Michael Kelly joins Coburn Technologies as digital marketing and trade show specialist. In this role, Kelly will develop and implement marketing campaigns and strategies to promote the Coburn Technologies Inc. brand through the planning, logistics and support of all North American trade shows, as well as digital marketing efforts through various media platforms.

Previously, he served multimedia designer/global corporate marketing specialist for Mirion Technologies, Inc. Kelly joins Coburn, a frequent exhibitor at many U.S. and global trade shows, with experience executing B2B and B2C trade show and expo events for industrial and medical brands, and he has managed the full cycle of many marketing and advertising campaigns for various industries.

Fun facts or Get to know Michael Kelly:

First trade show in his new position: He will be at the Coburn Technologies booth F2435 at Vision Expo East, held March 17-19 at the Javits Center in New York.

First trade show he attended and worked on: NIRSA 2016: The NIRSA Annual Conference and Expo, which was held at the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Fla. The  conference is for higher education professionals and students, and the trade show features recreation equipment manufacturers and the recreational facility design and management industry. 

Chris Schimek was promoted to chief operating officer of event & exhibit services for Freeman Company. He joined the company in 2005 and most recently served as executive vice president, delivery and brand experience. As COO, Schimek provides strategic direction for regional warehouse operations, local event logistics, fabrication, graphics production and custom exhibits across North America. He has served on various industry and non-profit boards throughout his tenure and is immediate past president of ESCA.

Dana Larson was promoted to head of keynote event programs for AWS Global Events. She joined the company in 2022 as head of event content. Prior to joining AWS, she served as vice president, experiential content, for Freeman Co. Larson is a member of CHIEF, a network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders.

Devin Cleary has joined Vimeo, a video platform company, as head of global events. Most recently, he served as vice president of global events for Bizzabo. Since starting as an intern at Rafanelli Events in 2006, Cleary has worked in events at a variety of organizations, including the American Red Cross, Hubspot and PTC. He was recognized as a 40 Under 40 in 2021 by Connect and Top 25 Event Innovators to Follow on Twitter by BizBash.

Marlys Arnold, an exhibit marketing strategist, author, speaker and consultant, published a new edition of Build a Better Trade Show Image, a book for exhibit managers. First published in 2002, the updated version includes new examples of creative exhibit designs, promotions, attractions and beyond. “When I wrote the book, my goal was to create the how-to manual I wish I’d had as a new exhibitor. Now, after more than two decades in the trade show industry, I have so much more experience to share,” she said.

Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton, was elected to serve as national chair of U.S. Travel Association. In this role, Nassetta may serve up to two consecutive one-year terms. Nassetta succeeds Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, whose term as national chair of U.S. Travel has concluded. Nassetta, who will lead the association’s executive board and board of delegates, will work closely with U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman and the executive leadership team to advance its mission to increase travel to and within the U.S. and establish travel as an essential contributor to the nation’s economy.

Dave Brown joined beMatrix USA as national sales manager in its St. Louis office. In this new role, Brown will sell beMatrix’s 360-degree solution to designers and builders of exhibits, events, activations and temporary installations. He has worked in exhibits since 2000, most recently as account executive for Tive.