DALLAS, 3 October 2013 – Chairman of the Board for the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) Greg Ortale announced today that Brian Casey has been selected as the new president and chief executive officer of the organization, effective December 2013.
Currently, Casey is Vice President & General Manager for the Cleveland Global Center for Health Innovation & Convention Center and is responsible for operations, sales and marketing functions for the convention center facility. With more than 30 years of experience in the exhibitions and meetings industry, Casey has served as President and CEO of the High Point Authority, Owner of Next Generation Events Group, Executive Vice President at SmithBucklin, and Managing Director of Trade Shows for the International Housewares Exposition.
Casey brings diverse experience having run some of the largest exhibitions in the U.S. He has led a division in the for-profit association, multi-management area for the largest association management firm; launched new events, run his own exhibition company and most recently led the operation with the opening of a new convention center in Cleveland, OH.
Casey currently serves on the boards for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Positively Cleveland Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Cleveland Alliance. He has served on the board of directors for the International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE), and the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR). Casey is a past chairman of Major American Trade Show Organizers (MATSO) and past chairman of the IAEE Midwest Chapter. He has also served on advisory boards for Columbus CVB, Phoenix CVB and Chicago CVB as well as one of the industry’s largest general service contractors, GES.
Underlining the extensive search process for selecting Casey, Ortale said, “The selection of Brian was a unanimous decision by the CEIR Search Committee and similarly endorsed by the CEIR Board. We have the utmost confidence and admiration in him based on his background which will uniquely benefit CEIR, and we look forward to working closely together on the strategic initiatives and research projects that have made CEIR the well-respected organization that it has become today. I am pleased to know that CEIR will be led by a professional with an exemplary background and credentials who understands the exhibition industry, and is committed to its future.”
“I am very honored and excited to have been selected to lead CEIR moving forward. Having been in the industry for more than 30 years, I have seen CEIR grow and become the essential source for providing thousands of professionals with the data and research that fuels our industry. I look forward to working with the Board of Directors and staff to further enhance the solid foundation that both the CEIR board, current President Douglas L. Ducate, CEM, CMP and Executive Director Cathy Breden, CAE, CMP have established,” said Casey.
“I have known Brian for many years, and am very pleased with the Selection Committee’s decision. Brian is very well qualified to lead CEIR going forward. Brian has a solid background as an exhibition organizer and facility manager that will uniquely benefit CEIR,” said Ducate. “I have the utmost confidence in Brian and his ability to continue to advance CEIR’s mission.”
“One of the key drivers in the selection process was the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), and we wish to thank them for their support throughout this extensive recruitment process. Their time and expertise was invaluable, and as a result, we were able to choose an exemplary candidate as CEIR’s new president and CEO,” said Ortale.
To ensure a smooth recruiting process, the CEIR Board of Directors and Selection Committee retained the services of Minnesota-based SearchWide, a full-service executive search firm which specializes in C-Level, director and management level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies, to handle the search. As a result, a detailed CEO transition plan has been in place and has guided all the key elements of the change for the position.
Casey will commence work at CEIR on 1 December 2013 and can be reached on or after that date at bcasey@ceir.org.
About CEIR
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) serves to advance the growth, awareness and value of exhibitions and other face-to-face marketing events by producing and delivering research-based knowledge tools that enable stakeholder organizations to enhance their ability to meet current and emerging customer needs, improve their business performance and strengthen their competitive position. For additional information, visit www.ceir.org.
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Media Inquiries:
Susan Brower, CMM, CCP
VP, Marketing and Communications
+1 (972) 687-9207
sbrower@ceir.org
