Awards

Kim Mitchell – Blount Partnership

Kim Mitchell

Director of Tourism, Blount Partnership

Maryville, Tenn.

Describe your job.

I am honored to bring visitors to the most beautiful place in the world, be it leisure, business, or convention travel. Blount County is the type of place that makes my job seem easy. The area is …

Marissa Lee – HelmsBriscoe

Marissa Lee

Manager, Global Accounts, HelmsBriscoe

Sarasota, Fla.

Describe your job.

I specialize in hotel and venue sourcing, helping organizations find hotels for events. I’m like a realtor finding hotels. I put info into the database and all the meeting specs. I receive proposals and get involved with the …

Gina Lawrence – NAACP

Gina Lawrence

Vice President, Event Services NAACP

Washington, D.C.

Describe your job.

I am the lead in planning and execution of large-scale events, such as the NAACP National Convention, as well as board meetings, trainings, galas, dinners, staff retreats, and activities for the NAACP Image Awards. These events range …

Marci Krueger – VisitLEX

Marci Krueger

Vice President, Sales and Services, VisitLEX

Lexington, Ky.

Describe your job.

I have the pleasure to market and promote Lexington, Ky., and the beautiful Bluegrass Region to increase visitation to our destination and drive revenue.

What made you choose the meetings and events industry?

I was born …

Alan Kleinfeld – Arrive Management Group

Alan Kleinfeld

Senior Director, Arrive Management Group

Chicago, Ill.

Describe your job.

As a result of 20-plus years in meeting management and 20-plus years in public safety, I am a director of meetings, focusing on event safety. I help planners who want to reduce risk and keep their …

Cheri Jones – Walmart Inc.

Cheri Jones

Event Manager, Walmart Inc.

Rogers, Ark.

Describe your job.

I manage all aspects of meeting and event planning for Walmart and Sam’s Club (events ranging from 10 to 10,000 people) to include all theme/day of flow, contract negotiations, transportation, food and beverage, rentals, hotel management, registration, travel, …

Patches Edwards – Mississippi Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores Association & Mississippi Propane Gas Association

Patches Edwards

Assistant Director, Convention Coordinator & Office Manager, Mississippi Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores Association & Mississippi Propane Gas Association

Jackson, Miss.

Describe your job.

We are a two-person office, and we operate two associations: one for gasoline distributors and convenience-store owners and the other for propane gas …

Alicia Crupi – Paragon Events

Alicia Crupi

Event Specialist, Paragon Events

Boynton Beach, Fla.

Describe your job.

Being an event specialist is like being the ringmaster of a beautifully chaotic circus. I balance tightrope-walking budgets, tame vendor eccentricities, take cross-country and international journeys, and time travel between past, present, and future scenarios. It is …

Santiago C. Corrada – Visit Tampa Bay

Santiago C. Corrada

President and CEO, Visit Tampa Bay

Tampa, Fla.

Describe your job.

My role encompasses a broad spectrum of responsibilities critical to our organization’s success, including the comprehensive oversight of agency activities, the day-to-day management of operations, and the assurance of an efficiently functioning organization. In my …

Patricia Byrd – OneSpartanburg, Inc.

Patricia Byrd

Director, Destination Services, OneSpartanburg, Inc.

Spartanburg, S.C.

Describe your job.

I would describe my job as being a destination concierge. I focus on welcoming meetings and sports groups to Spartanburg, S.C., and connecting them to experiences that make their time here unique. I also work with our …


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