Charlie Greco
Chairman & CEO
Universal Event Management, LLC
As president and CEO, Charlie Greco had led IDG World Expo to new heights and had established the company as an innovative leader in the information technology tradeshow industry.
Joining IDG (International Data Group) in 1981 as technology financial analyst for the company’s research unit, Greco quickly became the industry’s pre-eminent analyst in his field. Greco continued to excel, developing a standard for forecasting the future value of computer technologies – a standard that remains in use today and earned him the "IDG Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Achievement" on three occasions.
Greco then launched IDC (International Data Corporation) Financial Services Corporation, which soon became the world’s leading provider of high technology market research, serving an international array of investment banking and computer leasing firms. Identified as one of the most influential people in computer finance, Greco has been quoted numerous times in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Computerworld, Investors Business Daily, and many other business and trade press. TradeshowWeek, Expo Magazine, Boston Magazine, The Boston Globe among many others.
Greco was once again thrusted into a business development role, this time heading up IDG World Expo, the high technology tradeshow division of the company. Under his direction, Greco led the company from two, to more than 85 employees; developed and successfully launched a new line of vertically-focused IT events, including LinuxWorld Conference & Expo and Bio-ITWorld Conference & Expo; secured IDG World Expo’s position as one of the largest high tech tradeshow companies in the world; revenues exceeded $80 million. His rapid success earned him three more "IDG Chairman’s Awards." He has appeared on numerous national and local television programs such as CNN, MSNBC, Fox, NBC and ABC News. He has been featured numerous times in TradeshowWeek, The Boston Herald and the Boston Globe. He has graced the cover of Expo Magazine, and has had carreer and life’s accomplishments published as a "Special Feature" in nationally recognized "Boston Magazine."
Joining Gartner in early 2003, Greco headed their $110 million worldwide event business. During a short term at Gartner, Greco was able to re-organize the 154 person events division, improve prfitability from $46 million to $50 million, and produce more than 15 business plans for new event launches.
Always attracted to the challenges of a start-up mode of business, Greco left Gartner and recently founded Universal Event Management, LLC an international producer of tradeshows and conferences. In this new capacity, Greco maintains a 100% interest in the company, and will act as it’s Chairman and CEO.
Greco has been honored with the I Migliori in Mens et Gesta Award. Recognized by Boston Magazine as the most prestigious honor an Italian American can receive, this award is presented annually to 10 men and women of Italian descent who have made significant contributions to American society. Greco is a member of the board of directors of the Pirandello Lyceum, a non-profit organization which encourages a greater understanding and appreciation of Italian culture. He was also recognized by the Italia Unita Association, being awarded their highest honor for "outstanding achievement." He also served on the Massachusetts Lodging Association’s (MLA) Stamas Commission, which was charged with analyzing the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority’s (MCCA) plan to market Boston’s convention centers. Greco is also a member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Advisory Board and Consortium on the "Convention of the Future. The Boston Herald has recognized him as ?one of the most influential people in the tradeshow industry."
