Kelli Steckbauer

We’re told that, during this economic slowdown, many MG Design clients have expressed the need for rental exhibit components to accomplish their strategic marketing goals without breaking their budgets. Kelli Steckbauer will focus on MG Design’s recently expanded portfolio of rental solutions, Showscape, created by the same experts creating MG Design’s custom exhibits. Steckbauer will highlight Showscape’s functionality and features that will help clients to stretch their imagination and their budgets. Steckbauer began her career with MG Design in February 2004 as Manager of Global Business Development and Training and, most recently, held the position of Director of Client Services.

Sheila Bryant

Sheila Bryant has held various roles in the exhibit and events industry including show services manager, account manager, corporate account executive and, most recently, account executive managing the trade show marketing success for several Fortune 500 companies. In her new position, Bryant will continue to identify growth opportunities and service her key accounts from MG Design’s West Coast office.

“These positions are important anchors of our growth initiatives for MG Design,” said Gail Behun, vice president, sales, MG Design. “We are very fortunate to have Kelli and Sheila’s talent, experience and expertise, along with their passion for making things happen. The market is definitely picking up and we’re prepared to help our clients grow their programs in smart and effective ways including our enhanced rental program and applying our marketing ingenuity to their brand experiences.”

More info at www.mgdesign.com.

Here's Kim

In case you’re wondering, Kim VanderMallie recently joined Crown Exhibits as Account Manager.

According to Lynn Maxon, owner and operator of the company, VanderMallie will be responsible for developing new business and managing key accounts for Crown, which provides dynamic, cost-effective exhibit solutions for trade shows, meetings and events.

“We’re very excited to welcome Kim on our team,” says Maxon. “Her diverse experience in professional sales, particularly within the exhibit business is an ideal fit for Crown.”

Prior to joining Crown, VanderMallie was an Account Executive with RES Exhibit Services. In addition, earlier in her career she spent eight years with Exhibit Group/Giltspur. VanderMallie resides in Farmington.

Yo, Lenny!

Stop the presses…(Oops… no presses to stop)… Lenny Servedio has been the General Manager of Metropolitan Exposition since 2005. But as of a few days ago, all of that changed. Lenny is now the CFO.

We’re told that Lenny has been instrumental in taking the lead in securing Metropolitans’ financial viability as an organization and has been a vital asset in their growth. With Lenny as Chief Financial Officer, the company feels very secure in their leadership both for today and in the future.

By the way, Lenny received his Business Administration degree from Fordham University with a concentration in Finance and has worked in virtually every aspect of an Official Service Contractor since 1986. Every aspect… virtually.

More info at www.metro-expo.com.

Mark Gold

Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services just informed us that Mark Gold has joined their Miami office in the role of national sales manager. Mark showed up with 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.

Mark’s additional experience includes work with Facilities Magazine, and he has been active in many industry associations including IAAM, PCMA and IAEE.

Mark seems to be excited about joining the Edlen team where his responsibilities will include establishing new accounts and maintaining existing relationships in the Miami market as well as nationwide.

For more information, visit www.edlen.com.

Emily Gardner

MC² is on a roll and just told Tradeshow Blues that Emily Gardner has joined the company’s new Birmingham, Michigan office as director of business development.

Gardner comes to MC² from George P. Johnson, where as a senior account executive, she handled event management and exhibit services for multiple automotive clients both domestically and abroad. Prior to this, as an event manager, she conducted vendor bid processes, managed auto shows and event sponsorships, and served as a purchasing agent for onsite service goods. Gardner is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a B.S. in business administration.

“We are very excited to have Emily Gardner join us here in Birmingham,” said Keith Hishon, MC² senior vice president of sales. “She has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the automotive events marketing arena. She brings the best of both worlds: operations background and event experience which enhances customer satisfaction.”

Hishon heads the Birmingham office, recently opened outside of Detroit, focusing primarily on clients in the automotive industry.

More info at www.mc-2.com.

Also see Emily on the Wall of 100 Spilled Beans.

Gail Behun

Gail Behun has been named Vice President of Sales. Behun has been a valuable part of MG Design for more than 13 years, working her way up from the position of Account Manager to Account Executive to Vice President. Behun started her career as a theatrical set designer before entering the world of face-to-face marketing.  Her extensive experience as an account manager at MG Design has taught her logistics, scheduling and the nuances of successfully managing extensive programs. This combination of creativity and tactical implementation serves MG Design clients exceptionally well.

“Gail is a big-idea person with a flair for creating exceptional marketing experiences but she’s also very practical and driven to create solutions that reflect the realities of today’s market. It’s a unique combination of skills that really benefit MG Design’s clients and our entire team” said President Michael Grivas in announcing Behun’s promotion.

Kristin Castelli

Kristin Castelli has been named Vice President of National Accounts. Ten years ago, Castelli opened MG Design’s San Francisco office and since then has helped clients to develop successful exhibit programs designed to achieve their marketing objectives in industries as diverse as technology, healthcare and manufacturing including a number of Fortune 500 companies. In her new position, Castelli is responsible for supporting large national and international accounts as a valuable resource for clients with extensive exhibit programs.

“Kristin brings ingenuity to the table for every client. She understands firsthand the challenges of the marketplace and works hard to help clients bring their brands to life on the show floor,” shared Grivas. “In this new role, she adds marketing expertise and industry experience for the benefit of our clients’ exhibit programs and is a resource for the entire MG Design team in supporting our clients.”

Tim Stefaniak

MG Design has also added Tim Stefaniak as Manager, Rental Solutions. In this position, Stefaniak is charged with creating value-driven rental solutions that fit clients’ creative needs – and their budgets. Stefaniak brings extensive rental exhibit experience to MG Design having spent the past decade helping companies to establish and grow their rental programs. His hands-on experience in designing rental solutions that fit clients’ unique needs will greatly benefit MG Design clients and their exhibit programs.

“One of the biggest effects of the current economy is the belt tightening that we’ve all seen from clients. Every day we challenge ourselves to be as resourceful and cost-effective as possible,” explained Grivas. “Creating value requires us to be imaginative in combining rental solutions with custom elements to deliver solutions that meet clients’ needs. That’s what Tim’s entire focus will be – creating value for clients.”

More info at www.mgdesign.com.

Shana Carr

MC² has also just announced the promotion of Shana Carr to president of the company’s southwest division headquartered in Las Vegas.

In her new role, Carr will manage substantial division business from top Fortune 500 clients. She will be responsible for sales, manufacturing, design and management productivity at the southwest division, which includes Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Kingman, Arizona.

“Shana’s strong leadership and depth of experience will allow MC² to better serve our customers and help continue our success,” said Rich McAdam, president, MC².

Carr has more than 18 years experience in the trade show and event marketing industry. She joined MC² in 2007 as general manager for the Las Vegas location.

More info at www.mc-2.com

Also see Shann on the Wall of 100 Spilled Beans.

Keith Hishon

National event and exhibit company MC² is expanding its operations with a new office in Birmingham, Michigan, located outside the Detroit area. The new office is being opened to support the company’s growth and clients in the automotive industry.

Keith Hishon, a former George P. Johnson executive with more than 20 years experience in planning and executing global automotive programs, will lead the new office as senior vice president of sales. In this role, he will be responsible for the development of automotive program directives, event objectives, providing creative solutions, as well as working through contractual agreements.

“We are pleased to announce our plans for growth in the Detroit market. Keith brings leadership and expeience to this location and combined with MC²’s strong corporate culture and core values, will allow us to better serve our customers and help continue our success,” said Rich McAdam, president, MC².

More info at www.mc-2.com

Also see Keith on the Wall of 100 Spilled Beans

Meg Celso

We’ve just learned that Meg A. Celso recently joined up with Crown Exhibits as Director of Client Services.

According to Lynn Maxon, owner and operator of the newly formed exhibit company, Celso will be responsible for coordinating client services for events and exhibits.

“We’re very excited to have Meg on our team,” says Maxon. “Her diverse management and customer care background is a perfect fit for our customer-driven culture.”

Prior to joining Crown, Celso was manager of Color Me Mine. Unfortunately, this is all we know about Meg. Sometimes when we fall a little short on copy, we just make up things to fill the space. For instance, it’s entirely possible that Meg worked as an analyst for the CIA prior to her stint at CMM… but there is simply no way for us to confirm that.

You can certainly find out more at www.crown-exhibits.com.

Hernandez

We’ve noticed a steady stream of highly talented folks making the jump from the troubled banking and financial sector over to greener pastures in the… uh… tradeshow industry.

Now then, we’ve just been told that Abraham Hernandez has joined Crown Exhibits as Director of Sales and Marketing. According to Lynn Maxon, owner and operator of the newly formed exhibit company, Hernandez will be responsible for marketing the company’s products and services, managing the sales force and overseeing the company’s customer satisfaction programs.

“Abe’s remarkable sales history is a tribute to his ability to gain people’s trust and confidence, as well as provide outstanding customer service,” says Maxon. “We’re thrilled to have him in on the ground floor to set the standard for our sales and marketing efforts.”

Prior to joining Crown, Hernandez was a financial advisor for… Bank of America.

More info at www.crown-exhibits.com

Also see Abraham on the Wall of 100 Spilled Beans.