Michael Lyons
Exhibition Director, AIBTM
Last September, Reed Travel Exhibitions named Michael Lyons as its new exhibition director for AIBTM, the Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition, which debuted in Baltimore in 2011 and this year takes place June 11-13 at McCormick Place in Chicago. A 30-year veteran in the meetings and events industry, Lyons' résumé includes senior-level positions with Global Events Partners and Carlson Wagonlit Travel. He recently took some time to chat with M&C.
What will be new about this year's show? We expect a record number of attendees and exhibitors. Keynote speakers will address the importance of face-to-face contact and personal relationships in an increasingly global and technology-driven business landscape. Seminars will be more inclusive and interactive, enabling AIBTM to crowd-source fresh ideas and best practices from attendees to help define the future of meetings. Other innovations include in-depth market focuses on Asia and Europe.
So you don't believe technology will overwhelm human contact? Actually, I believe relationships will matter even more in the business arena as we recognize the power and value of face-to-face interactions, even with all of the gadgets at our fingertips. Technology will continue to support our needs and make us more efficient, but it will be "state of the heart," not "state of the art," that matters most. Planners and their strategic partners will continue to see increased ROI from one-on-one relationships with influencers, buyers and sellers.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? I love playing soccer and spending time with my family, and I've also been an actor for 20-plus years, occasionally performing in TV, movies and commercials. My credits include Veep, The Sixth Sense and Advil!
On the MovePlanners
New Brunswick, N.J.-based Dittman Incentive Marketing has named Karen Kelly travel program manager. She previously served as director of destination services for Visit Savannah (Ga.).
Annette Steele has been appointed managing director of the new Manchester, England-based office of Rx Worldwide Meetings Inc.
Hotels & Other Venues
The 301-room Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center in Branson, Mo., has hired Trina Fox-Konz as sales manager for the greater St. Louis area, Illinois and Indiana.
Jorge Garciadealba
has joined New York City-based Associated Luxury Hotels International
as global sales specialist, serving ALHI’s Associated Destinations
Worldwide members.
Adriaan Radder has been appointed general manager at the 400-room Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.
At the 453-room JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz., Paul Rossi has been hired as director of food and beverage.
At the 695-room Pentahotel Hong Kong, Kowloon, Andy So has been hired as general manager.
Kevin Speidel has been named area managing director for Hilton Worldwide Hotels & Resorts in Fort Lauderdale.
Destinations
Visit Milwaukee has appointed Jeff Baryenbruch as executive director of sales.
The Hampton (Va.) Convention & Visitor Bureau has promoted Tiffany Carr to the post of Sports Hampton group sales manager.
Visit Baltimore has appointed Jason Koteff as regional director of convention sales.
Maryjane Lawrence
has been hired as director of sales and marketing for the Lake Placid
(N.Y.) Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as the Conference Center
at Lake Placid.
At the Ontario (Calif.) Convention Center & Visitors Bureau, Michael Krouse has been appointed president and chief executive officer.