About Us

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A 27-year veteran of Live Events, Joe has established himself as a deep-rooted professional within the industry. Serving as General Manager for a private ownership group with oversight of 200,000 square feet of exhibit space and 100+ events a year, Joe made a solid connection with organizers, suppliers, and his peers. Actively involved with the betterment of Live Events, Joe has been a board member of many national event organizations including the IAEE Live Events Council. In making the recent “SHIFT”, Joe is diligent in developing the Live Event, but his pursuit of knowledge has led him back to school, and working to obtain a Certification in Healthy Aging.

Giving back has also been a passion for Joe who works within his community serving as a board member for the YMCA and the Chamber of Commerce.

A recent Adirondack 46er, when not at an event you can find Joe disconnecting on a trail looking to summit the next mountain.

Joe resides in New Jersey with his wife Jennifer and Daughters Sophia and Olivia.

Martha Donato, President of MAD, has been producing large scale events and conferences for over 25 years. Her experience includes large-scale pop culture events, including self-produced shows Long Beach Comic Con, Long Beach Comic Expo, New Jersey Comic Expo, C3: Comic Creator Conference and UAS Drones Disaster Response Conferences. 

Most recently, the company produced Side Hustles & Opportunities Conference (SHO Con) and will launch the EV Exchange in the Summer of 2022.  Donato’s skills include event planning, marketing, sales/sponsorship and operational expertise. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Marist College in communications.

Kevin McLaughlin, the Founder of MAC Expos, LLC has been producing trade shows throughout the US for more than 30 years.    

Kevin has been thinking about plans for a SHIFT for a while now, and in just few years he and his wife will be empty nesters looking forward to their next chapter together.  

Kevin's long on activities he enjoys and looks forward to eventually spending more time pursuing.  Hiking in the Adirondacks, surf fishing on NJ beaches, woodworking, skiing and surfing are just a few of his favorites.  Oops, almost forgot, he loves making homemade pizza!

He holds a BS in Business from the University of Oregon.

- 56 / 34 years event industry. 

- Son of Irish immigrants 

- Catholic school education (with appropriate guilt) 

-Hit all the rides in my 20’s (grateful to be alive) 

- Married w/kids 

- Entrepreneur in 30s 

- Worked my ass off in 40’s 

- Wonder if my 30s & 40s really happened it was a blur

- 56 & as confused about life as ever. 

- New empty nester

- Married but sexually frustrated

- Entrepreneur with more failures than successes

- Lost & gained friends

- Good & bad brother & son -

I think I’m good, but know I’m bad, but above all I’m trying & I show up every day for those that count on me.

I want to give back, but I want things comfortable & unconditional… I deserve it! 

I love you & hate you with equal measure as I’m a Libra & Irish.  💋☘️