Tom Conley named president and CEO of High Point Market Authority

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 8/4/2011 12:56:56 PM

HIGH POINT, N.C. — Trade show executive Tom Conley has been named president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority by its board of directors.

Tom ConleyHe replaces former President Brian Casey, who left the Market Authority, the market's organizing body, this spring for a position with Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. in Cleveland. Conley will start Aug. 15.

"We are very pleased to have someone of Tom's caliber join the Market Authority, particularly with his extensive background in trade show management," said authority Chairman Kevin O'Connor of Samson Marketing in a press release.

Conley is the owner of TPC & Associates in Chicago, a convention and trade show services business that he launched in 2009.

Before that, he was president of the Toy Industry Assn. in New York and headed the annual International Toy Fair, a 100-year-old trade show. Conley was also formerly president of the Steel Service Center Institute, the International Travel Management Partners and the National Housewares Manufacturers Assn., where he implemented new processes to improve and redefine the annual Housewares show.

Conley will be responsible for developing strategies for the market and expanding "its role as the world's premier home furnishings market," the press release said.