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Meetings & Conventions: People October 1998
October 1998
People
EDITED BY LOREN G. EDELSTEIN
Coffee With...Jason McGraw
Jason McGraw of Milwaukee, Wis., is director of
expositions for the Construction Industry Manufacturers Association
and exposition director for CONEXPO - what he calls the "little
boys' dream expo" because it features dump trucks, cranes and
bulldozers.
You don't drink coffee; Coke or Pepsi?
Coke. I will avoid restaurant chains and airlines that serve
Pepsi.
How did you meet your wife?
On America Online five years ago. She lived in Milwaukee and I
lived in Virginia. We now live a mile from where she lived when I
met her.
Do you do anything to make your hotel room like home?
No - it's temporary lodging. It's very neat, unlike my home. I
feel like I'm a guest at someone else's house.
Who's the perfect attendee?
Someone who doesn't stand in front of registration and say,
"Where's registration?"
What sport is like meeting planning?
Football. You have a coach, who is maybe me, you have star
players, supporting players, guards and defense. In the beginning
you're exploring the playing field. Time becomes more and more
critical as you come to the actual event.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The interaction with exhibitors and members and vendors. I enjoy
talking to people.
How do you relieve stress?
I go to shopping malls. I'm a mallaholic. I shop; I don't buy a
lot. I enjoy the people-watching. It's one of the things I enjoy
about a trade show.
SARAH J.F. BRALEY
PlannersSMRTKA JOINS HELMS BRISCOE
Christine Smrtka was named regional manager for the Southern
California (San Diego) office of Helms Briscoe, a full-service
meeting and conference management company headquartered in
Scottsdale, Ariz. Smrtka, a nine-year veteran of the hospitality
industry, was most recently with the Portofino Hotel & Yacht
Club in Redondo Beach, Calif.
SUPPLIERS
Susan Babich was promoted to director
of convention sales for the Sacramento (Calif.) Convention &
Visitors Bureau. The bureau also appointed two new convention sales
managers: Chad Ammon and Brian
Bannister.Kathy Boyd is now director of
conference planning for the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center in
Peachtree City, Ga.Richard Cimilluca was promoted to
director of sales and marketing at the Forrestal at Princeton
(N.J.).Michael Collins has joined the
Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority as national
convention sales manager, responsible for the corporate and
incentive markets; Janice LeGarde holds the same
title at the bureau's new convention sales office in Washington,
D.C.Yvonne Kaulback has been appointed
director of sales and marketing at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental,
Hawaii. n Michelle Keil was named sales manager for the Loews
L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, D.C., responsible for the
association and corporate markets in the northeast; Julie
Nacke was named access sales manager, overseeing small
groups of up to 40.Kathy McAdams has been promoted to
associate vice president of Washington, D.C., regional sales for
the Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau.Michael Metts was promoted to director
of catering and convention services at the Seelbach Hilton in
Louisville, Ky.Todd Sherstad was appointed director of
sales and marketing, brand strategy, for Marriott Conference
Centers, based in Washington, D.C.Dan Quandt, CAE, has been named
executive director of the South Padre Island (Texas) Convention and
Visitors Bureau.If you would like notice of a career move considered for
inclusion in this column, contact Loren G. Edelstein, Executive
Editor, M&C, 500 Plaza Dr., Secaucus, N.J. 07096; fax: (201)
319-1796; e-mail: [email protected].
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