Speakers and Volunteers

Culinary Experience Lunch Speaker

We Don’t Waste began in 2009 with one man, a vision, and a Volvo. Noticing how much good food was going to waste, founder Arlan Preblud decided to take it upon himself to deliver the excess to local food banks. Motivated by his desire to give back to the Denver community, Arlan went from delivering trays of surplus catered food from the trunk of his Volvo to developing We Don’t Waste into the largest independent food recovery nonprofit in Colorado. Today, We Don’t Waste has distributed over 220 million servings of food, utilizes our own We Rescue app for volunteer-led food recovery, and educates thousands of students on the importance of reducing food waste in their homes and schools every year.

Culinary Experience Lunch Speaker

Educational Breakout Speaker

Jamie Adams, CPCE, CERP is the Event Producer for Lemon & Lime Event Design. In this role, she manages the day-to-day logistics, coordinating seamlessly with the LLED team, clients, and vendors. Jamie holds her Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE), Certified Event Rental Professional (CERP), and is a Past President of the Richmond, VA Chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE).

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Andy Bomberger, CPCE, is a recognized leader in multiple facets of the meetings & events industry. A UNLV Rebel with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management, he returned to his roots in Reno, Nevada, and has worked in Special Events for the only accredited Art Museum in the state of Nevada, the first non-smoking/non-gaming/luxury boutique hotel in downtown Reno, and for the newly renovated Club at ArrowCreek which is a part of the Troon Prive network. Currently, he is leading the Meeting and Event Operations for Lake Tahoe with Caesars Entertainment. Andy serves as the chapter president for the National Association for Catering & Events (NACE) Reno-Tahoe Chapter, after having held numerous roles both in Las Vegas and nationally. He donates time and advocates for local non-profits, serving previously on the board of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), and now the Reno Philharmonic Board of Trustees. In his spare time, you might find him on a lake, in an RV, snowboarding his favorite mountains, checking out cars, or sharing a belly laugh with friends.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Bobbi’s journey from a renowned sports and wedding photographer to a keynote speaker, transformational leader, and mindset maverick spans over four decades. She is a catalyst for confidence and motivation, empowering women athletes, entrepreneurs, and creatives to build thriving businesses, record-setting achievements, and impactful, fulfilling, and legacy-driven lives. Her Motivated to Be FABBO framework encourages living and conducting business Focused, Authentic, Brave, Bold, and Open to opportunities—inspiring individuals to become the best versions of themselves and to confidently navigate their personal and professional journeys from start to finish, including the 'messy middle. As an empowering speaker, energetic emcee, connector, and insightful podcaster, Bobbi is an unwavering champion of joy and success for all. She guides her audience and clients through transformation, reigniting passion, overcoming burnout, and dismantling the daunting shadows of imposter syndrome and the paralysis of fear in the face of change. Her mantra? If you’re doing what you love, it should bring you profit, purpose, and joy. Her belief? Everyone deserves a seat at the table, and success is not just measured by the bottom line but by the impact and positive change we effect. Embracing what makes us fabbo, stepping boldly into our potential, and leading with a powerful blend of strength and heart is at the core of Bobbi’s message, resonating through every story, speech, and coaching she offers.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Candy Campbell, CMP, is a highly effective and extremely resourceful entrepreneur. She has transitioned from high-profile finance positions to a lucrative career in media and event production. As a meetings and events professional with 16 years of solid experience in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Congresses, and Events) and business travel, she has seamlessly applied hands-on experience to each program. She is a trained chef and specializes in corporate social responsibility issues with food sourcing and what it means to truly “source local.”

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Tom Chelednik has over 25 years of experience in sales and marketing, with 16 specifically in the wedding industry. From 2008 - to 2020, Tom held several sales positions at The Knot, including Regional Director of Sales and Director of Training and Enablement. He led teams instrumental in growing and retaining new business across 20 states and Canada, ultimately helping wedding professionals book more weddings and grow their businesses. During his time at The Knot, Tom traveled the country 70% of each year to speak with and learn from wedding professionals. Tom is passionate about sharing the knowledge he has gained over the years and continues to coach pros, specifically to help them increase their leads and bookings. In addition to The Knot, Tom was the COO of The Treasury Venue Collection in St. Augustine, Florida, where he learned firsthand what it was like to operate a wedding venue. During that time, he also helped build an online learning platform called Venue Profit Pro, designed for wedding venues nationwide to improve their marketing and sales results. Tom rejoined The Knot Worldwide in the summer of 2022 and is now The Director of Vendor Engagement. When he's not traveling around the country, Tom can spend time with his family, which now includes three grandchildren.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Arti Chopra, M.A. is the Director of Coaching at Behavioral Essentials and a Master Mindpower Coach passionate about helping people lead healthy, purposeful, and successful lives. She completed her formal education at the University of Central Florida studying Psychology, Educational Leadership, and Leadership Development. With over 12 years of practice crafting and delivering transformative experiences for individuals and teams, she continues to deepen her understanding of the complexities of human behavior and the unconscious mind through learning Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Hypnotherapy, Mindpower Coaching, and related disciplines.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Allison Cochran is the Managing Attorney for Cochran Law Firm, where she focuses on Business Advising, General Counsel Services, Real Estate, and Estate Planning. Allison helps clients structure their businesses to achieve their objectives, whether that be to maintain current levels or scale. She loves educating her community and small business owners about how to preserve and grow their businesses. Allison also serves as President of the Board for A Little Light, Inc., a nonprofit focused on aiding breast cancer patients and survivors.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

A marketing consultant and small-business builder, Tayler Cusick Hollman is the Founder of Enji—though you might recognize her from one of her other companies: TAYLRD Media and Designs and Sourced Co. In her newest endeavor, Tayler is taking everything she has learned over nearly a decade of helping small businesses with marketing to design and build a suite of online marketing tools that fit your lifestyle and make sense for you. Because, while you didn’t sign up to be Chief Marketing Officer of your business, at Enji, we believe becoming one doesn’t have to be so daunting—and our goal is to empower you with the tools and solutions you need to make more informed decisions, use your resources more effectively, get creative with how you connect with customers, and ultimately grow.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Kelly Dalisa, CPCE, currently serving on the National Board of NACE, began her career over 20 years ago as an owner/operator of an upscale wedding venue. With a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, she has expanded her talents into non-profit, corporate, and social events through various roles in design, sales, and operations. As a national sales executive for CORT Events, she has been able to use her years of experience in strategic design to help her clients execute events for their high-profile clients. No matter the size of the event, Kelly’s goal is to always exceed the client’s expectations by supporting them with innovative ideas and strategic solutions to create memorable events.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Nick DeMarco is a Sales Executive at Cvent with a strong background in sales within the Hospitality industry. With over 3 years of experience operating within Cvent, Nick has contributed to numerous teams working with Hotels, Conference Centers, Arenas/Stadiums, among other types of properties. Currently, Nick supports Cvent’s Unique Venues team - leveraging his expertise within Cvent’s Hospitality Cloud to help these venues attract, convert, and manage their target business segments.

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Educational Breakout Panelist

Kevin Dennis, CPCE, Owner of Fantasy Sound Event Services and editor/founder of WeddingIQ, is a sought-after speaker in the national circuit and a regular contributor to B2B publications including Catersource and Special Events, and has been featured in Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Travel Channel. Having served in multiple board positions for the Silicon Valley Chapter of NACE, as a trustee on the Foundation of NACE board, and as Director of National Marketing and International President of WIPA for two terms, Kevin has dedicated his career to the growth and development of the wedding pro community. He also founded the Tri-Valley Wedding Professionals networking group, which has grown to a membership of 700+ pros.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Robin Denny, MBA, CPCE, CERP, Director of Sales for BBJ LaTavola, specializes in working with individuals and organizations in the rental industry to enhance their leadership abilities, cultivate meaningful connections, and drive business strategies for maximum impact. Her passion lies in mentoring others, empowering them to strengthen and elevate their leadership vision to unprecedented heights. During her leisure time, Robin dedicates herself to perfecting her signature peanut butter espresso martini and seeking out hidden gems in the world of karaoke. She cheerfully steers clear of individuals who consider running a 5k on a holiday as an enjoyable pastime.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

For over thirty-five years, David Egan's highly engaging, authentic style of presenting has brought people pretense-free, down-to-earth experiences that are superbly organized, fully researched, and easily accessible. David has lived and breathed weddings and events since 2002 at Chase Court, the event venue he owns in Baltimore, Maryland. He's sat with thousands of couples as they planned their weddings, listening to what was said and what was unsaid, guiding and supporting them in making good decisions about their weddings. While living in his native New England, David trained as an Emergency Medical Technician in basic and advanced life support and pre-hospital trauma life support and worked with several professional and volunteer ambulance services. He has served on the faculty of the Connecticut Emergency Medical Services Annual Conference; designed, staffed, and led emergency medical services for the American Lung Association of Connecticut's multi-day bicycle-tour fund-raising events; and taught workshops on first aid and safety at major national bicycling gatherings. When he's not doing something wedding (which is most of the time), David enjoys photography and pickleball. He loves primary colors, sports cars, and dark chocolate.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

James Filtz, CMP, CPCE is a Principal Solution Consultant at Cvent where he leads the sales efforts of Cvent Event Diagramming (formerly Social Tables) and Passkey—the leading group housing solution for hotels and planners. Prior to Cvent, James held catering and event leadership roles at companies including the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, The Venetian | The Palazzo Las Vegas, and Yale University. James is a former National President of NACE and a member of the Philadelphia, Delaware, South Jersey Chapter of NACE.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Andrew joined Qwick in late 2023 with over 8 years of experience in SaaS/HR tech sales. He is passionate about connecting with customers, understanding their needs, and delivering solutions that create value for their organization. He studied business in college, obtaining both his BA (2014) and his MBA (2019) from California State University, Fullerton.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Maddy Gabor is an impact-obsessed, life-long learner with a passion for leadership, data, and play. Born in Minnesota, raised in North Carolina, and currently residing outside of Boston; she often pulls her cross-cultural life experience into her professional leadership. Driven by a dedication to understanding and an unending belief in human betterment, Maddy envisions a more empowering, engaging, and compassionate world. Using analytics as the tool and values as her compass, she pursues this vision relentlessly.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

When it comes to understanding and leveraging the power of scent, Tiffany Rose Goodyear is the expert. Her groundbreaking approach to using fragrance to enhance experiences has led to collaborations with corporate clients and event planners across the nation. The result? Unparalleled engagement and brand lift in the eyes of guests who enjoy learning about fully immersive and customized sensory-based events. Using scent is a way to include all bodies, of all ages and of all abilities.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Brian is an award-winning event planner with over twenty years of experience in the international events industry. He is the Chief Event Architect and Creative Visionary of By BrianGreen LLC based in Atlanta creating amazing social and corporate events across the globe. He is a former Diplomat for the country of Barbados. He was the featured guest expert on The Steve Harvey Show on Fox for their annual Wedding Hour where he presented great tips and advice on how to host the best wedding while avoiding the usual pitfalls and has been published in every major magazine in our industry.
He is one of an elite group of WeddingPro Educators. He is also an Advisor and Mentor for The Knot/ Wedding Wire’s Fellowship For Change Program. As part of his strong activism and belief in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, he currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the National Society of Black Wedding & Event Professionals.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Michael Hearn brings twenty-five years of hospitality experience to his role at Qwick. Since his first bartending shift in 1999, he has moved to business development in the hospitality and food service industries - from restaurant technology to procurement to staffing. Currently, Michael helms the California Marketplace at Qwick, a cutting-edge hospitality staffing platform.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Over the past 15 years, Courtney Hopper and her sister Dana Kadwell, CPCE have built and operated three successful businesses in the Raleigh, North Carolina area. Starting from the ordinary, they paved their way with sheer grit and tenacity splashed with some therapy and coffee along the way. They are on a mission to inspire others to take big leaps, dream big dreams, and create amazing teams that grow profits and an enjoyable (but productive) culture within your business.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Teshorn Jackson is Dallas based Award Winning Wedding Photographer and Toastmaster. He’s also an educator traveling between Los Angeles and Kenya to teach. July 2014 Teshorn created an online community for Black Wedding Photographers across the globe to help establish, nurture and educate members of the community. Since then a lot of highly skilled photographers and business owners have made an impact in the wedding photography community at large; many of whom are now industry leaders, won awards and have even judged photography competitions. Teshorn is known as a trusted leader in his community and one who gets things done when needed. He is also a proud a Miller's Lab Ambassador, Geekoto Ambassador and a Fundy Storyteller Ambassador.

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Conference Ambassador

​​Angie Johnston has devoured every wedding scene in every movie she has ever seen. Sapphire Celebrations represents the culmination of her lifelong dream to be a Colorado wedding and event coordinator. Angie has twenty years of experience in wedding planning, more than a decade in corporate event planning and a dozen years in planning events for charities and philanthropic organizations in Colorado. With a sense of elegance and style Angie strives to remove the stress from her clients, while planning the Colorado event of their dreams. Angie graduated from the University of Denver with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business with a Marketing emphasis.

Angie currently serves on the Board of the Greater Denver Chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) and is a member of the Colorado chapter of the Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA).

Educational Breakout Speaker

Anthony Lambatos grew up in the catering business working for his father and founder of Footers Catering in Denver, Colorado. Anthony and his wife, April, purchased the business in 2010 and have successfully made the transition to a second-generation family business. With a focus on creating a great place to work, revenue has quadrupled since the purchase of the business, and they have been recognized nationally as a top caterer. in 2011 they moved Footers Catering into a new facility that houses their newest venture – a 20,000 square foot event center called Social Capitol. In 2019 the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce named Footers Catering “Small Business of the Year” and they have been recognized as one of the best places to work in Colorado by the Denver Post, Denver Business Journal, and Colorado Biz Magazine. With innovative ideas like all-company vacations, robust leadership development programs, and non-traditional benefits like a dedicated cryotherapy chamber for employees, Footers Catering is on the cutting edge of culture and employee well-being. As a sought-after speaker nationally within the hospitality industry, Anthony is passionate about helping businesses create a culture that allows their organizations and teams to thrive. He specializes in heart leadership and management of teams with a focus on operational structure and employee engagement. Anthony and April also have a sister company called “MIBE” - MIBE is the acronym for “Make It Better Everyday” and the second part of the Footers’ mission statement. MIBE focuses on education around heart leadership and intentional culture building for the hospitality industry.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Victoria Logan, On-Premise National Accounts Manager for Caymus Vineyards, began her journey in the hospitality industry almost two decades ago. She has a BA in Marketing with a Sales Concentration, holds a USCA certification, and WSET2 certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. Victoria held numerous positions with a large US wine wholesaler before transitioning to a supplier role. She uses her experience to cultivate strong professional relationships, create value, and increase revenue through strategic planning and execution. In her spare time, she loves attending MLB games, gardening, and playing with her fur kids, Chandler and Jaxson.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Bernice Loman, MBA is a Certified Business Coach, Marketing Campaign Specialist, Tech Expert, and Author. She has a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management and serves as the overseer and visionary of Loman Creative Services, a global branding, marketing, and tech company based in the USA. She has a passion for faith, marketing, and tech with a focus on equipping business owners, entrepreneurs, and faith leaders. She is a Certified Solution Provider of Constant Contact, a Certified Executive Business Coach, and a Zoom Partner. She currently serves as a Chairperson at Kimtech Technical College in Kenya.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Michelle Loretta is a strategist for the events industry and creator of Be Sage Consulting, formerly Sage Wedding Pros. She has been educating, coaching, and consulting event professionals since 2009. With a degree in accounting, roots at the Big 4 firm Deloitte, and experience as a stationery entrepreneur, she dissects numbers to help level-up businesses’ earnings.

These days, Michelle primarily provides financial strategy services and Fractional CFO consulting to event business owners. She has been asked to speak at a number of industry conferences, including Coterie, Lend & Gather, Wedding Wire World, NACE Experience, and The Special Event. She was named one of the TOP 1000 Event Professionals by BizBash in 2019. Michelle is also the winner of the 2021 ILEA ESPRIT best conference award for the Be Sage Conference.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Katie is a highly respected leader in the Wedding, Event, and Creative Industries. She has worked with renowned brands such as HoneyBook, The Rising Tide Society, Aisle Planner, and Dreamworks Animation. Having spent almost a decade as a business owner of a destination wedding and event planning company, Katie now dedicates her time to working with companies to help them grow and develop their genuine communities, promote ongoing education and diversity, and build strong and healthy brand partnerships. Katie is known for being the biggest advocate and the kindest hype-girl for the modern-day wedding industry. She is beloved by her colleagues and the community for her open heart to mentor, willingness to keep learning, deep-rooted love for encouragement, and genuine friendship. Originally from California, Katie now lives in North Carolina with her husband Josh, their children Beckett and Olivia, and two beloved pups. Whenever possible, she escapes to the coast, enjoys her daily oat milk latte, and is a proud Enneagram 2.

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Creative Consultant

My extensive background in the entertainment industry, particularly my role as the General Manager of Elite Entertainment, has equipped me with a comprehensive skill set that makes me a valuable team player when it comes to planning events.

First and foremost, my nearly two decades of experience in the entertainment sector demonstrate a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in planning and executing successful events. This experience has honed my organizational skills, allowing me to manage multiple aspects of an event seamlessly.

As the General Manager of Elite Entertainment for over 10 years, I've not only contributed to the growth of the company but have also cultivated a collaborative and dynamic team environment. My leadership style emphasizes effective communication, cooperation, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional experiences. I believe in harnessing the strengths of each team member to create a cohesive and efficient planning process.

Additionally, my tenure as the Treasurer for the Denver chapter of NACE from 2019 to 2021 has provided me with valuable insights into the collaborative nature of the events industry. Serving in this role required financial acumen, attention to detail, and effective teamwork to ensure the success of NACE events and initiatives.

In essence, my skills and experiences as a seasoned professional in the entertainment industry, coupled with my leadership at Elite Entertainment and involvement in industry associations like NACE, underscore my ability to be a collaborative team player in the planning of events. I bring a wealth of knowledge, a proven track record of successful event management, and a commitment to fostering a positive and cooperative team environment.

Educational Breakout Speaker

When it comes to high-profile, high-end events, champagne and caviar may appeal to most - but the opportunity to work with Washington D.C.'s top event planner is what most discerning clients consider true luxury. For the past 18 years, Tara has been reshaping the events world. Her reputation for excellence and integrity knows its way around every room. She has been named one of BizBash's Top Industry Innovators in 2022 and Top 500 Most Influential Event Professionals in 2021-2020, and one of DC Modern Luxury Magazine's Dynamic Women of 2022.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Rajan Mistry, an entrepreneur with 15+ years in catering and events, excels in business development, F&B operations, and project management. Concurrently, he is actively involved in leadership development, demonstrating a proven track record in successfully managing high-capacity global events.

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Conference Advisory Committee Member and Educational Breakout Speaker

Selina Mullenax, CPCE, CMP, is an Account Executive for CORT Events representing the Southeast. She has earned a Bachelor's in Event Management, Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management and a Master’s in Event Leadership through the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida. Selina’s passion is giving back and does so by volunteering as the President of NACE Orlando, Immediate Past President of MPI Orlando, Chair of the Rosen College Alumni Chapter, and several other industry boards. In her spare time, Selina is a co-host of an industry podcast named #SwagAndRepeat, and an industry thought leader and speaker on topics of event design, personal branding, networking, and relationship management.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Kevin Nash comes from a creative background with experience in software, design, hospitality, sales, entertainment, and arts. Some of his previous clients include Microsoft, Salesforce, NASA, Kroger, Disney, Universal, Thompson Reuters, Girl Scouts of America, and various government agencies. Kevin created curbside pickup before it was cool, helped send astronauts to Mars, created safer training programming for armed forces, introduced leasing options for heavy machinery, and overhauled customer experiences in telecommunications companies (the worst kind!). But Kevin’s passions still drive him to help tomorrow’s future leaders – like you! Entrepreneurs, dreamers, and small business owners who want to bring good into the world through what they do. Kevin is here to enable you to be successful and independent. No more moonlighting, waiting to take the leap, not going after your next big idea. Your fulfilling future starts today.

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Creative Consultant

As a self-proclaimed "hospitality addict", Aimee Palifroni has reached 25 years in the hospitality and events industry!

She learned the importance and grace of hospitality at a young age and it became the backbone of everything she would do afterwards. With a background in English & Creative Writing from Colorado State University, her working career would take her through fine dining, venues, hotels, resorts, and catering, and to realize her passion for designing exceptional weddings.

Aimee has led her planning and design company, Prisma Events since 2009, and has been very active in the community; earning an industry certification as a CPCE, growing to a team of planners, multiple TV and online interviews, and serving on the NACE Denver Chapter board from 2017-2021 as Vice President of Programs. Awards include NACE Denver 2019 Best Wedding & Best Use of Small Budget and 2019 Wedding of the Year - Budget Greater than $100,000 from NACE National.

Aimee's next chapter includes focusing on bespoke luxury LGBTQ+ weddings, coaching for creative businesses, and building an educational speaking career. She lives southeast of Denver with her very supportive husband and two pre-teen kiddos. Her hobbies are many and include roller skating, karaoke, and house plants.

Educational Breakout Speaker

A respected award-winning leader in the industry, Michele Polci, CPCE, CMP currently oversees the sales efforts for all catered events held across two million square feet of banquet and event space at nine Las Vegas properties. Michele has been an active leader in local associations and the catering community for many years. She is a founding member of the Las Vegas chapter of NACE and has served in numerous positions on the local board. Her contributions to the catering landscape of Las Vegas have earned Michele awards and innumerable accolades. Known for her humility, however, Michele will rarely make mention of her accomplishments. Instead, she unceasingly focuses on guiding her teams through future success. Appreciated as a dedicated mentor by many, Michele strives to equip young leaders with the tools for success in the industry. She further assists colleagues in professional development through regular speaking engagements at industry conferences and local university institutions. Michele's expertise in catering and sales is featured in numerous articles published in national industry publications. Michele currently serves on the Board of Directors with the SEARCH Foundation as an event director. SEARCH is a 501(c)3 which assists industry individuals in crisis.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Ian José Ramirez, CSEP, is the Co-Owner of Madera Estates, a renowned Spanish- and European-inspired wedding venue in Conroe, Texas, recognized by the Houston Business Journal's 40 Under 40. Alongside managing this award-winning establishment, he co-founded the Venue Help Desk, connecting venue owners with expert resources. As a 2023 WeddingPro Educator, Ian shares his expertise at industry events like Wedding MBA and Catersource + The Special Event, holding the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) designation. With a background as an internationally trained opera singer, Ian, when not immersed in the wedding world, enjoys yoga, travel, and quality time with his husband, Paul.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Meet Maria Romano, the visionary behind True Love Knots! Former President of Advantage Rent a Car in Las Vegas, Maria transitioned into a fulfilling second career in her 50s. Now dedicated to crafting unforgettable wedding ceremonies and life celebrations, she shares her journey, guiding others through life's challenges. Maria's signature course, "How to Become a Rockstar Officiant," empowers individuals to diversify their income and touch lives. In the face of personal loss, Maria inspires with insights into love after grief. As a Las Vegas Wedding Chamber of Commerce board member, she transforms corporate cultures through "The Power of Loving Your Way to the Top," fostering empathy and compassion. Maria's mantra: "Success is rooted in loving yourself, loving others, and cherishing your path."

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Alyssa Ruth, CPCE is the Director of Sales at Curated Events Raleigh. After serving as a Senior Event Consultant for over seven years, she’s leading and advising an outstanding team of consultants in event rental services. Alyssa was awarded the Emerging Member of the Year Award at the 2023 NACE One Awards and also served as an educational speaker at the 2023 NACE Experience Conference. She earned the Event Professional of the Year Award from the Triangle Chapter of NACE in 2023 and has won chapter awards including Best Use of Rentals, Best Use of Lighting, Best Team Effort at a Wedding, Event Innovation of the Year, and New Member of the Year.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

Ashwin Somakumar is the Vice President of Marketing at Instawork. Before joining Instawork, Ashwin was Head of Product and Growth Marketing at Square, where he was instrumental in launching and scaling successful financial services products for small businesses. His leadership drove customer acquisition and engagement programs and influenced the development of new products. Ashwin's extensive experience also includes stints at Facebook and OpenTable, in various marketing roles. Throughout his career, Ashwin has demonstrated exceptional skill in merging cohesive marketing strategies with data-driven execution. He excels in team building and management, making him a valuable asset to Instawork as it continues to grow and innovate in the flexible workspace.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

After 25 years in the industry, Stavros still has unbounded passion for all things catering and live events. He and his partners at M Culinary Concepts have built diversified, privately held catering companies serving clients throughout the US. As leader of BizDev and long-term strategy, Stavros always looks forward with excitement for what's next, from business opportunities to industry developments to tantalizing trends. As a devoted member of NACE, Stavros is honored to be at Experience with longtime colleagues, new friends-in-the-making, and professional idols.

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Educational Breakout Speaker

After 25 years in the beverage alcohol industry, Thirst for Knowledge is Monique Studak's opportunity to bring together her passions for Wine and the Art of Selling. Helping people discover wine for the first time, digging deeper into their appreciation, or gaining confidence in their ability to sell tableside, or business-to-business, creates her great satisfaction.
Monique believes the food is more interesting when paired with the right wine. And wine is more interesting when you understand the history, the place, and the people who created the magic.
Wine, people, travel, and adventure are all active ingredients in her life. Much of Monique's career has been spent focusing on restaurants, hotels, bottle shops, and national accounts. Helping develop wine and training programs for the trade and educating the public. She began her career in the Texas Wine Industry at Messina Hof, before spending 16 years with the E&J Gallo Family of Wines and 7 years with Pernod Ricard. Monique is an active speaker on a local and national level, from small groups to professional organizations, always with an eye on creating ‘Ah ha’ moments.
She has become an enthusiastic supporter of the University Houston Cougars. Happily married to Bill Studak for 19 years, they share a passion for travel and entertaining. Active in the community, Monique was the founding president of Houston’s Women of Wine Charities. She is a Vice Chairman of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo International Wine Committee for Judging and facilitates Financial Peace University classes through her church. Monique is an active member of NACE and has been recognized nationally with the George Zell Spirit of NACE Award for her philanthropic efforts as well as the Event Professional of the Year.

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Conference Ambassador

Karen Tucker, CPCE, and her husband, Brett, own Relish Catering & Events. As a full-service caterer, Karen and her talented team provide exceptional food, service, and hospitality to the Denver area. Karen is heavily involved in the events community and has been a member of NACE (National Association for Catering & Events) since 2009, as well as Les Dames de Escoffier, and ILEA (International Live Events Association).

Karen has served on both the local Denver Chapter NACE Board and served for two years on the NACE National Board. In addition to 12 years of combined board service, she also served as the NACE Bylaws Task Force Chair and on the Pathways to Leadership Task Force, NACE Executive Director Task Force, National Business Development Committee, as a CPCE online course trainer, and several other committees throughout her NACE tenure.

Karen received her CPCE certification in 2013, reaffirming her passion for further professional education. She has received numerous industry awards and was honored as the NACE National Member of the Year at the 2017 Experience Conference. She was inducted into the Denver ILEA Chapter Hall of Fame in 2019 and recognized in Special Events Magazine’s 40 under 40 in 2015.

Creative Consultant

Originally a California native, Bonnie joined the Biscuits team in 2014 following her passion for event planning. She loves the ever-changing industry and bringing her clients’ visions to life. Her career has grown with the company as she has taken on roles such as Event Manager, Delivery Sales Coordinator, Social Event Designer, Business Development, and now Director of Sales. Managing a team is a familiar landscape for her and she is thriving in her new role, which allows her to guide them with the knowledge and experience she has gained along the way.

Outside of work, she loves reading, going to concerts, going to Avalanche games, hanging out with her crazy nieces, and taking trips overseas. She also has an obsession with Disneyland and makes sure to visit the Happiest Place on Earth whenever she’s back home in Los Angeles.

Educational Breakout Speaker

Jaclyn Watson is a visionary event designer and creator, known for her unparalleled ability to transform ordinary occasions into extraordinary experiences. As the founder and creative force behind Jaclyn Watson Events, she has established herself as a trailblazer in the events industry, leaving an indelible mark on every gathering she touches. With an unwavering passion for crafting unforgettable moments, Jaclyn brings a fresh and innovative approach to event planning. Her keen eye for detail, combined with a deep understanding of her clients' unique needs, allows her to curate personalized and immersive experiences that exceed expectations. Whether it's an intimate celebration, a corporate gala, or a grand wedding affair, Jaclyn's events always leave guests in awe and hosts beaming with joy.

Sessions

Educational Breakout Speaker

Thomas Whelan has been included in the BizBash 500, MeetingsNet “Changemakers,” and “40 Under 40” by Connect Corporate Magazine, and in 2022 was chosen as an Industry Innovator by BizBash Magazine for his work in Food and Beverage. Currently, he is the Director of Operations for Seravezza Events at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Thomas has successfully planned Food and Beverage operations for nearly 20 years, and was formerly the Assistant General Manager for Levy Convention Centers at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. During his career, Thomas helped launch Off-Premise and On-Premise Catering companies, and curated experiences for millions of people in both Corporate Events and Social Gatherings. Although he has assisted in meetings and events throughout the world, he now calls Philadelphia home. Thomas spends his days leading his team members to exceed client expectations. His nights are spent wrangling one very large orange cat named Alroy. Thomas is an operations expert with a passion for developing the next generation of hospitality legends. Not only is he a leader in the future of food and beverage in meetings, but he is also an outspoken advocate for inclusion and advocates on behalf of members of the meetings and events industry. Currently, Thomas sits on the Board of Directors for the SEARCH Foundation. He is a former Board Member of the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association and President of the Massachusetts Live Events Coalition.

Sessions

Educational Breakout Speaker

Philip Wolf’s vision is to show our society how cannabis can be used in right relation to better one's life and the earth. He is committed to guiding people to understanding this relationship with cannabis through a variety of ways including education, experiential events, and mixed content mediums. Philip started in the legal Cannabis industry in 2009 following his legacy participation and created Cultivating Spirits, the first company in the United States to offer legal cannabis dinners to the general public. This was no easy feat as tough regulations mounted against his work. As a recognized pioneer of the cannabis hospitality space, Philip has elegantly guided over 3,500 people into the myriad, positive properties of cannabis through the art of pairing it with food. This new level of connoisseurship and protocols developed by Philip empowers individuals to identify their high before consuming, allowing guests to consciously consume cannabis, therefore enhancing everyday life experiences.

Sessions

Educational Breakout Speaker

Known for her passion and experience in wine, beverage education, and the hospitality industry, Sharon Woschitz, WSET launched SJC Wine, LLC - Vine-To-Wine, a hospitality-focused wine education company, following a 26-year career with a large US wine and spirits wholesaler. Based in Napa Valley, Sharon is a 30-year veteran of the hospitality food, wine and spirits industry. She holds an accredited chef’s degree from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco and WSET professional certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. Sharon has held numerous positions in food and beverage, concentrating in the hotel and hospitality sector. Throughout her career, Sharon focused her efforts on developing innovative sales techniques and training by combining my food, wine, and spirits knowledge while creating successful beverage programs for hotels, caterers, and fine dining restaurants.

Sessions

Educational Breakout Speaker

Lauren Yee has facilitated interactive workshops as well as been a keynote speaker for groups of all sizes and ages. She has previously presented sessions both independently and with this.us.now. at various organizations/companies (Dome Construction, Old Pal, Bet Tzedek Legal Services), schools (University of Michigan, Flint), and summits/conferences (BambooHR, World Domination Summit, Hivery Summit). Her experience from a decade of working with kids in enrichment and camp settings informs her perspective and focus on how play, curiosity, and inclusion can improve productivity, innovation, teamwork, and leadership.

Sessions