tradeshow.
tradeshow.
Select from one of the regions below:
jlopez@rentfurniture.com
917-560-3957
In the world of furniture rental, Jose Lopez is a trade show industry veteran. His career journey began in 1995 at Brook Furniture Rental. There, Jose was the general manager of sales operations, and later the director of national sales. In 2002, after gaining valuable industry experience, Jose founded Agile Trade Show & Event Furnishings. As president of the Company, he worked tirelessly for the next 10 years to grow Agile into the second largest trade show furniture provider in the US. Jose remained on the team as vice president of the trade show division when AFR acquired Agile in 2012.
Jose is an active member of several trade organizations, including Exhibition Services and Contractors Association (ESCA), International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), and more. In his current role, he’s thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with clients and create engaging, impactful trade show openings. He doesn’t feel like he chose his career path. Rather, he feels his career path selected him and drew him towards it.
Physical fitness is a very important part of Jose’s life. He’s completed the Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, and New York City Marathons, plus the New York City Triathlon and more. He’s even completed a Half Ironman in both Coeur d’Alene and Puerto Rico.
When Jose isn’t working, you might find him working out or relaxing with his family and his nine-year-old Miniature Poodle, Leo. His favorite teams are the New York staples: Mets, Jets, Knicks, and Rangers, of course. If Jose could meet anyone, it would be Professional Baseball Player Roberto Clemente. Together, they would discuss Roberto’s work—both as a humanitarian and an athlete.
Diana Gonzalez had no trouble finding the right career path once she finished college. Now a 25+ year veteran of the trade show industry, she was hired for trade show coordinator position at a furniture rental company quickly after graduating from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in hospitality – and she’s never looked back!
No stranger to the trade show floor, Diana prides herself on working hands-on with her clients during the excitement of a show. In her current role as national account executive, Diana continues to play an integral role on AFR’s trade show team. She works directly with clients from the Midwest to design next-level trade shows, meetings, and conferences anywhere in the US, ensuring their vision is brought to life vividly and exactly as imagined.
Diana is based in Chicago (Go Cubbies!) and is a huge fan of all Chicago sports teams. When she’s not at work, you might find her trying out a new restaurant, traveling somewhere she’s never been before, or enjoying weekends at her lake house in Michigan with her 23-year-old son, 19-year-old twins, and her Yellow Lab, Allie.
lkohler@rentfurniture.com
917-709-5319
AFR Trade Show Account Executive Lauren Kohler has a long history of experience in the world of trade show furnishings. Her career journey began with a position at Modern Line Furniture starting in 2008. By 2010 she’d moved on to AGILE Tradeshow & Event Furnishings, which was later acquired by AFR Furniture Rental in 2013. And for almost a decade, Lauren has played a crucial role on our trade show team.
Lauren is on the board of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events New York Chapter (NYIAEE). She deeply appreciates that her career gives her the opportunity to meet new people and build valuable relationships that last for years. Friendly, hardworking, and reliable, Lauren leverages her expertise to design stylish and impactful trade show booths, corporate meetings, and more for her clients.
A graduate of Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, New Jersey, Lauren was a Division 2 women’s soccer captain for three years before she graduated. Naturally, her favorite sports team is the United States women's national soccer team and if she could meet one person it would be American soccer player Mia Hamm because she’s a wonderful role model as a mother and entrepreneur.
Lauren is a proud mother of a three-year-old, a five-year-old, and a (not so mini) Mini Berniedoodle named Toby. When she’s not at work she likes to play with her kids, attend their soccer games, walk her dog, and more. She would love to travel the world someday with her husband and kids to visit all the places they’ve never been to before.
For as long as she can remember, trade show account manager and experienced 10+ year member of Team AFR, Vanezza Fons, has naturally loved being an outstanding host for her family and friends. Prior to beginning her career at AFR in 2011, Vanezza attended Florida International University, majoring in hospitality management. She was also previously senior designer for Ocean Florist in Fisher Island, then director of catering at Hotel Midtown Atlanta.
Ambitious, loyal, and caring, Vanezza’s favorite part about her job is having the opportunity to help others. She’s an avid reader, and when she’s not at work (or reading) you might find her traveling, shopping, checking out a new restaurant, taking her daughter to Disney, or just hanging out with family, including her two rescue dogs, Lola and Ellie Belle, who both live the good life now!
jlemere@rentfurniture.com
407-947-1024
Julia LeMere began her career with AFR in 2011, showing impeccable work ethic and strength as a team player while advancing to her current role of National Account Director for our Events and Trade Show segments. She works directly with international clients and specializes in large accounts across the US – with a concentration in developing custom partnership programs.
Julia is kind, loyal, and always happy to provide clients with solutions. She maintains a winning attitude on every project and, with her European background, brings a certain flair and knowledge to creative design. Julia enjoys global travel and visiting with her grandchildren in Nashville. When she’s not working or traveling, you may find her indulging in British TV programs or (last but not least) fine dining.
jlevy@rentfurniture.com
702-612-0257
Julie Levy is no newbie to the events and furniture industries. She began her career in 1999 and joined the AFR team in August of 2012. After spending two years in Seattle, Julie has returned to Las Vegas to continue her career at AFR. A Vegas native and event industry veteran with over 22 years of experience in furniture rental and manufacturing industries for conventions, meetings, and events, Julie is excited to return home.
Julie plans to continue her presence in the event and trade show industries through her involvement with industry organizations including the International Live Events Association (ILEA), and Vegas-based Convention Services Association (CSA) and Las Vegas Hospitality Association (LVHA). While in Seattle, Julie became the Vice President of WIPA Seattle in its inaugural year.
Julie is fluent in American Sign Language and as a busy mother of four kids (from three years to college-age) she spends a lot of her life drinking coffee and at soccer fields. Though Julie has no significant amount of spare time on her hands, she still knows how to enjoy some Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia and support the causes dear to her heart like the Just One Project and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Angie Carlson began working in the event industry to earn some extra cash during college. It didn’t take long for her to realize she had a serious love of creative design. This made her current position as trade show sales consultant a natural progression.
Angie earned college degrees in nursing, applied science, and photography—proving her dedication and versatility. She worked as a nurse and later gained key experience designing and sewing for special events. One of her favorite aspects of her career is watching her designs come together when shows open.
An organized and caring critical-thinker, Angie worked hard to remodel her home on her own. She’s a proud mother, and she also owns two very cute Munchkin cats. Her favorite food is tacos and her favorite sports team is the Vegas Golden Knights. When she’s not at work, you might find her reworking and painting furniture for resale.
jclinton@rentfurniture.com
410-300-9095
Long before joining the AFR family in 2018, Jessica Clinton was paying dues and building up a wealth of experience within the hospitality industry. A skilled and highly-adaptable Special Event Sales Consultant, she has over a decade of experience in hospitality and more than five years of customer service and sales experience. Jessica is funny, outgoing, and always looking to build relationships while expanding her industry knowledge.
In her free time, she likes to watch Investigation Discovery, HLN, OXYGEN, or Discovery – and can always count on watching the Office when she’s feeling down as a sure-fire mood booster. A true animal lover, Jessica volunteers at the MDSPCA and has two dogs named Norman and Nigel and four cats named Piper, Pippa, Oreo, and Edgar. Fun fact: Edgar was actually found outside of an AFR!
Michelle.danks@rentfurniture.com
Before joining AFR’s trade show team in 2018, Michelle Danks attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. There, she earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies. She also received recognition for outstanding scholarship, leadership, and service from the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS).
Michelle got her start in advertising and public relations before moving on to marketing communications and nonprofit fundraising. These roles often called for her to plan special events, including galas, art festivals, and more. She found this to be a gratifying part of her job; an area that sparked her passion and creativity.
There’s never a dull moment in her current role as trade show account manager. Michelle is a detail-oriented problem solver with a consistent history of meeting and exceeding goals for her clients. She’s often very excited about trade show opening days where she gets to see the finished results of her hard work and careful planning.
A genuine lover of animals, she fulfilled her dream of working in wildlife conservation in 2017 when she moved to Malawi, Africa. If she could meet anyone, it would be Primatologist and Anthropologist Jane Goodall. Together, they would reflect on her amazing life experiences over tea.
Michelle is an avid reader, and she even wrote and published a book of poetry during the pandemic. During this time, she also rescued Jackson, a Border Collie and Newfoundland mix. On her days off, you might find her kayaking or on a long hike. She also volunteers her time at a local animal sanctuary.
Trade Show Sales Consultant Brianne Domoracki attended University of Nevada, Las Vegas before joining Team AFR in 2014. She got her start in the industry as an event coordinator and thrives on creativity when designing impactful, next-level trade show environments. Her favorite part of her job is the opportunity to collaborate and brainstorm with her awesome clients and coworkers.
Brianne is loyal, honest, and giving – and couldn’t live without her family. If she could meet anyone, it would be Maya Angelou for her inspiration, courage, and perseverance. She has two dogs and a cat, and in her spare time she fosters dogs for a local animal rescue group. Her favorite team is the Minnesota Vikings and when she’s not at work, you might find her at a concert, traveling, or spending time with those closest to her.
