Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

12 Las Vegans listed among convention industry's top people

Las Vegas' reputation as one of the world's leading convention destinations was bolstered by a strong showing in Tradeshow Week's "Power Pack 100" survey of the 100 most influential people in the North American trade show industry.

Released Monday, the list included a dozen local leaders as selected by staff members of the Los Angeles-based trade magazine. Publisher Adam Schaffer said Tradeshow Week's first-ever compilation of industry power brokers shows few markets can match the depth and diversity of talent now working to support Southern Nevada's conventions and trade shows.

"This shows Las Vegas is not only a top trade show destination; it's also a top destination for finding the leadership and direction of this industry," Schaffer said.

Selections were ranked in alphabetical order, though several people were placed in subcategories highlighting the industry's up-and-coming talents, executives who recently dealt with severe challenges, or a person's lifetime contributions.

Sheldon Adelson, chairman of Las Vegas Sands and owner of The Venetian and its adjacent Sands Expo and Convention Center, was one of five people included in the publication's "Legends of the Hall." Citing Adelson's development and 1995 sale of the Comdex technology show, Tradeshow Week said the Las Vegas businessman "started slow and built a show ... into an empire."

Richard Heller, who serves as president and general manager of the Sands Expo, was also named to this year's list, as were two executives from local rival Mandalay Resort Group: President and Chief Financial Officer Glenn Schaeffer and Jim Lewis, director of trade show and association sales for Mandalay Bay.

Mandalay Bay's $236 million January expansion of its trade show and convention center gave Las Vegas its third major convention facility, joining the Sands Expo and Las Vegas Convention Center.

David Audrain, 39, and James Wetterling, 47, were named among the industry's "Young Guns" for their work at Henderson-based ConVexx Show Management and Las Vegas' Edlen Electrical Exposition Services, respectively.

"The city, hotels and casinos have done a fantastic job creating a good environment for the convention industry," Wetterling said. "And the convention business is so big here, Las Vegas has attracted the top people in the country. Anymore, you have to have an office here in you want to do well in this business."

Others named to this year's list include Manny Cortez, president and chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Convention Center; Paul Dykstra, president and CEO of GES Exposition Services, and Patti Shock, chairwoman of the nation's largest university trade show program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.