Pinnacle Live, an event experience and technology company launched in 2021 for the hospitality and event industry, has hired two industry veterans – Dan Sherman and Dave Arendes – to launch its new Event Production Division, created to provide best-in-class, single-source solutions for high-profile, complex live events including international summits, conferences, business meetings, brand activations, festivals, sporting and special events. Former Freeman CEO Joe Popolo serves as chairman of the board for Pinnacle Live and as CEO at Charles & Potomac Capital LLC, a private firm that has an investment in Pinnacle Live.

Joining Pinnacle Live as executive vice president of business development, Sherman worked for Freeman for six years and most recently served as the company’s vice president, strategic business development. Bringing 21 years of industry experience to his new role, he has supported hundreds of North America’s leading event organizers, including Major League Baseball, U.S. Department of State, The White House, Society for Human Resource Management, NACS, Specialty Food Association, American Chemical Society and U.S. Green Building Council.

"It's an honor to be a part of this dynamic organization where higher standards, focus and change are the foundation of everything we do at Pinnacle Live," said Sherman. "The expertise and knowledge of our leadership team and dedicated board of directors gives us a competitive edge. I am eager to use this strength to deliver the world's most complex event requirements with confidence and integrity, at scale."

In 2008, Sherman founded HIP NETWORK, a B2B digital media company for the hospitality industry. He launched the Market in a Minute newsletter in 2017 and the Traveling podcast in 2020.

Dave Arendes, who joins Pinnacle Live as senior vice president of sales operations, worked for Freeman for 25 years and most recently served as senior vice president, client solutions, for the Northeast region. 

He began his career at Freeman in 1997 and worked in sales and operations roles at the company.  In 2014, he was selected to participate in iLEAD, a year-long developmental leadership program designed to build future, value-based leaders within Freeman. He left Freeman in February.

"This new division brings energy and excitement to Pinnacle Live, and I can't wait to see the impact on the event industry," said Eddy Eisenberg, CEO of Pinnacle Live, which expanded in March with a multiyear agreement to be the audiovisual and event technology services partner for Omni Hotels & Resorts. "Dan and Dave's expertise will be an invaluable asset to our team as we deliver exceptional experiences to our clients." 

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