Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the U.S. capital, announced on Wednesday a repositioning of several members of its leadership team. The promotions, announced by President and CEO Greg O’Dell, come as the city reopens without restrictions for in-person meetings and live special events.
Samuel Thomas, senior vice president and general manager of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for the past 14 years, has been promoted to the position of chief operating officer. In his new role, Thomas is responsible for the oversight of all Events DC venue operations, driving the reopening and programming at event venues, including the D.C. Armory, the Entertainment and Sports Arena, R.F.K. Stadium, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and others. Thomas has led the servicing for such events as the 2010 and 2016 Nuclear Security Summit, where President Barack Obama hosted more than 40 heads of state, four Presidential Inaugural Balls and the 1997 Presidential Summit of America in Philadelphia. Career highlights include the 2010 and 2014 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, GreenBuild International Conference and Expo, the 2018 World Gas Conference, the 2018 Public Convention with The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, and the Society of Human Resources National Conference. He also coordinated a 2008 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority function that set the Guinness World Record for the largest sit-down dinner ever recorded.
Chinyere Hubbard, who served as vice president, communications and marketing for nearly 12 years, has been promoted to senior vice president, communications and marketing. She is charged with overseeing the organization’s strategic marketing and communications, as well as community engagement. During her time at Events DC, Hubbard has served as organizational spokesperson in addition to oversight of the groundbreaking and grand opening efforts for the 4,200-seat Entertainment and Sports Arena, the reopening of Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square, and the R.F.K. Stadium Campus redevelopment project. She also led the launch of D.C.’s bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. She currently serves on the boards of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, DC History Center and Cultural Tourism DC, as well as the D.C. Commission of Nightlife and Culture.
Thomas and Hubbard will continue to be instrumental in forging new pathways to work across industries in and around Washington, D.C., among groups that include Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, Destination DC—the city’s convention and visitors bureau—D.C. United, Cultural Tourism DC, The National Cherry Blossom Festival and more.
Visit www.eventsdc.com.
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