TRADE SHOWS
New Show Director Named for Womenswear in Nevada
The Womenswear In Nevada show, which takes place twice a year in Las Vegas, has been undergoing a number of changes recently. The decades-old show was sold two years ago to trade-show organizer Urban Expositions, and since then it has seen a revolving door of show directors.
Now, Clarion UX (formerly Urban Expositions) has named Desiree Hanson as its vice president of fashion events, which encompasses overseeing the WWIN show.
In her new job, she will be in charge of all sales, marketing and management for the apparel trade show, which is held at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino, where various ballrooms are filled with 500 booths. The show draws specialty stores that stock women’s fashions.
During the transition, Hanson will be working with Chad Timney, the former show director who is now acting as a consultant.
Hanson has been in the fashion and trade-show business for 14 years. Previously, she worked for The NPD Group in Port Washington, N.Y., where she provided specialty retailers with market insights on business and consumer trends.
Prior to that, she was at Reed Exhibitions, where she was event director for Luxury Privé, a jewelry trade event held during New York Jewelry Week.
Hanson is also active in the jewelry and fashion communities. She is vice president of chapter affairs for the Women’s Jewelry Association as well as program director for the American Gem Society Connecticut.
“Desiree has built her career on developing strong industry relationships and working with her team to curate custom show-floor environments and create memorable experiences for event attendees and exhibitors alike,” said Greg Topalian, chief executive of Clarion UX.
Womenswear in Nevada was started in 1998 by Roland Timney and Jeff Yunis with just 250 booths. It grew to become a popular trade show, held at the same time as all the other major apparel trade shows in Las Vegas, which include WWDMAGIC, Project, Pooltradeshow, Sourcing at MAGIC and Stitch. After the sale, Roland’s son, Chad Timney, was managing the trade show.
Prior to the WWIN acquisition, Urban Expositions, based in Kennesaw, Ga., was acquired by Clarion, a British trade-show organizer that was founded in 1947. It organizes more than 200 trade shows every year in 35 countries.
The next WWIN show will be held Feb. 12–15.
