Instructors

Liz is an Event Strategist, Consultant and Speaker. As CEO of Liz King Events and techsytalk, she has helped countless thought leaders grow their audience and sell their products through in-person, virtual & hybrid events. Liz is a big-picture person – passionate about tying events into an overall sales and marketing strategy and being efficient…

Designer and entertaining expert Mark Addison has had an insatiable curiosity about design and entertaining since he was very young. His purposeful design and passion for creating entertaining spaces has made him a sought after voice on all things chic and clever—from home design and entertaining to signature drinks and cooking. Mark believes that great…

Steven A. Adelman is head of Adelman Law Group, PLLC in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Vice President of the Event Safety Alliance. His practice focuses on risk and safety at live events throughout North America, and he serves as an expert witness in crowd-related lawsuits. Steve Adelman is principal author of the authoritative Crowd Management standard,…

David Adler, C.E.O. and founder of BizBash (bizbash.com) is a veteran media, marketing, and event industry entrepreneur. He founded BizBash in 2000, overseeing its growth as the largest B2B media company for the event industry with over 2.5 million user sessions annually. Previously, Adler served as vice president of corporate communications for media companies Macmillan,…

Sophie Ahmed has 20+ years of experience in media and events; including exhibitions, conferences, awards and training across multiple industry sectors. She has launched and led successful global industry-leading events, gaining her experience on leading brands within leading global event companies, holding senior positions at Informa, Reed Exhibitions, Cannes Lions and Money 20/20. Most recently…

Jan Altmann is an accomplished business development leader based in downtown Vancouver, BC. Each opportunity closed excites him, as it means that another organization has been connected with a solution they desire. He possesses the creative problem-solving skills to translate client requirements into functional design and leads initiatives from product & market definition to closing…

Eric Aragon has been designing sophisticated, unique and contemporary high profile events in the social and private sector for almost twenty years, winning awards in event and floral design as well as product branding. Eric established the award winning design firm, The Aragon Group in 1994. In 2012, he rebranded his company to be Aragon…

Stella Ballarini is the creative force behind one of NY’s most dynamic caterers, Scoozi. Together with her husband and General Manager Gianluca, and their team of twelve, they handle many of the most high profile events in the beauty and fashion industry. Clients have included Chanel, GQ Magazine, Sex And The City, 30 Rock, Sean…

Smriti Bansal is Head of Content at e-180, the inventors of Braindate, a knowledge sharing conversation that participants can have one-on-one or in a group, on a topic of their choice. It takes place at live, virtual, and hybrid events. Smriti is a storyteller and communications + content specialist who empowers purpose-driven entrepreneurs and organizations,…

Tiki Barber helped co-found Thuzio, Inc., an online marketplace that facilitated engagements with athletes and other celebrities. It has subsequently evolved into two unique companies: Julius, Inc., a software solution for influencer search and procurement; and Thuzio, Inc., which provides members and their guests with memorable live and unfiltered conversations with legends of sports and…

Director, MassAV

Carina Bauer began her career in retail and catering setting up and running GoodBean Coffee. As Managing Director, Carina was in charge of the expansion of the business which grew to 13 stores in 3 years and was sold to a publicly-listed company in December 2001. She entered the meetings industry in 2002 as the…

Elise Bechard has owned and operated a sales franchise in several counties in New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts while generating over $1.5 million in personal and office sales. She has worked for JCALPRO, Inc. at the BCEC, Hynes Convention Center, among other locations, since 2005. With a proven track record in hiring, training, and managing over…

Bob Bejan is the Corporate Vice President, Global Events, Production Studios and Marketing Community at Microsoft. Bob’s experience in the field spans over 30 years with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Interfilm Inc. and Bejan Nelson Entertainment Inc. In his current role at Microsoft, he oversees the delivery of the Microsoft Narrative to the global audience…

Alan Berg is a “Suburban Renaissance Man”: a husband, father, son, friend, speaker, author, salesman, marketer, musician, handyman, consultant, teacher, and all-around nice guy. He’s passionate about his family and his work. He loves being creative, working with his hands and his mind. “Your success leads to more success for me. You’ve probably heard that…

Danny Bergold has over 20 years experience in the entertainment and event production industries. He appeared in over 50 musicals in New York City and around the world including Crazy For You, Saturday Night Fever, West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Music Man, Cats, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music and 42nd Street. In 2003 he…

Alexa is one of the co-founders of Reposite an AI powered marketplace connecting group meeting & event planners and suppliers, with built-in productivity tools to streamline workflows and maximize efficiency. Alexa continues to lead Reposite to new heights and provide value to our members by educating and sharing her wealth of knowledge of the meeting…

Bob Bierman, a seasoned media veteran, is chief product officer of G100, where he oversees content, programming and product strategy for the company. He also founded Tiny World Media, through which he has served in principal executive roles for media startups including CB Insights and News Deeply, Inc.; as strategic advisor to The Economist, TechCrunch and Engadget; and senior…

Eileen Bistrisky MBA, CSEP, CMC, ACC strategically leads impactful, socially-responsible organizations both in-house and as a consultant. She re-branded her award-winning firm to help with the latter. Effective Leadership Consulting helps clients achieve their objectives. From roots in event management, marketing, sponsorship and fundraising consultation, her boutique firm has evolved to integrate all areas of…

Michael Blatter is an experiential marketing innovator and pioneer. As CEO of Mirrorball, Blatter has built a team of creators united by a clear mission: to design experiences that stimulate people’s emotions and create deep, meaningful memories. Under his leadership, Mirrorball has retained prestigious clients such as Perrier, The NBA, L’Oréal, Mountain Dew, TD Bank,…

Marcy Blum is a world-renowned event planner, entertaining expert and owner of the acclaimed event planning company Marcy Blum Associates based in New York City. Her signature style is actually the ability to find a signature style for her clients. “There’s no such thing as a Marcy Blum event,” she explains. “I try to get a…

Danielle Bobish graduated from the Hartt School of Music with a BFA in Musical Theater with a focus on Directing. Her credits include: 50th Anniversary National Tour of Singin’ in the Rain (Lina Lamont); Pink Elephants (Bubbles) at Manhattan’s Slipper Room; Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbit), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Phila),…

Jeff Boedges is the owner of SoHo Experiential.They ignite social relevance through thoughtfully crafted brand experiences.  

Katie is a dynamic hospitality enthusiast and has taken the 360-degree tour of the industry throughout her career. She has truly seen all sides of events and hospitality, from working with Gaylord Hotels on the event management side, to a third-party sourcing agency, to global sales with MGM Resorts Event Productions, and overseeing operations for…

Doug Booher serves as Executive Director of University Events and IU Auditorium at Indiana University. Known for its presentation of a wide variety of events from university ceremonies and conference events to the latest popular concerts and Broadway attractions, IU Auditorium is a 3,200-seat proscenium theatre has been a model of campus and community programming…

Strategy Consultant, Nick Borelli, leverages his background in experience design, event tech, and digital marketing to help event professionals reach their full potential.His background includes decades of contributions to live and digital communication helping to facilitate his mission: bringing the world together through intentionally designed experiences. To further this mission, he has presented on a…

Jody is an accomplished medical event professional with over 25 years of experience in corporate events and conventions, as well as venue and third-party planning, including the very unique experience of planning the NBC Gravity Games.  With a passion for sustainability in events, Jody is a recent recipient of the 2021 PCMA Northern California Chapter…

With over a decade of experience in the meeting planning industry, Cori is a seasoned event professional dedicated to orchestrating seamless and impactful events across a variety of industries. She started her career in exhibit hall management and sponsored experiences in the association space, then transitioned to planning pharmaceutical meetings and incentive trips. She is…

Chad Brincheski has managed, produced and won awards for some of the best events in Canada and the United States. Chad graduated from the Hospitality and Tourism program at Ryerson University before spending ten years in catering and conference services with some of Toronto’s greatest hospitality landmarks including the flagship Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. For…

Laila R. Brock is responsible for the implementation of the majority of the Orange Bowl Committee’s nearly 100 annual ancillary events and team-related functions. The committee is a self-sustaining, independent organization that supports and produces events that enhance the image, economy, and culture of South Florida. She oversees the host hotel operations, transportation, hospitality, and…

Carolyn Browning is the Owner & Chief Solution Strategist of MEETing Needs, LLC. She began her career in the meetings industry on the corporate side handling customer events and sales meetings at both Sprint and GE Capital and then went out on her own and never looked back! Passionate about meetings and education, Carolyn seeks…

Michelle Bruno is a technical marketing writer, content strategist and technology journalist. At DAHLIA+Agency, she helps technology companies and event organizers find their communication, product positioning and technology sweet spots by leveraging a deep understanding of event-technology building blocks, innovation and leadership. She has written hundreds of articles, white papers, research reports, newsletters and blog…

Chris is the Vice President of Analytics and Insights Management at Array. He leads a team that partners with stakeholders across life sciences to leverage meaningful analytics and discover actionable insights that tell the story of success and drive purposeful event design.  His career in events started in London nineteen years ago, producing conferences and…

Michael joined The Hanover in June 1997. His current role is Director, Conference & Travel Services. Directly responsible for managing the planning process and coordinating all logistics for a broad range of meeting and travel programs including agent events, sales training, home office employee events, community events and annual sales incentive conferences. Oversee department handling approximately 135 annual meetings/events….

Scott Burns is driven by the notion that relevancy is more important than consistency in today’s hyper-connected world. The ideas created, designed and delivered maintain a central truth: the most powerful connection one can make is that with another human. Scott’s clients, partners and integrated programs span industries and include Anheuser-Busch, Diageo, Discover Card, Dickies…

Joshua Butler is an entrepreneur who has started multiple businesses in both the profit and nonprofit sectors. His first business, founded in 2004, is a nonprofit that continues to produce an annual film, music, and photography festival in Texas called Thin Line Fest. In 2005, Joshua produced, shot, and edited a feature-length documentary called “One-Eyed…

Eleni Thomas is a Director of Strategic Event Delivery with KPMG’s Events & Meetings (E&M) organization. Eleni has over 15 years of strategic meeting & event management, team leadership and stakeholder relationship experience. Prior to joining KPMG, she managed the events team for international law firm, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP.   At Weil, Eleni created…

Karen Calder, M.Ed., CPC, is a former executive and the founder of Karen Calder Consulting & Coaching. For 30 years, she has helped organizations and CEOs transform their cultures, develop highperforming leaders, and create unique talent solutions to meet business needs. The lack of advancement for women in organizations propelled Karen to delve into the…

Be inspired and motivated by new, fresh ideas. Meet event professionals from around the world, and from your own backyard who share your passion for excellence. ILEA – the International Live Events Association is the global association for event industry professionals that is focused on promoting creativity, inspiration, teamwork, education and relationships within its membership.

What drives The Idea Hunter is Janice Cardinale’s natural ability to spot up-and-coming young talent and trends. Emerging from a successful career in the fashion industry, Janice bridges the gap between understanding abstract trends and harnessing them in meaningful ways that add “wow factor”. Janice goes above-and-beyond to deliver experiences of the highest caliber. That…

Haley Carlson is the former Director of National Events and Sponsorships for Tribune Publishing. She has a strong background in producing unique experiences for audiences of all shapes and sizes.

Lindsay Carroll is the Managing Director of Events and Production at the Robin Hood Foundation. Over the last 12 years, Lindsay has produced innovative and purpose-driven events that raise funds and awareness for New Yorkers in need. As New York City’s largest poverty-fighting organization, Robin Hood finds, funds, and creates more than 200 of the…

Co-founding Posh & Private Event Design with her husband, Brandi is the Principal Event Planner for the firm’s social, nonprofit, and wedding clientele. Over the course of her career, Brandi has been a trusted event advisor for a number of private industry, government, and nonprofit clients. However, her most memorable experience was when she had…

The late Thomas Casadonte was Head of Global Events for Bloomberg LP for 5 years. His career included significant roles with Sony, IBM, George P. Johnson, and Maritz.

Kristi Casale is the Vice President of Meetings and Continuing Education at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Immediate Past President of the Greater Midwest Chapter of PCMA. She was a finalist for the 2023 PCMA Event Designer of the Year Award and became the recipient of the 2023 PCMA Business Event Strategist…

Isabel Chattas is co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at Siinc Agency. With over 20 years’ experience in marketing at companies such as Ogilvy Direct, Rapp/Collins, Intercontinental Hotels and at IMG, she has been involved with world-renowned events such as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (in New York City, LA and Miami), the now Sony-Ericsson Open (Miami), the…

President | Intrado Digital Media

Rehan Choudhry is the founder and CEO of A Beautiful Perspective (ABP)–a next-generation media and live experience company. Rehan is also the founder of both the Emerge Music + Impact Conference and Life is Beautiful Festival, both annual events held in Las Vegas, NV. With experience in highly creative, experiential marketing and specialties in brand…

Anne Chow is a transformative business leader whose trailblazing corporate career spans over three decades in the technology and business sectors. She is currently Lead Director on the Board of Directors of FranklinCovey, a company dedicated to organizational transformation through leadership, individual effectiveness, execution, and culture. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors of…

As Founder + CEO of Storycraft Lab, Naomi leads a team of innovative strategists as they distill intent and insights into actionable, accessible strategies and refine big ideas into experiences that are meaningful and measurable. She has developed empathy techniques that guide teams from strategic process through development to delivery. These include workshops like EmpathyPortraits…

Tiana “the Audacious Commander” Clark is a leadership and resilience keynote speaker, professor, founder, and award-winning filmmaker of Soci Circle. As a Global Corporate Tech Leader, she created her own positions at two Fortune Top 10 companies, including building Microsoft’s first-ever and best-in-class U.S. Services Sales University. At NU Kellogg Business School, she teaches executive…

With over a decade of experience marketing trade shows, conferences, consumer events, and online marketplaces, Matthias Clock is an experienced events professional with a passion for digital innovation and data-driven marketing. Currently serving as Marketing Director at RX, Clock is committed to driving digital transformation at Vision Expo and across RX.

Lawrence Coburn is a serial entrepreneur who lives in the Mission District of San Francisco with his wife and daughter. He is the CEO and co-founder of twine (twine.nyc), a deep networking module for virtual, in-person, and hybrid events that he launched in 2020. Previously, he founded DoubleDutch, the market leader for mobile event apps,…

Joe is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bear Analytics – a technology company that powers event success. Obsessed by the fundamental belief that data-driven insights make for better event outcomes and experiences, Joe and the team at Bear Analytics created Bear IQ. Bear IQ is the industry-leading event analytics platform that powers the measurement, design,…

Joe is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bear Analytics-a technology company that powers event success. He is obsessed by the fundamental belief that data-driven insights make for better event outcomes and experiences, which led to the development of Bear IQ. The company has become the industry leading event analytics platform that powers the measurement, design,…

Kate Colberg started her career with the United States State Department’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) where she covered the region of South and Central Asia. Since leaving government service, Kate embarked on a 20+ year career in risk and crisis management which has included:

Midori Connolly is the Chief AV Girl at Pulse Staging & Events and Senior Technical Advisor to 7 Degrees Communications. In addition to owning and operating an AudioVisual company, she is a professional speaker and writer for organizations like MPI, PlanYourMeetings.com and rAVe Green AV. With a strong focus on sustainability as a business practice,…

Kimberly is the co-founder & managing partner for Meeting Shields, LLC, the largest 100% woman & minority-owned full-service protection & emergency management preparedness firm globally. The firm is home to the original, exclusive, protective supply equipment and services customized and designed specifically for the entertainment, hospitality, and educational industries. She also serves as Owner and…

For Andrea Correale, it all started around the family dinner table. From a very young age, her mother made her see that a table could be set with creativity, no matter the budget. Today, Andrea leads a small catering and event planning empire aptly called Elegant Affairs. Every great party, be it a small gathering…

Colin Cowie is a global citizen in every sense of the term. Having traveled over 13 million miles and visiting nearly 100 countries, he creates excitement and finds inspiration wherever he goes. His love for design and business keeps him hands-on with all of his projects. Through his website, books and television appearances, as well…

As founder of Endless Entertainment, Will Curran has been named one of the 40 under 40 event industry leaders, 35 entrepreneurs under the age of 35, and Inc Magazine’s Coolest College Start-up all before graduating college. Will has been producing events since high school when he started his first company and has now worked in…

As the founder of Endless Events, Will Curran has been named one of the most influential people in the meeting & events industry, one of the 40 under 40 event industry leaders, 35 entrepreneurs under the age of 35, and the highest customer satisfaction of any event company in the industry.  Will has been producing…

Karen Dalzell, Cultural CEO of Dalzell Creative Group, started Dalzell Productions in 2000 when her experience as a producer demanded horizons beyond off-off-broadway theater. With over 20 years of experience encompassing all aspects of the event, Karen’s particular skill is to combine creative project planning with new and inventive business models that provide a solid,…

Derek oversees all of the physical facilities across Convene’s portfolio, focused on the customer experience within our Meetings, Workplace and amenity offerings. Derek joined Convene as Director of Hospitality in 2016, focusing on building out the companies F&B services and customer journey. Prior to that, he was the Hotel Manager at Loews Hotels and Resorts,…

Colja Dams is Chief Executive Officer of VOK DAMS, one of the leading agencies for events and live marketing globally. With offices in Dubai, Beijing, France, Shanghai, and Wuppertal, Germany, VOK DAMS has produced award-winning events for leading brands all over the world.

With a 25-year background in customer and employee engagement, Rob brings real-world performance improvement and advocacy solutions to hundreds of large companies. As Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at ITA Group, he prides himself by staying on the front lines of performance improvement technology and innovation.

Karen is a member of the Nth Degree Events executive leadership team and has more than 25 years delivering sponsorship programs and revenue. She’s recognized throughout the industry as an expert designer of high-impact sales programs and revenue driver. Her unique perspectives and insights are much sought after by clients like Google, RSA Conference™ and…

Sébastien David, president and co-owner of Sénik Events, opened his first event-producing company in 1996, when he was 21. He met Nicholas-Olivier Caron in 2002 and one year later, Sénik Events was born. Sénik Events produces around 100 projects per year throughout Canada and the US, and they have offices in Montreal and Quebec City.

Rory Davis has 10+ years of experience spanning professional and collegiate sports, events, and gaming. Rory has a history of steering successful initiatives primarily via sales and marketing strategy and implementation with the San Francisco Giants, University of San Francisco Athletics, and Ubisoft Entertainment. Hired in April of 2019, Rory’s primary responsibility is to secure…

Since its beginning, Ember has been guided by the belief that when people come together, great things can happen. That certainly proved to be the case in 2008 when Chris Gasbarro, a former chapter president of Meeting Professionals International, and Kathy Del Medico, a former International board member of the International Live Events Association, came…

Sherry DeLaGarza is Supervising Associate and FSO Meeting Planner at Ernst & Young LLP.

As Founder and CEO, Vinnu Deshetty brings over 20 years of experience working with conferences, meetings, and events. As a meeting planner, she understands the hurdles her industry peers encounter on a daily basis. As a techie, Vinnu knows that there are tools and tricks of the trade to help organizations overcome the unknowns of…

Greg is a longtime Tourism and Hospitality professional, native Philadelphian with a passion for his work, and is dedicated to giving back to the next generation of hospitality leaders. As a Qualified Tourism/Hospitality and Academic Professional Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE), Greg is proficient in developing and implementing plans, strategies, and initiatives specifically designed to raise…

Christina DeVore joined Workday in July 2019 as the strategic sourcing manager for meetings and events. Christina has helped mitigate risk to the business by negotiating resolution to agreements impacted by COVID over the last 18 months. In addition to delivering savings to the company, she has helped shape the strategy for supplier management helping…

Mike Drinkwalter brings over 20 years of customer service and sales experience, most recently in Real Estate.  His extensive background in sales, marketing and client services, ensures a VIP experience for each of his clients.  Mike currently specializes in getting people in and out of homes in the Long Island market.

Abby Eastman, Director of Events and Communications for Susan Davis International, has always been passionate about special events and bringing people together. With nearly a decade of experience in the nonprofit, hospitality, and tourism industry sectors, Abby is a design thinker who challenges assumptions.  Abby’s previous experiences include managing and executing annual meetings with more…

Joan Eisenstodt, an Ohio native, moved to Washington, DC in 1978. In June,1981, she founded Eisenstodt Associates, LLC, a DC-based meeting consulting, facilitation and training company. Joan has immersed herself in the hospitality industry and is considered one of its most knowledgeable practitioners. She works diligently to create more inclusive, safe, and accessible events and…

Dahlia has an OMG attitude about all things tech and audience engagement solutions. With more than a decade of experience in the meetings and events sector, working on both the professional planning side and as an association collaborator, Dahlia is known as the coffee-fuelled ‘go-to’ source for trendsetting solutions, eventtech news, and social media expertise….

Caroline England is the Head of Product at Convene. With her team of product managers and designers, she works with production teams, meeting planners and participants to understand how to provide a seamless Convene experience for the pre, day-of, and post-event lifecycle. Caroline has over 12 years of experience in product management across multiple industries,…

As Senior Vice President of Events for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Steve has global responsibility for all aspects of Events, including staffing, events standards, technology, and training. Additionally, he is a frequent presenter to customer and industry groups. Under Steve’s leadership, Hyatt has successfully developed and implemented both Group Bill, which has been incredibly well received…

Samantha (Sam) Evans is the Certification Manager at the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), a division of G3ict, where she works with accessibility subject matter experts and professionals around the world to maintain, build and deliver accessibility certification programs.  Sam is also an active accessibility and inclusion advocate, with a passion for accessible digital…

An industry veteran of more than 30 years, Jim Fielding currently serves as President, Consumer Products and Innovation for 20th Century Fox. In this capacity, Fielding oversees the Licensing and Merchandising of the vast portfolio of content and Brands, including the work of Twentieth Century Fox Film, Fox Networks Group, and FX Network. Among the…

Powered by passion and good coffee, Joe brings the highest level of experience and energy to every event. With more than 20 years in the industry, Joe experienced planning from the incentive, cruise, resort, and DMC perspectives prior to opening 360’s Florida offices. This broad range of experience, combined with his well-established relationships in the…

Megan is an award-winning event design strategist with a varied and diverse background in the performing arts and the delivery of large-scale conferences. With a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from TCU, Megan blends art and science in all her work. With nearly two decades in the event industry, Megan has taken a leading…

As far back as he can remember, Randy was focused on hospitality and guest experience. “I remember as a kid having friends over and creating buffet lunches complete with separate hot and cold stations. Most of my friends had no clue what I was doing, but it made me feel good to be doing something…

An attorney licensed in New York and Massachusetts, Marlo Fogelman brings a unique skill set and background to the world of communications and marketing. Thanks to her thorough, cohesive approach and her laser-sharp focus on the big picture, Marlo has become recognized as one of the country’s leading consumer publicists in a relatively short time….

Kiki Fox is passionate about the industry and being involved. She is a member of IAEE, MPI, PCMA and serves on several boards within them. By attending networking and education events, she has stayed up to date on issues facing the industry. She is a co-founder and the current President of the Association for Women…

Kathryn is the Director of Event Marketing at Informa, the global leader in specialized events and event intelligence. After 48 straight quarters selling exhibition space and custom event sponsorships, Kathryn launched Informa’s sales marketing team, modernizing demand generation. Kathryn now leads the experience and digital marketing efforts for Informa’s content-led events in the architecture, event…

Nick is Founder & CEO of Vivastream, the leading event data analytics platform in the industry. He brings a refreshing perspective to the events industry, leveraging 25+ years experience of delivering technology solutions that help enterprises derive customer insights from data. Nick is on a mission to make event data actionable, and is an evangelist…

Mr. Gainer is a Vice President and risk management leader for TorchStone, providing expert advice, strategic solutions, and professional training services with an emphasis on security assessments, crisis management planning, critical incident response, and workplace violence reduction. John is an elite instructor with over 30 years of experience demonstrating thought leadership, directing cross-functional teams, and…

Arianna Galligher, LISW-S is the Director of the Gabbe Health & Well-Being Program and the Associate Director of the Stress, Trauma and Resilience (STAR) Program at OSU Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. She has an extensive clinical background across multiple settings, serving both adolescents and adults. She earned her Masters degree in Social Work…

After 10+ years as a freelance stage manager, Stephanie Gatton yearned for a bit of stability. Once she realized that planning events was just like managing or producing a production, the rest was history! After spending five years in venue management for the iconic Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in NYC, since 2013, she has had…

Gianna is an experienced events industry thought leader, speaker, author, course-creator and advisor with 20+ years experience. She currently holds the position as Head of Events at Airtable, and was formerly the Head of Events for AWS, SoftBank Vision Fund, and Google Marketing Event Leader for nearly a decade of her career. Gianna is the…

Marco is a successful entrepreneur and investor with over 25 years of intensive experience in media, technology, and the live events industry. He is the Founder and CEO of Vesuvio Ventures, where he works with startups, Venture and Private Equity investors, and corporate innovators serving as a coach, advisor, interim executive, board member, or angel…

With over 20 years of industry experience, Howard is a widely recognized expert and innovator in the field of special events, meetings, and small business growth strategy. Most recently, Howard served as SVP of Knowledge & Innovation with PCMA. Prior to joining PCMA, Howard was the Founder & CEO of the Event Leadership Institute, a…

Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson, Joe Torre, Allan Houston, Leonardo DiCaprio and Mikhail Gorbachev are just some of the celebs who have turned to Liz Glover Wilson’s boutique firm to produce their charities’ galas. Liz founded Elizabeth Rose Consulting, LLC in 2003 with the vision of utilizing nearly two decades of professional event planning experience, fundraising…

Stefanie Goffredo is a 30+ year corporate event strategist and producer responsible for North America event procurement for The SAP Group.  Having been both client and vendor, Stefanie approaches  her responsibilities with a unique focus and skill set that maximizes SAP’s success in all areas of event strategy, design and delivery.  She brings a unique…

Paula is the Product Marketing Manager for Webex Events. A marketing and customer enthusiast, she has made her way to the events industry after over 12 years in the retail marketing and cloud communications space. Although an unconventional path, she has found that event technology is right where she belongs. Born and raised in New…

As managing partner of Meeting Advice, Etherio Group’s full-service and event management company, Steve Goodman leads the company he founded in 2004, a global leader that specializes in planning and executing meetings for a variety of industries. An entrepreneur, Goodman enjoyed successful careers in the hospital industry before transitioning into retail and eventually meeting and…

Thomas F. (Tommy) Goodwin is Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), a newly-formed association dedicated to the advancement of the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA’s advocacy and member engagement work on behalf the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, show and event organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the…

Adam has a more than 30-year background across the meetings and events, business travel and hospitality industries, supporting a variety of market sectors. He has experience in leading, developing, implementing, and managing strategic programs and initiatives globally. Originally from the UK, Adam now lives and works in the US and has experience across corporate, service…

Jes Gordon’s namesake company jesGORDON/properFUN provides high end, personal event design and management with loads of signature style. Her first book, Party Like A Rock Star…The Celebrity Party Planner’s Tips and Tricks For Throwing An Unforgettable Bash provides everyone, regardless of their budget, with the tools to throw the party of their dreams. Jes stumbled…

Throughout his career, Michael has worked with leaders in business, politics, and philanthropy. He founded the award-winning communications firm, Group Gordon, seeing a need in the market for a firm that excelled both strategically and tactically. His clients are among the most influential corporations, financial institutions, and nonprofits. Group Gordon was named one of the…

Michael Granek, MBA is a successful entrepreneur and award-winning event producer with over two decades of experience in the special events and entertainment industries, as well as over 10 years of experience in adult education and academics. As President, COO of the Event Leadership Institute, Michael applies his diverse background of business management, adult education…

Sara Grauf oversees event strategy and services for the Giant’s organization. She played an integral role in the production of the organization’s three World Series celebrations and managed the first-ever commercial spectator program for the America’s Cup. Grauf recently led the organization’s effort to secure and produce the 2018 Rugby Sevens World Cup, which the…

Tod Greenberg is Senior Vice President, Technology for CCA Global Partners. CCA is one of the largest privately held cooperatives in the United States with 14 distinct businesses, producing aggregated annual sales in the billions of dollars. He has been with CCA for over 20 years in various technology-focused roles and is currently responsible for…

Joshua L. Grimes, Esq., of Grimes Law Offices based in Philadelphia, is a leading attorney in the association, nonprofit, meeting, and hospitality industries. He is a specialist in all matters relating to meetings and conventions, as well as association & nonprofit governance. Mr. Grimes’ expertise includes preparing and negotiating all types of meeting industry contracts….

Rebecca Grinnals is the founder and president of wedding and honeymoon industry consulting firm Engaging Concepts based in Celebration, Florida. She has been a featured guest on The Early Show, CNN, Entertainment Tonight, and more. She serves as the chairperson of the Leadership Advisory Board of WIPA. In 2008, she and Kathryn Arce created an…

Rachel Gross is the senior vice president of event marketing at Univision Communications Inc., the leading media company serving Hispanic America. She oversees corporate events for Univision and manages client-focused experiences at major events and franchises, such as Premios Juventud, Latin Grammy, and the FIFA World Cup. Prior to Univision, she served as vice president…

Jeff is the CEO of McVeigh Global Meetings and Events, a full service corporate meetings and events company catering to Fortune 1000 clientele. MGME focuses on pharmaceutical meetings, corporate events and international conferences and was created by merging three event companies into one in 2018, backed by private equity firm Infocommerce Partners. Jeff is a…

Veemal Gungadin is the founder & CEO of GlobalSign.In Pte Ltd (GSI), the company behind the fast growing event tech platform, GEVME. Veemal Gungadin graduated from the National University of Singapore in 2003 with a Bachelor in Computing.  Veemal founded GSI in 2007, architected and coded the very first software platform of the company. GSI is…

Kimberly Hardcastle Geddes is an industry expert with a focus on education and strategic marketing.  As the current president and chief strategist for MGL, Kimberly leverages her extensive experience to develop and execute effective communication and marketing plans. Her expertise in strategic planning, creative execution, and collaborative marketing makes her an invaluable asset to leading…

Amelia is an innovative producer and leader with over 30 years of experience in events. She is a content strategist, creative director, and hands on producer and loves amplifying events with engaging and dynamic ideas.  She has lead Charles Schwab’s production team within their events organization for over 20 years and she oversees live and…

Jeffrey K. Harrow is Chairman of Sparks Marketing LLC, a leading experiential marketing agency focused on the creation of trade show exhibits, live and virtual events, brand activations, retail environments and other immersive experiences for global Fortune 100 brands such as Alphabet/Google, Comcast, Dell Technologies, Facebook, McKesson, Microsoft, UnitedHealthGroup, Verizon and more. Sparks operates major…

Todd Hawkins is an innovative event producer and founder/CEO of The Todd Group. Producing hundreds of events annually ranging from charity to corporate to social and entertainment, Todd has quickly become an industry expert and the go-to resource in the field of innovative and creative events in the non-profit sector. Todd was first introduced to the event…

Tim Hayes is a live event producer, aviator, business founder, and human rights activist based in New York City. Tim has created large scale global events for UNICEF, Amnesty International, Sandy Hook Promise, and other leading NGOs.He has led negotiations for the release of political prisoners of conscience in Russia and was instrumental in launching…

Aidan’s imaginative concepts and ideas have transformed empty spaces into spectacular social events. His inspiration stems from memorable guest moments and experiences. He believes that creating these moments is a big responsibility, but also a great honor. That drives his passion to constantly innovate and push the creative boundaries. Aidan holds a business degree from…

Mark is the Director of Education & Life Safety for the International Association of Venue Managers. As part of his duties, Mark teaches Situational Awareness-Mindset training aimed at giving venues the tools to be safer and more secure. The training emphasizes on Exceptional Focus, Performance, and Control in Extreme Situations and Risk Mitigation through Guest…

With over 19+ years of experience within the events/hospitality industry, Ms. Hewitt currently oversees the logistical design of 25+ PEI conferences/events. Her role outlines a broad range of responsibilities, including event sourcing, contract negotiations and execution, budget & forecasting, exhibits & sponsorship, food & beverage, audio-visual, and marketing development for the organization’s 12+ media brand…

Daniel Himes is a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Convene. In this role, Daniel oversees product marketing programs for Convene’s physical and virtual meeting solutions. He is focused on creating and optimizing marketing strategies that grow product awareness and drive revenue. Daniel joined Convene in 2019 and previously held various ed-tech product marketing roles. Daniel…

Deborah serves as a founding partner of the Hinson Group, LLC, a full service marketing and events firm. The team books over 5,000 events per year, largely in the medical, technology and financial space. Deborah is proud to serve on the board of MPIMD and as immediate past president of IMMPA (International Medical Meeting Professionals…

As RSA Conference’s Senior Manager, Operations, Amy’s main role is managing the day to day operations for RSAC globally. Her main responsibilities include program and space management, special events, logistics, sponsorship management, vendor management and ensuring a great attendee experience. 

Julie is Manager, Live Learning & Event Operations for the Project Management Institute (PMI), where she’s been with this association since 2016. With 20+ year’s experience in planning in person events both internationally and domestically, she has now expanded her professional portfolio into producing virtual events. Prior to joining PMI, Julie was with the Drug…

Ken Holsinger leads the data practice at Freeman bringing together teams that are building innovative data tools for integration and business intelligence, with data consulting, research, and industry benchmarking. These teams work with clients all over the world to drive decisions, improve results and measure their marketing efforts. Ken has over 25 years of experience…

Matt is the founder and CEO of Filament, a company who’s mission is to power the world’s best meetings. He has suffered from “Idea Surplus Disorder” as long as he can remembers, and has a natural knack for helping really smart people think, meet and learn together better. An accomplished keynote speaker and creative facilitator,…

Rose brings over 30 years of experience in the convention and hospitality industry to her role as Vice President, Client Services at Choose Chicago.  Prior to joining Choose Chicago in 2005, Rose’s experience included managing conventions and events of 100 to 90,000 participants for associations and corporations including Sears Holdings, Bacon Hedland Management, Conferon and…

Kevin oversees the event planning and customer support teams, and is focused on delivering and innovating customer experiences across all Convene products. Kevin joined Convene as a Production Manager in 2013, and most recently led Convene’s lower Manhattan property operations. Prior to that, he was the Catering Sales Manager at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel….

Scott is responsible for overseeing medical, security, and intelligence operations at Global Rescue. He spent over 20 years in the United States Army where he earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and led conventional, special operations and critical planning units. Key assignments included serving as an Executive Officer in the National Airborne Operations Center and…

Brett is the President, CEO and Founder of NVE Experience Agency (NVE), a privately-owned experiential marketing and production company with offices in Los Angeles, New York and London. Guided by the principle that the right moment will transform someone forever, Brett leads NVE’s team of cross-industry experts to deliver culturally connected campaigns and transformative experiences…

Kevin Iwamoto is an award-winning speaker, industry influencer, author, educator, and subject-matter expert consultant in business travel, GDPR, SMM, the meetings/events marketplace and personal branding. His progressive industry expertise is regularly featured in industry trade publications, such as Business Travel News (BTN), Northstar Meetings Group, MeetingsNet. Kevin is also the recipient of the 2015 Travel…

Tavar is currently Director, Head of Experiential Marketing for Equitable, a New York-based leading financial services company. His role includes oversight of Equitable meetings, events, and experiences reporting to the company’s Chief Marketing Officer. Tavar specializes in event planning and execution with a focus on creating memorable and impactful moments in virtual, hybrid, and in-person…

Therese is the Founder and Principal of Strategic Event Procurement. She is an award-winning Procurement Strategist and achieved a 900% ROI when she implemented Microsoft’s VenueSource program. She cut the contracting timeline by 30% and saved over $250 million. Dubbed “MacGyver” by her friends, Therese is a resourceful problem solver, and has the tools to…

Tracey is a strategist, project manager and facilitator with a focus on strengthening nonprofit leaders and organizations to effectively serve communities. She has extensive experience in administration, talent development, event planning, and project management in the philanthropic and nonprofit arena. Prior to joining CapEq, as Director, Communications, Mobilization and & Partnerships at the National Board…

Shameka is an award-winning certified meeting professional, certified association executive, speaker, and thought leader with over 8 years of industry experience. Shameka is passionate about people, leadership, and successful businesses. She has a knack for making meaningful connections through events and an insatiable appetite for helping others maximize their potential.  She is especially inspired to…

Josh Johns, EVP Strategy Josh develops messaging and brand engagement platforms that capture an institution’s story and frame a persuasive case for investment to donors, alumni, and friends. He leads the creative development of messaging and communications materials, interactive experiences, video, and live experiences that bring the brand to life through authentic and resonant storytelling….

Following a short stint designing the national bridal registry kits for the Federated Department Stores, Ceci Johnson landed on the East Coast for a job. It was in New York, with an invitation she created for a coworker’s wedding, that the Ceci New York story began. One referral lead to another, and Ceci soon realized that…

As Chief Advocacy Officer, Jack Johnson manages the overall public policy operations at Destinations International including member advocacy education and training, development of destination tools and best practices, coalition work with peer organizations, industry research and related public affairs activities. He also oversees the board governance, the Destination Management Accreditation Program (DMAP) and the DestinationNEXT…

Wanda Johnson is the Chief Executive Officer at the American Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), starting this role in January 2019.  ASPEN has close to 6,000 members, a staff of 23, and an annual budget of almost $6M.   Prior to joining ASPEN, Wanda had a successful 26-year career with the Endocrine Society…

Leah Jones is the Sr. Director, Meetings & Events at the Auto Care Association and has been active as a committee chair and member on various PCMA Capital Chapter committees and ASAE’s Meetings & Events council over the years. She is an ASAE DELP (Diversity, Executive, Leadership Program) scholar alum, class of 2014-2016.  She is…

Sherrif Karamat, CAE, is President and Chief Executive Officer of PCMA. Karamat also serves as President of the PCMA Foundation and Publisher of Convene magazine. As CEO, Karamat leads the vision, mission and promise for PCMA’s global family of brands. Karamat serves the greater business events industry as a prominent business architect, enabling our community…

Jeremy Katzman was Manager of Media Relations & E-Philanthropy for the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation from 2010 to 2013. His primary focus was to manage and enhance the foundation’s brand and message by serving as the primary media contact, spokesperson and copywriter and also managing the organization’s website and social media presence. Jeremy is 2018 treasurer…

As the first editor in chief of BizBash, Chad Kaydo helped launch and build the leading magazine and website for the event industry, overseeing BizBash’s print, digital, and social media content until 2013. Chad has interviewed the most innovative event marketers, producers, designers, and vendors working today.

Professor Juliette Kayyem has spent the last two decades in both state and federal government managing complex policy initiatives and organizing government responses to major crises. Kayyem serves as the faculty chair of the Homeland Security and Security and Global Health Projects at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government where she teaches in homeland security and…

Corinne Kessel is the proud owner and Principal of Greenscape since 2007. She started with the company in 2004 and held a variety of roles: Design Consultant, Senior Design Consultant, Sales Manager, and Operations Manager. Her greatest accomplishment has been surrounding herself with an inspiring, talented, and dedicated team of people at Greenscape that care…

Ellen Klingler has had the honor of dedicating over 24 years of her career to advancing the mission of public higher education in North Carolina. As Executive Director of University Special Events at NC State University, Ellen leads a team dedicated to planning and executing strategic live events that inspire and nurture a culture of…

Josh is the Founder and Principal of Made Welcome, an accessibility consulting firm focused on accessibility at workplaces and events. Prior to founding Made Welcome, Josh practiced law for 16 years, specializing in the Americans with Disabilities Act. He is also a Certified Access Specialist (CASp No. 812) through California’s Division of the State Architect…

Amy serves as the Business Strategist for BBW International, Canada’s leading full-service staffing firm. During the pandemic, the company has leveraged its experience to provide trained and experienced COVID Safety Ambassadors to help companies navigate new physical distancing protocols, manage traffic flow, pre-screen event attendees, facilitate physical distancing, and more to keep everyone safe.

Beth Kormanik is editor in chief of BizBash. She joined BizBash in 2012 as a senior editor and has led such projects as the Top 100 Events in the United States as well as coverage of events including the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, Art Basel Miami Beach, and the South Beach Wine & Food…

A journalist for more than 20 years, Beth Kormanik is part of the Event Leadership Institute’s editorial content team. She served as editor in chief of BizBash, a leading media resource event and meeting organizers, following roles as senior editor and news editor. She led major projects for both print and online, including the annual…

Robyn Kress, EVP, Higher Ed, Robyn leads the higher education division of August Jackson and is responsible for monitoring industry trends and making sure that product offerings match the current needs of our university partners. She guides the performance of the team and also works with clients to develop brands and experiences that elevate perception,…

As a first generation personal computer user since the age of 6, technology is part of Brandt’s DNA. Combine that DNA with a degree in Technical Theatre and a core in Psychology, add in almost 20 years experience in the meetings and events industry, and you get a powerful event technology cocktail. In addition to…

As a first generation personal computer user since the age of 6, technology is part of Brandt’s DNA. Combine that DNA with a degree in Technical Theatre and a core in Psychology, add in almost 20 years experience in the meetings and events industry, and you get a powerful event technology cocktail. In addition to…

As a first-generation personal computer user since the age of 6, technology is part of Brandt’s DNA. Combine that DNA with a degree in Technical Theatre and a core in Psychology, add in almost 20 years of experience in the meetings and events industry, and you get a powerful event technology cocktail. In addition to…

Prior to joining the faculty at MSU Denver, Professor Krugman worked in the global arena for 30 years in a variety of corporate marketing and meeting/event planning positions, as well as owning and managing her own meeting management company specializing in international medical/pharmaceutical meetings and conventions. She is currently Chair of the Department of Hospitality,…

Managing Director of both Ziegfeld Ballroom and Gotham Hall, Allan Kurtz has been at the helm of Iconic Spaces’ venues since 2003. His background includes five years as Director of Catering at Sheraton Meadowlands, three years at Water’s Edge, and 13 years at the Tavern on the Green in various positions, with the last five…

Romina Kwong (she/her) is the Founder, Lead Consultant and Speaker of Eco-Friendly Events, a consulting agency that supports event organizers and businesses by bringing a holistic, accessible and realistic approach to implement green initiatives. She advocates for environmental and social justice, and strongly believes in approaching environmental sustainability with incremental, yet impactful actions. Her aim…

Gary LaBranche is the CEO of RIMS, the risk management society®. Prior to his appointment, he served as President & CEO of Virginia-based National Investor Relations Institute and has led association such as the Association for Corporate Growth, the Association Forum of Chicagoland and several others. He was named ASAE’s Key Award winner for 2007,…

As Vice President of Digital Delivery for Freeman, Kerry leads the Customer Success, Implementation, Development and Support teams for the company’s digital events division. Prior to joining Freeman, Kerry spent 9 years with Cvent leading the global Enterprise Customer Success team and over a decade working as a meeting professional for associations in the Washington,…

New York based event designer Lindsay Landman has been producing innovative galas, weddings and special events in New York and around the globe since 2001. Her company, Lindsay Landman Events, is a market leader in the unique integration of event planning, design and production. Lindsay is the planner of choice for the country’s most influential…

Adreanne Lewis, Director of Event Sales & Services at Fairmont Austin joined the landmark property in 2017 as a member of its opening team. In her role, she oversees the sale and execution of local weddings and non-profit galas, as well as a large range of corporate/association conferences and exhibitions. Prior to her time in…

Devin Lewis, CEM, CMP, is the Director of Regional Sales for the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority Washington, D.C., regional office. A 24-year veteran in the hospitality industry, Devin is an active participant in all regional and national hospitality associations and is involved on many committees, boards, and task forces. Most recently, Devin has…

Lyn Lewis-Smith is CEO of BESydney and leads a global team of professionals spanning Europe, North America and Asia who are charged with securing global meetings of strategic, economic and social benefit to Sydney, Australia. The organisation works across sectors which include infrastructure, technology, professional services, advanced manufacturing, education and health.  Lyn has led transformation…

Celebrity party planner and author, Debi Lilly believes in elegant and easy design ideas for all. She is on a one woman mission to inspire, educate, and share her twenty years of party planning and stylist tips, tricks and DIY designs to elevate celebrations for any occasion, everywhere, coast to coast. These and more of her…

Rebecca is a leader and an innovator. Her focus has always been on the goal of providing unmatched customer service. That, and her commitment to organizational and production excellence, has led Linder Global Events to the top of the event planning business, producing national and international events for many of the world’s largest and most…

Chris has been with Constant Contact since 2006 and currently runs the company’s EventSpot Business Unit. EventSpot is designed to help small business and nonprofit event planners automate and simplify many details associated with planning, promoting and managing an event, freeing them up to focus on providing the best attendee experience possible. Before joining Constant…

SVP, Revenue | Intrado Digital Media

Sean Low is the Founder and President of The Business of Being Creative, a consulting firm focused on providing practical advice to those in the business of being creative. Prior to founding The Business of Being Creative, Sean spent six years as the President of Preston Bailey Design, Inc. representing Preston in his business endeavors…

In 1997 Suzanne Lowell founded Suzanne B. Lowell Lighting Design, Inc. to provide best-of-class, custom lighting solutions for galas, special events and weddings. With more than 20 years of experience and training, Suzanne has established her firm as one of the country’s leading sources for artful, elegant and impactful event lighting design. A graduate of…

Amy is a teacher for students who are blind or visually impaired in Normal, Illinois. She has served on the state board of her professional organization and been the conference chair, both in person and virtually, for their 300 attendee conference 4 times over the last 6 years.

Steve M Moore’s career spans over 20 years. He is widely known in the Atlanta hospitality industry for his energetic attitude and exceeding client’s expectations. Steve’s attention to detail and his flair for style are just two of the many reasons he is recognized as an industry leader. Through his numerous roles including account manager,…

Sean MacNeill joined MobileCause as Chief Executive Officer and member of the board of directors in June 2013. He is a multidimensional CEO with 15 years of experience delivering rapid growth in software, mobile and cloud companies. MobileCause is a premier fundraising and communication platform that transforms universities, health, charities, churches, nonprofit organizations, political groups,…

Tina Madden, CPA, brings more than 25 years in the travel and meetings industry to her current role as Co-CEO and Chief Customer Officer. Prior to joining Meetings & Incentives Worldwide (M&IW), she had a successful career with a full-service CPA firm in downtown Milwaukee. In 2014, she was recognized as one of the top…

Tina Madden, CPA, brings more than 25 years in the travel and meetings industry to her current role as Co-CEO and Chief Customer Officer. Prior to joining Meetings & Incentives Worldwide (M&IW), she had a successful career with a full-service CPA firm in downtown Milwaukee. In 2014, she was recognized as one of the top…

Gayle Majeski is a Director of Strategic Event Delivery with KPMG’s Events & Meetings (E&M) organization and leads a team of 30 meeting professionals dedicated to clients & markets, leadership, strategic alliances & executive education events. In her role she serves as Executive Sponsor to KPMG’s E&M Employee Process Council and Mentoring Committee. Gayle has…

Lindsay Maloni is a Sr. Conference Planner for Metlife. She previously spent 9 years on the Incentive Team, managing sales incentives and large business meetings for the enterprise. Maloni currently serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives for FICP (Financial & Insurance Conference Planners Association.

As Vice President, Sales and Hotel Marketing, Americas, for Four Seasons Hotels, Anne provides strategic leadership to the Worldwide Sales, and hotel sales and marketing teams for the Americas region. Her priorities include alignment between global and hotel sales teams to drive revenue growth across the Four Seasons portfolio of 119 hotels and resorts. In…

Natalie’s passion is helping companies promote and grow their brand! With over 20 years of experience in experiential, event, and mobile marketing as well as building/office interior and exterior branding, Natalie is currently an Account Executive with Craftsmen Industries, helping healthcare organizations across the nation deliver their quality care in mobilized clinics. From primary care,…

Scott Marko has been the Meetings and Events Manager for the Society of Plastics Engineers(SPE) since July of 2016. Before that he worked for SPE as an event coordinator. Scott got his CMP in November of 2017 and is currently the President of NYPCMA. He holds a J.D. from Western New England University and currently…

Kyle Marsden-Kish is a 15 year veteran of the trade show industry working in marketing, sales, and management on both the b2b and b2c sectors. Kyle has been working for ReedPop and the PAX team for over 10 years in both a domestic and global role overseeing the day-to-day business. He currently resides in CT…

Ambassador Marshall leads the State Department’s Office of Protocol in its mission to advance the foreign policy of the Obama Administration by creating and fostering an environment for successful diplomacy. As the first hand that welcomes kings, queens, presidents, and prime ministers to the U.S., Ambassador Marshall serves on the front lines of diplomatic engagement…

David Marshall brings 35 years of presentation experience to his current position as Production Manager of the New York office of Staging Techniques. He has a long resume as an Equity stage manager, technical director and producer that began with Contempo Commnications in the 1970s. Today David brings all the skills learned throughout his long…

TJ Martin has worked many jobs in the events industry over the years, fromstagehand and delivery person to Sales & Marketing Manager to AccountExecutive VP. He’s now Chief Executive Officer of Cramer, the company hisfather founded in 1982. TJ considers the agency a “family business,” not justbecause he and five siblings work together, but because…

Heather Mason founded Caspian Agency in 2005, intent on bringing a scientifically-based strategic discipline to white-glove event planning after recognizing that there was no codified method for creating and executing strategic events at scale. To do this, she created the Caspian 10 Essentials of Event Science. This methodology has been taught internationally, and is featured…

Amanda Matuk is Executive Producer for I/O Developer Conference and Head of Hardware Experiences at Google.

Melissa Maybury is the Manager of Sales and Marketing for HCC Specialty Underwriters and has been with the company for a little over 5 years. While knowledgeable of all HCCSU’s products, her main focus has been on the event related insurance products in the entertainment, event planning, sporting, tradeshow, and promotion marketing industries. Melissa has…

Instructor | Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management Department, California State University, Chico Dr. Kelli McCrea has taught in the Department of Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management (RHPM) at CSU, Chico for 10 years and in higher education for 35 years. She specializes in event management, customer service management, and management of recreation, hospitality, and parks….

Carol serves as Executive Vice President, Event and Education Services of SmithBucklin. She oversees all of the company’s convention, trade show, and event management service offerings. In addition, she oversees the Education & Learning Services team. Carol was inducted into the BizBash Hall of Fame in 2016, was honored in 2019 by MeetingsNet Magazine as…

Linda McNairy leads the American Express Meetings & Events organization for the Americas.  She holds responsibility for leading growth, client retention, operational delivery, talent retention and business strategy.  She accepted this position in Q4 2019 from her role as Global Vice President of Innovation & Shared Services which was a growth generated role that drove…

Gwendolyn is a Regional External Affairs Manager with Comcast, with more than 25 years of experience. In her current role, she is responsible for managing community impact initiatives, working with nonprofit organizations and administering event sponsorship opportunities. Some of her key initiatives include the Comcast Internet Essential Program, the annual volunteer day of service, Comcast…

Doug Melville is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Red Carpet Runway, America’s premiere brand of red carpet and custom designed entrances. By developing a line of patent pending products, anyone can now create a custom red carpet experience, any time and any place. Over 1000 clients, including Clarins, Swarovski, MTV, have tied into…

As VP and General Manager of Marketplace at Eventbrite, Tamara Mendelsohn drives global consumer strategy and heads up Eventbrite’s Marketplace Business Unit, overseeing product, engineering, marketing, and business development. She was one of Eventbrite’s earliest hires in 2009, and before taking on her current role, Tamara built the company’s global marketing team from the ground…

For over 25 years it has been David Merrell’s philosophy that “All special events truly demand a customized approach in order to fully achieve the client’s vision and purpose.” It is this vision, passion, and dedication, to each and every client that has inevitably led David E. Merrell and AOO Events, to become one of…

Courtney Mesmer is an expert in curating the ultimate customer experience. Throughout her career, she has designed and delivered events and products that engage targeted audiences and expand brand recognition. She has brought people together within various business communities, supplying digital platforms that accelerate learning, innovation and collaboration on a global scale. Navigating her way…

Kyle Meyers, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Silverback, brings 15 years of endurance sports and event management experience, with a background in business development, strategic planning and project management. He began his career with Lakeshore Athletic Services in Chicago and quickly stepped into leadership roles supporting IRONMAN, Rock N Roll Marathon Series, The Color…

Winner of over 70 international event awards, Andrea has planned and produced events since 1978. Building her company, Extraordinary Events, into a globally recognized brand has included product launches, consumer events and large-scale public events as well as more intimate and boutique conferences or multi-day incentive trips in the Caribbean, Europe, Asia or Latin America or…

Sarah is an Experience Architect who has been working in the meetings industry for over 20 years to create dynamic audience experiences. Her vast knowledge of next-generation learning and facilitation skills help design dynamic meetings that guarantee more participation, opportunities for connecting and peer-to-peer interactions to deliver on the networking promise of live events. Sarah…

Together with Drew Hagen, Rod founded InVision in 1991. A passionate and energetic leader, Rod applies his decades of production and strategic account management expertise to the vision and direction of the company. Rod’s passion for delivering excellent service and integrated engagement solutions keeps InVision fresh and innovative. As Executive Sponsor for key clients including…

J. B. Miller, President & CEO of Empire, is an Emmy Award-winning producer with over three decades of experience as an executive producer of major live and broadcast events. Miller has produced projects on six continents including the White House’s UN General Assembly Head of State Reception, Time Magazine’s Time 100, The TriBeCa Film Festival,…

Rick is the president of Rick Moelis Productions, Inc., which provides a full scope of event marketing services including hotel/venue management, speaker management, food and beverage, decor, website/registration, transportation and overall budget oversight. Prior to that he was vice president of client services for First Protocol, where he was responsible for the overall account management…

Brian Monahan is an Event Technology Expert, Speaker, and Certified Professional Coach. Brian is recognized as a hospitality thought leader because of his ingenuity, innovation, and ability to strategize and deliver impactful organizational outcomes. Since the second quarter of 2020, Brian has immersed himself in learning and executing resilient and reliable virtual experiences. His current…

David Monn is best known for his broad range of artistry, from intimate private parties to noteworthy events such as the White House State Visit, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual Costume Institute gala and a performance production, “In the Void,” at the Park Avenue Armory in New York.

Phyl has extensive experience in creating strategic and complex employee engagement programs and external sales and marketing programs that emphasize brand integrity while enhancing the customer experience. She has been at Wolters Kluwer for 15 years and is the Director of Events and MarComm Operations, where she conceived and implemented the company’s first hybrid program…

As Executive Director, Live Events & Experiential Essence Communications, Candace Montgomery is a leading innovator in the area of strategic experiential marketing programs. An expert with over 20 years experience, Candace develops integrated event strategies that deliver on the Essence brand promise and partner objectives and goals. She is also responsible for the production, promotional,…

As Managing Director of Jack Morton’s Boston office, Steve Mooney oversees the development of multi-year agency relationships dedicated to building and activating brands for clients. He has succeeded with a strong focus on the agency’s digital and strategic planning offerings. Since he joined Jack Morton in 1992, Steve has played various roles from creative and…

Faith Moore has been helping prestigious corporate clients succeed through events and incentives for over 25 years. Faith founded FM&A in 1990 and leads the company with her deep knowledge of New England, and her elegant, eclectic sense of style. Faith has an uncanny ability to put people at ease, and she finds common ground…

Tammy Moore, CMP, CMM, is Senior Director, Product Innovation 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…

Honorably discharged from the United States Army following 12 years of service, Chiriga Moore, affectionately known as Zoe (pronounced ZOH) completed an M.S. in Hospitality, Recreation, and Tourism and then started an event planning company in Oakland, CA.    Learning that Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) were not prioritized in the meetings, events, and tourism industry,…

Sara Elizabeth Morris specializes in planning both corporate and boutique events from Los Angeles to New York City. She is currently the Director of Meetings & Events at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) where she works to develop and conceptualize the association’s educational conferences. In this position, she works to curate innovative experiences…

Brian is the Founder and writes The Rebooting, a weekly newsletter focused on the path to sustainable media businesses. For a decade, he was the president and editor-in-chief of Digiday Media. He’s covered the digital media industry for 20 years.

Matt Murnane is the co-founder of SLATE Event Management, a B2B conference and events strategy firm. He is passionate about creating immersive experiences that unite individuals through creative and innovative ways to move industries forward. He loves integrating cutting-edge technologies into building programs for the future with a keen understanding that each experience is unique….

Experiential marketing professional with more than 15 years experience connecting consumers with brands through the power of live experiences – of all size and scale. Experience includes consumer electronics, retail, food & beverage and beauty. Part-time husband, father and now teacher. On the constant quest to merge work and life. Philly fan that grew up…

Heather Neale is the Managing Director of Sales at Destination Toronto, where she leads a sales team of 10 Toronto-based staff, and 4 in-market sales staff, responsible for delivering group sales bookings for Toronto consisting of meetings & conventions from regions in the US, Canada and internationally. Key stakeholders include Toronto hotels, and two key…

Christina Neault brings 20 years of international experience, a deep roster of contacts and solid credibility to the table. She is a fashion industry leader, having served as the Executive Producer of Fashion Week in NYC, LA and Miami. She was a highly sought-after consultant for fashion weeks in Berlin, Mexico City, Mumbai, Seoul, and…

Anh Nguyen is the founder of Spark Event Management, an award-winning, full-service event management firm and the Spark Event Collective, a network of independent planners collaborating to deliver event experiences. Anh is a seasoned business event professional who possesses over 18 years of event design, production, and management experience. She has managed a vast array…

Scott Norville is currently Vice President of Digital Audience Development at Fox. He is responsible for leading Twentieth Century Fox and Fox Network Group’s cross-division initiatives regarding short-form video creation and distribution, and audience development on YouTube and other social media platforms. Before Fox, Scott worked at Google in YouTube’s Content Partnerships Group where he…

Peter J. O’Neil, FASAE, CAE, is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ASIS International, the largest global membership organization for security management professionals that crosses industry sectors, embracing every discipline along the security spectrum from operational to cybersecurity. O’Neil, an accomplished association management executive, joined ASIS in January of 2016, bringing a broad scope of…

With a strong record of accomplishment in sales, marketing and brand development, and as Chief Executive Officer at ARHT Media, Larry leads the business development and monetization of its holographic telepresence technology. He is a highly successful global business development executive that led the international sales team that transformed the IMAX brand from a museum…

Kadejah Omokaro, MBA, DES is a Tennessee native, who currently resides in the DMV area as the Manager of Conferences and Events at the National Head Start Association. Obtaining a Public Health degree from Middle Tennessee State University and Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus, Kadejah has been able to…

Paramedic and Chief Operating Officer of Med-On-Site Inc, Jason Oncz’s mandate is to provide education about the skills and scope of prehospital providers in Ontario, and to provide the public with Safety and Security as a through Event Medical Services at Med-On-Site and as a Primary Care Paramedic With Middlesex-London Paramedic Service.

JOHN PATRICK OROHO, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Porzio Life Sciences, LLC, meets regularly with companies to identify sales and marketing issues and to propose solutions that streamline their practices in meeting compliance requirements of all 50 states and the District of Columbia.Mr. Oroho is also a principal of the law firm,…

Bruce Orosz expanded the travel business he owned into a full-service production company, ACT Productions. ACT facilitates the careers of models, photographers, actors, and musicians and provides production for events, global advertising campaigns, and television shows nationally and internationally. ACT’s clients have included MCI, Coca-Cola, M&M Mars, Canon, and more. Live events clients include the…

Zach Overton recently joined Google to lead retail partner marketing for North America. Previously, he was Vice President of Brand and Customer Experience & General Manager of Samsung 837, responsible for developing creative marketing initiatives, innovative partnerships, and driving the strategy behind Samsung’s dynamic and often never-been-done-before, culturally relevant activations across the country. He was…

Taya Paige has over 25 years of meeting, incentive and recognition industry experience, including leadership positions in sales, marketing and operations and as an entrepreneur. Throughout these years, she has maintained a focus on the life sciences industry among other markets as well. She is a strategic thought leader and passionate about the pursuit of…

As a Director at KPMG in the Events & Meetings organization, Sue leads a team that focuses on operational excellence in alignment with strategic event delivery. She plays a key role in introducing tools and technologies to position the firm’s events team ahead in the industry’s evolving landscape. Her areas of expertise and oversight span…

Adam Parry is the editor of eventindustrynews.com, a leading online publication covering the latest news and trends in the event industry.   With over a decade of experience and passion for all things events, Adam has established himself as a top thought leader in the field, providing insightful commentary and analysis on the latest developments in…

Steve Paster is President of Alpine Creative Group, an award-winning graphic design and custom printing firm located in New York City. Founded in 1987, Alpine Creative Group manufactures high-end custom invitations, stationery and corporate marketing materials. All printing, engraving, creative and hand-crafted designs are completed in-house allowing for shorter lead times, greater cost efficiency and…

Craig Paulson, principal photographer and owner of the studio, is a multi-award-winning photographer. Based in New York City, Craig has over 25 years of experience in the photography industry. Whilst living in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Switzerland and India, he worked in fashion and advertising for over 10 years before setting up his wedding business in…

Sarah Pease co-founded Brilliant Event Planning in 2008. She has spent the last 10 years getting a rush from constant improvement, meaningful work, and smashing goals — as a teammate, an entrepreneur, a lead generator, a creative mind, a TV personality, and above all — a marketer. Sarah has shared conference rooms, helipads, stages, television…

David Peckinpaugh is President of Maritz Global Events. A 30+ year champion of the events industry, David provides strategic oversight of Maritz Global Events, while ensuring we consistently design and deliver exceptional experiences to clients and their guests. Since joining in 2011, David has led the company through significant growth, placing renewed focus on clients,…

A twenty year global event marketing leader, Charlotte Pedersen, CMP currently serves at the director of Global Events for Indeed – the world’s number one job site. Throughout her career she has worked for non-profits, associations, real estate and global technology companies. At Indeed, she built, developed and scaled the global event marketing program from one…

Eric leads a multi-disciplinary and global team to develop new business platforms and networks based on the latest innovative technologies including blockchain, artificial intelligence, industry analytics and hybrid clouds. Under Eric’s leadership, IBM Watson Health launched many products including Digital Health Pass, a new way for individuals to demonstrate their health status. Before joining IBM,…

Prior to joining the Freeman Strategy Leadership Team, Nico was most recently the VP of Strategy at GPJ and Chief Strategy Officer at Kenwood Experiences. He’s led experiential and digital strategy for technology brands including Salesforce, Hitachi, WorkDay, Pure Storage, EMC, and Visa. As an advertising strategist and consultant, Nico has worked with many brands…

Meagan Prescott, CMP DES is Head of Operations – ALTS & North American Investor Forums at Markets Group. She leads a team managing event operations for 50+ of Markets Group’s global events portfolio. Prior to joining Markets Group, Meagan held events positions at AlphaMetrix Events, the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), and the…

In her more than 10 years of event experience, Noelle Provencial has produced more than 500 events across the country, including top customer events, ticketed events, marketing panels, high-end celebrity events, internal meetings, and employee functions, ranging in size from 30 to 300,000 people. She has managed experiential programs large and small for brands including Groupon,…

Ms. Purfey is the Executive Director of Events & Meetings at KPMG US LLP, one of the world’s largest professional services firms, offering audit, tax and advisory services. In her role, she provides overall leadership and strategic direction to more than 100 events and business professionals. This includes overseeing the organization’s strategic event delivery and…

Rafanelli and his firm have a simple philosophy: Every event is a unique creative challenge deserving of a one-of-a-kind approach. “My team listens to what you’re imagining and then comes back with an idea you never expected,” he says. “We hone in on every last detail so we can always deliver clients the highest level…

Margaret has worked in Human Resources for 19 years, primarily with fast-paced scaling businesses. A true generalist, Margaret has expertise in recruiting, onboarding, training, benefits management and compliance.

Lori Raimondo leads a double life. As a producer, she specializes in documentaries. As a marketing and event expert, she specializes in the entertainment and non-profit industries. Lori has produced events as high-profile as the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and and as intimate as local poetry readings. She has led marketing teams responsible for the…

Nabeel lives with Cerebral Palsy and has merged his unique personal and professional experience to form an organization “Pedesting” to increase accessibility awareness across all sectors. One of the first initiatives is to create a navigation app called Pedesting (https://pedesting.com) to help identify the most accessible route for anyone who walks or rolls. Nabeel received…

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…

Heather Reid owned and operated Innovative Conferences & Communications for almost 3 decades, specializing in multi-day educational events and association conferences. In 2013, Heather founded Planner Protect Inc – which consults with event hosts and industry professionals to negotiate BALANCED event contracts. CEOs, professional planners, and venue representatives alike all recognize Heather as a trusted…

Mr. Richards has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Global Rescue since he founded the company in 2004. He also serves as the President of Crisis Services Company, a Vermont-based captive insurance company. Mr. Richards has been a featured speaker on CNN, Fox News, NPR and other major media outlets regarding crisis response, mitigation…

Melissa Riley serves as the Senior Vice President, Convention Sales and Services at Destination DC (DDC), the official convention and tourism organization for the nation’s capital.   A 25-year veteran of the travel and hospitality industry, Riley leads a team of more than 25 who work in concert to generate a positive economic impact for the…

Laura Ritchie is the founder and designer at Grit & Grace, Inc.

Jessica Malaty Rivera is an infectious disease epidemiologist and science communicator. She earned her MS in Emerging Infectious Diseases from the Georgetown School of Medicine and has dedicated the last 15 years of her career to disease surveillance research, public health policy, and vaccine advocacy. Her specialty is in translating complex scientific concepts into impactful,…

DJ AmRo (Amani Roberts) is a Washington DC born and bred DJ who has been in California since 2007. DJ AmRo’s musical knowledge spans numerous decades and crosses multiple genres. DJ AmRo currently has residencies on various nights in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Venice, Hermosa Beach and Culver City. In April of 2008, Amani started…

As an established and regarded industry leader and mentor, Bailey started Redstone with the motivation to bring for-profit knowledge and efficiencies to as many associations and NPOs as possible. With years of experience developing management and cost-saving practices and guiding the strategic direction of many organizations, Bailey knows how to bring out the best in…

Christian-Claus Roth has been employed at Novartis Pharma since 2001, in different roles of increasing responsibility. After his studies in Business Administration he started his career with the International Pharmaceutical wholesaler GEHE Pharma Handel GmbH and later Celesio AG, in Germany.From there he moved to the Novartis Pharma affiliate in Bern, Switzerland, where he set…

Janette Roush is the Executive Vice President, Marketing and Digital, for New York City Tourism + Conventions, New York City’s official destination marketing organization.  She oversees the organization’s paid media strategy, digital initiatives and media insights to raise the profile of NYC and to inspire visitation to the five boroughs.  A native of Kansas City,…

Dr. Mark Rowe has been a practicing family physician for over 25 years. He is a founder & doctor at the RoweCreavin Medical Practice & ‘BeWell Clinic.’ In 2009 Mark founded the Waterford Health Park, by sensitively restoring the Presentation Convent (a protected structure originally designed by the gothic revivalist architect Pugin, of Big Ben…

Paula is a passionate advocate for the power of business events to create long term economic and sustainable impact. As a leader within the business event and association/not-for-profit sectors, with more than 30 years’ experience, Paula works with organization’s to successfully design, develop and implement business event strategies that enhance the member, organization and customer…

Stuart Ruff-Lyon is the Chief Events and Sales Officer at RIMS where he leads a team of event and sales professionals. Stuart has worked in the hospitality and events industry for more than 20 years, with experience in planning international events and global citywide conventions. Stuart is very active in the events industry and is…

Joyce Russell is the Managing Director of Sales at Visit Indy, overseeing a team of sales professionals responsible for group bookings at the Indiana Convention Center and Indianapolis hotels.   Prior to joining Visit Indy in 2012, Joyce spent 23 years with Westin/Starwood, as a Director of Sales and Marketing. Joyce also currently serves as the Chair…

Michelle Russell has been the editor in chief of PCMA Convene since 2003, where she continues to lead a team of talented editors and writers to produce award-winning content across various platforms, with the goal of sharing knowledge with — and inspiring — the global business events professional community. 

Since launching FIRST in the Americas in 2004, Maureen has made massive strides for the brand, positioning FIRST as an industry leader. Prior to FIRST, Maureen was the Director of Events at Billboard Magazine and The New York Stock Exchange. She then opened her own firm, Ryan-Fable Productions, which laid the groundwork for what would…

As a global Human Resources Executive and trusted Advisor, my mission is to proactively help organizations build a collaborative, agile and adaptable workforce. By building and leading all aspects of human resources practices, I have successfully accelerated organizational transformation and performance by facilitating culture change through employee engagement.

Milena Santoro, CMM CMP PIDP – author, international speaker, award winning certified meeting and special events professional who has earned many accolades managing events for corporations, international associations, social clients and not-for-profit agencies. She is the Creative President and CEO of MS Productions Inc., a full service international event and wedding production, design and destination…

For more than a decade, Jen Santos has led event technology at some of the world’s largest companies.She brings the technology and team building best practices from over 20+ years of IT consulting and coaching experience to event delivery teams so they can deliver exceptional events.

Jennifer joined New York Life in 2019 as Head of Corporate Events where she is responsible for creating and implementing the strategy for corporate, incentive and training-based programs. In her current role, Jennifer and her team provide internal business partners with strategic and creative solutions to meet their business needs through the successful planning, management…

Pat is a Strategic Consultant with Maritz Global Events. Pat is the author of “Breaking the Code to Healthcare Compliance”, 5th Edition, a health policy resource book for meeting professionals, physicians and manufacturers that addresses the impact of the National Physician Payment Transparency Program: Open Payments (formally the Physician Payments Sunshine Act) and global cross-border…

Pat is Director, Life Science Development at McVeigh Global Meetings & Events, and founder and Manager of the Healthcare Meeting Compliance Certificate (HMCC) program for MPI which now boasts over 4,000 recipients, representing 19 countries. Pat is the author of “Breaking the Code to Healthcare Compliance”, 5th Edition, a health policy resource book for meeting…

Sharon Schenk is the Director, Conventions and Event Management at CCA Global Partners. In her current role at CCA Global Partners, she is involved in creating and managing events and conferences ranging from 50 to 2000 attendees. With expertise in strategic meeting management and working with complex budgets, she drives the creativity for events and…

Scott Schenker is a recognized international executive, proficient in integrated and experience marketing, corporate strategy, financial and general management, technology, media production, and emerging trends. He is a self-starter who – by working independently, leading teams, or as part of a diverse group – builds, transforms, and delivers objective exceeding results to stakeholders’ and shareholders’…

Kavin Schieferdecker is the chief sales officer at the San Diego Tourism Authority, where he oversees long-term sales for the San Diego Convention Center, as well as hotel meetings and convention services. Schieferdecker leads a 30-person team responsible for the destination sales and client experience for San Diego’s meetings and conventions economy, which generates $3.5…

John Schwartz founded EventQuest Middle East, the full-service experiential design and event marketing agency, with business partner Mark Veeder. With over 20 years of experience serving corporate clients, John’s key focus is on client value in conjunction with creative thinking. He has built strong relationships with a diverse group of clients that includes Masdar, ENEC,…

Laura Schwartz is a professional speaker and author of “Eat, Drink & Succeed!” Laura was named one of the Best Keynote Speakers by Meetings and Conventions Magazine and one of seven American speakers who exceed and surpass expectations by Successful Meetings Magazine. Laura also emcees conferences and events, conducts interviews on stage with CEOs and…

Jeffrey Selden leverages his 28-year long party history in his role as Managing Partner of Marcia Selden Catering. With an extensive background in luxury event planning, honed at some of the country’s most exclusive hotels, including The St. Regis, The Pierre and The New York Palace, he holds an industry-wide reputation as a power event-builder…

Bill has over 37 years in event development, program execution and media management experience in the USA and internationally. As Managing Partner of Advisor Communications he’s been counsel to a number of media and event companies in the book industry, biotechnology, college entrance counseling, Internet broadcasting, pharma/medical, numerous high tech trade shows and conferences in…

The Event Leadership Institute is proud to produce our exclusive Maverick Series: interviews with people who plan the biggest and most high-profile events, run the most well respected and award-winning companies, manage the biggest venues, and demonstrate thought leadership, innovation and creative thinking. Join us as these industry Mavericks share their stories, insights and guidance.

Nancy Shaffer is the Chief Creative Officer at RJ Whyte Event Production. She is a respected industry veteran, a trusted mentor, and innovative event producer. In 1997, Nancy founded BRAVO! Events, and quickly built a company with purpose, pride, and impact. Her portfolio of work includes event ideation and execution for corporations, associations and nonprofits. …

André Shahrdar is the Executive Vice President for Business Strategy and Development at the Barkley Kalpak Agency, an international event marketing agency. Their clients include Mastercard, Hyundai, Samsung, HSBC, LG and other leading global brands. André is a highly skilled change manager with a keen understanding of the power of a well-defined brand and a proven…

As a renowned business psychology expert and psychotherapist gone renegade, Peter works with all types of entrepreneurs around the globe as these people strive to reach greater goals of wealth, freedom and social impact. That last one is important. Peter’s obsessed with the pursuit of for-profit business that simultaneously makes a positive change in the…

Michael Shannon is a passionate hospitality industry professional with a diverse background of on-property experience, regional sales experience, CVB/DMO experience and meeting planning experience. His specialties are hotel sales and marketing, meeting and event planning logistics management. Helping create memorable immersion experiences throughout Canada, coast to coast to coast!

Heather Sharpe is a multi-award-winning Event Producer and Marketer with many years of experience leading corporate and community strategic initiatives. She has twice produced the largest public event in BC (Honda Celebration of Light 2014 & 2015) as well as the largest New Year’s Eve event in Canada (Vancouver 2015). Recently she has transitioned to…

Mark Shearon has spent the last 25+ years thinking about clients, opportunities and solutions. (He thinks with an English accent, too). Over that time he has worked with the world’s best-performing brands on their most important communication and marketing programs. These have included Qualcomm, Snapdragon by Qualcomm, Boeing, Discovery, T-Mobile, Ford Motor Company, American Express,…

Mark has spent the last 30+ years thinking about his clients, opportunities, and solutions. He has a way of strategizing with brands that cuts right to the heart of the issue. He can then find innovative and cutting-edge solutions that bring brands to life in the live, virtual and hybrid arenas. He has worked with…

Ellen Shortill is the Senior Director of Convention and Meetings with ASHA and helps lead the team in producing the ASHA Convention and supporting all the other conferences and meetings of the Association with strategic guidance and best in class operational implementation plans.  Ellen joined ASHA just 6 weeks before the 2010 ASHA Convention in…

Michael Skolnik is a founding partner of The Soze Agency, a creative agency that works with companies, non-profits organizations and movements to create campaigns rooted in compassion, authenticity and equity. Michael’s profile in the NY Times identified him as “the man you go to if you want to leverage the power of celebrity and the…

As CEO and co-founder of Sequence, Adam leads Team SEQ to deliver big agency results with boutique-style customer service. Since its launch in 2011, Sequence has quickly risen to the forefront of its field, collaborating with global brands to communicate their messages through the power of live events.  The company has been recognized with a…

Angie Smith, Head of Global Events and Field Marketing at Atlassian is passionate about creating engaging attendee experiences. She believes it takes a highly collaborative leader to develop functional and high performing teams to deliver interactive and motivating event experiences.  Prior to joining Atlassian, she pioneered the first true hybrid event design across 100+ countries…

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sasha Souza was raised by a flower-child mom who encouraged her daughter’s flair for the dramatic. Cultivating a background in the theater arts, Sasha emerged as a businesswoman with a gift for theatrical styling and, after helping numerous friends and family members plan their weddings, she opened…

Although a Paris native, Lauren has lived in NYC most of her life. She always knew she was going to own a business where she would create magic and memories. Whether she is working with a charm-laden raw space or a sprawling family estate, the common thread between Loli weddings & events is that every…

Nneka St. Gerard, CMP has over 15 years of experience in the meetings and events industry. Nneka began their career in 2004 as a Meeting Planner with America’s Essential Hospitals. In 2007, they joined the American Intellectual Property Law Association as a Meeting Planner, where they assisted in the execution of 3 major annual meetings…

Rick, 46, oversees the growth strategy of Smyle Group, a 100 strong team based in London. It owns leading creative agency Smyle, that delivers live and video projects for some of the top global brands in a range of sectors including IT, Telco and Media. It has won the UK Event Agency of the Year…

David Stark’s full-service event design and planning firm is celebrated for the innovative, imaginative events it creates for a wide range of high-wattage celebrity clients (Beyoncé Knowles, Martha Stewart) and major corporations (Target, TBS, Condé Nast), as well as high-visibility fund-raising galas for elite nonprofit organizations including the Museum of Modern Art and the Robin…

Danny Stefanic is CEO and Founder of MootUp – the 3D Metaverse Virtual Events Platform. He is renowned for creating the world’s first metaverse and is considered a pioneer in the Metaverse for Business field, having been involved in the creation of ground-breaking 3D businesses for over 27 years. He is also the founder of…

Liene Stevens, the founder of The Splendid Collective, is an author, speaker and expert on the intersection of business and social behavior for the wedding and lifestyle industries. Specializing in social and consumer psychology, specifically the millennial generation, Liene studies, analyzes and forecasts what makes people tick and why they make the decisions they do….

Robin Stewart is a Global Procurement Manager for RELX (parent organization for LexisNexis, Elsevier and Reed Exhibitions) which is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers in over 180 countries. Robin has been with the company for over 22 years in various Marketing and Business Operation roles with…

Antwone Stigall is an award-winning event professional who you seek when you know it’s time to scale your event and meeting experiences in a manner that’s inclusive and equitable, both in-person and virtually. With his incomparable passion for business event strategies, indisputable creativity, and tech-savviness, Antwone is always first in line to break things that…

For more than 25 years, award-winning event producer Frank Supovitz has been at the helm of some of the world’s most prestigious, widely-viewed and well-attended sports and entertainment events, first leading the National Hockey League’s Events & Entertainment department, and then as Senior Vice President, Events for the National Football League. Frank founded Fast Traffic Events & Entertainment in…

Beth Surmont is obsessed with events. With on-the-ground experience spanning more than 20 years in corporate and non-profit events and trade shows; and as the current Vice President of Event Strategy & Design at 360 Live Media; Beth is an influential designer in shaping what the next era of events will be. Her approach of…

CK Swett, a California native and Duke University graduate, began his career in the auction world in 2006, and has worked at Christie’s, Phillips and Heritage during the intervening twelve years. In 2016, he founded Lot 1 with former Christie’s colleague, Charles Antin, in order to better address the critical importance of not-for-profit fundraising. He…

Fatima Sy leads the development of thought leadership, content and programming for a C-Suite audience at Salesforce. She has a background in mission driven work, having developed strategy, content and campaigns as a founding member of a social impact agency prior to joining Salesforce. She’s a big believer in the power of narrative and is…

Andrew holds over 25 years of leadership, organizational performance and business development experience. He has consulted to some of the world’s largest companies, including Google, Pinterest, Shell Oil, McDonald’s, Nokia, British Aerospace, Unilever, Microsoft, Blue Cross Blue Shield and many others.  Andrew’s passion is professional speaking, education and activating high-impact habits. He speaks on the…

Todd is the president of Cadre, an online marketplace connecting event freelancers with companies looking to hire them. He grew up in the small town of Bolton, Massachusetts as the oldest of five children. His father was a local small business owner. After serving as an officer in the U.S. Army, Todd began his business…

Richard Tatum developed a passion for lighting at the age of 16 and, 30 years later, continues to maintain, develop, and enjoy that passion for theatrical lighting and the creative possibilities of light. He has designed and produced the lighting and/or technical production logistics for over 3000 events in his professional career including numerous theatre…

Mike Taubleb owns Promenade Speaker’s Bureau, a New York-based broker of professional speakers and trainers. His roles include speaker negotiations, recruitment and management as well as sales and marketing. Promenade is recognized for thorough research and non-biased, strategically sound recommendations. Promenade’s clients include many Fortune 500 firms, national trade associations, smaller firms and colleges around…

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Kelly has been Eurofins’ Director of Events for 4 years, which includes managing operations and strategy for the US Food Division and its’ numerous individual business units. Since the pandemic, Kelly has also taken on the role of Director of Events for Eurofins’ SAFER@WORKTM in the US. SAFER@WORKTM is the only long-term solution on the…

Aaron Tharp is an award-winning designer and executive producer, whose work has been recognized nationally and internationally by professional associations, including The Special Event. His professional background includes hotel creative sales, food and beverage, as well as VIP management. Those skills come together to make him one of the most exciting and dynamic Executive Producers…

Kathleen is a Managing Director at JEGI CLARITY, having joined in 2017. She has over 20 years of experience specializing in M&A advisory across the business-to-business and consumer media, communications and marketing services sectors, with expertise in content and information, trade shows, conferences, digital media and marketing, and the outsourced services that support these businesses….

Marrah Thomas is a Senior Vice President and Loyalty Engagement Strategy Lead at PNC Bank. She is a consumer-obsessed business strategist dedicated to creating an integrated, actionable roadmap to increase brand loyalty through unique experiences and events. Previously, Marrah was the Senior Manager of Global Events for Delta Air Lines, where her greatest passion was…

Since founding Obscura Digital in 2000, Travis Threlkel has been leading a team of 50 people and providing immersive branded environments created with the latest technologies, from architectural and video mapping, to interactive displays and 3-D cameras. Travis’s projects have included projecting video onto the Guggenheim Museum and Sydney Opera House for YouTube, creating a…

Sebastien Tondeur is the lead owner and CEO of MCI Group. Under his leadership, MCI Group is now the only global group with a presence in 31 countries, engagement and branded events worldwide with a turnover of €300 million.  Thanks to his entrepreneurial and creative spirit, he is considered a driving force in today’s meetings…

Lizz approaches life as she approaches every challenge, as an opportunity to be awesome – and she delivers on this Sequence core value every time. As Chief Creative Officer and Co-founder, Lizz brings her deep passion for creativity, strategy and hospitality to Team SEQ. Multi-talented with an aesthetic eye, you’ll find Lizz ensuring brand-based strategy,…

Victor is responsible for the strategic definition and implementation of Intel’s most dynamic corporate event and trade show experiences. I am a passionate pioneer of experiential marketing at Intel and the architect of Intel’s enhanced face-to-face marketing programs. I believe in keeping these experiences simple, authentic, emotional, and delightful.

Michael Trainer is a social entrepreneur focused on building movements for social impact. He is formerly the U.S. Country Director for the Global Poverty Project, working to build the movement to end extreme poverty. Michael’s current projects are the Global Citizen Festival (which he co-created) and Peak Mind, a platform to connect thought leaders with…

Jennifer Trethewey is author of the book Change or Choke and a global trailblazer in the business world. Jennifer coaches and enables companies and their teams to achieve internal alignment through harnessing the power of Culture, Conflict and Change. A highly successful businesswoman with more than 30 years’ corporate experience in senior roles across multiple…

Robin Troutman is currently the Deputy Director of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) since 2015.  There she manages the day-to-day operations of the organization including meeting and event planning and member services. Previously, Robin has served in a number of administrative and operational roles in both the for profit and non-profit…

Shawn Tsuda, M.D., is a Minimally Invasive and Robotic Bariatric and General Surgeon in Vegas, NV. Dr. Tsuda graduated from the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii and completed his residency in general surgery at the University of Nevada. Following specialty training in minimally invasive surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess…

Panos Tzivanidis is the Director of Corporate Events & Services for IOC, the International Olympic Committee, widely known for the Organisation of the Olympic Games, with headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.  Panos and his team are responsible for a large variety of activities, including all events organized by the IOC worldwide, as well as all accommodation…

Gazala Uradnik started GFS Events in 2012 because she knew that nonprofits needed help through her own board and volunteer work. She is an entrepreneur by nature and starting her own businesses was a natural progression of her goals and skills. She really listen to her clients to understand their needs. So many nonprofits need…

Born and raised in Australia, Anthony now calls Toronto, Canada home. Proudly known as an instigator, creator and change agent, for over 20 years he has helped event stakeholders create meaningful and memorable connections with attendees. He has worked with the largest audiovisual, event tech and event production companies in the industry. Designing and executing large…

Michael’s career in Bio Pharm spans for over 20 years in Bio Pharm and the last 14 in Medical education as part of medical Affairs and marketing. Currently Michael position oversees all Peer to Peer interaction. His efforts are now focused on Speaker Programs, Ad Boards and KOL engagement. He was the lead for operationalizing…

An expert in medical education and a career in bio pharm that spans over 25 years, with the last 15 in medical affairs and marketing, Michael is currently an independent consultant helping pharma address issues and concerns with compliance and FFS activities as well as KOL engagement.  During his tenure at J&J, he led multiple…

Founder and CEO of I DO PR, Sasha Vasilyuk is a versatile communications professional with 15 years of experience in journalism, PR, marketing and events. Sasha has worked with a variety of bridal, fashion, and tech brands, and is a sought after speaker in the wedding industry. With a MA in Journalism from New York University, Sasha is an award-winning…

Gary Vaynerchuk is the chairman of VaynerX, a modern-day media and communications holding company and the active CEO of VaynerMedia, a full-service advertising agency servicing Fortune 100 clients across the company’s 4 locations. In addition to VaynerMedia, VaynerX also includes Gallery Media Group, which houses women’s lifestyle brand PureWow and men’s lifestyle brand ONE37pm. In addition to running VaynerMedia, Gary also…

In his role as Vice President of Global Sales – Americas, Gus Vonderheide has the responsibility over Hyatt’s transient and business travel segments. He provides leadership over a global strategic team who manages relationships with Hyatt’s largest corporate, consortia and travel management companies. These customers, all based in the Americas and doing business globally, generate…

Karl Vontz is an experiential marketer living in Los Angeles. He has worked on some of the most iconic media brands in advertising, technology, music and entertainment including The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Adweek, and the Clio Awards. In 2012, he was named the Most Innovative Event Pro by BizBash Media.  

Richard Waddington – Chair EMA (Event Marketing Association) the UK industry association for in-house eventprofs. www.ema-uk.comFormally Founder and CEO of First Protocol now FIRST Richard has been involved in the events and hospitality industry all his life.Having exited FIRST at the end of 2012 through a MBO he has stayed extremely active in the industry, investing…

Johanna Walsh is passionate about designing authentic experiences to drive human interaction, increase awareness and inspire amazing connections. Her entrepreneurial spirit drives her to craft innovative solutions to meet the goals and objectives of each event and seek strategic opportunities for growth. As a green event planner, Johanna’s primary focus is on creating techniques and…

Rostana Wardak, a dynamic meetings & events leader and an avid AI enthusiast from New York, is at the forefront of merging hospitality with innovative technologies. As the Director of the Western Region for NYC Tourism + Conventions, Rostana has played a pivotal role in integrating AI into sales. Her expertise spans a wide range…

Sherron Washington is a marketing and communication (marcom) strategist, international speaker, facilitator, professor, and CEO of The P3 Solution—a full-service firm specializing in training and curriculum development. She develops and delivers impactful training programs on leadership, inclusion, marketing, and communication for businesses and organizations, empowering them to thrive through effective communication and marketing strategies.  

Bill edits feature-length articles on technology, science, and culture. Prior to joining Wired in 2010, he was an editor at Harper’s Magazine for 10 years. He is the author of And Then There’s This: How Stories Live and Die in Viral Culture, and co-author of the forthcoming Rabid: A Cultural History of the World’s Most…

Patrice is a storyteller and organizational scientist on a mission to reframe narratives and reimagine what’s possible.  As a public affairs, public relations, and consumer engagement executive for more than 20 years, at organizations like Election Systems & Software, American Beverage Association, and Heineken USA, she knows the power of stories to shift beliefs, spark…

Jed Weinstein co-founded WCMG with Anthony Coopers in 2010, fusing together their skills in production, marketing, creative and sales. WCMG clients have included Jaguar, Dreamworks, Lexus, Reebok, Moncler, The New York Food & Wine Festival, Hollywood movie stars, and Gilt Group.

As the Director, Global Pharmaceutical Sales, Americas, Bonnie Weiss is responsible for Hyatt’s group sales efforts with key Pharmaceutical/Medical Device companies, and is based in Chicago. Bonnie has been with Hyatt Hotels for 30+ years. Previous positions include Director of Sales of Hyatt’s New York National Sales Office, Associate Director of Sales, and Travel Industry…

Mindy Weiss and her team at Mindy Weiss Party Consultants are known for planning some of the most high-profile celebrations in the world. The MWPC team has designed unforgettable weddings, baby showers and parties for clients like Ciara & Russell Wilson, Ellen DeGeneres & Portia DeRossi, Sofia Vergara & Joe Manganiello, Channing Tatum, Heidi Klum,…

With more than 15 years of event management experience, Erica uses her expertise to help clients produce awe-inspiring events. She excels in logistics and operations, and her attention to detail is second to none. Good at wearing multiple hats, Erica’s passion for events has evolved into a desire to onboard new clients to ITA Group…

Erika is the Owner and Principal Consultant for Griffin White Consulting, LLC.  As the first head of DEI for Pennoni Associates, a national Civil Engineering firm, she led the critical assessment and strategic development plan of the first DEI program.  She continues to lend her talents as a DEI subject matter expert and consultant, serves…

Kevin has been a storyteller his entire life. That love of capturing attention and engaging people is what brought him to work with global organizations on their marketing and development efforts for nearly a quarter-century. In 2011 he founded XPL, an award-winning experiential agency that delivers bold, powerful live events that transform audiences around the…

Roger Whyte is the Founder and Principal of RJ Whyte Event Production. Established in 2010, Roger founded the firm for one very specific reason, clients were not satisfied with the quality of their events. They expected more, they desired more, and he knew that he was the one that could provide it for them. A…

Lance Wieland joined BCG in 2015 as the Meeting & Events Director. In this role he leads a multinational team that delivers a range of event management services in meetings technology, sourcing, planning and strategy. The department supports more than 300 programs in over 40 countries annually.  Lance has over 25 years’ experience in the events…

Travis is the Medical Director for Eurofins SAFER@WORKTM and EmpowerDX overseeing medical affairs, research, and clinical test development. He has worked with Eurofins for 5 years. Since the pandemic he has played an instrumental role in the launch of the EmpowerDX at-home COVID-19 nasal PCR testing, at-home worn mask PCR testing and the development of…

Tim Williams leads Ignition Consulting Group, an international consultancy that helps agencies and other professional service firms create, deliver, and capture more value. Tim is a noted author, international speaker, and presenter for industry associations and business conferences worldwide. He is author of two books, the latest of which is Positioning for Professionals: How Professional…

Molly, a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), helps clients succeed through maximizing value they receive from Eved’s procurement platform. Previously, Molly was Senior Manager, Conference Services at the American Dental Association managing technology solutions and meeting planning for ADA’s annual meeting. She began her career at Experient as a Meeting & Event Manager. Molly currently serves…

Mary Wittenberg is President of the EF Education First Pro Cycling cycling team and past President and Chief Executive Officer of New York Road Runners (NYRR). During 17 years with New York Road Runners, Mary oversaw the TCS New York City Marathon and many other races, events, and running-related programs. Mary was selected in 2015 as Global CEO of Virgin Group’s new festival sports brand,…

Craig Wortmann is the Founder and Academic Director of the Kellogg Sales Institute (KSI).  The Institute defines sales as “helping people make progress in their lives” and thus everything we do is in the service of helping people become both magnetic and unstoppable in their pursuit of progress…for themselves and for everyone they come across….

At KPMG, Tana has worked in a myriad of roles in Events & Meetings, Learning & Development and now Automation. In her current role she acts as a Portfolio Manager for various internal business groups such as Clients & Markets, Events & Meetings and Operations. Her team is responsible for over 300K hours saved and…

With over 2 decades of experience, Veronica Yankowski has created a successful business out of documenting life in its most honest form. Her love of the art is why Veronica chooses to start her business, VeroLuce Photography. Veronica is proud to be the most published photographer in New Jersey according to Two Bright Lights and one of their 2018…

Diana was born and raised in Mexico City but has studied and worked in the UK and Italy. She has a Master’s degree in Event Design and Management from the University of Westminster, and currently manages an international team of 18 project managers and event coordinators at Shocklogic. In addition to events, her second great…