WMC Names Andrew, Blair, Branscome and Monteferrante to VP Posts

July 31, 2007  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on August 2007 Dana Andrew, Babs Blair, Tim Branscome and Michelle Monteferrante were all named vice presidents of World Market Center in Las Vegas Tuesday.

Andrew was promoted from director of marketing and public relations to vice president of marketing and public relations. Blair, previously director of leasing, will now function as vice president of leasing. Branscome was promoted to vice president of international from director of international business development. Monteferrante, previously director of trade show operations, will now serve as vice president of show operations.

In her new post, Andrew’s broad responsibilities include overseeing branding, marketing and advertising strategies in both in the United States and abroad for the Las Vegas Markets, Las Vegas Design Center and future campus build out; managing all public relations, including media, industry and retail relations programs; and supervising publishing, Web and sponsorship activities. Andrew’s award-winning communications background has included serving as public relations director at several top Las Vegas ad agencies, where she managed campaigns for some of Nevada’s largest corporations and political issues for more than 10 years before joining World Market Center since its inception in 1999.

Blair, who has played an instrumental role in the successful and rapid lease-up of the project, will continue to oversee a 10-person team responsible for leasing activities of new phases, and will contribute to strategic design and planning for future buildings and markets. Before joining World Market Center in 2001, was director of leasing at the Showplace facility in High Point. She also has served as co-leasing director for Dallas Market Center for five years, and general manager and leasing director for the Tupelo Furniture Market.

Branscome has effectively developed strategic partnerships with major European trade fairs, international trade associations and foreign governments. He also has played an integral role in bringing companies who do not currently have U.S. showrooms to World Market Center, enabling its development as a global forum connecting buyers and sellers from around the world. Branscome will continue to be based at the company’s European office in London where he will direct World Market Center’s international business development utilizing his extensive contacts throughout Europe and Asia. Branscome’s 20-year industry background includes serving as international trade director for the State of North Carolina Department of Commerce.

In her new position, 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 management team to oversee the launch and operations of new events and industry segments. Monteferrante came to World Market Center after serving as national sales manager – Las Vegas for The Freeman Companies, one of the largest general services contractors to the trade show industry, specializing in producing large scale expositions and conventions.

“This key group of managers and their respective teams has played a critical role in the unprecedented growth and realization of World Market Center as the world’s destination for home furnishings,” said Jack Kashani and Shawn Samson, co-managing partners of World Market Center. “These well deserved promotions are reflective of the professional commitments these individuals have made as leaders, and their successful efforts to ensure World Market Center is the home furnishings industry’s destination internationally.”

“World Market Center is privileged to have an amazing team executing the vision of our founders and partners,” said Harvey Dondero, chief executive officer of World Market Center. “World Market Center’s goal is to continue to raise the bar by bringing greater value to the experience of both exhibitors and buyers and to set a new standard for trade show and market model for the home furnishings industry.”