Officials for GLM have appointed a new senior vice president and group show director to head the firm’s newly acquired IR Events Group.
Effective Feb. 4, Craig Dooley will take the helm of the IR Events Group as GLM’s
senior vice president and group show director. Working from GLM’s downtown Chicago office, Dooley will report directly to CEO Charles McCurdy.
“We are excited to welcome Craig to the senior management team at GLM,” said McCurdy. “His extensive knowledge of the events business will be integral to realizing the full potential of the IR Events Group. GLM aims to enhance efficiencies in the sourcing, sales and distribution of specialty merchandise throughout the supply chain. Craig will play a key role in supporting this mission.”
In the newly created role, Dooley will oversee the strategy, operations and expansion, including conference development, sales, marketing, financial management, operations and total show administration, of the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition, Internet Retailer Mobile Marketing & Commerce Forum and the Internet Retailer Web Design & Usability Conference. He also will lead the expansion of the IR Events Group through co-locations with GLM shows, including the recently announced Internet Retailer event at Surf Expo, as well as anticipated freestanding IRCE-style events in North America, Asia and Europe. Dooley also will be responsible for management of the existing IR Events team, which will remain in place.
“As the nation’s largest conference and exhibition devoted to e-commerce developments and technologies, the IR Events brand holds a critical, leading position among both tech and business audiences,” said Dooley. “I am excited to work with Charlie and the GLM team to build upon the success of these events and develop new resources that serve the evolving needs of retailers and consumers.”
Dooley brings 20 years of experience from the technology and events industries, having served in senior-level marketing and strategy roles for MMPI – owner and operator of integrated showroom and office buildings and tradeshow facilities, and the Inforte Corp., a technology consulting and systems integration firm, among other organizations. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from Northwestern University.
GLM creates face-to-face and online buying, selling and networking platforms for designers, product developers, manufacturers, reps, retailers and operators through tradeshow and event production, online community development and association management. GLM’s portfolio of events includes the New York International Gift Fair, International Contemporary Furniture Fair, Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition, National Stationery Show, Surf Expo and SURTEX.
