Trade Show Executive

PEOPLE
Colonel Jim Bracken
Retiring From Nielsen
Military Expo Group
BY HIL ANDERSON, senior editor
Washington, DC – Jim Bracken
will retire in March from Nielsen
Expositions after nearly 30 years
in the exhibition industry. He is a
former chairman of VNU Expositions
[now Nielsen]and until
recently, was group show director
for Nielsen’s trio of military trade
shows: Modern Day Marine;
Marine West; and Marine South.
Bracken spent 26 years in the
U.S. Marine Corps and retired as
a colonel. He served two tours
as an offi cer in Vietnam and
was stationed at Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba during the Cuban
Missile Crisis. After retiring from
the service, Bracken worked
for and then bought out Capital Convention and Exhibit
Company, which produced Modern Day Marine. The
company was eventually acquired by VNU, which later
was rebranded as Nielsen in 2007.
“After a full career as a Marine Corps offi cer, he entered
our industry not knowing anyone or even much about
the business,” said Richard Simon, USMC veteran and
president and CEO of United Service Companies. “But
he came armed with charm, wit and a 50-caliber smile.
He started a second career and ascended to the top of
his newly merged company. He was soon was recognized
as an industry leader and sought after for his advice.”
Bracken was the fi rst president of the newly formed
VNU trade show division from 1993-2001 and its
chairman until 2004. He was chairman of the Society
of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) in 2003
and a frequent speaker at industry events.
“From the fi rst moment I met Jim Bracken, I felt like
I should salute instead of shake hands,” said Doug
Ducate, president and CEO of the Center for Exhibition
Industry Research. “And today I salute the many fi ne
contributions he has made to this industry and wish
he and his wife Judy, all the best.”
Bracken did not announce his immediate plans for
the future, but his colleagues doubted he would
disappear from sight.
Reach Jim at (703) 899-5905 or jamesabracken@gmail.com
Visit Orlando has named
GEORGE AGUEL as president
and chief executive
officer, replacing the late
Gary Sain who passed away
on May 4. Most recently,
Aguel served as senior
vice president of global
corporate alliances and
operating participants at
The Walt Disney Company.
During his 35-year career
in sales and marketing,
Aguel also served as senior
vice president of worldwide
sales and services for Walt
Disney Parks and Resorts
for 22 years and as general
manager of The Disney
Institute. Aguel has received
numerous awards during
his career, including the
Academy of Leaders Award
from the American Society
of Association Executives
(ASAE) and the Professional
Achievement Award from
the Professional Convention
Management Association
(PCMA). He was also
inducted into the Convention
Liaison Council Hall
of Leaders in 2004. In addition,
he served as chairman
of Meeting Professionals
International (MPI) from
2002 to 2003. Reach George
at (407) 363-5800 or george.
aguel@visitorlando.com
Advanstar Communications,
Inc. named TRACY
HARRIS senior vice president
of its Powersports
division. This brings the
Advanstar veteran, who
has 25 years of experience
in the motorcycle industry,
back to the Powersports
division after two years in
which she was vice president
of expos and worked
with other Advanstar
properties, including the
licensing, fashion and pop
culture units. She replaced
Danny Phillips, who had
been executive vice president
of the Powersports division.
Phillips will now concentrate
on international sales
and acquisition integration
for the entire company.
She reports to Powersports
Group President Chris
DeMoulin. Reach Tracy at
(310) 857-7500 or tharris@
advanstar.com
ERIC HERTZ joined the
International Council of
Shopping Centers (ICSC)
as staff vice president, director
of education. He will
oversee ICSC education
64 March 2013 | Trade Show Executive