As our readers surely know, so much planning goes into a tentpole program like the BizBash Event Experience Awards (EEAs). Part of that planning every year is finding a dynamic group of event profs who will judge the top submissions and ultimately select the winners of those categories.
Last year, our board included reps from Instagram, Pinterest, and HubSpot—and this year's board is just as noteworthy.
Keep scrolling to meet our 2023 EEAs Advisory Board, and learn what they're looking for in a winning submission. Haven't submitted your event or program for the EEAs yet? You can do that here.
Executive director, head of marketing and events, UBS Investment Bank
Background: Tracy Olenick has 25 years in the event industry, leading teams and executing award-winning conferences and events across the financial services, insurance, and fashion and beauty sectors in the Americas as well as Asia.
Olenick also serves as an adjunct professor at NYU's prestigious Jonathan Tisch School of Hospitality. She holds a master's degree in hospitality from Johnson & Wales University and a bachelor's in marketing communications from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and is certified in wines and spirits.
In her "spare time," Olenick applies her passion for event management and design to create charming interior spaces for entertaining family and friends.
What she's looking for in a winning submission: "Cohesive storytelling: Does the event tell a complete story? Do all elements serve to provide a sense of place and a brand identity?
Innovation and influence: What haven’t we seen before in the industry? Has the event experience, design, or product introduced fresh ideas and potential new trend(s)?
Sensory experiences: Have all five senses been considered and ignited? Did the event evoke emotion? (And does that emotion translate through photos, social media, etc.?)"
Global event lead, global business marketing, TikTok
Background: Micayla Diener is thrilled to be on the 11th annual EEA Advisory Board. With a degree in hospitality management from Widener University, Diener's background spans from DMCs, audiovisual, city/country clubs to restaurants.
Currently, she is a global event lead on the global business marketing team at TikTok. She is also on the board of MPI Greater New York Chapter as the director of education and part of the MPI Mentorship Program.
What she's looking for in a winning submission: "Creativity, going beyond the decor and thinking about the entire guest journey, DEI, sustainability, and authenticity to the brand."
Senior vice president, marketing and brand strategy, Apartment Therapy Media
Background: Lauren Murphy is a marketing executive with two decades of experience in creative marketing, events, and branding. Currently, she is the SVP of marketing and brand strategy at Apartment Therapy Media, where she played a pivotal role in launching the company's experiential revenue stream, including its award-winning tentpole event Small/Cool NYC.
Murphy has held leadership roles at Condé Nast and Hearst, where she oversaw large-scale experiences for iconic brands including Teen Vogue, Seventeen, and Marie Claire. When she's not jet-setting to new destinations, she calls Tribeca, N.Y., home.
What she's looking for in a winning submission: "I am looking forward to learning about the innovation behind this year's most extraordinary events and experiences. Particularly, I'll have an eye out for submissions that overcame an obstacle with creative problem-solving.
As event professionals, we understand the often-hidden strategic efforts behind the scenes, and I'm excited about the chance to acknowledge and celebrate the unsung heroes in our industry with the recognition they deserve."
Global head of community innovation, Amazon
Background: Lesly Simmons is an award-winning events and programming leader for companies including Amazon, Twitter, Google, and Facebook. She is currently global head of community innovation at Amazon, overseeing engagement for audiences worldwide.
What she's looking for in a winning submission: “This year, I’m excited for submissions that connect with the range of senses, going beyond just catching the eyes. I’m looking for those moments and events that engaged audiences through a combination of sensory experiences.”
Senior vice president, marketing, Pac-12 Conference
Background: As SVP of marketing for the Pac-12 Conference, Heather Vaughan is responsible for oversight of the brand, marketing, promotions, and creative services teams. She also oversees ticketing operations for Pac-12 events and championships, while also contributing in a variety of other capacities related to key conference initiatives, including Pac-12 imPACt.
A veteran marketer, Vaughan joined the Pac-12 in 2010 following a nine-year tenure with the Sacramento Kings, where she served as senior director of marketing/creative. She was also an instructor at The Art Institute of Sacramento and has worked for several advertising agencies.
Vaughan is a member of the National Sports Marketing Network, Women in Cable Telecommunications, Women in Sports and Events, and the Anti-Defamation League. She has had work published in Sports Business Journal and secured multiple Promax/BDA and Telly industry awards. She is a graduate of California State University, Chico, and holds a master's degree in communications from California State University, Fullerton.
What she's looking for in a winning submission: "The main elements I'll be looking for in a winning submission include attention to detail, innovation, engagement, impact, social responsibility, and measurable results. What creates a memorable event is how it makes me feel, and the details are such a huge part of that. From the brand coming to life across the activation, I'll be looking for meticulous planning and execution to ensure that every touchpoint is thought through.
I also like to see the use of technology in an innovative way, to experience something new, or something I've tried before with a twist. Event attendees' attention spans need to be pulled in immediately, and that's done through creative ways to engage and make an emotional connection to leave a lasting impact in a short amount of time.
I am also very big on making environmentally and socially sound decisions when it comes to events, so seeing the thoughtfulness in making these types of selections is key.
Finally, I learned long ago to 'measure what you treasure,' so I'll be looking for ways in which the events delivered measurable results for their clients; from surveying attendees on brand awareness, engagement, or other KPIs, the overall impact will be accounted for. I can't wait to be inspired by all the entries!"
![Img 1191[24]](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2023/10/IMG_1191_24_.651f2254d9f95.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=max&q=70&w=400)
Director, events, Expedia Group
Background: Taylor Kellogg is an event and entertainment professional with 14 years of combined experience across linear and streaming content. She's spearheaded successful projects in entertainment, promotions, marketing, special events, design, and experiential marketing while working with high-level executives, talent, and corporate sponsors. She is currently director of events for Expedia Group.
What she's looking for in a winning submission: "Key elements I will look for are intentionality and thoughtfulness within the guest experience and journey, assessing how the strategy and objectives successfully inspired the final concept, premium fabrication, unique elements, and elevated execution.”
