Kathryn Fitts and Dennis Smith are the new management team at Messe Frankfurt in Atlanta, USA, taking over from John Gallagher. The company manages the Techtextil North America trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens as well as other events.

Detlef Braun, the Messe Frankfurt Executive Board member responsible for North and South America, said: “Kathryn Fitts and Dennis Smith are now the management team at the helm of our subsidiary Messe Frankfurt Inc. And we are absolutely convinced that the new management will contribute in the company’s future growth in the whole North American region.”

With immediate effect, Fitts and Smith have been appointed Presidents. Fitts will concentrate on Finance and Administration, while Smith focuses on Shows and Operation.

Kathryn Fitts

Kathryn Fitts, born in Munich, obtained an MBA in Finance from Boston University and has over 30 years of experience in Finance, Accounting and Administration.

During her career, she has worked for renowned companies such as Jim Beam Brands, Boy Scouts of America and PricewaterhouseCoopers. She is now responsible for the company’s Finance, Legal, Human Ressources and IT functions.

Dennis Smith       

Dennis Smith has an MBA in International Business and is regarded as a trade fair specialist. He has 21 years of experience in the international trade fair industry to his credit.

During his career, he lived for over 15 years in Germany, the United Kingdom and Turkey, overseeing international events in a wide cross-section of sectors. He is now in charge of Messe Frankfurt’s US events and of the key account management of US customers taking part in trade fairs in Frankfurt and at the company’s other locations around the world.

Messe Frankfurt

Messe Frankfurt Atlanta was founded in 1991 and is currently the largest subsidiary of any German trade fair company in North America, focusing mainly on textile, technical, automotive and recycling trade fairs.

Its portfolio includes trade fairs such as Techtextil North America in Atlanta and Las Vegas, Texworld USA in New York, Texprocess Americas in Atlanta, Home Textiles Sourcing Expo in New York and the International Apparel Sourcing Show in New York.

Messe Frankfurt also organises the Canadian Waste & Recycling Expo and PAACE Automechanika Mexico City.

www.messefrankfurt.com