Pictured L-R: Diversified President and CEO Theodore Wirth congratulating Mary Larkin
Diversified Communications congratulates Mary Larkin, executive vice president of Diversified’s U.S. operations, for breaking the glass ceiling with her recent election to serve as UFI’s first female president. UFI is a global association of the exhibition industry of which Diversified Communications is a long-time member. Larkin was recognized by her colleagues and celebrated for this achievement at a company-wide reception at Diversified’s headquarters in Portland, Maine.
Larkin will join the UFI presidential trio for the 2018/19 term as incoming president. She will work closely with Craig Newman (Johannesburg Expo Centre, South Africa) president 2018-19 and Corrado Peraboni (Fiera Milano, Italy) outgoing president to manage UFI at the highest level, and help UFI continue on its path of global development.
“I am delighted to be part of UFI’s leadership in the coming years and to continue with the development and support that UFI has provided the industry for so long,” Larkin says. As the first UFI president based in the U.S. and the first female to hold the post she adds, “I am particularly looking forward to representing and working with women to help increase the level of female representation in leadership positions within the industry.”
Larkin, executive vice president at Diversified Communications since 2014, has held leadership positions within the exhibitions industry for more than half of her career. She became show director in 2001 for what became Diversified’s largest brand and the seafood industry’s leading global events–Seafood Expo. As a key contributor to the growth and expansion of the seafood portfolio, Larkin was appointed group vice president in 2004 overseeing Seafood Expo Global (Brussels), Seafood Expo North America (Boston) and the Integrative Healthcare portfolio.
Diversified President and CEO Theodore Wirth says, “Mary’s proven ability to drive the growth and global expansion of our portfolios isn’t overlooked by those in the exhibitions industry and we all look forward to seeing her influence and the benefits she brings to the industry through this post.”
Larkin already serves on several industry boards including the Society of Independent Show Organizers, UFI (Global Exhibitions Association) and the Seafood Industry Research Fund. Locally she is on the board of directors for the Center for Grieving Children in Portland, Maine.
One of three executive vice presidents overseeing Diversified Communication’s U.S. operations, Larkins’ international portfolio of tradeshows, conferences and digital products includes: Seafood Expo Global (Brussels), Seafood Expo North America (Boston), Seafood Expo Asia (Hong Kong), Seafoodsource.com and Diversified’s Integrative Healthcare and Wine portfolios.
Diversified Communications is a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products Diversified Communications connects, educates and strengthens business communities in over 14 industries including: food and beverage, healthcare, natural and organic, business management and technology. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third generation, family-owned business. For more info, visit www.divcom.com
