Speakers
Courtney Bryson
Courtney joined Prudential Financial in 2018. In her current role as Senior Meeting Planner, Courtney manages all aspects of conference and event planning for mid to large scale events across the Prudential enterprise. In addition to her role as Senior Meeting Planner, Courtney sits on the Board of Directors for one of Prudential’s Business Resource Groups, the Black Leadership Forum, in an Events and Execution role. Prior to her position at Prudential, Courtney worked in the pharmaceutical meeting space for 10 years. During this time, focusing on the compliance and legal side of the meetings industry. Courtney holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Rutgers University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Seton Hall University.
Bonnie Boyd
With more than 300 years’ worth of music, history and culture, there are countless reasons why New Orleans is a top travel destination — and when Bonnie Boyd founded BBC Destination Management on April Fools’ Day in 1992, she sought to share her love for the city’s “embarrassment of riches” with the global tourism industry and everyone else. The industry has morphed from massive convention tour programs to experiential corporate meetings and incentive programs that motivate, engage and reward. BBC curates the details “from gumbo to pralines,“ including design, décor and beyond to create unique and seldom-seen New Orleans memories and experiences. During her first meetings with clients, Boyd says it’s all about “listening, listening and listening some more.” In doing so, she creates lasting relationships and partnerships, and appeals to “an ever-changing palate of experiences.” It’s a skill set she hopes to share with future generations of female business leaders as well, both as a mentor and as an avid community volunteer. “As more women take on leadership roles, they look to past generations for guidance,” Boyd says. “It’s our duty and our privilege to assist and support them.” Since that day in 1992, Boyd has seen the industry shift and evolve, and she is sure that no matter what comes next, she and her team will embrace and enhance challenges and changes in our post-COVID world AND have a blast doing it!
Melanie Neuhauser
Brandt Krueger
Brandt is a technical producer and consultant based in Minneapolis, and is the highly acclaimed instructor for the Event Leadership Institute’s Virtual Event and Meeting Management certificate course. He has over 20 years experience in the industry, has spoken at events and conferences all over the world, been published in numerous magazines and websites, and is ranked among the most influential people in the events industry.
Joshua L. Grimes, Esq.
Joshua L. Grimes, Esq., of Grimes Law Offices based in Philadelphia, is a leading attorney in the association, nonprofit, meeting and hospitality industries. He is a specialist in all matters relating meetings and conventions, as well as association and nonprofit governance. Mr. Grimes’ expertise includes preparing and negotiating all types of meeting industry contracts. He also advises clients on avoiding liability risks. In addition, many organizations rely on Mr. Grimes to aggressively represent their interests when disputes arise, including in litigation, mediation and other resolution procedures.
During the COVID-19 crisis, Mr. Grimes is advising meetings professionals and event hosts on legal strategies for a safe return to in-person meetings, dealing with health and safety concerns, and hybrid meetings. He is advising clients on the best ways to adapt their meetings and policies in the face of continued medical and economic uncertainty.
Judi McLaughlin
As managing director for HelmsBriscoe, the global leader in meeting procurement and site selection services, Judi McLaughlin provides strategic direction and support of new business development, business planning and associate recruitment efforts in the Northeast market, while offering leadership support to over 50 HelmsBriscoe associates. Judi enjoys using her years of strategic sourcing experience to provide meeting and incentive sourcing and contracting consulting services to her clients in the financial services, insurance and technology industries. Judi’s career includes a variety of leadership roles in the meetings and incentive industry, including management positions with Maritz Travel and McGettigan Partners.
Skip Edmonds
Edmonds has served in executive positions at leading U.S. life insurance companies for the past 25 years. Most recently, he was chief compliance officer for Prudential’s Work Place Solutions Group, Retirement and Group Insurance businesses.
As head of LL Global’s Compliance and Regulatory program, Edmonds is responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of LL Global’s compliance and regulatory business — from product development and research to networking and convening of member companies. Edmonds also will leads the organization’s key strategic initiatives in the regulatory and compliance area, ensuring LL Global is positioned to be a key resource for member companies.
For more than 100 years, LL Global has worked with its members to develop cost-efficient, shared industry solutions, like anti-money laundering (AML) training, Customer Assurance Program, Recognizing Financial Exploitation program, and Best Interest training, to help financial services companies efficiently comply with regulatory and legislative requirements.
January Cantrell