The WestEdge team is comprised of event industry veterans with more than 70 years of combined experience creating successful trade shows and conferences across various business and consumer sectors (including the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, Casual Furniture Market, NeoCon World’s Trade Fair portfolio, Art Chicago, Chicago Design Show, Decorex USA, One-of-a-Kind Show, among other leading shows throughout North America).
Megan Reilly
Megan co-founded WestEdge Design Fair in 2013, relocating from New York City to Santa Monica to immerse herself with the West Coast design community. She has extensive experience in brand activations, event management, marketing, programming, project management, and public relations. She now calls Irvine home and, when not looking for new and undiscovered design brands, can be found exploring the many hiking trails throughout Southern California.
Troy Durst
Troy D. is a seasoned show veteran and entrepreneur, cutting his teeth in trade show operations while working at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago (where he, Megan and Troy Hanson actually all met many ages ago). Troy’s career has also involved advising entrepreneurial creatives in design, film & music, and art arenas. As a WestEdge Principal, Troy brings a unique 360o insight to creating the “total show experience”, managing WestEdge operations, sales and exhibitor relations. An avid traveler, Troy is enjoying his frequent visits to L.A. where he gets to catch up with his two kids who now call L.A. home.
Troy Hanson
Troy H. co-founded WestEdge Design Fair in 2013, helping to build the fair with his sharp eye for design talent and years of industry experience. Before WestEdge, he (with Megan and Troy D.) were producing the Architectural Digest Design Show in New York City (Troy also previously managed ICFF). During the challenges brought about by the Pandemic, Troy used the hiatus from live events to pursue additional opportunities. He is thrilled to rejoin WestEdge to support sales and marketing efforts as part of his new company. He is based in Fort Lauderdale and easily getting used to that blissful FL weather.
Brenda Houston
Brenda joined the WestEdge team last year as director of community & trade engagement.
Based in Dallas, Brenda is our boots-on-the-ground there, supporting WestEdge Dallas, as well as West Edge L.A. She brings a unique perspective to the team, as she has also been a WestEdge exhibitor for several years, representing her namesake design studio and collection of bespoke furnishings and wallcoverings. Brenda understands what exhibitors are looking for and how to be successful at our shows. She has steadily grown a loyal following, counting A-list interiors firms, celebrities, royal family members and luxury hoteliers among her clients. For this reason and more, we’re excited to have Brenda supporting our marketing efforts to the design trade.
Vanessa Kogevinas
Since 2008, Vanessa Kogevinas, has produced high-end social events, conferences and show houses under Vanessa K. Productions (VKP). They have gained a reputation for seamless, professional productions that deliver superior outcomes for clients. With over twenty-five years’ cumulative experience in management, events, publishing, philanthropy and volunteerism, Vanessa’s knowledge lends itself to solid, dynamic consulting. Most recently VKP has incorporated Vanessa’s ‘heart song’ to their roster of services offering youth/young adult mentoring and tutoring in academics, career guidance and life coaching.
Josh Cooperman
Josh Cooperman is a speaker, writer, publisher, host, brand manager and product designer with over 25 years in the broadcast industry most notably serving as the Sales Manager and Director of Motorsports for CBS Radio in Dallas, Texas and the General Manager/ Program Director for Playboy Radio. Cooperman, a devotee of design and architecture, developed the Convo By Design platform to promote and tell the stories of those behind transformative design. Josh co-produces WestEdge stage content, bringing dynamic storytelling and a roster of design luminaries to the WestEdge 2023 programming schedule.
