Jennifer Attersall, Director of Incentive Travel, Destination Canada

Managing Attendee Expectations and Logistics for International Events and Niche Experiences

Jennifer Attersall joined Destination Canada (DC) in January 2020 as the Director of Incentive Travel. Jennifer joined the Business Events Team with credibility and a proven track record of building relationships and driving revenue. Recently, Jennifer led the developed and implementation of a global incentive strategy, and assisted in integrating the incentive segment under the Successful Economic Sector Strategy.

Prior to joining DC, Jennifer held a number of high performing roles in Calgary including her work with Meetings & Conventions Calgary and as the International Business Development Manager at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC). 

Lindsay Ball-Lewis, Director of Event Planning, JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort

F&B and Décor: Short and Long-Term Challenges and Opportunities – A Supplier Perspective

Since Lindsay began her career with Marriott over 21 years ago, she has worked at the Key Bridge Marriott in Virginia as Event Manager MDP and the Overland Park Marriott as an Assistant Front Desk Manager, and then advanced to Event Manager, and then Senior Event Manager until 2014.

For the next two years, Lindsay worked at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa as a Senior Event Manager where she was part of the team that won the JW Marriott Hotel of the Year award.

Since 2016, she has been part of the JW Marriott Marco Island Team as a Senior Event Manager, recently promoted to Director of Event Planning, has participated in brand transitions as well as the opening of the Lanai Tower and Meeting Space. In the year 2019, Lindsay successfully graduated from Marriott’s Emerging Leader program and in 2020 awarded Manager of the Quarter.

Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Kansas State University.

David Blansfield, Executive Vice President, Northstar Travel Group

The Present (and Future) of Meeting Professional and Hospitality Partner Relations

David manages Northstar Travel Group’s meetings brands and events businesses. With offices in the US, the UK and Asia, the Northstar Meetings Group provides research, analysis, digital, data, events, media and marketing services in support of the meetings, incentives, exhibitions and sports events industries worldwide.

Jeska Brodbeck, Executive Performance Coach, Be Light Consulting

Transform Your Relationship With Stress: Access Flow State to Achieve Optimal Performance

For the past 18 years, Jeska Brodbeck of Be Light Consulting has studied and practiced the disciplines of Flow State, one of the most researched and sought-after brain states known to humanity.

Through her interactive keynotes, executive performance coaching and corporate workshops, she has taught countless business professionals how to step into a new world of meaning and enjoyment while also experiencing the highest levels of performance possible– naturally– by accessing this state.

She is a featured speaker for the YPO, a global group of CEO’s, and has been highlighted as a Distinguished Speaker at Florida International University. She serves on the Advisory Board of Enterprising Women and served on the Boards of the Program in the Study of Spirituality at FIU and the World Happiness Summit.

Jeska was also trained at one of the top yoga schools in the U.S., Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, is certified in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and has contributed over 1,500 hours to multiple transformational trainings over the last 8 years.

We’re standing at the edge of one of the greatest paradigm shifts of our time. Join Jeska to learn more about how you, too, can exit the rat race and truly create a life of meaning and purpose through Flow State at her highly experiential and immersive keynote!

Jeffery Calmus, Principal, Jeff Calmus & Associates

How Recent Events Have Influenced Stakeholder Wants, Needs and Projections

Jeff Calmus is a meeting and event industry leader who last served as Vice President, Global Event Management for MetLife, Inc. In this role, he drove business growth by supporting corporate initiatives and motivating high sales achievers, while instilling operational efficiencies and mitigating risks. Jeff is now able to offer his extensive skills and leadership to provide event consulting and management of onsite operations to businesses that want to elevate the attendee experience, via his new venture,Jeff Calmus & Associates LLC.

In his role at MetLife, Jeff was responsible for a team of over 25 associates managing around 450 events annually, across over 20 countries, and with operating budgets exceeding $70M. Events managed included Sales Force Incentives, Investor Days, and Senior Leadership Strategy Conventions, as well as MetLife Board of Directors and Executive Group Meetings. Jeff also had responsibility for setting and maintaining the client experience standards for the 180 person hospitality suite at MetLife stadium – home of the New York Giants and Jets. ​

Prior to MetLife, Jeff was Director of Meeting Planning at New England Financial. His initial meeting and event experience came from working in convention services for Sheraton and Marriott Hotels. ​

Jeff is known for his collaborative leadership style, attention to detail, and deep-rooted expertise – uniting department associates, service providers, and venues toward a common goal of exceeding expectations at every turn. 

Jeff earned a BA in Hospitality Management from the University of Massachusetts and has served on many industry advisory boards. He is a long-time member of the Financial & Insurance Conference Professionals association and has been recognized by MeetingsNet magazine as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Meeting Professionals.

Tara Chaffee, CMM, CMP, DES, Sr. Consultant, Group Protection Distribution External Development, Lincoln Financial Group

Moderator of F&B and Décor: Short and Long-Term Challenges and Opportunities – A Supplier Perspective

Tara Chaffee, Sr. Consultant, Group Protection Distribution External Development at Lincoln Financial Group, develops, designs and executes strategy for experiential programs. Her events deliver measurable business partner and customer engagement and memorable in-person and virtual experience. Additionally, Tara provides consultative event design and project management for cross-functional internal meetings and recognition programs.

Prior to joining Lincoln Financial Group, Tara was Manager of Distribution Events for Liberty Mutual Benefits, Liberty Mutual Insurance. With her leadership, the team successfully developed strategies to support business priorities and executed internal and external events, sponsorships and memberships, promotional item programs, and recognition programs.  

Tara’s experiences working for a Fortune 100 company includes being an Event Planner supporting top level incentive programs, key client facing events, and internal meetings for multiple business units to help drive business results through impactful and engaging events.

Courtney Church, CEO & Founding Partner, Corinthian Events

Moderator of Ground Transportation Trends: What You Need to Know About Rising Costs, Health and Safety, and More!

Courtney Church founded Corinthian Events in 2000 with Jill Tate; it is one of the oldest and largest DMC’s in Boston. Courtney is a master visionary, big picture thinker and main “driver of the bus”. With over 30 years in the hospitality industry, her areas of excellence include large scale production, delivering the finest details and keeping everyone calm.  She is also a certified Talent Booker.  Her experience goes far beyond events. Past careers include travel agent, Caribbean hotel sales, and wine wholesaler, making her a valuable resource to her clients and the team. She revels in keeping clients and her team happy; often finding a moment of levity to throw in a funny punchline.

A native New Englander with Bermuda in her blood, Courtney will try and sell a reggae theme for your party at every chance she gets. Consider yourself warned.

Michael Costa, General Manager, Yankee Line

Ground Transportation Trends: What You Need to Know About Rising Costs, Labore, Future Forecasts, and More!

Mike Costa oversees Yankee Line which is one of North America’s largest privately owned passenger transportation companies. Over the past 15 years Mike has planned, managed and executed over 1,000 events throughout North America, including several 100,000+ per day attendee programs which include corporate events, public transit shuttles, Festival Shuttles, Marathons as well as emergency evacuation. In 2020, during the impact of Covid and the resulting vaccination rollout, Mike lead his team as they pivoted Yankee Line by converting the existing team and buses into Mobile Vaccination Units and launched Yankee Line Mobile Health which was instrumental in increasing access to vaccinations throughout the US in partnership with FEMA as well as directly with several states. To date, Yankee Line Mobile Health has administered over 1 million vaccine doses including Covid-19, Flu and Monkeypox in 13 States, mostly to underserved communities. In addition, as a result of Yankee Line Mobile Health’s activation, Yankee Line was able to retain 100% of its workforce during the impact of Covid as well as grow their business by 75% from 2019 to 2022.  

Born and raised in Boston, Mike still calls Boston home where he proudly raises his 2 young boys with his loving wife Alyssa where they collectively encourage their boys to always root for the Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics and Patriots and most importantly, never forget to always “Enjoy the Journey."

Jean-Philippe (JP) Cote, Director of Food & Beverage, Fairmont Copley Plaza

F&B and Décor: Short and Long-Term Challenges and Opportunities – A Supplier Perspective

Part of Fairmont’s esteemed Food & Beverage group for more than 15 years, Cote has extensive experience managing operations and innovation for luxe, fast-paced restaurants & hotel culinary programs throughout the United States and Canada.

Clarence Day, CMP, CIS, Director, Group Sales, SLS Baha Mar

Managing Attendee Expectations and Logistics for International Events and Niche Experiences

Clarence Day has spent nearly 30 years in the hospitality industry. Currently, he is the Director of Group Sales at the SLS Baha Mar - while also being responsible for the Midwest, Incentive, and Insurance markets. Prior to that, he was completed 18 years in hotel sales with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company - with the last 15 years as Director of National Accounts for The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Clarence is a volunteer veteran for FICP – having served on the design team for 3 annual conferences, various regional meetings, and the HPAC – where he was the HPAC Chair in 2014. He also is a student of wine, a WSET Diploma candidate, and participates in both virtual and in-person events for industry colleagues.

Karen Devine, CITP, CEO & Founder, 3D Cruise Partners

Managing Attendee Expectations and Logistics for International Events and Niche Experiences

Beginning in the incentive travel industry in 1982, Karen brings a wealth of knowledge with the combined buyer and supplier experience to the meeting and incentive marketplace. After 10 years working for incentive companies such as Carlson Marketing Group and S&H Motivation, Karen began her supplier career in the Worldwide Sales Office in Chicago for Four Seasons/Regent Hotels & Resorts.

After representing Allied Europe as Director of Marketing for the US, she joined Rosewood Hotels and Resorts where she became the Regional Director of Sales in Chicago representing the entire collection of luxury hotels and resorts. Joining Radisson Seven Seas (now Regent Seven Seas) in 2000, Karen became the Director of Charter & Incentive Sales representing this luxury cruise line to the incentive market nationwide. Opening 3D Cruise Partners in 2004 allowed Karen and her team to bring instant cruise ‘insider’ expertise to incentivize customers by providing immediate access and complete details for all cruise lines.

Karen’s combined buyer/supplier (hotel, DMC, cruise) experience is unique in the industry, benefitting 3D’s clients with a diverse background to provide cruise and geographical expertise.

Susan Fitzgerald, Founder and CEO, Huddle Agency

Meeting and Event Essentials: Planning With Inclusion, Accessibility and Sustainability in Mind

Susan Fitzgerald is the founder and CEO of Huddle Agency, a full-service event management agency with a focus on producing events that have an impact on the audience - and not the planet. A 25-year veteran of the corporate travel and events industry, Susan and her team have produced events for some of the world's most recognizable brands in locations across the globe.  After many years at the helm of large multinational event management agencies, Susan founded Huddle Agency with the mission of making corporate events greener. Huddle Agency has become known for helping organizations create events that align with their company values and create powerful social change. Originally from Sydney Australia, Susan has lived in New York City for over a decade with her husband and two sons.

Yousef Ghalaini, Executive Chef, Omni Hotels & Resorts

F&B and Décor: Short and Long-Term Challenges and Opportunities – A Supplier Perspective

As a native of Lebanon, Chef Ghalaini was immersed in the culture of food at his grandfather’s bakery where he learned the art of the wood-burning oven at an early age - a skill he has mastered today.  

After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, he honed his food and wine skills at Go Fish restaurant and Robert Sinskey Vineyards, before landing at the Michelin-rated REDD restaurant, mastering one of the most celebrated styles of California cuisine.  Chef Ghalaini moved to New Haven, Connecticut in January 2010 where he brought new life to Bespoke restaurant, garnering critical praise from local media and the New York Times. 

During his career he opened Steak 954 at the W Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, the Mondrian SoHo Hotel in New York City, and the Bench at the Lodge at Pebble Beach.  The Bench, overlooking Stillwater cove and the majestic 18^th green, received a glowing review from the San Francisco Chronicle for it’s Coastal California take on Mediterranean cuisine.

Most Recently, Chef Ghalaini was the Executive Chef at the iconic Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, and Executive Chef at TD Garden in Boston.

Vicki Lester, Vice President – Head of Intermediary Marketing, Columbia Threadneedle Investments

How Recent Events Have Influenced Stakeholder Wants, Needs and Projections

Vicki Lester is head of intermediary marketing for Columbia Threadneedle Investments, with responsibility for developing and implementing a marketing strategy that creates a connection with clients and positions the firm to achieve its goals. In this role she leads a team that delivers a consistent brand experience and message to financial advisors and investors through the integration of traditional and digital marketing campaigns and communications.

Prior to this role, she headed the project management office and drove cross-company strategic efforts. Ms. Lester joined one of the Columbia Threadneedle Investments legacy firms in 2006.

Previously, Ms. Lester was with Moody’s Investors Service in London where she ran the European asset-backed commercial paper desk and was a member of the structured finance ratings committee. Before Moody’s, she was a vice president and relationship manager with Capital Markets Assurance Corporation (“CapMAC”), a financial guarantee insurer based in New York, and a director with their affiliate, ASIA Ltd, in Singapore. Ms. Lester started her career at Citicorp in New York.

Ms. Lester received a B.S. from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Gail Miniutti Parsons, Founder & President, LifeCycle Focus

3 Keys to Leadership Regardless of Title: Coaching, Motivating and Delegating

Leadership development expert and motivational speaker, Gail Miniutti Parsons has been training individuals and groups for over two decades sharing her empowering message of personal and professional resilience.
Gail is known for her genuine, conversational style, as well as her ability to personally connect with a group and bring out the best in people. Her fusion of down to earth anecdotes, academic expertise, practical strategies, and humor have earned Gail a reputation as an engaging and effective speaker.

As a student, Gail earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island and her Master's Degree from Wheelock College in Boston. As a leadership expert, she honed her coaching skills via decades of field experience and delivery of thousands of training programs. As a mother and owner of LifeCycle Focus, Gail has earned real-life experience parenting three growing boys and one growing business.

Kristina Nichols, Senior Sales Executive, Sourcing and Housing Solutions, Cvent

The Present (and Future) of Meeting Professional and Hospitality Partner Relations

Kristina Nichols has over 20 years’ experience executing meeting & events in a variety of industries – non-profit, hospitality partner and finance and insurance at Fortune 100 companies. Currently, Kristina serves as Senior Sales Executive specializing in Cvent’s souring and housing solutions, partnering with North American organizations on streamlining their strategic venue and vendor sourcing initiatives. A Certified Meeting Professional since 2011, and having obtained her Certificate in Meeting Management from MPI in 2015, she approaches her consultation in Strategic Meeting Management from an experiential and data-based approach. Kristina currently resides in Massachusetts with her husband and their 2 year old Sheepadoodle, Murphy. Ask for a picture, she’ll be glad to overshare.
 

Kimberly A. Pendo, Attorney, Chicago Law Partners

Contracting: What’s Changing and Emerging as Best Practices – A Fireside Chat

Kimberly A. Pendo is a founding Member of Chicago Law Partners, LLC. Kimberly practices not-for-profit and corporate law and serves as the Firm's Chief Operating Officer. Kimberly counsels trade and professional associations, charitable organizations, and other types of not-forprofit organizations, providing advice on all aspects of their operations and corporate governance, including intellectual property, contract, tax, electronic communication, privacy, employment, antitrust, chapter and affiliate relations, certification and credentialing, and related matters.

Kimberly is a frequent speaker on association-related topics and a regular contributor to association magazines and newsletters. Kimberly is a member of the American Society of Association Executives, where she has served as the Chair of the Legal Section Council and ASAE Legal Symposium in Chicago. She also is a member of the Association Forum of Chicagoland and has served as the Chair of the Forum’s Political Action and Public Policy Committees, as a PAC Trustee, and as a member of the editorial committee of its monthly publication FORUM. She also is a past chair of the Chicago Bar Association Trade & Professional Associations Law Committee.

Kimberly also has an extensive business and corporate background, including broad experience in legal matters related to the entertainment, banking, venture capital, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, scientific research, manufacturing and distribution, retail, and computer software industries. She has assisted numerous clients with venture capital investments, private placements of securities, complex mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, securities registration and compliance and other commercial transactions. In 2014, Kimberly was awarded the John C. Thiel Distinguished Service Award by the Association Forum of Chicagoland in recognition of her outstanding, long-term volunteer service. The Cook County Bar Association presented Kimberly with its President’s Award in 2006 in recognition of her outstanding service to the association.

As part of her work within the association community, Kimberly played a key role in authoring a series of recent amendments that updated and modernized the Illinois Not For Profit Corporation Act on behalf of the Association Forum of Chicagoland.

Kimberly earned her J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1998. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude, with distinction and honors, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and was named to the University's Bronze Tablet. She was also a James Scholar and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa, Golden Key and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies. Kimberly was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1998. She has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Rating in Martindale-Hubbell®.

Debbie Peterson, Leadership & Career Coach, Author

Clarity in Your Communication – How to Show Up as Your Best Self for Clients, Customers and Co-Workers

Debbie Peterson runs a speaking and coaching business to help her audiences and clients leverage the power of the mind to create the next level in their business and life!

Debbie travels the country, and as a result of her presentations, her audiences and clients have shared that they experience more clarity of direction to stay true to who they are as they move forward. As a result, they leave with an increased focus for clearer, consistent action; and create more momentum, keeping them motivated and achieving the next level of success on their terms.

• She is the host of the Getting to Clarity Podcast, sharing tips, tools, and techniques for busy leaders wanting to create MORE Success with Less Sacrifice in their life.
• She is the creator of The Clarity Community, a leadership community supporting professionals to the next level of leadership and life without sacrificing who they are.
• Debbie is also an author with her book Clarity: How Smart Professionals Create Career Success on Their Terms.
• She is also a professional National Speakers Association member and a certified NeuroLinguistic Programming trainer.

Debbie has long been an advocate for professional women leaders and emerging leaders. In 2015 she stepped onto the board of ATHENA International, a global organization committed to supporting, developing, and honoring women leaders, and currently serves as Chair of the Board. She is also a member of the International Women’s Forum, Women’s Business Collaborative, Network of Executive Women, and a mastermind facilitator for NAWBO.

Personally, Debbie boycotts winter and chases sunshine from Pennsylvania to Florida each year with her husband, Tom.

Lorenzo Pignatti, DMCP, President, TERRAEVENTS

Managing Attendee Expectations and Logistics for International Events and Niche Experiences

Lorenzo Pignatti, DMCP is Founder & President of TERRAEVENTS, one of Europe-based largest privately owned DMCs, operating in the top destinations in Italy, France, Spain and Portugal.

Optimistic to the core Lorenzo masters the art of finding silver linings and firmly believes this is what made him through more than 20 years in the Travel, Meetings & Events industry.

Lorenzo is currently serving as Past-President of ADMEI - the International Association of Destination Management Executives – and is a member of the Board of Directors of the DMC Network, one of largest US based Destination Management Companies consortia.

Cara Pratt, CMP, DMCP, DES, Vice President of Business Development, CSI DMC

F&B and Décor: Short and Long-Term Challenges and Opportunities – A Supplier Perspective

Cara Pratt, CMP, DMCP, has designed and executed hundreds of events in greater Boston over the last 13 years. As a past board member for ILEA Boston and MPI New England, and the past president of PCMA New England, Cara is actively involved in the local events community and is also a current member of FICP, SKAL, and the Boston CVB. In 2015, Cara was named Top 20 in their Twenties by Professional Convention Management Association International, and in 2016, was named the Rising Star for the Association of Destination Management Executives International, as well as 40 under 40 for Connect Meetings Magazine. In 2018, Cara became a partner at CSI DMC, where she was able to use her extensive experience in planning events in Boston to help grow the CSI team. With her family business of owning a local bar in her hometown of Gloucester, MA, Cara has grown up in hospitality and loves sharing her passion for face to face experiences. Cara is always sharing fun facts about Boston’s rich history and innovative future, leaving visitors and locals alike excited to plan their next event in Boston!  

David Reinhart, Chief Executive Officer for North America, TBR Global

Ground Transportation Trends: What You Need to Know About Rising Costs, Labore, Future Forecasts, and More!

David currently works at TBR Global as the Chief Executive Officer for North America. With his experience as an entrepreneur, David has the knowledge to bring TBR to the forefront of the industry. Investment Banks across the globe have relied on David's leadership to provide logistic ground transportation for some of the largest IPO's ever to list on the Stock Exchange. In addition, Corporate America has utilized David's expertise for high level Board of Director Meetings, C-Level Events and Elite Business Travel.

Koleen Roach, Director, Meetings & Conference Management, Securian Financial Group, Inc.

Moderator of How Recent Events Have Influenced Stakeholder Wants, Needs and Projections

Koleen is responsible for the overall planning, development, marketing and implementation of all company-wide recognition and incentive programs, as well as company-wide business meetings, board meetings, domestic conventions and international conferences.  Her department also assumes full responsibility for the management of industry association membership and awards facilitation for GAMA, NAIFA, and MDRT on behalf of Securian managing partners, second-line managers and financial advisors. 

Prior to joining Securian in 1998, Koleen spent 13 years as a corporate meeting planner and recognition program specialist with the Department Store Division of Dayton Hudson Corporation.  After leaving Dayton Hudson and prior to joining Securian, she spent 1 ½ years with DynaMark, a database marketing division of FairIsaac, Co., where she managed their trade show department. 

Koleen attended Rasmussen Business College from 1981-1982 where she received certification in Business and Travel Management, and attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota where she pursued a degree in English.  Koleen lives in Stillwater, Minnesota. 

Barbara Scofidio, Editor, Prevue

Contracting: What’s Changing and Emerging as Best Practices – A Fireside Chat

Barbara Scofidio is Editor of Prevue and heads up the Visionary Summits, our exclusive conference series targeting senior-level meeting and incentive planners. In her 30 years in the industry, she has become known for her passion around greening meetings, growing awareness of human trafficking and promoting CSR activities as part of business events. She is currently a member of SITE's Women IN Leadership committee and the media liaison for FICP's Education Committee. She was the first member of the media ever to be invited to sit on a committee by GBTA, where she spent three years on the Groups and Meetings Committee. She has also been an active member of SITE for 30 years, chairing its Crystal Awards committee and acting as a judge. Before joining Prevue in 2014, she served as Editor of Corporate Meetings & Incentives (MeetingsNet) for more than 20 years. She has a BA in Literature/Rhetoric from Binghamton University. Barbara is based outside Boston, in Groton, Mass

Jennifer Squeglia, CMP, Independent Contractor, RLC Events

Facilitator for FICP Chat LIVE! Sessions

• Mobile Apps – Strategy and Execution
• Organizing Attendee Travel – How Policies and Best Practices Are Evolving
• Managing Teams in a Fluid Environment – Working Through Meeting Planning Challenges, Staff

As head of RLC Events, Inc. since 2007, Jennifer partners with clients from the financial and insurance industries as well as defense and health care. Jennifer collaborates with her business partners and colleagues working on their event strategy to meet their goals and objectives for the best possible event outcomes. She has led teams from 2 to 50 producing events throughout the country and has been a proud and active member of FICP since 2000 and became a member of the Board of Directors in January of 2019 and is now serving as FICP Chair. Jennifer’s career started in the hospitality industry over 35 years ago, specializing in operations, catering, and conference services. She transitioned to corporate meeting professional in 1999 moving to Boston and working on the great planning teams at John Hancock and Fidelity Investments.

Jana Stern, Manager, Strategic Event Planning, Thrivent

Moderator for Managing Attendee Expectations and Logistics for International Events and Niche Experiences

Recognized industry leader and former FICP Chair, Jana Stern, has many (many) years of experience planning meetings all over the world. As Manager, Strategic Event Planning at Thrivent, she leads a team of professionals who share her passion for providing memorable attendee experiences while meeting corporate expectations for brand and budgets.  Prior to Thrivent, she managed the Meetings & Events department at Voya Financial for over 20 years.  Partnerships with the people in this business bring her great joy and continuous improvement.

Tara Thomas, Co-Founder & CMO, The Meeting Pool, LLC

Presentation Tools to Make Your Ideas and Data Shine

Tara is a proponent of all things marketing, including strategy, product, branding, events, social media, public relations, communications, and operations. Her background in the marketing of technology applications and online services spans a broad set of areas including SaaS, B2B, enterprise software, financial services, publishing, real estate, and automotive markets.

Tara has over 20 years of expertise managing strategic teams and programs for companies focused on technology including The Television Bureau, Oracle, Visa, RightWorks, IPIX, Certain Software and The Cobalt Group, a leader in the automotive marketing space.

Tara co-founded The Meeting Pool in 2014, specializing in strategies for event tech companies, event organizers and experiential marketers. She has served as an industry speaker, leadership coach and technology analyst for the meetings industry. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and resides in San Francisco, California.

Liz Warwick, Consultant, Warwick Strategic Planning

Event Risk Management – 2022 Risk Categories: What’s My Responsibility in Managing Risk?

Liz is a known and respected as an innovative leader and strategic planner in the global events arena for more than 30 years. She is the 2022-2024 Events Industry Council (EIC) Co-Chair (with Mike Dominguez) of the Critical Response Task Force – identifying opportunities across the globe where the EIC can lead the way in event advocacy and industry impact.  Prior to that, EIC tapped her in 2020-2022 to Chair the Meeting and Event Design group – COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force.

Prior to starting her consulting practice, Liz was Vice President of Meeting Mgmt and Event Strategy at Liberty Mutual, leading the team that influenced key stakeholders, raised the bar on customer engagement and strategically designed Board mtgs, incentive programs and guest experiences across a broad portfolio of global mtgs and events. 

Prior to that, Liz was the Director of Global Hospitality for Coca-Cola, leading a global event team working on the Winter and Summer Olympics, FIFA World Cup, World Cup Rugby, NCAA Final Four, NBA All Stars and the Masters. 

She has held senior event operations positions with two Organizing Committees for the Olympic Games – Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000.  While an Event Producer at Hargrove Inc, she was an on-loan member of the Presidential Advance Team for President George H.W. Bush. 

She is a recipient of the 2020 EIC Chairman’s Award, was profiled in Liberty Mutual’s ‘Women in Leadership’ series and was the 2015 Meetings.Net recipient of Changemaker of the year Award. She has presented to industry groups including: IMEX, EIC, U.S. Travel Board of Directors, MPI, Corporate Travel Exchange, Meetings Industry of Council of CO and IACC, to name a few. She has a BA from Catholic Univ and an MBA from George Washington Univ.