Monteferrant New Show Director at Las Vegas Market

September 21, 2006  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on September 2006 The World Market Center announce Thursday that it has named trade show and hospitality industry veteran Michelle Monteferrante show director of the Las Vegas Market. She replaces Briana Mackey, who recently moved to Australia, and will start work with the WMC Oct. 2.

Monteferrante will be responsible for planning, logistics and implementation of all operations related to the home furnishings markets. She will also work closely with the rest of the management team on launching new events and event segments.

Monteferrante, a Las Vegas native, came to World Market Center from The Freeman Cos., a general services contractor to the trade show industry, where she most recently served as national sales manager for Las Vegas. Freeman was the general services contractor for Las Vegas Market’s January and July 2006 markets at the Mandalay Bay and Las Vegas Convention Center, respectively. Monteferrante was the executive in charge of these events for Freeman, and accordingly has extensive hands-on knowledge of Las Vegas Market.

Her industry background also includes sales management positions with Freeman Decorating, the Sands Expo Center, Hotel Nikko and Sheraton Hotels.

A graduate of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Monteferrante is a member of the International Association of Exhibition Management and is currently completing her certification for exposition management.

“World Market Center is exceedingly pleased to have Michele Monteferrante as a new member of our team,” said Gerry Sawyer, chief operating officer for World Market Center, adding that WMC executives have enjoyed working with Monteferrante as a valued vendor partner for Las Vegas Market.

“We all hold Michelle in high regard,” Sawyer said. “Michelle’s more than 20 years experience in the trade show industry and her incredible base of contacts here in Las Vegas will be a huge asset to World Market Center. Michelle has a dual perspective on the industry having managed a number of the top shows and conventions from the general services contractor side. We firmly believe she will further enhance the Las Vegas Market experience for exhibitors and attendees alike.”

Monteferrante said she is excited about her opportunity at WMC, and that past management set the stage for the Las Vegas Market’s continued success by making it a world-class event.

“I see it as my role to build upon this success and elevate the Market’s position through strategic planning and the forging of strong new relationships,” she said. “I am confident that all of my years as a general services contractor for trade shows and my tenure in the hospitality industry put me in a unique position to accomplish these goals.”

She added that her extensive contacts throughout Southern Nevada will serve her well in building relationships with venues and hotels.

The next Las Vegas Market will be held Jan. 29-Feb. 2, 2007, at World Market Center and Pavilions, and Jan. 30-Feb. 2 at Cashman Center.