Meet the Team

Rayford B. McFarland
Chief Executive Officer

• Before founding 21st Century Expo Group, Rayford B. McFarland started his career in the tradeshow/hospitality industry as an assistant banquet manager. It was there that he gained an insider’s perspective into the industry and realized his passion for tradeshow decoration and management. With a dream and a vision, McFarland founded 21st Century Expo Group Inc. in 1991. Since then, he’s used his 30 years of experience to coordinate hundreds of tradeshows, special events, and corporate exhibit programs across the country. As a CEO, he’s responsible for the company’s business development. sales marketing efforts and maintaining quality control of production services and client relationships.

Leslie McFarland
President

• Having worked in a number of event management, accounting, administration, and CFO jobs prior to becoming a part of 21st Century Expo Group, Leslie McFarland is no stranger to the GSC industry. Before officially joining her husband, Ray, in managing the company in 1992, she served as the Deputy Director of the National Coalition on Black Voter Participation. Her strong non-profit association management background has provided her with critical experience for her jobs at 21stCEG, where she is responsible for account management, financial management, staffing, and association management services.

Iman McFarland
Chief Operations Officer

• As the daughter of Ray and Leslie McFarland, you could say that event and exhibit display excellence runs in Iman’s blood! She transformed her lifelong exposure to the special event and tradeshow industry into expertise at the University of North Carolina. Now, she works at 21stCEG, taking the responsibility of account management and client services administration for all shows and clients.

Michelle Hunt
Director of Events & Facilities

• Michelle joined the 21stCEG team in 1993, becoming the company’s first full-time employee. During her many years with 21stCEG, she has greatly facilitated the company’s growth and development. She has coordinated all aspects of exhibit-related services, including exhibitor manual preparation, processing exhibitor orders, communicating with exhibitors throughout the event process, and serving as the onsite exhibitor services manager for tradeshows. Michelle also serves as the direct liaison with the client, taking responsibility for the overall coordination of the event and working directly with exhibit services, production, and finance.