Colin Cowie
C.E.O.
Colin Cowie Lifestyle Event Design and Production
Respected around the world as an arbiter of style, Colin Cowie is widely known for throwing the most spectacular celebrations across the globe. An authority on living with style, Cowie is the author of eight books, a celebrated television personality, and a designer.
Featuring names that read like the guest list at the Academy Awards, from Oprah Winfrey to Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad, Cowie’s client list also includes major corporate clients such as CBS, Davidoff of Geneva, and the Whitney Museum. Some of the spectacular events designed and produced by Colin Cowie Lifestyle include Oprah Winfrey’s Legends Ball, her 50th birthday celebration, John Travolta’s 50th birthday celebration, the Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar parties, Quincy Jones’s 71st birthday celebration, the grand opening celebrations for the Atlantis Royal Towers in Paradise Island, the 40th anniversary of Cosmopolitan, and the grand opening of Palm Island, Dubai and the Atlantis Hotel on Palm Island.
Cowie is a frequent guest expert on the Today show on NBC and an in-demand guest on many other national television shows. He is also frequently profiled and quoted in major periodicals such as The New York Times Magazine, In Style, and Elle Decor.
Cowie is the author of eight best-selling books, including four wedding books (Colin Cowie Weddings, For The Bride, For The Groom, and Extraordinary Weddings), two entertaining cookbooks (Effortless Elegance and Dinner After Dark), and a book on the art of living with style (Colin Cowie Chic). His most recent book, Wedding Chic, is a reference book with more than 1,001 wedding images and ideas. Cowie currently has a line of home products sold on HSN, including tabletop china, glassware, linens, outdoor furniture, and accessories.
Chad Kaydo
Editor in Chief
BizBash Media
Chad Kaydo oversees all editorial content in BizBash's New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Chicago, Florida and Washington products, including BizBash magazine, BizBash.com, the BizBash Media email newsletters, and the BizBash National Venue Guide. He leads a team of editors and freelance reporters who cover all types of events, watching for news about industry trends, leaders, and new ideas.
As an industry expert, Chad has spoken about special event trends for NY1, WB11, CBS 2 This Morning, Fox-5's Good Day New York, the Food Network's What's Hot, What's Cool, the RSVP show in London, the Council of Protocol Executives' Eventpower seminar, and the BizBash trade show.
Before joining BizBash in 2000 to help launch the original Web site, Chad was an associate editor at Sales & Marketing Management magazine, where he wrote about topics including event marketing, meetings, business travel, and incentives. He holds degrees in English and journalism from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.
Bruce Sutka
President
Sutka Productions International
Bruce Sutka, President, of Sutka Productions International Inc. lends his expertise to Palm Beach as a creative designer, both in events and visual merchandising.
Bruce is the founder and driving force behind Sutka Productions International Inc. with its offices in West Palm Beach and New York. It is a comprehensive design house and visionary production company, whose now legendary events feature the crème de la crème of the corporate, social and charity worlds. Clients have included Revlon, Donald Trump, Chanel, Jimmy Buffet, Maybelline, Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation, Coach, Celine Dion, General Motors, Giorgio Armani, American Express, Givenchy, and the American Red Cross New Year’s Eve gala at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Over the past 25 years the company has designed and produced lavish, extraordinary events around the world.
As a visual merchandiser, Bruce has worked with Cartier, Hermes, Tiffany, Bonwit-Teller, Walt Disney’s Wild Horse Saloon, Lancôme, L’Oreal, Chanel, Maybelline, Revlon, and in Belgium as well. He has worked within the fashion world on promotional events, product launches and fashion shows with fashion designers and corporations such as Karl Lagerfeld, Jacques Fath, Givenchy, Armani, Ferre, Claude Montona, Bob Mackie, Fendi, Chanel and Azzedine Alaia.
Bruce attended Miami University of Ohio and Cleveland’s influential Cooper Art School. As a creative artist and designer his works of art have been featured on Lifetime’s Million Dollar Weddings, an A&E feature about Palm Beach, CNN and Good Morning America, and numerous national and regional publications.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM SPEAKERS
Kim Baker
Event Planner
Tech Data Corporation
Kim Baker is an Event Planner for Tech Data Corporation, a Fortune 100 IT Distributor based in Clearwater, FL. She earned her degree at USF in Tampa, graduating from the Honors College with a Marketing Major and Leadership Minor. After 9 separate positions and internships related to Events and Marketing, she knew that Event Planning was her path. Kim started her career with Clubcorp at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, planning Private and Member Events through 2006, and has been with Tech Data planning Corporate Events since. She joined FWNACE in May of 2004, immediately chairing several committees and serving on the Board. Kim was elected Chapter President in November of 2008 and has worked with the board to grow the chapter, increase communication and involvement since. Kim plans social and charitable events as time allows, and also teaches Catering, Marketing and Trade Show courses for the University of South Florida, inside their Special Event Planning Certificate Program.
Dahlton Bennington
Director of Business Meeting Services
SFN Group
Dahlton Bennington, CMP, CMM, is Director of Business Meeting Services for SFN Group, a $2 billion staffing and recruiting company. As Director of their meetings department, she manages the meetings and special events for the company and their 5 brands.
Dahlton manages annual meeting & event budgets of over $3 Million. Dahlton directs the management team and establishes the scope and direction of meetings and events.
Dahlton's commitment to industry service includes the Board of Directors for Society of Incentive Travel Executives Florida (as Vice President of Education & Advocacy) and as a Commissioner for Association of Destination Management Executives’ Accredited Destination Management Company Commission.
Lauren Balden
President and Owner
Catering by Design
With 27 years experience in the Catering/Event Planning business, Lauren Balden has worked her way up in the ranks of the restaurant, hotel, convention and catering business until owning her own successful Event Planning and Catering business, today.
Lauren graduated in 1987 from Niagara University in New York with a degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management. Developed and launched the off-site catering division for the Grand Hyatt.in DC, transferred in 1997 to the Hyatt Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida to do the same. After working in the large convention and hotel industry in Orlando, Lauren moved to Tampa in 1999.
Catering by Design specializes in custom design menus, creative floral and décor, and impeccable service from our professional and friendly staff.
Neil Borden
Corporate Account Manager
A Joy Wallace Catering Production
Boston Native, Neil Borden, moved to Miami after 6 years spent in Manhattan with a primary focus in restaurant management. His long time relationship with a popular NYC restaurant, transferred him to open and run their Sobe location. But it just wasn’t enough.
In 2005, Neil was given a life changing opportunity to become part of the “Joy Wallace” team. A job and company that he truly loves, day in and day out. As Corporate Account Manager, his client roster includes: UM, Miami Heat, Best Buddies, Elie Tahari, Saks 5th Avenue, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Diane Von Furstenberg and more.
Jennifer Behar
Owner
Jennifer’s Homemade
Jennifer Behar began her career as an advertising account executive on the Johnson & Johnson account in New York City.
In July of 2005 Jennifer created Jennifer’s Homemade (www.jennifershomemade.com), purveyor of Gourmet Biscotti, Breadsticks and Flatbread. She has created every aspect of Jennifer’s Homemade from scratch and her products are now sold in gourmet markets, restaurants and hotels nationwide.
Jennifer wanted to do something that would help others and be a positive influence on her daughter, so she decided to take her passion for baking, her advertising and marketing background, and her desire to make a difference, and create a business. Jennifer’s Homemade donates a portion of all proceeds to Feeding South Florida, a member of Feeding America, where Jennifer now sits on the board of directors. Additionally, extra biscotti, breadsticks and flatbread are donated to help feed those in need
Jennifer’s Homemade has been featured in Food & Wine and Gourmet Magazines, The New York Times, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer on CNN, National Public Radio, an American Express OPEN small business print advertising campaign and Jennifer has baked with Martha Stewart on The Martha Stewart Show.
Keith Blauschild
Founder and Owner
Parkland Chef Catering
Attended the Culinary Institute of America, graduating in 1988. As President of the Ice Sculpting Club, studied in Japan with Master Ice Sculptors at Shimizu Ice Academy in Tokyo. He has since won awards in national competitions and created ice sculptures for celebrities that include President Clinton and the Rolling Stones.
With 25 years of experience in the hotel and resort industry, he has held Executive Chef positions in a variety of top South Florida kitchens, including The Doral Ocean Resort and Doral Country Club, Lauderdale Yacht Club. Polo Club Boca Raton and PGA Resort and Spa.
In 2006, founded Parkland Chef Catering. With Parkland Chef, Keith brings together spectacular presentation and artistry with delicious food while masterfully planning and executing parties of all sizes, themes and culinary styles
Sean DeFreitas
Owner
Designs by Sean
Arriving from Trinidad in 1987, Sean started in Special Events after realizing his passion and talent for costume design could be an asset to the industry and launched Designs by Sean, Inc. in 1994.
His creativity has catapulted the company as an industry name, for which he has received 43 Special Events magazine GALA Award nominations ranging from Best Theme Décor, Best Use of Lighting, to Best Event Entertainment Concept and Execution, and won 20 of these awards. Other honors include Event Solutions magazine’s “Rising Star” award, “Designer of the Year” twice, as well as also winning “Creative Director of the Year” twice. Most recently, in 2009, he won “Event Company of the Year”. Florida International Magazine has also named Sean one of its “100 Most Influential People in Florida”.
Sean’s work has taken him worldwide and his clients include: Universal, Walt Disney, Sea World, Busch Gardens, American Express, Seminole Hard Rock, Bellagio and Mirage in Las Vegas, IBM and Toyota. Additionally, Sean has produced full theatrical shows with talent like James Taylor, Lionel Richie, and Tony Bennett.
Warren Dietel
Owner and President
Puff ‘n Stuff Catering
Warren Dietel acquired Puff ‘n Stuff Catering in 2005 with a mission to Passionately Perfect Life’s Celebrations. He moved the operations into a 30,000 square-foot commissary, transforming the mom and pop shop into a full-service event planning company and growing the business by 250 percent in 5 years. An active member of several national and international industry associations, he has won several industry awards, including Event Solutions Spotlight Award for Catering Company of the Year. He is an active board member for ICA and often speaks for industry events, including: Catersource Conference & Tradeshow, The Special Event, and the NACE Annual Conference & Exposition.
Bonnie Fimiano
Founder and Owner
Cafe Ala Carte
Bonnie Fimiano is founder and owner of Café Ala Carte, along with her husband Dominick. In business since 1994, Café Ala Carte does over 750 events a year. Recently contracted to serve specialty coffee beverages for over 6,000 guests at the NFL Super Bowl XLIV Tailgate Party, Café Ala Carte received many accolades for their professionalism and delicious products. With corporate offices in South Florida, Café Ala Carte services Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, and has franchise offices servicing Tampa Bay/Orlando and New York. Bonnie is currently President of the South Florida Chapter of NACE, and a member of ISES. She has won many industry awards, most notably, the National George Zell Spirit of NACE Award for Humanitarianism in 2005.
Bill Hansen
Owner
Bill Hansen Catering
Bill Hansen, a 40-year catering veteran, is widely recognized as a giant in the catering industry. Creative thinking, innovation, and good old-fashioned hard work have made Hansen a leader in every facet of the industry. His company, Bill Hansen Catering, generates over $2 million in yearly sales. Bill Hansen Catering is known throughout south Florida for its cutting-edge menus and superior service.
Hansen moved to south Florida in 1975 and started his own catering business in 1980 while he was managing The Miami Club, Miami’s most prestigious luncheon club. Bill Hansen Catering, an upscale catering company, quickly became the standard by which all south Florida caterers are measured.
Hansen’s book, Off-Premise Catering Management, is a textbook that is widely considered to be the definitive text for catering -- it is used as a reference for certification by the National Association of Catering Executives.
Wendy Kallergis
President and CEO
Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association
In January of 2010, Wendy Kallergis took on a new leadership role as President & CEO of the Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association, a membership-based organization comprised of 180 hoteliers and 300 allied members across Miami Dade County. The goal is to unify the travel, tourism and hospitality industry with business and govt. leaders locally, nationally, and internationally in order to enhance the visitor experience through education, advocacy, and networking.
In her previous position for nearly five years as The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce’s President & CEO, Wendy made her mark by helping small business through the creation of numerous and exciting new initiatives, such as the launch of the Miami Beach INcard, complimentary monthly Customer Service and You training programs sponsored by FIU, and the Member2Member Discount Card offering discounts on goods and services between member businesses, the Educational Business Series, and the Hospitality Matters Program. She also worked closely with the MBCC Marketing Committee to introduce Virtual Visitors’ Center, maimibeachguest.com.
Prior to the MBCC, Wendy spent six successful years as the Miami City Club’s General Manager. She began her catering sales and management career in February of 1986 as Catering & Convention Services Manager for the Hotel Inter-Continental moving on to the Biltmore Hotel as Assistant Director of Catering in 1988. Wendy returned to the Biltmore as Director of Catering in 1992. At the Biltmore, Wendy oversaw the production of the State Dinner for President & Mrs. Clinton during the Summit of The Americas. Her catering career then continued at high-end establishments, including Gene’s Catering, The Mayfair House, Delano, and The Grand Bay Hotels.
Ms. Kallergis was born and raised in Maine and after earning a B.A. in French Language from George Washington University, she set out to France. There she attended the University of Paris earning a degree in French history, language and art followed by the prestigious Cordon Bleu L’Ecole de Cuisine earning a Diplome French Cuisine. She subsequently concluded her studies at the Modern Gourmet Cooking School in Annecy, France with a Diplome Professional Chef and Diplome Professional Teacher.
Upon returning to the United States, Ms. Kallergis continued her career in the culinary arts as a Chef Garde Manger in Restaurant Nora in Washington D.C. then as Executive Chef of Finesse Fine Foods, an off-premise Catering & Prepared Foods Boutique, also in Washington D.C. In 1984, she relocated to Miami, Florida where she served as Sous Chef to Guy Gateau in the Pavillion Grill in the Pavillion Hotel.
Ms. Kallergis resides in Coral Gables with her husband, Nick, and two children, Nicholas & Katherine.
Paula Kramer, CMP
Meeting & Event Manager
Experient
Paula joined Experient in February 1996 and has over twenty-five years of event management experience. She has planned and executed national and international technology and medical conferences and seminars, including Harvard Medical School. She has also planned incentive programs for Fortune 1000 clients as well as trade shows and conferences for professional services and corporate clients. Currently she plans strategy and administers client conferences, both nationally and internationally, for 300 to 5000 attendees.
Dr. Joanne Leoni, Ed.D.
Department Chair
College of Business, Johnson & Wales University
Dr. Joanne Leoni has a long history of educational experience in the field of business. Before taking on the role of Department Chair at the College of Business, Dr. Leoni served Johnson & Wales in a number of roles, including Director of Continuing Education, College of Business Instructor, and Interim Chairperson for Professional Studies.
Currently, Dr. Leoni is very active in curriculum development and in supporting the many clubs and organizations found in the College of Business. In addition to her duties as Department Chair, she serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Florida Delta Epsilon Chi (DECA), and sponsors many activities for Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), and the Society for Advancement of Management (SAM).
She prides herself on teaching marketing in unique and exciting ways. From bringing guests from business and industry into the classroom to field trips to New York City, Dr. Leoni’s classes always take students from the typical learning environment and into the real world of business and marketing. Her latest invention, “the Linguini Project,” has recently been chosen for publication by the International Academy of Business and Public Administration Disciplines.
Dr. Maureen Lloyd-James, Ed.S., PhD.
Professor
College of Business, Johnson & Wales University
Maureen Lloyd-James was born in England. She taught in both England and Bermuda before moving to the United States in 1983. Currently, she is a professor in the College of Business at Johnson & Wales University and teaches computer-related business classes, including computer applications, electronic commerce, database marketing, web and print design classes. She has taught masters courses for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and for the United States Open University, a well-known British university in America. Maureen also works as an education, management, and computer consultant and trainer for various companies during the year, both within the U.S. and internationally.
Mona Meretsky
CSEP, President, COMCOR Event and Meeting Productions, Inc./COMCOR Consulting Services, Inc.
Mona S. Meretsky, CSEP, is president of COMCOR Event and Meeting Production and COMCOR Consulting Services of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. COMCOR is an award-winning, full-service producer of special events, meetings, and incentive programs. Meretsky has been in the industry for 37 years and was a founding member of the International Special Events Society (ISES) and co-founder and first president of the South Florida/Caribbean chapter. Meretsky has served on the boards of ISES International, Special Events magazine, and the SEARCH Foundation. She is currently on the board of BizBash Florida. She also holds a membership in MPI.
Meretsky and COMCOR, which was founded 25 years ago, have been honored often. They are proud of their 11 GALA awards from Special Events magazine (nominated 28 times as finalists); the Event Planner of the Year award from both Event Solutions magazine and BizBash Florida; her induction into the Events Industry Hall of Fame in 2004 by Event Solutions magazine; and in 2005, her presentation with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Special Events magazine. In addition, on April 28, 2010, she will be one of the first three people inducted into the BizBash Florida Hall of Fame.
Kelly Murphy
President/General Manager
Panache A Classic Party Rentals Co.
Having grown up in the restaurant business, Kelly’s experience in food service and hospitality has taken her through many avenues of the industry to where she currently sits as President and General Manager of Panache, a company she founded along with her husband Bob in 1992. Panache was sold to Classic Party Rentals in 2007 and Kelly continues to oversee the three Panache locations in Florida. Kelly is active and supportive of the industry in addition to supporting the local community organizations. She sits on the South Florida board of Share our Strength and the committee for the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, in addition to being a return member of the Special Events Advisory Board
Steve Paster
President
Alpine Creative Group
Steve Paster is President of Alpine Creative Group, an award-winning graphic design and custom printing firm located in New York City. Founded in 1987, Alpine Creative Group manufactures high-end custom invitations, stationery and corporate marketing materials. All printing, engraving, creative and hand-crafted designs are completed in-house allowing for shorter lead times, greater cost efficiency and exceptional design. Alpine's innovative invitations have been featured in New York Magazine, People Magazine and in Page Six of the New York Post as well as on Fox News, Eyewitness Morning Show and on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Clients include brides, special event PR firms, fashion, finance and entertainment clients as well as many non-profit organizations.
Connie Riley, CSEP, CMP
Vice President of Event Operations
T. Skorman Productions, Inc.
Connie Riley, CSEP, CMP is the Vice President of Event Operations for T. Skorman Productions, Inc. Working with the company since its inception, she settled in Orlando in 1987 to open the Convention / Special Events Department.
Her ability to connect with her clients to fulfill their vision has gained her accolades as a show producer while her background and experience allow her to calculate the necessities that garner the finest performances from entertainers and production partners alike. Her business and industry knowledge are unsurpassed as demonstrated by the number of award-winning teams that have included her as a valued member.
Craig Skilling
Coordinator
Sports, Entertainment & Event Management
Johnson & Wales University
Craig is an entertainment professional graduating with a MS from St. Thomas University in 2003 and BS from Florida State in 2000. Professionally, he has worked for the National Basketball Association’s league office in their Player Development Department as well as the Miami Heat’s basketball franchise where he held several positions including his last title of Group Events Manager responsible for creatively providing an experience to a variety of groups and clientele on game day. Craig is currently the Coordinator for the Sports, Entertainment & Event Management major at Johnson & Wales University where he also teaches the Entertainment Industry and Concert & Event Production courses. He also sits on the Biz Bash Advisory Council and has spoken at major conferences and events including the Winter Music Conference 2010 and the APCA (Association for The Promotion of Campus Activities) National Conference 2008 to name a few. Additionally, he is the founder of Skill Entertainment Group, Inc. an entertainment company specializing in producing grass roots sports and entertainment events and working with headline talent in a consulting capacity. Craig K. Skilling is 33 year old Caribbean-American married, father of two.
Joy Wallace
CEO/President
A Joy Wallace Catering Production
A South Florida resident since 1972, Joy’s love of people, cooking, and creating new recipes led her to FIU’s famed School of Hospitality. After earning a B.S. in Hospitality Management with a 4.0 GPA, Joy went to work as the bookkeeper at downtown Miami’s prestigious Miami Club. When members began to inquire into the possibility of having their private parties catered, Joy was instrumental in developing the policies, procedures and clientele of this new venture, as she took on responsibility for the coordination of special events.
In 1988, A Joy Wallace Catering Production was born. The success of the company has led to local and national recognition of Joy both as a businesswoman and a caterer. In 2003 and 2007, Joy was named Caterer of the Year by Event Solutions Magazine and Catering Magazine. She has been honored as Business of the Year by the South Florida Business Journal. The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce awarded her company with the Jeanne Bellamy Award (“for Advancement and Promotion of Women in the Workplace”). She has received Seven CATIE Awards from the International Caterer’s Association, three Special Event Gala Awards and two Event Solutions Spotlight Awards.
Tracy Wallach
Senior Meetings and Special Events Planner
Southeast Toyota Distributors
Tracy Wallach believes that she has the perfect job – one that will allow her to plan and execute events and see the end results of satisfaction. She also believes in giving back to the community and has worked on numerous charitable programs including JM Family’s Adopt a Family, JM Classic (YATC), and Deliver the Dream.
Seeking networking and educational opportunities, Wallach joined South Florida Meeting Professionals International (SFMPI). In 2009, she was named “Meeting Planner of the Year" and now sits on their board as Director of Community Relations. She also chaired the 2009 Southeast Educational Conference for MPI and serves on several advisory boards including TONS, MPI and BizBash.
Mark Wells
Director of Creative Services
Hello Florida!
Mark Wells brings more than 20 years of Entertainment and Event Management experience to the table. As a performer and producer Mark has touched events of all sizes and occasions. As Vice President, Creative Services for Hello Florida! he is responsible for overseeing an event department that produces 1,200 events a year. Wells’ team fields requests from eleven in-house hotel sales teams, three national account executives and three incentive account executives. Serving such a diverse market enables him to understand the event industry. Mark has won acclaim as a ten time national and international award nominee and Gala Award Winner.
Greg Zalkin
Founder and CEO
Room Service Rentals
In 2005, Greg Zalkin left Manhattan and a position as an Event Production Manager to pursue a dream. Armed with a vision to supply much-needed first-class service to the event industry and a Public Relations/Marketing degree from American University, experience working for the Executive Office of the President for Scheduling and Advance in the White House, plus events and nightclubs, Zalkin went to Miami, and founded Room Service Furniture and Event Rentals. In five years, he built a company known for outstanding service, great relationships, and high style. Clients including Shaquille O’Neal, P. Diddy, Citigroup and Heineken trust Zalkin for stylishly chic furniture and décor. Recently Room Service was acquired by AFR Event Furnishings, creating Room Service by AFR. Zalkin will retain an owner’s stake and run the Southeast region.
