Meet your source for top event talent.
Sean Falk
President and COO
Sean Falk, CFE, formerly held the role of Client Executive /Franchise Development Leader with Hylant Insurance, focusing on the franchise community. He has served as Vice President of Franchising at SafeWay Driving and was instrumental in awarding Safeway Drivings’ franchise business model to 21 locations in the 15 months following launch.
Sean has many years of experience as a franchisee of eight different brands across the U.S. He is active with the International Franchise Association (IFA) earning his Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) credentials, serving on the VetFran Committee, Franchisee Forum Committee, Franchise Supplier Advisory Board, and serving on the Board of Directors. He was the Chairman of the Multi Unit Franchise Conference in 2013 and still leads as a member of their Advisory Board. He graduated from the University of Michigan and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Tom Portesy
Partner
Tom is a principal of Business Show Media, which produces a number of events including The International Franchise Show in London, as well as the Business Shows taking place in London, Los Angeles, Miami and Singapore. Prior to that, Tom served as President and CEO of MFV Expositions for over 20 years. During his time at MFV Expositions, he oversaw and adapted to the ever-changing marketplace. Tom remains exceptionally active in the franchise industry and is a Board Member of the International Franchise Association.
During his career, Tom was also responsible for events in several other industries, as well as managing a global network of partners. Tom has participated as a panelist and moderator in countless educational seminars and symposia. Prior to joining MFV Expositions, Tom owned an advertising and PR firm and was a founder and Group Vice President of an instant printing franchise.
Brian Howell
Senior Advisor, Events Division
Brian brings 35 years of truly global Event Operations experience to the Careertopia team. Formerly a partner of Acumex Ltd. (UK), acquired by the Blenheim Group in 1988, Brian went on to produce hundreds of events, coast to coast, while living in the USA. Following the Blenheim sale in 1997 and a return to the UK, he spent 4 years delivering trade shows and conferences across the world in the International Treasury/Banking sector. Events as far afield as Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Singapore, India, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Dubai, as well as multiple events in USA all fell under his operations remit. In 2001 he joined forces with other former Blenheim executives at Tarsus Group where he was Global Operations Director for 22 years. His personal experience now extends to China, Turkey, Indonesia and beyond.
