Show Management, the company that produces five of Florida’s largest boat shows, named Mary Bender as vice president of consumer marketing.
Bender brings 17 years of trade and consumer event experience, with the last nine years focused exclusively on marketing luxury consumer shows in multiple U.S. markets. Bender also is chairwoman of the public events council for the International Association of Exhibitions and Events.
“We are excited to have Mary join the team,” said Charlie McCurdy, CEO of Informa’s global exhibitions division, in a statement. Informa acquired Show Management from Active Interest Media in March.
“We are confident that her unique skill sets will result in an infusion of new marketing efforts, especially within the digital realm, and will ensure the group’s five-show portfolio will continue to offer the best ROI for exhibitors while remaining top destinations for members of the boating community,” McCurdy said.
Bender will be charged with integrating the digital transformation strategy recently developed by Informa’s global exhibitions division, which utilizes new technologies to focus on enhancing the customer experience.
Show Management produces five of Florida’s largest boat shows: the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show; Yachts Miami Beach; Palm Beach International Boat Show; Suncoast Boat Show in Sarasota; and the St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show.
“I am thrilled to be joining this exceptionally talented team,” Bender said. “As a South Florida resident, I had previously attended the shows and have long admired their first-class event production. I’m now looking forward to capitalizing on those efforts while introducing some new initiatives I believe will increase attendance while also increasing exhibitor satisfaction.”
