Meet the Top 500 people in the meeting and event industry in North America. Actually, it’s likely you’ve met many of them already, or know them by reputation. They lead the largest trade and consumer shows. They orchestrate massive brand campaigns that touch consumers globally. They plan the Super Bowl. They also educate practitioners and cultivate the next generation of superstars through industry association groups. They give those of us not at their events FOMO. And some of them truly change the world.
We sought to single them out and compile them in one place to celebrate their achievements as well as pave the way to some serious networking. Think of this as your guide to connecting with industry leaders on LinkedIn (the association executives and trade show management folks), Instagram (the event designers and wedding pros), or other social networks.
Scroll through the list below or jump to the section using the links below.
Agencies
Audiovisual & Lighting Design
Catering
Conference Planners & Producers
Corporate Producers & Strategists
Destination Management Companies
Destination Marketing Organizations
Entertainment
Event Designers & Producers
Event Education
Event Industry Leadership
Event Management
Event Tech
Festivals/Fairs
Hospitality
Incentives
Media
Planners—Associations
Planners—Nonprofits
Public Relations
Sports & Arenas
Strategy & Leadership
Sustainability & Social Responsibility
Trade Show Management
Weddings
AGENCIES
Chiara Adin, NA Collective, Co-Founder, New York
Marcie Allen, MAC Presents, President, New York
Lauren Austin, MKG, Executive Creative Director, Experiential Marketing, New York
Rob Badgley, The Visionary Group, Co-Founder, Los Angeles
Keith Baptista, Prodject, Managing Partner, New York
Mark Billik, BeCore, C.E.O., Los Angeles
Michael Blatter, Mirrorball, Founder & C.E.O., New York
Erica Boeke, CNX, V.P. Experiential, New York
Justin Bolognino, Meta.is, Founder & C.E.O., New York
Jean-Francois Bouchard, Sid Lee, Chairman & Co-Founder, Montreal
Ron Bracco, Hargrove, Vice President, Events, Washington
Chris Cavanaugh, Freeman Company, Executive Vice President & C.M.O., New York
Cheryl Cecchetto, Sequoia Productions, Founder & President, Los Angeles
Courtney Cisek Fargnoli, Brodey Francis, Inc., Principal & Co-Founder, Los Angeles
David Cohn, Civic Entertainment Group, Founder & Co-C.E.O., New York
Christine Courtney-Myers, C3 Agency, C.E.O., Atlanta
Kirsten Craig, Activate Inc., Founder & C.E.O., Detroit
Coltrane Curtis, Team Epiphany, Managing Partner, New York
Stephen Dahlem, Corporate Magic, Senior Creative Director, Dallas
Miatta David Johnson, MVD, Founder, Los Angeles
Bill Decker, Fusion Marketing, C.E.O., St. Louis
Laurie DeJong, LDJ Productions, C.E.O., New York
Bojana Djogo, Droga5, Executive Producer, Experiential, New York
Chris Drury, Drury Design, President & Chief Creative Officer, New York
Gregg Eilers, Switch, V.P. of Meetings & Events, St. Louis
Shelley Elkins, Jack Morton Worldwide, S.V.P., Executive Creative Director, Chicago
Brian Feit, BMF Media, Founding Partner, New York
Randall C. Fisher, Cream, President & Founder, Miami
Jordan Fogle, Mint Agency, C.E.O., Toronto
Brigitte Foisy, The PR Department, President, Toronto
Aaron Gaeir, Grandesign, C.E.O., San Diego
Cheryl Gentry, Glow Global Events, Founder & C.E.O., New York
Matthew Gidley, Momentum Worldwide, Senior Vice President, Chicago
Matthew Glass, Allied Experiential, Senior Vice President, New York
Jeff Grisamore, EGR International and BlackLab Media, President & C.E.O., New York
Stacey Gurney, Strategic Group, S.V.P. of Experiential, New York
Charlie Horsey, MKTG, C.E.O. & Global President, New York
John Ierardi, Event Energizers, Creative Director, President & Founder, New York
Jan Jacobs, Johannes Leonardo, Co-Founder, New York
Adrienne Katz, BBDO Worldwide, Executive Producer of Experiential, New York
Jennifer Kurland, Production Glue, President & Principal, New York
Christian Lachel, BRC Imagination Arts, Executive Creative Director & Vice President, Los Angeles
Dan Mannix, CSM North America, President & C.E.O., New York
Aaron Mason, NA Collective, Co-Founder, Los Angeles
TJ Martin, Cramer, Partner & Managing Director, Boston
Gabrielle Martinez, AgencyEA, Founder & Managing Partner, Chicago
Scott Miles, Mosaic, Executive Vice President of Strategy & Ideation, Chicago
Keri Miller, E=mc2 Events, Chief Creative Strategist, Calgary, Canada
Alex Mustonen, Snarkitecture, Co-Founder, New York
Ben Nazario, Sparks, Chief Sales Officer, New York
Patricia Padilla, 196, Founder, San Francisco
Gary Radin, GMR Design, Owner & Principal Designer, Philadelphia
David Rich, George P. Johnson Experience Marketing, S.V.P., Client Services, Auburn Hills, Mich.
Jeff Rogers, Mosaic NA, C.O.O., Toronto
Leane Romeo, Overland Entertainment, Owner, New York
Maureen Ryan-Fable, First, C.E.O. Americas, New York
Michael Skolnik, The Soze Agency, C.E.O., New York
Amy Stanton, Stanton & Company, Founder & C.E.O., Los Angeles
Evan Starkman, Bait Shoppe, President, New York
Bruce Starr, BMF Media, Founding Partner, New York
Matt Stoelt, Stoelt Productions, C.E.O. & Creative Director, Los Angeles
Frank Supovitz, Fast Traffic, President & Chief Experience Officer, New York
Lynn Tesoro, HL Group, Founding Partner & C.E.O., New York
Mark Stephen Testa, Mark Stephen Experiential Agency, Founder & Creative Director, New York
Vince Thompson, Melt, Founder & C.E.O., Atlanta
Chad Tons, Infinity Marketing, President, Los Angeles
Diana Tsao, Partner Productions, C.E.O., New York
Javier Velarde, Triton Productions, Founder, Miami
Thembi Wesley, Team Epiphany, V.P. Experiential, New York
Chris Weil, Momentum Worldwide, C.E.O., New York
Josh Wood, Josh Wood Productions, Founder & C.E.O., New York
AUDIOVISUAL & LIGHTING DESIGN
Bart Kresa, Bart Kresa Design, Master Projections Designer, Los Angeles
Ira Levy, Levy NYC Design & Production, President, New York
Bentley Meeker, Bentley Meeker Lighting and Staging, Owner, New York
Jon Retsky, Got Light, Co-Owner, San Francisco
CATERING
Ron Ben-Israel, Ron Ben-Israel Cakes, Owner, New York
Suzanne Blezard, Union Square Events, Director of Sales & Events, New York
Peter Callahan, Peter Callahan Catering, Owner & Creative Director, New York
Sebastien Centner, Eatertainment, Owner & Creative Director, Toronto
Andrea Correale, Elegant Affairs, President & Founder, New York
Mary Dearborn, CxRA, Vice President, New York
Chris Diviney, Abigail Kirsch, General Manager, New York
Mary Giuliani, Mary Giuliani Catering and Events, Owner, New York
Bill Homan, Design Cuisine, Co-Owner, Washington
Eric Michael, Occasions Caterers, Co-Founder & Creative Director, Washington
Liz Neumark, Great Performances, C.E.O., New York
Simon Powles, Starr Catering Group, Founder & C.E.O., Philadelphia
Carla Ruben, Creative Edge Parties, President, New York
Carl Schuster, Wolfgang Puck Catering, C.E.O. & Managing Partner, Los Angeles
Bob Spiegel, Pinch Food Design, Chef & Owner, New York
Joachim Splichal, Patina Catering, Chef & Co-Founder, Los Angeles
Chris Verros, Centerplate, C.E.O., Boston
Sylvia Weinstock, Sylvia Weinstock Cakes, Owner, New York
CONFERENCE PLANNERS & PRODUCERS
Chris Anderson, TED, Curator, New York
Ryan Begelman, Summit, Co-Founder, New York
Stacey Foreman, NewCo, Executive Producer, San Francisco
Hugh Forrest, SXSW Interactive Festival, Director, Austin
Kat Gordon, The 3% Conference, Founder, San Francisco
Cynthia Hornketh, Gartner Summits, V.P., Program Management, Stamford, Conn.
Jim Louderback, VidCon, C.E.O., San Francisco
Moj Mahdara, Beautycon, Founder, Los Angeles
Charles Melcher, Melcher Media and Future of Storytelling, Founder, New York
Richard St-Pierre, C2 Montréal, President, Montreal
Laurie White, Conference for Women, Founder, San Francisco
Scott Wilcox, SWSX Conference, Chief Innovation Officer, Austin
CORPORATE PRODUCERS & STRATEGISTS
Chris Albert, National Geographic Channels, Executive Vice President of Global Communications, Events & Talent Relations, Washington
Bob Bejan, Microsoft, General Manager of Global Events, Production Studios & Marketing Community, Seattle
Catherine Bennett, IMG Fashion Week, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, New York
Kim Boriin, Guardian Life, Global Event Manager, New York
Lylle Breier, Disney, Senior Vice President, Special Events, Los Angeles
Cathi Culbertson, Forbes, Vice President, Event Marketing and Conferences, New York
Michael Curmi, Jaguar Land Rover North America, Brand Experience Director, New York
Chris Curtin, Visa, Chief Brand & Innovation Marketing Officer, San Francisco
Deborah Curtis, American Express, Vice President, Head of Global Brand Experiences & Partnerships, New York
Hollace Davids, Universal Pictures, Senior Vice President of Special Projects, Los Angeles
Pam Dzierzanowski, Patrón Spirits Company, Vice President Event Marketing, Los Angeles
Ned Duggan, Bacardi, V.P., Brand Marketing Director, Miami
Tara de Nicolas, Amazon, Director, Marketing, Seattle
Vivian Eickhoff, Microsoft, Group Event Marketing Manager, Seattle
Vance Garrett, Westfield, Vice President, Experiential Global Entertainment, Los Angeles
Deborah Gee, Lululemon, Mindful Events Guru, Experience Designer, North America Retail, Toronto
Karly Giaramita, WeWork, Director of Events, New York
Sarah Goodnow, Airbnb, Global Head of Alternative Marketing, San Francisco
Rachel Gross, Univision, Senior Vice President of Event Marketing, New York
Evelyn Hall, Credit Union of Texas, Executive Assistant, Office of the President, Dallas
Heather Henderson Thomas, Cisco, Senior Manager, Strategic Ops & Event Experience, San Francisco
Kenya Hardaway, FX Networks, S.V.P., Integrated Promotions, Los Angeles
Albie Hueston, Refinery29, Creative Director of Experiential, New York
Tomiko Iwata, Fox Broadcasting, S.V.P., Creative Services Group, Los Angeles
Suzy Jack, Los Angeles Times, Vice President of Public Affairs & Events, Los Angeles
Jeff Kaplan, Discovery Inc., S.V.P., Global Events & Brand Activation, Washington
Herb Karlitz, Karlitz & Company, President, New York
Keyana Kashfi, Spotify, Director, Global Marketing Experiences/Live Event Production, New York
Steve Kelty, Lyft, Director of Experiential Marketing, North America, San Francisco
Eaddy Kiernan, Vogue, Director of Special Events, New York
Andrew Kilbourn, Condé Nast, Head of Experiential Activation, New York
Ricky Kim, Nintendo, Director of Experiential Marketing, Seattle
Diella Koberstein Allen, Food & Wine, Event Marketing Director, New York
Tracee Larocca, Taco Bell, S.V.P., Advertising & Brand Engagement, Los Angeles
Michael Lifson, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Senior Meeting Planner, Dallas
Brian Loucks, Creative Artists Agency, Talent Agent, Los Angeles
Amy Marino, American Express, V.P., Brand Marketing, Experience & Partnerships, New York
Kelly Markus, Refinery29, V.P. Experiential Marketing, New York
Carleen McCarthy, Coca-Cola, Director Experiential Marketing, Atlanta
Africa McClain, Time Inc., Live Events Coordinator, New York
Daniele Menache, AllianceBernstein, Managing Director, Head of Global Events, New York
Marcia Merando, Frankenmuth Insurance, Director of Marketing, Detroit
Candace Montgomery, Essence, Executive Director, Live Events and Experiential, New York
Carol Muldoon, KPMG, Managing Director, New Jersey
Oswald Myers, Nike, Director of Live Experiences, New York
Elizabeth Nirenstein, Target Corporation, Director, Experiential Marketing, Minneapolis
Zach Overton, Samsung, V.P. of Brand & Customer Experience, New York
Zach Papale, YouTube, Global Head, Brand Experience & Partnerships, San Francisco
Carolyn Pund, Cisco Systems, Senior Manager of Global Strategic Meetings & Business Event Operations, San Francisco
Steve Raizes, Viacom, S.V.P. of Experiences, New York
Sandy Safi, Dîner En Blanc, Co-Founder, Montreal
Paul Salinger, Oracle OpenWorld, V.P., Marketing, San Francisco
Michelle Rosen Sapir, Google, Head of Brand & Reputation Events & Experiences, New York
Allen Shapiro, Dick Clark Productions, Executive Chairman, Los Angeles
Yma Sherry, American Express Global Business Travel, V.P., North America, Philadelphia
Catherine Simmons, Salesforce, V.P. Strategic Events, San Francisco
Jana Stern, Voya Financial, Assistant V.P., Director of Meetings & Events, Minneapolis
Andrew Stevens, Apple, Experiential Design Department Head, Los Angeles
Cindy Tenner, HBO, Vice President, Special Events, New York
David Tinson, Electronic Arts, S.V.P., Marketing Communications, San Francisco
Michael Trovalli, Fiserv, Vice President, Global Events, Dallas
Melissa Tuan, Tidal, Head of Experiential Marketing, New York
Jen Vitale, The Wing, Experiential Producer, New York
Christa Woss, McDonald’s Corp., Exhibit Manager, Chicago
Adrienne Wright Zdaniewski, Bustle, Senior Manager, Events, New York
Kristine Yapp Jones, Twitter, Global Event Marketing Manager, San Francisco
Deborah Yeh, Sephora, Senior Vice President, Marketing, San Francisco
Jennifer Yu, Apple, Global Events - High Touch Experiences, San Francisco
DESTINATION MANAGEMENT COMPANIES
Jaclyn Bernstein, Access Destination Services, Partner, New York
Dabney Bixel, Bixel & Co., President & Owner, Los Angeles
Kaye Burkhardt, Fan Fares, Owner & C.E.O., Dallas
Michelle Castady Orlando, 360 Destination Group Chicago, General Manager, Chicago
Catherine Chaulet, Global DMC Partners, President, Boston
Annette Gregg, AlliedPRA, Regional Senior Vice President, San Diego
Shannon Gardner, CTC Destination Management, President, Chicago
David Hainline, CSI DMC, C.E.O., Washington
Barb Harris, CTC Destination Management, V.P., Event Services, Chicago
Janet Holliday, CE Group, President & Owner, San Antonio
Colleen Horan, The Destination Manager, President, Scottsdale
Christopher Lee, Access Destination Services, C.E.O., San Diego
Cindy Lo, Red Velvet Events, President, Austin
Tony Lorenz, AlliedPRA, C.E.O., Chicago
Marty MacKay, Hosts Global, President of Hosts Global's alliance of DMCs, Washington
Paul Mears, Hello, President, Orlando
Anthony Napoli, Briggs/AlliedPRA, President, New York
Jim Nelson, Destinations By Design, Founder & Chairman, Las Vegas
Jim Post, Advantage Destination & Meeting Services, V.P. Operations/Partner, Miami
Karen Shackman, Shackman Associates New York, President, New York
Laurie Sprouse, Ultimate Ventures, President, Dallas
Valerie Summers, Destination Musick City, Vice President, Nashville
Clint Upchurch, AlliedPRA, Senior Experience Designer, Los Angeles
DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS
George Aguel, Visit Orlando, President & C.E.O., Orlando
Marc Anderson, Choose Chicago, Executive Vice President, Chicago
Johanne R. Bélanger, Tourism Toronto, President & C.E.O., Toronto
Julie Coker Graham, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, President & C.E.O., Philadelphia
Santiago Corrada, Visit Tampa Bay, President & C.E.O., Tampa
Ken Cretney, Vancouver Convention Centre, President & C.E.O., Vancouver
Brad Dean, Discover Puerto Rico, President & C.E.O., San Juan, Puerto Rico
Fred Dixon, NYCGO, President & C.E.O., New York
Elliott Ferguson, Destination D.C., C.E.O., Washington
Steve Goodling, Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, President & C.E.O., Long Beach, Calif.
Chris Meyer, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, V.P. Global Business Sales, Las Vegas
William Talbert, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, C.E.O., Miami
Ernest Wooden Jr., Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, President & C.E.O., Los Angeles
ENTERTAINMENT
Janice Cardinale, The Idea Hunter, Chief Idea Hunter, Toronto
Rolando Espinoza, Champagne Creative Group, Creative Director, Las Vegas
Rossi Morreale, Event Host Live, Co-Founder, Los Angeles
EVENT DESIGNERS & PRODUCERS
Larry Abel, Abel & McCallister & Abel, Co-Founder, Los Angeles
Frank Alexander, Frank Alexander NYC, Event Producer, New York
Melissa Andre, Melissa Andre Events, Owner & Creative Director, Toronto
Raul Àvila, Raul Àvila Inc., President, New York
Preston Bailey, Preston Bailey Designs, Event Designer, New York
Steve Bales, Bold Catering & Design, Creative Director of Special Events, Atlanta
Nicky Balestrieri, The Gathery, Co-Founder, New York
Kristin Banta, Kristin Banta Events, Owner & Lead Designer, Los Angeles
Jennifer Bassett, Bassett Events, Founder, Toronto
David Beahm, David Beahm Experiences, Founder, New York
Billy Butchkavitz, Billy Butchkavitz Design, Founder, Los Angeles
Michael Cerbelli, Cerbelli Creative, President & C.E.O., New York
Candice Chan, Candice&Alison Events Group, Founder, Toronto
Tricia Costello, Fresh Wata, Co-Founder, Los Angeles
Stefanie Cove, Stefanie Cove and Company, Founder, Los Angeles
Colin Cowie, Colin Cowie Lifestyle, C.E.O., & C.O.O., New York
Karla Dascal, Karla Conceptual Event Experiences, C.E.O., Miami
Alexandre de Betak, Bureau Betak, Founder, New York
Philip Dufour, Dufour & Co Productions, President & C.E.O., Washington
Marc Eliot, Swoop, Founder & Chief Creative Officer, New York
Todd Fiscus, Todd Events, Owner, Dallas
Thomas Ford, Tom Ford Designs, Owner, Los Angeles
Jeffrey Foster, Event Creative, Senior Event Designer, Chicago
Stanlee Gatti, Stanlee R. Gatti Designs, Owner, San Francisco
Jes Gordon, JesGordon/ProperFun, Owner/Creative Director, New York
Marc Hall, Marc Hall Design, Creative Director, Boston
Ben Hamilton, Stefan Beckman Studio, Experiential Designer, New York
Russell Harris, Russell Harris Event Group, Event Designer/Owner, Los Angeles
Bill Heffernan, HMR Designs, Creative Director, Chicago
Matthew David Hopkins, 360 Design Events, Owner & Creative Director, New York
Aaron Kaufman, Fifth Element Group, President, Toronto
Tom Kehoe, Kehoe Designs, President, Chicago
Cara Kleinhaut, Agenc, Founder & C.E.O., Los Angeles and New York
Randi Lesnick, Randi Events, Owner, Nashville
Lorne Levitt, Total Events and Entertainment, Owner, Montreal
Ed Libby, Ed Libby & Co., Event Designer, New York
Debi Lilly, A Perfect Event, Founder, Chicago
Mircea Manea, Blueprint Studios, Co-Founder & Principal, San Francisco
Raymond McCallister, Abel & McCallister & Abel, Co-Founder, Los Angeles
J.B. Miller, Empire Entertainment, President, & C.E.O., New York
Lewis Miller, Lewis Miller Design, Founder, New York
Joe Moller, Joe Moller Events, President, Los Angeles
David Monn, David Monn, LLC, Founder & C.E.O., New York
Kelly Murphy, Events on the Loose, President, South Florida
Matthew Myhrum, Matthew Myhrum Event Visualization, President, New York
Yifat Oren, Oren Co., Founder & Creative Director, Los Angeles
Rishi Patel, HMR Designs, C.E.O., Chicago
Bryan Rafanelli, Rafanelli Events, Founder, President & C.E.O., Boston
Jeffry Roick, McNabb Roick, Founder, Toronto
Samantha Sackler, The Firm Event Design, C.E.O., Los Angeles
Tony Schubert, Event Eleven, Founder & C.E.O., Los Angeles
Alison Slight, Candice&Alison Events Group, Founder, Toronto
Annie Senatore, Design Foundry, Founder, Washington
David Stark, David Stark Design and Production, President & Creative Director, New York
DeJuan Stroud, DeJuan Stroud Inc., Event Designer, New York
Luigi Tadini, The Gathery, Co-Founder, New York
Shai Tertner, Shiraz Creative, President, Miami
Bronson van Wyck, Workshop and Van Wyck & Van Wyck, Founding Partner, New York
Mindy Weiss, Mindy Weiss Party Consultants, Event Planner, Los Angeles
André Wells, Events By André Wells, Founder, Washington
Ron Wendt, Ron Wendt Design, Event Designer, New York
Shawna Yamamoto, Shawna Yamamoto, Event Design, Founder & C.E.O., Los Angeles
Edgardo Zamora, Revelry Event Designers, Founder & C.E.O., Los Angeles
EVENT EDUCATION
Joan Eisenstodt, Eisenstodt Associates, Owner, Washington
Timothy M. Lam, the International School of Hospitality, Executive Director, Las Vegas
Carol McGury, SmithBucklin, E.V.P., Event & Education Services, Chicago
Janet Sperstad, Madison Area Technical College, Program Director, Meeting & Event Management Degree, Madison
Derek Warnick, CMEPalooza, Producer, Philadelphia
Carl Winston, L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, Director, San Diego
EVENT INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
Tonya Almond, PCMA, V.P. Knowledge & Experience Design, Chicago
Amanda Armstrong, MPI, Chair, San Diego
Frederick Bell, Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, Chairman, New Orleans
Steve Bova, FICP – Financial Services and Insurance Professionals, Executive Director, Chicago
David Bruce, Meeting Planners Unite, Founder & Executive Director, Dallas
Roger Dow, U.S.T.A., President & C.E.O., Washington
David DuBois, IAEE, President & C.E.O., Dallas
Kevin Edmunds, AIC Hotel Group, Vice President of Sales, Coral Gables, Florida
Kimberley Gishler, CEMA, Executive Director, Sacramento
David Jeffreys, L.G.B.T. Meeting Professionals Association, Executive Director, Philadelphia
Sherrif Karamat, PCMA, President & C.E.O., Toronto
Karen Kotowski, Events Industry Council, President & C.E.O., Washington
Lawrence Leonard, NACE, Executive Director, Washington
Nan Marchand Beauvois, U.S.T.A, V.P., National Councils, Washington
Michael Marion, IAVM, Chairman of the Board, Dallas
Ingrid Nagy, ILEA, President, Denver
John “Jack” Patronski, GES—Global Experience Specialists, Executive V.P., Industry Development, Chicago
David Peckinpaugh, Maritz Global Events, President, St. Louis
Mathias Posch, IAPCO, President, Vancouver
Deborah Sexton, FASAE, President & C.E.O., Chicago
Shawna Suckow, SPIN, Founder & Chairwoman, St. Paul
Paul Van Deventer, MPI, President & C.E.O., Dallas
Don Welsh, Destinations International, President & C.E.O., Washington
EVENT MANAGEMENT
Denise Adam, HelmsBriscoe, Senior Director, Global Accounts, New York
Victoria Ascione, V Event Management, Owner & Chief Event Strategist, Miami
Shimon Avish, Acquis Consulting Group, Principal & Meetings Management Practice Head, New York
Cindy Brewer, LEO Events, Principal, Memphis
Agnes “AC” Canonica, MCI Group, Global Account Director, Washington
Ellin Delsener, Event Associates, President, New York
Henry Givray, SmithBucklin, Chairman, Chicago
Todd Hawkins, The Todd Group, Founder & President, Los Angeles
Heather Herrig, Every Last Detail, Principal, Atlanta
Judy Levy, Levy, Pazanti & Huff, Founder, Los Angeles
Jennifer Lucio Vargas, 305 Communications, Founder/President, Miami
Heather Mason, Caspian Agency, Founder, San Francisco
Jamie Murdock, Experient, Vice President of Sales, Washington
Rickie Niceta, the White House, Social Secretary, Washington
Brooke Palmer Kuhl, RSBP Events, President, Tampa
Qualena Odom-Royes, EventEssentials, President, Atlanta
Allison Pieter, Allison Pieter Event Management & Production, Event Producer, Los Angeles
Rick Simone, EGN Consulting, C.E.O., Providence
Andy Smith, Experient, S.V.P., ESN & Strategic Sourcing, Hendersonville, Tenn.
John Stachnik, On The Scene, Managing Partner, Chicago
Brian Stevens, Conference Direct, C.E.O., Los Angeles
Brent Taylor, Timewise Event Management, Managing Partner, Edmonton, Canada
Michelle Thornton, East West Connection, Senior Meeting Planner, Irvine, Calif.
EVENT TECH
Reggie Aggarwal, Cvent, C.E.O., Washington
Corbin Ball, Corbin Ball & Co., Owner, Bellingham, Wash.
Eran Ben-Shushan, Bizzabo, Co-Founder & C.E.O., New York
Dan Berger, Social Tables, Founder & C.E.O., Washington
Oni Chukwu, Aventri, C.E.O., New York
Lawrence Coburn, DoubleDutch, C.E.O., San Francisco
Ashley Crowder, Vntana, C.E.O., Los Angeles
Dahlia El Gazzar, Dahlia+ Inc., Tech Evangelist, Boston
Lucy Giovando Watts, Lasso40, Founder & C.E.O., Tiburon, Calif.
Elizabeth Glau, Eventbots by Sciensio, Product Marketing Manager, Portland, Ore.
Les Goldberg, LMG, President & C.E.O., Orlando
Sandy Hammer, AllSeated, Co-Founder, San Francisco
Julia Hartz, Eventbrite, Co-Founder & C.E.O., San Francisco
Scott Heifer, Meetup, Co-Founder & C.E.O., San Francisco
Ben Hindman, Splash, C.E.O., New York
Juraj Holub, Sli.do, Marketing Director, New York
Christle Johnson, GBTA, President, Houston
Rana June, Lightwave, Founder & C.E.O., San Francisco
Brad Langley, Aventri, V.P., Global Third Party Markets, Atlanta
Greg Murtha, Xplorit, President & C.O.O., Sacramento
Alex Plaxen, Little Bird Told Media, President, Washington
DJ Saul, ISL, C.E.O., Washington
Joe Schwinger, MeetingPlay, Co-Founder & C.E.O., Frederick, Md.
Jeff Sinclair, Eventbase, Co-Founder, Vancouver
BJ Singh, EventEQ, President & C.E.O., Baltimore
Mark Stewart, Wondermakr, President, Toronto
Patti Tackeff, Lenos Software, President, San Francisco
Vello Virkhaus, V Squared Labs, Founder & C.E.O., Los Angeles
Ben West, Eventbase, Co-Founder, Vancouver
FESTIVALS/FAIRS
Cameron Bailey, Toronto International Film Festival, Artistic Director & Co-Head, Toronto
Rehan Choudhry, A Beautiful Perspective, Founder & C.E.O., New York
Chad Issaq, Superfly Marketing Group, Executive Vice President of Business Development & Partnerships, New York
Sean Hoess, Wanderlust, Co-Founder, New York
Jeff Krasno, Wanderlust, Co-Founder, New York
Virginia Ludy, Canadian National Exhibition Association, C.E.O., Toronto
Suzanne Neve, Florida Festivals Events Association, C.E.O., Orlando
Anthony Sargent, Luminato Festival, C.E.O., Toronto
Lee Brian Schrager, South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Founder & Director, Miami
Paul Tollet, AEG, C.E.O., Indian Wells, Calif.
HOSPITALITY
Cindy A’Oust, CLIA, President & C.E.O., Washington
Arthur Backal, Backal Hospitality Group, C.E.O., New York
Cara Banasch, Omni Hotels & Resorts, Vice President of Sales, Dallas
Michael Dominguez, MGM Resorts International, Chief Sales Officer, Las Vegas
Bob Gilbert, HSMAI, President & C.E.O., Washington
Steve Heitzner, Marriott International, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Americas, Bethesda, Md.
Danny Hughes, Hilton, Executive Vice President & President, Americas, Washington
Jan Jones Blackhurst, Caesars Entertainment, V.P. Public Policy & Corporate Responsibility, Las Vegas
Vincent LaRuffa, Universal Orlando Resort, V.P. Resort Marketing, Orlando
Leslie Menichini, Rosen Hotels & Resorts, V.P. Sales & Marketing, Orlando
Lynn Pavony, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Director of Incentive Sales, Chicago
Francis Purvey, Sunlark Associates, Executive Vice President, Vero Beach, Fla.
David Rockwell, Rockwell Group, Founder & C.E.O., New York
Ian Schrager, Ian Schrager Company, Owner, New York
Jeff Stober, Drake Hotel, Owner, Toronto
Johnathan Tisch, Loews Hotels & Co., Chairman & C.E.O., New York
INCENTIVES
Greg Bogue, Maritz Global Events, Chief Experience Architect, St. Louis
Mark Bondy, Viktor, President/Owner, Traverse City, Mich.
Jeff Broudy, United Incentives, President, Philadelphia
Phillip Eidsvold, One10, Senior Director of Client Services, Minneapolis
John Iannini, SITE Foundation, President, Atlanta
Joe Keller, MotivAction, President & C.O.O., Minneapolis
Eve Kolakowski, Rymax Marketing Services, President, New York
Mike May, Brightspot Incentives & Events, President, Dallas
Steve O’Malley, Maritz Travel, Division President, St. Louis
Brenda Rivers, Andavo Meetings, President & C.E.O., Denver
Roy Saunderson, Rideau Recognition, Chief Learning Officer, Ontario
Marc Simon, Halo Branded Solutions, C.E.O., Director, Chicago
Rhea Stagner, Maritz Travel, V.P., Supplier Relations and Sourcing, St. Louis
Rodger Stotz, Incentive Research Foundation, Chief Research Officer, Hartford, Conn.
Melissa Van Dyke, Incentive Research Foundation, President, St. Louis
MEDIA
Lori Cioffi, Northstar Travel Media, S.V.P./Editorial Director, New York
Chris Collinson, Connect Meetings, President, Atlanta
PLANNERS—ASSOCIATIONS
Martin Balogh, American Bar Association, Associate Executive Director, Meetings & Travel Group, Chicago
Anthony Bernard, SAP Users’ Group, S.V.P. Operations, Chicago
Lisa Block, Society for Human Resource Management, Vice President of Meetings & Conferences, Washington
Jared Cohen, American Academy of Pediatrics, Director, National Conference & Exhibition, Chicago
Andy Darmohraj, APPA, Executive Vice President & C.O.O., New York
Marsha Flanagan, IAEE, V.P. Learning Experiences, Dallas
Nikole Fridenmaker, Association of Change Management Professionals, Director of Meetings, Orlando
Dan Goldstein, AVIXA, Senior Vice President of Content & Communications, Washington
Angela Harar, the Vision Council, Senior Director of Trade Shows, Washington
Mary Pat Heftman, National Restaurant Association, Executive Vice President, Convention & Strategic Alliances, Chicago
Derrick Johnson, Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, Senior Director of Meetings, Washington
Debbie Langelier, NTSA, Assistant V.P., Washington
Amy Ledoux, American Society of Association Executives: The Center for Association Leadership, S.V.P., Meetings & Expositions, Washington
Karen J. Malone, HIMSS, V.P. Meetings, Chicago
Iain Mackenzie, International Sign Association, V.P. Meetings and Events, Washington
William F. Reed, American Society of Hematology, Chief Event Strategy Officer, Washington
Tracey Smith, SPIN, Executive Director, Austin
Chris Strong, National Business Aviation Association, S.V.P. Conventions & Membership, Washington
Danielle L. Urbina, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Director of Meetings & Exhibits, Chicago
PLANNERS—NONPROFITS
Lee Kite, American Cancer Society, National Strategic Director, Distinguished Partners Events, Chicago
Anna Robins, Keep Memory Alive, Senior Director, Las Vegas
Antwone Stigall, Teach for America, Business Event Strategist, San Francisco
Tim Tompkins, Times Square Alliance, President, New York
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Michael Braun, ID Public Relations, Vice President, New York
Rhonda Couchigian, Rayce PR, Founder, Los Angeles
Nick D’Annunzio, Tara, Ink., Principal, Miami
Susan Ann Davis, Susan Davis International, Chairman, Washington
Andy Gelb, Slate, Founding Partner, Los Angeles
Debra Goldblatt-Sadowski, Rock-it Promotions, President & Founder, Toronto
Nadine Johnson, Nadine Johnson & Associates, Owner, New York
James LaForce, LaForce, President, New York
Susan Magrino, Magrino, Founder & C.E.O., New York
Rachna Shah, KCD, Partner, Managing Director, PR & Digital, New York
Maryann Watson, PMK-BNC, Executive Vice President, Brand Marketing & Communications, New York
Paul Wilmot, Paul Wilmot Communications, Owner, New York
SPORTS & ARENAS
Joel Fisher, the Madison Square Garden Company, Executive Vice President, Marquee Events & Operations, New York
Gregg Caren, SMG, Executive Vice President, Convention & Exhibition Centers, Philadelphia
Shannon Hosford, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Fan Experience, Toronto
Peter O’Reilly, National Football League, Senior Vice President of Events, New York
Stephen Revetria, Giants Enterprises, Senior Vice President, San Francisco
Casey Wasserman, Wasserman, Chairman & C.E.O., Los Angeles
Andrea Williams, College Football Playoff, C.O.O., Dallas
STRATEGY & LEADERSHIP
Holly Duckworth, Leadership Solutions International, C.E.O., Denver
Howard Givner, Heathcote Media Group, C.E.O., New York
Tammy Haddad, Haddad Media, President & C.E.O., Washington
Kevin Iwamoto, GoldSpring Consulting, Senior Consultant, San Francisco
Christopher J. Kelly, Convene, President & Co-Founder, New York
Amy Kule, Merry Wonderer, Founder & C.E.O., New York
Colleen Rickenbacker, Global PEC Academy, Co-Founder, Dallas
Adam Saks, Tourism Economics, Founder/President, Wayne, Pa.
Christine “Shimo” Shimasaki, 2synergize, Inc., President, San Diego
Tracy Stuckrath, Thrive Meetings & Events, President, Greenville, S.C.
Peter Tarlow, Tourism & More, Inc., President, Bryan, Texas
Gary Vaynerchuk, VaynerX, Chairman, New York
SUSTAINABILITY & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Jeff Chase, Freeman, V.P. Sustainability, San Francisco
Doug Chorpenning, Wet Paint Group, Founder, Denver
Michelle Guelbart, ECPAT USA, Director, Private Sector Engagement, New York
Kate Hurst, U.S. Green Buildings Council, S.V.P., Conferences & Events, Washington
Courtney Lohmann, Koncept Events, Director of Culture, San Diego
Mariela McIlwraith, Meeting Change, President, Vancouver
Kimberly Ritter, Nix Conference & Meeting Management, Director of Development, St. Louis
Tammi Runzler, CSRConnections, Executive Vice President, Tampa
James Spellos, Meeting U, President, New York
TRADE SHOW MANAGEMENT
Rod Alberts, North American International Auto Show, Executive Director, Detroit
Howard Britt, Premiere Shows, Inc., Owner, Orlando
Karen Chupka, C.E.S., Executive Vice President, Washington
Robyn Davis, When I Need Help, Trade Show Strategy Specialist, Atlanta
Dona Fae Desmond, Comic-Con International, Executive Director, San Diego
Lance Fensterman, Reed Exhibitions, S.V.P., New York
Noah Horowitz, Art Basel Miami Beach, Director Americas, New York
Lori Jenks, Emerald Expositions, S.V.P., Trade Show Operations, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Britton Jones, NXT Events Media Group, Chairman & C.E.O., New York
Ned Krause, E.J. Krause & Associates, President & C.E.O., Washington
Mary Larkin, Diversified Communications, Executive Vice President, Portland, Me.
David Loechner, Emerald Expositions, C.E.O., Los Angeles
Rick McConnell, Informa Exhibitions U.S. & Canada, President, Dallas
Courtney Muller, Clarion UX, Chief Corporate Development & Strategy Officer, Trumbull, Conn.
Don Pazour, Access Intelligence, C.E.O., Washington
Scott Schulman, UBM Americas, C.E.O., New York
Hervé Sedky, Reed Exhibitions, President, Americas, New York
Marc Simon, PGA Merchandise Show, Event Director, Orlando
Greg Topalian, Clarion UX, President, New York
Ted Wirth, Diversified Communications, President & C.E.O., Portland, Me.
WEDDINGS
Kathryn Arce, Engaging Concepts, Co-Founder, Orlando
Laurie Arons, Laurie Arons Special Events, Founder, San Francisco
Marcy Blum, Marcy Blum Associates, Owner, New York
Lynn Easton, Easton Events, Owner, Charleston, S.C.
Rebecca Grinnals, Engaging Concepts, Co-Founder, Orlando
Tara Guérard, Tara Guérard Soirée, Owner, Charleston, S.C.
Alison Hotchkiss Rinderknecht, Alison Events Planning & Design, Creative Director, San Francisco
Nikki Khan, Exquisite Events, Owner, Los Angeles
Jung Lee, Fête, Co-Founder, New York
Jove Meyer, Jove Meyer Events, Owner & Creative Director, New York
Michelle Rago, Michelle Rago Destinations, Founder, New York
Sharon Sacks, Sacks Productions, President & Founder, Los Angeles
Teissia Treynet, Firefly Events, Founder & C.E.O., New York
David Tutera, David Tutera Inc., Celebrity Weddings & Celebrations Planner, New York
Lisa Vorce, Lisa Vorce CO, Owner & Creative Director, Los Angeles
This story appeared in the Fall 2018 issue of BizBash.
