SAN DIEGO, CA (August 15, 2008)  — Marketing Design Group (MDG) is pleased to announce that Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes, CEM has been promoted to vice president.

“Kimberly has created successful strategic marketing plans for several of the largest tradeshows in our industry. Seven years of dedicated service, both to MDG and to our clients, has more than prepared her for the expanded responsibilities of a VP role,” said Denise Paccione, president of MDG. “Her depth of experience and exceptional leadership skills will help keep MDG—and the campaigns we create for our clients—on the leading edge, both strategically and technologically.”

Prior to joining MDG, Kimberly earned her Master of Science in Business Administration from San Diego State University.  With thirteen years of marketing experience in the United States and Europe, she has been featured in Tradeshow Week’s “The Next Generation of Leaders” list and has lead International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) educational seminars on strategic market planning.

“As vice president, my goals are to work with MDG’s clients to identify and seize opportunities to succeed in a changing economy and gain a long-term competitive advantage,” said Kimberly.  “I will continue to serve our clients as MDG’s chief account strategist, involved in the strategic market planning and tactical execution of marketing campaigns, and will also play a more influential role in the decisions that affect the future of the agency.”

In addition to her promotion, Kimberly also recently obtained the CEM (Certified in Exhibition Management) designation. The CEM program was created in 1975 by IAEE to provide a professional designation for individuals in the exhibition industry and is recognized as the premier mark of professional achievement.

“Because the majority of our clients are in the exhibitions and events industry, I wanted to build on my marketing knowledge and get a better understanding of the operational and sales aspects of their business,” said Kimberly.  “Because MDG is involved in the strategic planning process with our clients we are consistently asked to advise on a variety of issues that fall outside the realm of traditional marketing communications. The better versed we become in our clients’ business, the better partners we can be and the more value we can add.”