By Angela Harar, CEM, Senior Director of Trade Shows, The Vision Council
Change happens when change makers get together to share, debate, and challenge the status quo.
1 – Participants aren’t being talked to, they’re driving the conversation. The agenda has been carefully developed to ensure we listen to each other and enjoy one on one and group discussions, plus get time to walk the Restaurant Show together and continue the mind meld.
2 – We have a mission. MATSO leaders are walking away from this meeting with a clear direction on how MATSO will focus on one challenge to create a solution for a major challenge that impacts major shows. Our plan is to be hyper focused so we can set clear goals.
3 – I’m just going to name drop here – who’s in (2 seats left for last minute takers).
Adam Andersen, Managing Director, Penton
Raymond Bianchi, Senior Director Expositions & Events, IDEAg Group LLC
Thomas Carbott, Senior VP of Exhibitions, Material Handling Industry
Sacha Carey, Director Exhibition Sales & Operations, Water Environment Federation
John Catalano, Group Show Manager, Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
Jessica Curtis, CMP, Senior Director, Meetings & Show Services, National Association of Broadcasters
Christine Flanagan, Vice President of Operations, Reed Exhibitions
Nancy Gavin, Operations Director, National Safety Council
Kelly Glasgow, Event Coordinator, William T Glasgow Inc
Lenay Gore, Senior Director – Meetings & Tradeshows, American Public Transportation Association
Anne Halal, CEM, VP Expositions, Education and Member Services, North American Meat Institute
Tiffany Hale, Event Manager – Expo, National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America)
Angela Harar, CEM, Senior Director of Tradeshows, The Vision Council
Christopher Harar, President, Events, National Trade Productions Inc
Robert Hoffmann, Event Technology Manager, Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Kelly Kilga, CEM, Director of Operations, Graphic Arts Show Company Inc
Christopher McCabe, Executive Vice President, Emerald Expositions
Justine McVaney, SVP Event Planning & Operations, National Association of Broadcasters
Kevin Murphy, Senior Manager, CES Operations, Consumer Technology Association/CES
Chris Nemchek, Sr V.P., Business Development , Specialty Food Association Inc
Andrew Ortale, VP of Industry & Member Services, American Gaming Association
Michelle Sanford, CEM, Director, Event Operations, Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Camille Stern, SVP of Strategic Account Management, SPARGO Inc
Sheryl Strain, Trade Show Manager, National Safety Council
Ryan Strowger, CEM, SVP Exhibitions, Conferences & Sales, International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions
Megan Tanel, CEM, Senior Vice President of Exhibitions, Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Patricia Whitaker, Exhibits Manager, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Still don’t know MATSO? The IAEE MATSO community is comprised of not-for-profit association and independent organizers whose shows are at least 200,000 NSF of exhibition space. The focus of MATSO is on all functional aspects of major show production: marketing and sales, legislation, labor, international challenges, and operations. You’re automatically a member (no cost) if you’re an IAEE member with over 200K nsf.
Central to the MATSO Council culture is ensuring a wide-open exchange of ideas to foster discovering solutions, networking with other senior-level show professionals, guiding new strategies and policies, sharing ideas and making a difference
Who am I? Right now I’m lucky to be the chairman of the MATSO Council joined by these fine people who are ready to make change.
