trade show.
trade show.
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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.
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.
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.
With over 13 years at AFR, Vanezza is your go-to Trade Show Account Manager. Her role is all about collaborating with our outside sales team to hit goals and ensuring clients have a smooth and successful experience. From crafting dynamic presentations and managing sales processes to coordinating logistics and building lasting relationships. She is passionate about delivering exceptional customer service and solving problems on the fly.
Before joining AFR in 2011, she honed her skills at Florida International University with a major in Hospitality Management. Vanezza’s career has taken her through diverse roles, including Senior Designer at Ocean Florist on Fisher Island and Director of Catering at Hotel Midtown Atlanta. Her passion for hosting and making every event memorable has been a constant throughout her career.
When she is not working, Vanezza loves exploring new travel destinations, trying out the latest restaurant or you might find her lost in a good book. She enjoys taking her two daughters to Disney and spending quality time with her family and rescue dogs, Nala Lola, and Ellie Belle.
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.
Heather is a dedicated and results-driven Trade Show Sales Consultant with a proven track record in customer service and administrative roles. With nearly two decades of experience building strong client relationships and a bachelor's degree in business and organizational communication, Heather brings a unique blend of skills and enthusiasm to the AFR team.
Before joining AFR in April 2024, Heather excelled as a mental healthcare recruiter. Her dedication to helping others and providing exceptional customer service consistently earned glowing feedback and contributed to higher client satisfaction. Additionally, her volunteer work with animal rescue organizations sparked her creativity and event planning talents, making her a natural fit for the vibrant world of Trade Show design.
Heather thrives on turning client visions into reality. She is committed to providing exceptional service and creating stunning trade show booth experiences. Her enthusiasm, combined with her strong organizational skills, allows her to effectively manage projects from start to finish.
Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her beloved Shetland Sheepdog, Kira, exploring new places, and staying connected with friends and family. Her hobbies include reading, diamond painting, and discovering hidden gems in the local restaurant and coffee scene.
Tammie Bliss is a dedicated Trade Show Sales Consultant at AFR Furniture Rental, bringing an abundance of diverse experience to her role. Prior to joining AFR in 2023, Tammie served her country for seven years in the US Air Force. Her subsequent career path led her through various industries, including insurance, financial services, and the exhibition world.
With a strong foundation in customer service cultivated through roles at Charles Schwab and Ahern Rentals, Tammie excels at building lasting relationships and understanding client needs. Her previous experience at Downing Exhibits and GES ignited her passion for the trade show industry, where she honed her skills in furniture procurement, event logistics, and client satisfaction.
Tammie’s commitment to excellence is evident in her meticulous approach to creating successful trade show experiences for her clients. Her strong work ethic, coupled with her caring nature, ensures that every detail is attended to. Beyond her professional endeavors, Tammie was an active volunteer with the Humane Society of Greater Akron, demonstrating her compassion and dedication to giving back to her community.
When not immersed in the dynamic world of trade shows, Tammie spends time with her husband, Rick, and their rescue dog, Marco. She also enjoys exploring new destinations, immersing herself in captivating audiobooks, and indulging in her creative side through crocheting. With a love for music, travel, and family, Tammie maintains a balanced and fulfilling life.
sdoherty@rentfurniture.com
781-430-9279
Tradeshow Sales Consultant Sean Doherty first joined Team AFR in 2018 as an inside sales coordinator. He was promoted to customer service manager before a brief hiatus due to the pandemic, quickly returning as national account coordinator on a small team handling a very high-volume of client accounts. Most recently, Sean has transitioned into a tradeshow sales consultant role as of March of 2022.
Sean has a background in customer experience management, design, and analytics, and he’s worked in virtually every AFR company segment. Prior to his work at AFR, he received a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 2013, minoring in international trade and political economy in developing nations. He began his career in food service before moving into retail management, focusing on merchandising and planning for several diverse retail operations.
Thoughtful, sociable, and direct, Sean would like to learn multiple languages so he can talk to anyone. He loves working with furniture and excels at suggesting colors and vignettes that best compliment a particular audience or space. His favorite team is the Boston Bruins and his favorite show to binge watch is Friends. His most prized possession is his laptop, and when he isn’t working, you can find him at home with his two Old English Sheepdogs, his Hahn's Macaw, and an axolotl.
Christina La Bua is a seasoned trade show industry professional who brings nearly two decades of experience to her role as a Trade Show Sales Consultant at AFR Furniture Rental. Her career journey, marked by versatility and creativity, has equipped her with a unique perspective that is invaluable in helping clients bring their exhibition visions to life.
Her career began as an Account Executive at Camuto Group, where she gained invaluable insights into the exhibitor perspective. Transitioning to the general contractor side at Barton Expo Services ignited her passion for design and floorplan creation. Christina thrives on transforming visions into reality, finding immense satisfaction in collaborating with exhibitors and exhibit houses to bring their concepts to life.
Her educational background, including a Fashion Merchandising degree from Berkeley College and a Marketing degree with a History minor from Kean University, provides a solid foundation for her role. Christina’s ambitious and open-minded nature, coupled with her strong problem-solving skills, make her a valuable asset to the AFR team.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Christina is a dedicated community member, serving as a Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s troop and inspiring young girls to reach their full potential. When not immersed in her career or volunteer work, she enjoys spending quality time with family, exploring nature, and indulging in creative pursuits.
Christina’s enthusiasm for the trade show industry, combined with her ability to build strong relationships, makes her a trusted partner for clients seeking exceptional trade show solutions.
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.
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.
Isabella Inchiappa is a Trade Show Sales Consultant with AFR Furniture Rental, bringing a dynamic blend of creativity and project management expertise to the team. With a Bachelor of Science in Advertising Communications from St. John's University and a minor in Graphic Design, Isabella's strong foundation in visual communication complements her strategic approach to event planning.
Prior to joining AFR in April 2024, Isabella honed her project management skills within the trade show industry. Her experience in fast-paced environments, cultivated from early roles such as managing her family's Italian restaurant, equips her to excel under pressure and deliver exceptional results.
Isabella's passion for the events industry stems from the constant excitement of new challenges and opportunities to connect with diverse individuals. When she's not immersed in the world of trade shows, Isabella enjoys staying active through running, hiking, and kayaking.
