Our Mission
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Mission Group Live, LLC produces comprehensive events delivering great value and ROI to both its attendees and exhibitors. We work alongside outstanding representatives and vendors whose shared commitment is to provide unparallel experiences through our marketplaces reimagined.
Our efforts ensure mutually beneficial outcomes for our partners through establishing the most effective ways to bring buyers and sellers together, in both in-person and virtual environments.
We measure our company’s success through the satisfaction and growth of the companies and markets that we support, and the ones yet to be imagined.
Current
For the past 18 years, A. Karen Varrone worked in partnership with her husband and family as VP of Business Development for Exponation, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia. At the helm of Mission Group Live, LLC, Karen brings over 30 years of event and hospitality industry experience to a broad range of clients.
To enable clients to achieve substantially better returns on investments, Karen develops strategic and creative approaches to:
- Conceptualization and Marketing
- Incentives and Registration
- Housing/Production Management
- Trade Relations
- Tradeshow Strategy
- Rich Media Development
History
Karen served as the vice president of trade shows and conventions for World Travel Partners before founding The Mission Group in 2000. Through her astute leadership, companies and event organizers work together to maximize results for all parties concerned.
At the beginning of her career, Karen was honored to be associated with Freeman Decorating Company and Shepard Convention Services. She had direct involvement in the production of:
- Comdex
- The President George Bush Sr. Presidential Inauguration
- National Business Aviation Association,
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
- International Bowl Expo
- National Athletic Trainers Association
Karen served as Director of Events for ST Media Group, the oldest and largest publishing company in the visual communications industry. Karen also served as a consultant to Hanley Wood Exhibitions, the Super Bowl XXXIX Jacksonville Hospitality Program, and Reed Expositions.
Karen then developed a series, “Suite Returns.” This enabled organizations to maximize the potential of their luxury seating programs. This series of business seminars were presented by The Mission Group in conjunction with the Association of Luxury Suite Directors.
Angelo Varrone
Angelo Varrone
Angelo has been in the B2B communications field for over 50 years, starting his career in 1970 with Gralla Publications, Inc. (New York, New York) before setting out on his own in 1979. In June of 2021, he and his wife Karen started a new company, Mission Group Live, LLC.
An organizer of live events and conferences, his company launches in new markets while continuing to seek compatible exhibition acquisitions. Before his most recent venture, he was Chairman/CEO of Exponation, LLC, an Atlanta-based producer of trade shows. He co-founded the company in 2002 along with his daughter and son-in-law, Danielle and Chris Gibbs.
Exponation, LLC owned and produced Digital Signage Expo, LightShow/West, LED Specifier Summit, and the Digital Signage Connection web portal. Digital Signage Expo is a 7-time winner of the trade show industry’s “Fastest 50” award. Said award is given to the fastest-growing trade and/or consumer shows in a given year.
Digital Signage Expo won this award in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2017. LightShow/West earned a “Top 25 Fast Growth Show for 2011” awarded by Expo Magazine and a “Fastest 50” award in 2017.
From 1984 to 1998, Mr. Varrone was the president/CEO of Shore-Varrone, Inc. (SVI), an Atlanta based B2B communications company that grew from $3 million in sales to $30 million under his leadership. SVI was sold to VNU, Inc. a multi-national B2B communications and information company in October 1998.
At the time of the sale, SVI published eleven magazines (including Sports Trend), produced seven trade shows (including GlobalShop, a Trade Show Week Top 50 show), and numerous ancillary products, including conferences, fax newsletters, and directories. SVI was also a joint venture partner in Sports Trend Info, an internet-based, point-of-sale information business serving the sporting goods industry.
Mr. Varrone has served on the board of directors of the American Business Media (ABM) trade association and was vice-chair of ABM’s marketing committee. He received the Athena Award from the Specialty Equipment Markets Association, for contributing to the professional advancement of women in the automotive aftermarket.
He is a former board of trustee member and Vice President of the Atlanta chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America and chaired their marketing and communications committee.
Evan J. Hunter, Jr.
Evan J. Hunter, Jr.
Director of Research and Analytics
Evan Hunter is an experienced Director of Research and Sales. Driven by his interest in investment banking, he takes pride in providing thorough research and sound advice with clients. As a Finance major at Harbert College of Business at Auburn University, his goals this fall are to make Dean’s List and intern for an investment bank in D.C.
He wishes to attain his ChFC, CFA, and FVMA certifications post-grad and work for a top investment banking firm. In addition to his primary job functions, Evan Hunter has been recognized by his high school, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, and the Boy Scouts of America for his extraordinary commitment of servant leadership.
Clara V. Hunter
Clara V. Hunter
Creative Director
Clara V. Hunter is a full-time student at American University living in Washington, DC. She is majoring in criminal justice and minoring in art history. She will graduate in the fall of 2021.
She is an active member in Alpha Phi Omega chapter at American University. Her involvement is not only present on campus, but also in the greater Metropolitan Washington area. She will be applying for law school but as a digital nomad she is a dedicated to the success of MGL. Clara’s knowledge of and experience in the trade show industry began as a teenager. She has worked on trade show floors as sales assistants and aided in expansional tasks.
She resides in Washington, DC where the upcoming events will be held and works remotely for MGL.