FESPA has expanded the roles of Michael Ryan and James Ford, naming the two Group Exhibition Managers. Reflecting FESPA's ambitious global expansion plans, this move gives each of them responsibility for a portfolio of events from FESPA's worldwide event calendar.

Michael will play a pivotal role in FESPA's new business development, taking responsibility for the forthcoming launch of FESPA Africa 2014, together with the established FESPA Mexico exhibition, and FESPA Brasil and FESPA Eurasia, the second editions of which will take place over the next two years. James's remit will cover the main European FESPA exhibitions, including FESPA Digital, plus FESPA's Asian events including FESPA China.

Michael Ryan has been with FESPA for over a decade, actively building the European event, and - since 2008 - driving the successful launch of FESPA's developing market events in Mexico, Brazil and Turkey. James Ford has been a key member of the FESPA sales team since 2005, and has been instrumental in the year-on-year growth of the European events, and the development of FESPA's event brand in Asia. James is currently spearheading FESPA's sales activity for the forthcoming inaugural FESPA China exhibition.

Neil Felton comments, "In less than a decade, FESPA has transformed from an international trade association with a single, three-yearly European event, to a global event brand with a footprint on four continents, and a growing reputation for content-rich business events attracting senior decision makers. Mike and James have been instrumental in this development, and their promotion now gives them full ownership of sales and exhibitor account management for the events they work on.

"Both Mike and James are passionate about FESPA's markets, and their commitment to building relationships with FESPA exhibitors is outstanding. Their ethos is consistent with FESPA's - they treat our exhibitors as members of a valued community, working hard to listen to their needs and offering solutions that reflect exhibitors' objectives from participating. Their 'can-do' attitude is fundamental to the positive feedback we receive from exhibitors, and to the fact that so many exhibitors follow FESPA when we launch events in new territories."

Mike and James are part of a seven-strong sales team at FESPA's headquarters in the UK, and work closely with FESPA's local and partner sales teams in developing markets. FESPA has also reinforced its growing events and marketing teams with the promotion of Michela Marcantonio to senior events executive, and Leighona Bradford to marketing executive.