Meeting News - February 15, 2010 - (Page 12)

Meeting People By Chris Davis Fred Shea Joins Orlando/Orange County CVB To Drive Strategic Partnerships The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau last month named longtime Hyatt Hotels sales veteran Fred Shea its vice president of strategic partnerships. Shea, who will remain based in Chicago, is responsible for developing new business, particularly from industry third parties. Shea worked for Hyatt for more than 25 years, ascending to vice president of sales operations before joining third-party meetings management firm ConferenceDirect in late 2008. “Fred is well-known throughout the meetings and convention landscape for his industry passion and his active involvement in ensuring its continued growth,” said Orlando CVB president and CEO Gary Sain. “Marrying this industry passion with one of the top meetings destinations in the country is a win-winwin for the industry, Orlando and our customers. As the way we do business continues to rapidly evolve, Fred’s expertise will help us fully capitalize on new sales opportunities for our destination.” Shea will report to senior vice president of convention sales and services Tammi Runzler. He has served on the boards of directors of several industry association foundations, including those of the Professional Convention Management Association and Meeting Professionals International. “Fred has been a highly respected industry partner for years,” said Runzler. “I look forward to working with him to expand our outreach efforts and our contributions to the industry at large.” SmithBucklin Names Brad Weaber Executive VP Of Event Services Association management and professional services company SmithBucklin last month consolidated its three convention, trade show and event management service units under new executive vice president of event services Brad Weaber. Weaber will remain president of one of the three SmithBucklin units, Courtesy Associates in Washington, D.C., where he joined in January 2009 after spending 18 years with third-party meetings management firm Experient and its predecessor, Conferon, ultimately serving as executive vice president and chief customer officer. The other two units, the Chicago and Washington, D.C., offices of Convention and Trade Show Services, now will report to Weaber. Senior vice president Lise Puckorius and vice president Cele Fogarty will continue to lead those Chicago and Washington, D.C., offices, respectively. “This is a great opportunity for Brad and a natural move that will strengthen SmithBucklin’s service delivery to its client organizations by leveraging leadership, operational efficiencies and our company’s unmatched purchasing power,” said SmithBucklin chairman and CEO Henry Givray. “Our goal is to continually improve productivity and deliver an ever-higher standard of performance to our client organizations, as well as a unified voice to the hospitality and related industries.” The firm also promoted Leslie Thornton to managing director of Courtesy Associates. She is responsible for its dayto-day and strategic management. ABTS Convention Services Names James Burnside Executive VP, CFO Miami-based medical association meeting travel provider ABTS Convention Services last month named former cruise line executive James Burnside executive vice president and chief financial officer to implement strategic financial plans, oversee revenue analysis and support the company’s ongoing expansion. Burnside formerly was vice president of revenue performance and passenger services for Silversea Cruises, director of revenue and itinerary planning for Norwegian Cruise Line and vice president of revenue management for Renaissance Cruises. “Dr. Burnside is a proven travel industry leader skilled in revenue performance and business administration success across global lines,” said ABTS president Davide Veglia. “He will be a chief architect in the evolution of key worldwide financial and business strategies for us during this exciting time of growth and momentum.” ❍ Please e-mail meetings industry personnel announcements to cdavis@meetingnews.com. 12 MeetingNews February 15, 2010 www.meetingnews.com http://www.meetingnews.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Meeting News - February 15, 2010

Meeting News - February 15, 2010
Contents
Newsmaker
Meetings Spotlight
Viewpoint
Meeting People
Construction Cites
Association Watch
Strategic Mtgs. Mgmt
Gaming Destinations
Island Incentives
Dateline: Hong Kong
South Regional
Travel Dashboard

Meeting News - February 15, 2010