But we know him as ‘Chef Leon,’ a fine chef who is an integral part of our facility’s history. He will truly be missed,” said Bob Johnson, president/general manager of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
With twelve- to eighteen-hour days at the Convention Center behind him, West has some new plans under his chef’s toque. He recently debuted his new line of spices called “Spices with Chef Leon West.”
The locally-produced product line features seven original blends. “Spices with Chef Leon West” is available at Rouses’s Supermarket locations throughout the greater New Orleans area and will soon be available online at http://www.chefleonwest.com.
West is also looking forward to the opportunity to spend time with his family.
Chef Leon and his wife Joyce have been married for over 40 years and are the parents of seven daughters.
A nationwide search will be conducted for a new executive chef. ARAMARK has named Pascal Beaute as Interim Executive Chef. Beaute comes to New Orleans from the Tampa Convention Center. With 20 years of culinary experience, Beaute has worked at hotels and resorts worldwide and also served as a chef at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.
Prior to joining ARAMARK, Beaute was executive chef at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and was a key participant in opening the EuroDisneyland Resort in Paris.
A native of France, Beaute received his diploma in French Culinary at the Hotel and Culinary Academy of Poligny and received his Master’s degree in the art and technique of vacuum cuisine from Ecole de Georges Pralut.
Jane Berzan, Ruth Murphy,
Valerie Sumner, Annette Suriani
Four meeting professionals named to ConventionPlanit.com advisory council
WASHINGTON, D.C. [July 2009] — Jane Berzan, CAE, Ruth Murphy, CMP, Valerie Sumner, and Annette Suriani, CMP, have been named to the ConventionPlanit.com Advisory Council, a group that helps shape the features and content of ConventionPlanit.com, the leading online search directory in the meetings industry.
Each has extensive experience in the meetings industry and brings a unique perspective to the council, which is made up of 17 industry professionals.
Murphy is senior technical advisor for scientific meetings for the U.S. Department of State. She plans numerous meetings around the world and is skilled in international diplomacy and working with U.S. embassies and foreign governments.
Sumner is principal of VRS Meetings & Events Inc., a full-service meeting and event management firm. She was previously president for all divisions of the TCI Companies, and also worked for The Capital Informer, Radisson Hotels, and Americana Hotels.
Suriani is director of meetings with Meetings Management Group (MMG), a division of Association Management Group (AMG), a position she began in July 2009. She was previously director of PACE Meetings and Expositions, a joint tradeshow between the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings. She is an expert in the creative side of meeting management, including innovative management structures, marketing strategies, special events, and more.
“Our Advisory Council is the group that originally conceived ConventionPlanit.com and the registration-free and commission-free format that has vaulted it to the top of our industry,” said ConventionPlanit.com Co-Founder Katherine Markham, CHME. “By continually bringing in new people and new ideas, we keep the Web site fresh and interesting.”
Mark Gold
Edlen Electrical adds
sales manager in Miami
 MIAMI [July 2009] — Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services, the nation’s largest independent electrical contractor to the convention and trade show industry, announced a new addition to its Miami office.
Mark Gold has joined Edlen’s Miami office in the role of national sales manager. Mark brings with him 15 years experience in the tradeshow industry. He most recently worked as publisher of Food Export Magazine, where he had the opportunity to represent his publication at trade shows around the world. His experience includes work with Facilities Magazine, and he has been active in many industry associations including IAAM, PCMA and IAEE.
Gold is excited to join the Edlen team where his responsibilities include establishing new accounts and maintaining existing relationships in the Miami market and nationwide. Mark Gold can be reached at 16110 NW 13th Avenue, Miami, FL 33169. Phone (305) 623-5335 Fax (305) 623-5337 or mgold@edlen.com.
Andrew Flack
Hilton names Andrew Flack as
VP of Global Brand Marketing
 BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. [July 2009] — Hilton Hotels Corporation (Hilton) today announced that Andrew Flack has been promoted to Vice President of Global Brand Marketing for the Hilton brand. In this newly created position, he will have oversight for Hilton brand marketing strategies and functions worldwide.
Those functional areas include advertising, public relations, strategic partnerships and brand promotions for the leisure and business segments, as well as Hilton Hotels Corporation graphics and, identity and hotel online tools and resources. Additionally, Andrew supports Hilton Worldwide Resorts marketing and business development efforts for the Customer Marketing group, Hilton HHonors programs, and hotel opening marketing initiatives.
“Andrew has a wealth of experience of expanding Hilton’s position in existing markets as well as identifying new opportunities in emerging growth markets,” said Dave Horton, Global Head – Hilton Brand. “We are confident in his abilities to take our organization to the next level as Hilton continues its mission to advance as a leading global company,” Horton added.
A 20-year hotel industry veteran, Andrew was previously Vice President Sales and Marketing – Hilton Asia Pacific, where he created a new marketing organization in support of our emerging growth markets and extended our global sales network into new countries such as India and Korea. Previous assignments have taken Andrew to Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean.
Between 2003 and 2006 Andrew led Sales & Marketing for Australasia, where he was part of the team that re-built and re-launched Hilton Sydney. Andrew’s earlier career included seven years as a Hotel General Manager, managing Hilton properties in the UK and Australia.
Born in Malta, Andrew is a dual citizen of Britain and Australia and holds an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management.
Last updated
January 20, 2010 5:14 PM
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