Budgeting for a Shifting Global Economy

Against a backdrop of evolving U.S. trade policies and economic uncertainty, business events professionals are facing heightened complexity in planning and execution. The ripple effects of tariffs, inflation, and supply chain disruptions are placing new pressure on budgets, timelines, and stakeholder expectations. 

In this forward-focused webinar, a panel of industry experts will unpack how shifting economic conditions are influencing event planning and will provide timely insights into how these developments impact everything from venue sourcing and transportation to production and pricing. 

You’ll gain strategies to build more resilient budgets, navigate uncertainty with confidence, and align internal and external stakeholders around adaptable event plans. Whether you’re planning a global conference or a regional meeting, this session will help you future-proof your approach and deliver value in any economic environment. 

By the end of the session, participants will be able to: 

• Integrate contingency planning into event budgets to manage potential cost fluctuations and delays. 
• Develop agile financial frameworks that allow for rapid adjustments in response to economic volatility. 
• Recognize early indicators of market disruption and prepare adaptive budgeting responses. 
• Communicate financial changes clearly to clients, sponsors, and leadership to foster transparency and alignment. 
• Analyze post-event data to improve forecasting and mitigate risk in future planning cycles. 

Brought to you by IHG® Hotels & Resorts

Speakers:

Isaac J. Collazo is vice president, STR Inc., a division of CoStar Group, that provides market data on the hotel industry worldwide, including supply and demand and market share data. Mr. Collazo’s responsibilities include ascertaining, prioritizing, and executing opportunities to harvest data through innovative analysis; alterations to collection/storage of data; identification of data gaps and collection opportunities; and establishment of external partnerships. He also drives new products/services along with developing new methods for displaying data and increasing its narration. Other duties include integrating STR into the CoStar data platform and providing counsel on STR’s lodging industry forecast process and its economic foundation. Prior to joining STR, Mr. Collazo was Vice President, Competitive Intelligence at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and was responsible for ensuring effective cross-utilization of intelligence as well as overseeing a broad range of functional responsibilities, including competitive performance analysis, predictive analytics/modeling and interpreting the macro-economic environment. He also held other roles at IHG including vice president, performance strategy & planning and vice president, operations strategy & planning in the Americas. Before IHG, Mr. Collazo was vice president, strategic brand knowledge with Marriott International where he led their guest satisfaction program and competitive analysis group. He also served with Promus Hotel Corporation (acquired by Hilton). His responsibilities there included the administration and management of market and customer tracking systems and the development and communication of strategic briefs. Mr. Collazo began his career in the hospitality industry in 1987 with La Quinta Inns. Mr. Collazo holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and radio, television & film from Trinity University and a master of business administration from the University of Texas at Austin.

Alexandra LaLoggia, Area Director of Sales and Marketing, mainly based at InterContinental Chicago and additionally supports the sales efforts at the Kimpton Journeyman Milwaukee and Kimpton Gray Chicago. Within this role, Alexandra supports and oversee sales and marketing strategies across the hotels, work with the DOSM’s in driving growth, and enhancing the IHG Luxury and Lifestyle brand presence.

Alexandra joined IHG as the Director of Sales and Marketing at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile in 2019 where she played a pivotal role in escalating the hotel to new heights. Her leadership was instrumental in the hotel’s transformation, blending its rich history with modern luxury to create exceptional experiences. Before joining our team, Alexandra held significant roles in the hospitality industry, including Director of Sales at Loews Hollywood and leadership positions at the Ambassador Hotel Chicago and Hollywood Roosevelt. Her extensive experience in sales, marketing, and operations has consistently delivered impressive results and she will be an important partner to IHG as she continues to push the west region to excellence.

Jerry Murphy has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality and event management industry and currently serves as a Senior Portfolio Director on Smithbucklin’s Event Services team. In this role, he leads a team responsible for the strategy, development, and execution of client organizations’ meetings, events, and tradeshows. Prior to joining Smithbucklin, Jerry was Vice President of Customer Experience at Creative Group, Inc., where he led teams delivering meetings and incentive programs globally. He also held senior leadership roles at Maritz, overseeing Global Sourcing, Strategic Meeting Management, Registration, and Event Execution. Jerry holds a Certificate in Supervisory Management from the Irish Management Institute and a Business Skills Certificate from Cornell University.

Bill Reed is Chief Event Strategy Officer for the American Society of Hematology, the world’s largest professional society concerned with the causes and treatments of blood disorders.  In this role, Bill oversees the Society’s global meetings strategy, portfolio of events, and operations of ASH’s conference center.  ASH’s annual meeting and exhibition is attended by over 30,000 professionals from 110+ countries, and 300 exhibiting companies.  The ASH annual meeting is one of the largest and fastest growing medical/healthcare events in the world, and is an event known for successfully delivering innovations to its audience while honoring traditions simultaneously.

Bill is a Past Chair for the Professional Convention Management Association, having served as its Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2016, and served the organization as a Trustee for the PCMA Education Foundation board for multiple years.  Bill’s leadership with PCMA’s boards has spanned a decade from 2010-2020.  Bill also was President of the PCMA’s Capital Chapter in 2008.  Bill previously served a three-year term on the American Society of Association Executives’ Board of Directors, and has been recognized as an ASAE Fellow, which is an honorary recognition bestowed upon less than 1% of the ASAE membership.  He is an enthusiastic industry speaker and has received numerous industry awards, including the PCMA Lifetime Achievement Award – Business Event Strategist (2023), the Foundation for International Meetings’ “Industry Executive of the Year” and Trade Show Executive’s “Rock Star Award.”

Moderator:

Tammy Moore, CMP, CMM, is Vice President of Learning & Professional Development for PCMA. In this role she guides the professional development and educational course offerings across PCMA and the Event Leadership Institute. She has been a leader in the events industry for 20+ years as an in-house corporate event professional, from her start as a meeting planner with CEB (now Gartner) to leading a 20+ team of meeting and event professionals with KPMG LLP. Prior to the events industry, Tammy worked in higher education as a student affairs professional with the University of Maryland College Park. As a result, she has a depth of experience driving complex projects and strategic initiatives, developing relationships with stakeholders and vendors, and developing talent.

Tammy joined the Event Leadership Institute in January 2021 as a freelance consultant executing projects and initiatives, developing strategic partnerships, and building the business development function. She was elevated to Chief Strategy & Growth Officer in 2022, prior to ELI’s acquisition by PCMA in January 2023. She is an engaging and talented facilitator, instructor, and speaker. She hosts and moderates panel discussions for monthly webinars and ELI Summits, speaks and facilitates workshops on change management, resilience, transitioning from the tactical into the strategic, and team leadership.

Adept at managing remote teams, Tammy fosters collaboration and innovation. Her expertise extends to serving as a course instructor, sharing invaluable knowledge with aspiring event professionals. Recognized for strategic thinking, operational excellence, and driving organizational effectiveness, Tammy has spearheaded numerous key initiatives, earning the respect of C-suite executives.

Outside of work, Tammy is an avid home chef, enjoys hiking, and is a budding gardener. Her greatest joy comes from being a mom to her daughter, Olivia, and she can often be found watching her tennis matches. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, she now lives in Fairfax, Virginia, but calls a little remote town in Northern Michigan home (ask her about Petoskey hunting and sand dune climbing).