Market Authority Taps New President

March 22, 2006  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in on March 2006 Brian D. Casey has been named president of the High Point International Home Furnishings Market Authority effective April 18.

He succeeds Judy Mendenhall, who has held the post since the organization's inception in 2001.

In announcing Casey's appointment Thursday morning, Market Authority Board Chairman Paul Toms said his 26-year career in association and trade show management was a great fit.

Toms said the authority conducted a nationwide search and interviewed many candidates. Only one of the top four had furniture industry experience.

The board was seeking someone with a variety of skill sets including trade show experience, strong communication skills, leadership experience, a marketing background and experience in the industry.

Toms said ultimately that the other skills outweighed industry experience because "there's enough industry experience on the board."

"Brian is a good fit for us," Toms said. "One of his strengths is his experience in helping organizations focus on making their customers their first priority. He will guide us through the process of continuing to improve the business experience in High Point for all of our Market attendees."

Casey is president and owner of Next Generation Event Group, Inc., in Chicago, a convention and trade show services business in 2003, specializing in trade show and conference development. His company has operated successful trade shows for associations, increasing exhibit and sponsorship revenue performance. Casey plans to shutter Next Generation.

Prior to forming his own company, Casey was executive vice president of conventions and trade shows with Smith, Bucklin & Associates, the world's largest association management company. He joined Smith, Bucklin in 1991, as director of trade shows, and later led a team that directed all of the company's trade shows and conventions, totaling some 40 events.

Casey is a board member of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research and the International Association of Exposition Managers. He is a member of the Professional Convention Management Association, the Society of Independent Show Organizers, and the American Society of Association Executives, and a past member of the Major American Trade Show Organizers, which he chaired.

Casey said he was impressed with the cohesiveness of the Market Authority's board.

"I've had a lot of experience with volunteer boards, and this is one of the most functional that I've encountered in my 26 years in the business," Casey said.

Toms, chairman and chief executive officer of Hooker Furniture, praised Mendenhall who joined the authority in the beginning.

"Judy Mendenhall brought the Market Authority from its infancy to a strong, well-run, cohesive organization that is continually improving and delivering better services each market," he said. "We owe her a tremendous debt of gratitude."