Emerald Expositions Events, Inc. announced that Sally Shankland has made the decision, for personal health reasons, to step down from her position as President and Chief Executive Officer at the end of the year and will transition to the new role of Executive Director and Senior Advisor. Ms. Shankland will remain on the company's board of directors. Brian Field, Emerald's Chief Operating Officer, will serve as the company's Interim President and CEO, effective January 1, 2020, and will continue in this role while a search is conducted for a permanent replacement for Ms. Shankland.

Ms. Shankland joined Emerald in June 2019 and, since then, has set out, and begun implementing, an aggressive plan designed to strengthen the company and return it to long-term, sustainable growth, but will step down for health reasons previously disclosed in October 2019. She will remain involved in the operation of the business and will provide strategic guidance and support to the Interim CEO and the senior management team in her new role. Prior to joining Emerald, Mr. Field was COO of UBM Americas, delivering events and marketing services in the technology, fashion, licensing, advanced manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and pharmaceutical industries.

Prior to that role, Mr. Field held senior positions at UBM Medica, overseeing operations, finance, marketing, product, technology and sales efforts for the business' print and digital products and events.