Meeting Pros

Carolyn Barrett – Visit Kenner

Carolyn Barrett

Executive Director, Visit Kenner

Kenner, La.

Describe your job.

I promote the City of Kenner, La., in every way possible. From attending tradeshows and conferences to sending out leads for meetings and events, posting on social media, and producing and assisting with events in Kenner such as …

Emiko Beck – HelmsBriscoe

Emiko Beck

Manager, Global Accounts, HelmsBriscoe

Orlando, Fla.

How did you get started and what got you from there to the meetings and events industry today?

I earned a bachelor’s degree in international business and marketing from Ohio Dominican University and a degree in hospitality management and tourism from …

Paola Bowman – Arlington CVB

Paola Bowman

Director of Client Services & Events, Arlington CVB

Arlington, Texas

Describe your job.

I like to say the essence of my job is bridging people and ideas to make great things happen. As director of services for the Arlington CVB, I help planners execute their meetings in …

Chianti C. Cleggett – Destin-Fort Walton CVB and Convention Center

Chianti C. Cleggett

Senior Sales Manager, Destin-Fort Walton Beach CVB
and Convention Center

Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

Describe your job.

As the senior sales manager, I lead a staff of three sales managers plus a sales and events specialist to bring new business to Okaloosa County. I specifically …

J. Grant Caplan – Procurigence, Inc.

J. Grant Caplan

President, Procurigence, Inc.

Houston, Texas

Describe your job.

I am responsible for coordinating our relationships with our internal team of experts as well as our supplier community. I help our venue finders and other experts build their sourcing and consulting practices to maximize their revenues.

What …

Alexandra Collins – Visit Winston-Salem

Alexandra Collins

Senior Sales Manager, Visit Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem, N.C.

Describe your job.

I am a passionate promoter of Winston-Salem, N.C. As a senior sales manager, I have the pleasure of attracting groups of all sizes in the national association and corporate markets to our sophisticated Southern city. I accomplish …

Haley Follett – Visit Galveston

Haley Follett

Meetings & Events Services Coordinator, Visit Galveston

Galveston, Texas

Describe your job.

Meeting and events services coordinator is my official title, but I like to say, “I’m your gal for all things island.” My daily goal is to assure planners bringing their meetings to our shores have …

Isaiah Griffin – Fayetteville Area CVB

Isaiah Griffin

Convention Sales Manager, Fayetteville Area CVB

Fayetteville, N.C.

Describe your job.

My job is selling the city of Fayetteville and Cumberland County in North Carolina and its attractions to meeting planners far and near. Meetings and events held here have a positive financial effect on our local …

Gretchen Hall – Destinations International

 Gretchen Hall

COO, Destinations International

Little Rock, Ark.

Describe your job.

Destinations International, based in Washington, D.C., is the world’s largest resource for destination organizations, CVBs, and tourism boards. The professional association is a forward-thinking collaborative of more than 7,000 members and partners from more than 650 destinations in …

Julie K. Hewett – JulNet Solutions, LLC

Julie K. Hewett

Founder and CEO, JulNet Solutions, LLC

Huntington, W.Va.

Describe your job.

For the past 25 years, I have worked closely with our clients to plan events that serve a number of different purposes—whether a small committee meeting of 10 or a convention for 1,000 and everything …