The Event Service Professionals Association recently installed Jamie Huckleberry as its new president. Huckleberry is the director of event services at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Penn., where she has been a part of the events team since it opened in 2003 and part of SMG, which manages it, since 1998.
"I truly value ESPA and have found being a member of this organization has been one of the best career moves I have ever made," said Huckleberry. "I hope to call attention to the fact that the success of events comes from the partnership between the group, the city and the venues."
ESPA also welcomed its 2019 officers: David Raymond, CMP, senior convention services manager at The Westin Charlotte, is president-elect; Julie Brakenbury, director of services at Greater Raleigh CVB, assumes the role of first vice president and Paola Bowman, CMP, CMM, director of destination services at Grapevine CVB, assumes the role of treasurer. Eric Logan, CMP, convention services/housing manager, Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Ronda Roe, CMP, CTA, director of catering, Hilton Palacio Del Rio, joins the board as new directors.
ESPA's mission is to prepare event and convention services professionals for pivotal roles in innovative and successful event execution. As a forum for CSMs, as well as an educational and networking resource, ESPA advocates for the role and impact event service professionals have on the success of events and of destinations, hotels and convention centers.