The Helicopter Association International (HAI) has selected Charlotte R. Zilke to be its new director of conventions. As director of conventions, Zilke is responsible for the overall preparation, coordination, and execution of all aspects of the association’s annual trade show and exposition, HAI HELI-EXPO®, the world’s largest trade show and exposition dedicated solely to the vertical lift industry.
Zilke most recently served as HAI’s manager of convention services, where she was the main point of contact for exhibitors and developed the exhibit hall floor plan to maximize efficient use of space. She was also instrumental in developing marketing materials such as the Exhibitor Prospectus, Convention Preview, and other print and electronic marketing.
Zilke began working for HAI in 2008 as the exhibits coordinator. Prior to joining HAI, she was an exhibit services coordinator for the National Association of Broadcasters, which hosts one of the largest trade shows for radio, television, and internet broadcasters in the world.
She holds a CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) certification from the Convention Industry Council and a CEM (Certificate of Exhibits Management) certification from the International Association of Exhibitions & Events. She is a graduate of the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland in College Park, Md.
