Staff Profiles
Gary B. Shaw: President
Gary Shaw has been in the meetings, convention and association fields for over 30 years. His primary experience in the service of professional societies and trade associations, in both operational and executive management, brings a special perspective to all types of events.
His background includes eleven years with Reed Exhibitions, producing association-sponsored events such as the International Security Conference. His association event management experience includes the Annual Meeting for the American Society for Clinical Oncology (one of the largest medical conventions in the country), the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation, the American Academy of Plastic Surgery, the In-Store Marketing Institute, and the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
He brings deep experience to ExcelEvent Group’s clients in event planning from conception to execution, with focus on member/customer needs, organizational initiatives, as well as proactive strategy to keep events ahead of the curve as member needs mature and grow.
Gary received his BS in Management from National-Louis University. Professionally, he is a nationally recognized expert on event planning and management for the non-profit field. He has written papers and columns for such publications as Meeting News and Tradeshow Week. He has lectured for industry groups’ meetings such as the International Association for Expositions and Events (IAEE) and Meeting Planners International (MPI).
MaryBeth Polizzi: Vice President, Operations
MaryBeth brings over 12 years of proactive management experience in meetings and conventions in the association and corporate fields. Her most demonstrative work was with the American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition to her meeting planning responsibilities, she was in charge of coordinating and overseeing the registration process for all Annual Meetings and Specialty Courses, ranging in attendees from15 to 12,000 attendees. She was also responsible for all the VIP registrations from all foreign dignitaries, providing high level service for all critical activities.
MaryBeth was recruited by NTK Technologies, a leading Japanese manufacturer. She was responsible for an intense schedule of worldwide executive and VIP travel arrangements, corporate meeting planning, and coordinating the company’s exhibits for numerous annual national and international trade shows.
With significant meetings, travel, registration and operational experience with both associations and corporate entities, MaryBeth offers clients detailed and high-touch service in critical customer services.
Paul J. Cusimano: Vice President, Business Development
Paul has since 1996 designed and created multiple events for various organizations throughout Chicago. As a fund raising professional Paul led the Chinese American Service League’s $9.2M capital campaign for a new facility in Chinatown, and hosted the Chinese Immigrant Service Agencies Network International 25th Anniversary Conference. Paul has developed and managed numerous evening fundraising events, as well as golf outings and seminars.
Paul holds a MA in East Asian Studies from Columbia University in New York, and has traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Paul’s knowledge of the fund raising community, his attention to the bottom line, and his experience in both grassroots and major corporate events brings great value to clients of ExcelEvent.
Robert Wiltgen: Director of Design and Information Technology
Rob has over 20 years of working in the graphic design and information technology fields. He has deep creative experience in agency and corporate settings as well as well as with printers, photo labs, and display production facilities. Rob brings renowned expertise in building organizational identities and bringing brands to life via advertising campaigns, direct mail programs, as well as high-impact sign and display efforts, particularly for trade show programs and conventions. His creativity carries extensive art production experience. Additionally, Rob has significant IT experience, to assure outstanding conference registration, on-site operations and speaker support.
Rob holds a BFA in Graphic Design from Iowa State University and an MA in Information Technology Management from Webster University. He brings years of experience and expertise to ExcelEvent Group’s clients to bring their marketing objectives to the highest level and provide a unique in-house resource for IT needs.