People 2-1-1998

Meetings & Conventions: People February 1998
February 1998
People

EDITED BY CHRYSTAL INGRAM WHITE

  UpClose: Kary Wilson

A breed apart: Kary Wilson with prize-winning miniature stallion, Grosshil Danny Boy

What a cute, little pony" may sound innocent enough, but these words can cause quite a stir.

"It's a sensitive subject," Kary Wilson says of miniature horses, which are often mistaken for cute, little ponies. "Miniature horses are proportionate to full-size horses," she explains, "but adult minis are no taller than 34 inches at the withers [the base of the mane], and their small size and gentle nature make them great companions for kids and the handicapped, both of whom can be intimidated by large horses.

"It's only been in the past few years that my interest in horses has grown to minis," says Wilson, who for the past 25 years has trained horses and judged the competitions of many breeds. Wilson also has organized the Eastern Miniature Classic. Started in 1996, it's the only miniature horse show in New Jersey.

When she's not on the farm, Wilson works as president and owner of Graphic Communications, an advertising, graphic design and event planning firm in Bridgeton, N.J., where she has many nonprofit organizations as clients.

"Much of the work I do [for charities] is in kind. I'm happy to lend my expertise in promoting and planning events," says Wilson, who for the past seven years has worked most closely with Robins' Nest, a Glassboro, N.J.-based family and child development human services agency, planning special events and fund-raising activities such as formal gala affairs, golf tournaments, art auctions and polo matches. "Last year, the Ausimont Golf Outing raised $25,000," she proudly notes. "More than 75 percent of that will go to the children." It comes as no surprise that the future may hold a fund-raising horse show.

Planners

NIEHAUS JOINS CHA
Bob Niehaus, CMP, is the new director of meetings and conventions for the Caribbean Hotel Association in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Niehaus was formerly associate director of meetings operations for the Washington, D.C.-based American Society of Association Executives.

VELLA STEPS OUT ON HIS OWN
Joseph Daniel Vella has started T.Y.M.E. (Trim Your Meetings and Events), a meeting planning company based in Knoxville, Tenn., and Miami. Vella was formerly an account executive for Excel, a Naples, Fla.-based destination management company.

WEISS MOVES TO KC&A
Jessica Weiss has joined Katherine Christensen & Associates, a public relations, special events and meeting planning firm in Phoenix, as association administrator. Weiss was previously director of several associations for Svinicki Association Services in Milwaukee and associate director for the Wisconsin Society of Association Executives.

Suppliers

Angela Boardmanhas been appointed convention services manager for the Palm Springs (Calif.) Desert Resort Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Oliver Bonke has joined the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel in East Rutherford, N.J., as director of sales and marketing.

Uton Brightis the new director of sales and marketing for Swept Away Resorts in Negril, Jamaica.

Cynthia M. Engels is the new convention sales manager for the Tacoma­Pierce County (Wash.) Visitor & Convention Bureau.

Flora Fioritti-Irwin is now director of corporate events for Round 'Em Up, Inc., a destination management company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Caroline Jones has been promoted to director of sales and marketing for the Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel, Calif.

Lisa Walker has been appointed director of sales at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples (Fla.).

If you would like notice of a career move considered for inclusion in this column, contact Chrystal Ingram White, Managing Editor, M&C, 500 Plaza Dr., Secaucus, N.J. 07096; fax: (201) 319-1796; e-mail: [email protected].
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