The Board of Managers of Solar Energy Trade Shows LLC (SETS) announced that Brian Tully will serve as executive director. SETS is a new joint venture formed by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) last October to produce the Solar Power International and PV America trade shows.

As executive director, he will manage and grow SETS’ high-impact solar energy events, which include the Solar Power International and PV America conferences. Proceeds from these events will continue to be invested toward the continued growth of the U.S. solar energy market through SEIA’s and SEPA’s year-round advocacy, research and education activities.

The first announced events to be produced by SETS will be Solar Power International 2010, October 12-14 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and PV America 2011, April 3-5 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

Tully brings to SETS nearly three decades of experience in various levels of trade show management at the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). In that role, he oversaw the annual FMI Supermarket Industry Convention.

At its peak, the event reached 550,000 net square feet while hosting 1,500 exhibitors and 36,000 attendees from 120 countries. During his time at FMI, Tully also started four vertical trade shows within the retail food industry, including MarkeTechnics, a business technology event that grew to 100,000 net square feet with participation from 350 companies and 7,000 attendees.

“I’m very excited to be part of one of the nation’s top B2B trade shows and to play a role in these world-class international events,” said Tully. “I’m proud to join SETS because clean solar power is playing an increasingly important role in creating American jobs and securing our energy independence.”