OUR LEADERSHIP

Mark White, CEO

Mark joined dmg world media (a predecessor company) to Marketplace Events in 1993 in the UK. His 31 years in the business have focused on business development (61 shows acquired in the last 17 years), corporate strategy, HR, show management and financial management. He spent 16 years as the company’s CFO before being promoted to President in 2023 then CEO in May 2024.

Mark graduated from Exeter University in the UK, and has worked for the business in London, Toronto and the Bay area, finally settling in San Diego. Mark’s primary responsibility is to foster the exceptional culture we have created at Marketplace Events and to lead the continued growth of the business.

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Tom Baugh, Chairman

In July 2008, Tom became the founding CEO of Marketplace Events, passing those duties to his longtime colleague, Mark White, in May 2024.  As Chairman, Tom is now taking the lead on expanding and accelerating MPE’s impressive M+A activities.

Prior to joining the company in 2003, Tom was a senior executive at industry-giant International Management Group (IMG) where he headed national sponsorship initiatives and consumer events.  Before that he was a vice president at Advanstar Expositions (now Informa) producing both trade and consumer shows.
 
Tom is the past president of the Home + Garden Show Executives International (HGSEI) and has served in leadership positions for the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and the National Association of Consumer Shows (NACS).  He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and a board member of several charitable organizations in Akron, Ohio.

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Stacey Charkow, CFO

Stacey Charkow has been a key member of the Marketplace Events leadership team since joining the company in 2006. As Chief Financial Officer, she leads the company's finance, accounting and HR functions, providing strategic guidance to support continued growth and operational excellence. Stacey brings nearly 20 years of experience helping the organization navigate and sustain high-growth expansion. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from McMaster University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).

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Shelly Gepfert, CRO

Shelly Gepfert has been helping shape the success of Marketplace Events since joining the company in 2006. Over the course of her career, she has advanced through a series of leadership roles, including Marketing Director, Vice President of Marketing, Chief Marketing Officer, and now Chief Revenue Officer. Her expertise in marketing, revenue strategy, and business growth has played an important role in the evolution of the company's North American portfolio. A two-time recipient of the Marketplace Events CEO Award of Appreciation, Shelly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Arts degree from Indiana University.

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Shalini Mitchell COO

Shalini Mitchell has been a key member of the Marketplace Events leadership team since joining the company in 2004. During her more than 20-year career with the company, she has held senior leadership roles across marketing, sales management, and regional operations, helping drive growth and performance throughout Marketplace Events' North American portfolio. Among her many accomplishments, she led marketing for the American International Motorcycle Expo, which earned recognition as a Top 50 Trade Show within two years. Shalini holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Calgary.

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Lisa Kropf, Outgoing COO

Comprised of equal parts drive and smarts, Lisa oversees the company’s consumer and exhibitor marketing, sales & sponsorship, corporate communications, and research & development.

An entrepreneur at heart, Lisa came to the company in 2004 when her PR firm was retained to manage consumer food shows launched in partnership with television’s popular Food Network.

During her 13 years as principal at Kropf Public Relations (when you’re really good, you put your name on the door), her firm provided marketing services for several consumer shows, Pepsi, IMG, Advanstar, PBS, an HGTV show, and others. Lisa’s worked on more than 100 different events in her 25-plus-years career!

A Clevelander since birth and a loyal Browns fan, Lisa was named one of the city’s "50 Most Interesting People" by Cleveland magazine. She is a graduate of Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and is a member of NACS, SISO, IEG, and IAEE.

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KELLY WEINER, CLO

Kelly is General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for Marketplace Events. Based in New York City, Kelly oversees all of the company's legal affairs. She is also focused on growing the company through mergers and acquisitions. Kelly began working with Marketplace Events in 2008, as outside legal counsel, before being named General Counsel in 2019.

Prior to joining Marketplace Events, Kelly operated her own legal practice for over a decade, where she advised clients (including MPE) on commercial contracts, mergers & acquisitions, employment matters, and intellectual property. Prior to starting her own practice, she was associated with Foley & Lardner LLC, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, and Nixon Peabody LLP.

Kelly obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Emory University School of Law and Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Rochester.

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Our Senior Team

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