Kaelyn Cervero, CPCE
Owner at Noble Catering and EventsConference Ambassador
With over 20 years of progressive experience in the hospitality, catering and event industry, Kaelyn is a seasoned professional with a passion for creating unforgettable guest experiences. As a certified professional in catering and event operations, Kaelyn has honed her skills in food and beverage, hotel and conference center operations, and event logistics management.
Having successfully managed hotel and restaurant openings, Kaelyn is well-versed in marketing strategies, staffing solutions, sales management, and team member training. Her expertise in team management, strategic planning, and business development has led to a track record of proven success in the industry.
As the proud owner of a catering business and multiple F&B concepts, Kaelyn brings a unique perspective to her work, focusing on superior guest experiences, team engagement, and building effective relationships. Her energetic approach to work is evident in her commitment to excellence and dedication to delivering top-notch service.
Kaelyn thrives in fast-paced environments and is constantly seeking new opportunities for growth and innovation. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, Kaelyn is dedicated to creating memorable experiences for both guests and team members alike.
Torie Gamez
Owner/President at Events By DesignConference Ambassador
Torie Gamez is the owner of Events By Design, a leading Corporate Planning and Production Company. With over 23 years in the events industry, Torie's passion lies in crafting unforgettable experiences for guests. He thrives on creativity and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in event design.
Leading a dedicated team of 25, Torie is driven by their collective growth and success. He takes pride in being a respected figure in the event industry, empowering other professionals to achieve their goals.
Torie's key strengths include his exceptional leadership skills and ability to creatively solve complex challenges. Caring for others and supporting their aspirations are core values that underpin his work. His vision is to continue pushing the envelope, redefining the future of event experiences.
Torie shares the joy of running Events By Design with his wife, and his two beautiful boys (ages 3 and 5) are his constant inspiration to strive for excellence.
David Caruso
President & Creative Director of Dynamic Events by David CarusoOpening Reception Hosted by the Foundation of NACE Creative Consultant
In his impressive 23-year career as an event planner, designer, speaker, media personality, curator and consultant, David Caruso creates spaces and experiences that foster joy and connection. As a native Milwaukeean, he decided to bring his keen eye and talent to his hometown, and by doing so, he raised the bar for events and experiences in his city and beyond.
He takes his event planning services to other spaces and places as well, including recent events in Chicago, Miami, San Antonio, Seattle, Scottsdale, San Diego, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the West Indies.
Because of his definitive style and keen business sense, David makes appearances on news and talk shows in markets across the United States – including Milwaukee, Chicago, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., and Denver. In the Milwaukee area, he’s been known for a popular segment on NBC’s show, The Morning Blend, “Entertaining in Style with David Caruso”. He is a contributor to a variety of radio outlets and his work has been featured in key national publications including Brides Magazine and Catering Magazine.
A sought-after speaker on the national stage, David presents on the topics of weddings, style, business, branding, and design. He is continually invited for speaking appearances all over the country and has presented internationally in Riviera Maya, Mexico and Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic.
He has received awards, accolades and opportunities both regionally and nationally for his work, most notably for making a positive impact in his community, his talent in event planning, and for his smart style. A turning point in his career was when he won the ultimate industry accolade, Event Planner of the Year by National Association for Catering and Events (NACE).
In addition to his event planning services, David is the host of VISIT Milwaukee’s Emmy nominated TV show Good Things Brewing and its new show, Milwaukee Made; designer of two linen collections for BBJ LaTavola; a founding member of The Giving Circle, which directly supports survivors of sexual and domestic violence; has served on the board of directors for the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF); and currently serves on the board of directors for the Marcus Performing Arts Center.
Introduced in 2020, Signature Style by David Caruso (www.STYLEBYDC.com) is a collection of affordable items from creative partners around the globe, each handpicked by David.
David's life and career embody the spirit of hospitality. His commitment to excellence and creating memorable experiences for others is truly his life’s work.
Tiara Gamez
Owner/Executive at Events by DesignAwards Program and Celebration Party Creative Consultant
Tiara Gamez is the Owner and Executive planner of Events By Design. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Tiara took her passion for the arts
and creativity, and channeled it into event planning in partnership with husband, Torie Gamez.
Events By Design builds upon the 25+ year legacy of our acclaimed social brands, Sound By Design, Events to a T, and Films By Design. Events By Design specializes in seamless corporate event planning and production, combining the talents of our established teams to deliver exceptional experiences and has quickly become a trusted partner for some of the area’s leading companies.
Nickie Rouleau
Sales Account Manager - Baird Center at Wisconsin Center DistrictCulinary Lunch Creative Consultant
Nickie Rouleau is a seasoned Sales Account Manager with a strong track record in the hospitality industry. Currently, she is driving sales at the Wisconsin Center District, leveraging her extensive experience to deliver exceptional results.
Prior to her current role, Nickie Rouleau served as the Director of Sales for Benson's Restaurant Group. Over the course of 5 years (and a pandemic) she grew sales consistently year over year through catering,
With a proven track record in the hospitality industry, Nickie Rouleau brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her current position. Her ability to build strong relationships with clients, understand their needs, and provide tailored solutions has contributed to her success.
In her personal life, Nickie gives back to her community by volunteering on two community nonprofit boards. Serving as the President of the Bay View Neighborhood Association and Bay View Community Fund, her passion is for connecting neighbors and giving back to the neighborhood where she lives. With these groups, Nickie helps to lead several large neighborhood events including Bay View Bash street festival, Chill on the Hill music series and Pumpkin Pavilion.
NACE National Conference Advisory Committee
Thank you to the NACE National Conference Advisory Committee who provide feedback and support for the planning, themes, and trends for the conference!
Committee Chair: Erin Kenyan, CPCE, CHE
Committee Members:
Jamie Adams, CPCE, CERP
Angelika Bazarnik, CPCE
Angela Johnston
Stacey Messina, CPCE
Margery Reinheardt, CPCE