Keynotes And Speakers

JENNIFER GILBERT
Founder and Chief Visionary Officer, Save The Date

Jennifer Gilbert is Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of New York based special events company Save the Date. Her 16-year old company is recognized by the media and a discerning clientele as “The One Stop Shop” for event planning, and occupies a unique niche in the New York market where thousands of restaurants and event spaces vie for the same business. Save The Date has flipped the traditional event planning business model offering a significant savings to clients looking for that “perfect venue,” as the company is supported by the vendors who feel confident of its referral business.

Save the Date has expanded its services over the past seven years to include production, design and consulting, which now contributes to half the company’s income. Save The Date has become the outsourced ‘in house’ planning and marketing department for many companies and organizations using the expertise of Gilbert’s team for a fee considerably less than an internal employee. Save the date has been retained by clients such as the Bill Gates Foundation, NewsCorp, Citigroup, Oprah Winfrey, ABC Television and the YMCA.

Jennifer Gilbert’s name and that of Save the Date commands instant recognition and immediate respect and is seen as the expert on all aspects of event planning. Jennifer was awarded “Entrepreneur of the Year”, has been awarded “Working Woman Magazine’s” award of excellence and has appeared on their Top 500 List. She is often quoted for her expert advice on everything from meeting planning to wedding advice in national publications from The Wall Street Journal and Business Week to Cosmopolitan and InStyle Weddings. Gilbert’s most recent and exciting career move is her upcoming role as the newest member on the cast of the Real Housewives of New York City airing on Bravo this month. Jennifer is an authority in her field and will continue to not only set the standard in the event planning industry, but raise it as well.

Jennifer Gilbert lives in Tribeca with her husband their 5 year old daughter and two year old twin boys.

ARTHUR BACKAL
C.E.O. and Founder, Backal Hospitality Group

Known around Manhattan as the "go-to" guru for New York events, celebrity event planner and hospitality consultant Arthur F. Backal has - in the course of his two decades in the industry - managed more than 20 event spaces in New York, and has consulted and participated in the development of new hotels, restaurants and event spaces around the world.

Backal has for many years enjoyed a reputation as one of New York's most experienced and talented food and beverage professionals, as well as an unparalleled artist in the arena of special events. His hospitality company, Backal Hospitality Group (BHG), serves as a vehicle through which to implement his hotel, restaurant and lifestyle projects, while his thriving event management firm, State of the Art Enterprises, Inc., has since its 2002 premiere provided Backal with a personal creative event outlet - stamped with his innovative, signature style.

Appointed Consulting Director of Catering for the Mandarin Oriental's New York flagship hotel in February 2003, Backal was credited by The New York Times for the enormous success of the Mandarin, as many of his high-end clientele followed him to his new venue.

The native New Yorker graduated from the Hotel and Restaurant Program at Michigan State University, and worked from the onset of his career with some of New York's most renowned hoteliers - from Leona Helmsley at The Helmsley Palace to Donald and Ivana Trump at The Plaza. He was in charge of the re-opening of the majestic St. Regis, overseeing the entire food and beverage operations, and was also credited with restoring The Pierre to its legendary grandeur during his time there as director of catering. Stints at The Waldorf-Astoria and The Rainbow Room round out his successful career.

Despite his busy schedule, Backal still makes time to be an active and caring member of the community. He is a leading philanthropist for several major charities including Food Allergy Initiative, City Harvest, The American Cancer Society and several others.

Dividing their time between Manhattan and Brookville, New York, Arthur and his wife Liana enjoy spending their "down" time as a family with Liana's sons Robby and Cory and happily welcomed their first child together, Amanda Lucy Backal, in March 2006.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM SPEAKERS

MARK ADDISON
Director of Experience Design & Founder, EVENTSTYLE

Mark Addison draws on his theatrical background and knack for finding new and unusual elements to craft distinctive experiences for his clients. His award winning creative direction has made EVENTSTYLE the go-to company for fortune 500 companies from Fashion to Finance. Mark’s current clients include AVON, Proctor & Gamble, Shiseido, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund and Amway.

Mark’s vast experience has made him a sought after voice on design and entertaining. His original content can be found magazines and online publications, or during TV appearances on the Today Show, Better TV and FOX News, in which he shares tricks of the trade and must-have design finds.

SCOTT BLOOM
Former VH1 Host and Professional Corporate M.C., Scott Bloom

Scott Bloom, a former VH1 host and professional corporate M.C., has hosted hundreds of corporate events and appeared on dozens of television programs. Scott is the returning favorite for Fortune 500 companies like FedEx, I.B.M., Pfizer, and Allstate to name a few.

He recently launched The Morning Show with Scott Bloom, a talk-show format presentation for corporate meetings and events. To find out more about Scott, please visit www.scottbloom.net

LISA CERICOLA
Style Editor, BizBash Media

Lisa Cericola is the style editor at BizBash, where she reports on food and style trends, new services and products, and people in the events industry for BizBash magazine and BizBash.com. Before joining BizBash in 2006, Lisa was style editor at First magazine. She has also been published in Southern Living, Garden Design, MSN.com, and Cosmopolitan. She holds a degree in journalism from University of Central Florida in Orlando.


 

OLIVIER CHENG
President, Olivier Cheng Catering and Events

Olivier Cheng, co-founder of Olivier Cheng Catering and Events, brings a diverse background of expertise and experience to the world of catering. Utilizing his background in architecture and business, he brings a unique sense of style and creativity to the business – combining his love of both to create a boutique company. His passion to “build” events inspires him to continue in his explorations to offer unique catering experiences. OCC has evolved continuously over the last 10 years and in addition to catering provides international consulting/catering and design services.

DIANNE BUDION DEVITT
President, The DND Group

Dianne Budion-Devitt, has a 25-year track record as an innovative leader and industry expert in communication through events and meetings. She currently consults with companies, both domestic and international, focusing on how to style, design, produce and implement creative and innovative communication messages through meetings and events.  Dianne also consults with diverse client base including hotels, non-profits, corporate and university to create high impact meeting industry education and workshops and can tailor the content and topics based on planning team needs.

Her upcoming book, “What Color is Your Event,” focuses on the urgency of reorganizing thinking as event architectures and the tools to create an effective meeting and event experience. Dianne’s philosophy is that meetings and events are live opportunities that demand respect for their communication value. Investments of time and other resources require strategic partnerships to assure successful outcomes and ROE. Dianne continues to challenge conventional thinking by providing insight, wisdom and unique solutions to corporate, academic and industry channels focused on shaping future development of successful meetings and events.

HOWARD GIVNER
Executive Director, Event Leadership Institute

With over 20 years of industry experience, Howard Givner is a widely recognized expert, thought leader & business consultant in the field of special events. He is the founder of Paint The Town Red, Inc., and the former CEO of North America for Global Events Group, the 13th largest event agency in the world, which acquired Paint The Town Red in 2008. During his tenure the company won over 30 industry awards. He is currently President of the International Special Events Society (NY Metro Chapter) and has served on the Advisory Board of Special Events Magazine. He serves as an advisor to the board of directors of First Protocol, an event agency headquartered in London and NY. He is a columnist for Event-Solutions Magazine, a blogger on industry and event business insights at www.HowardGivner.com, and has been profiled in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, National Public Radio, ABC News, The Apprentice, and USA Today, in addition to numerous trade media. This fall he will be launching the Event Leadership Institute, a joint venture with BizBash.

RAFAEL MAEL
Marketing Strategist, Brand Launcher

Rafael Mael is marketing strategist for Brand Launcher, an unconventional marketing firm based in Baltimore, MD. With “in the trenches” experience across numerous industries, Rafael knows what works and what doesn’t. His approach is refreshingly practical, with a focus on real-world action strategies that audiences really respond to.

Rafael is a dynamic and exciting speaker who has been called “magnetic” for his engaging presentation style. His seminars are filled with eye-opening techniques and cutting-edge strategies that planners can actually implement themselves.

ERIK MINTZ
General Manager, Constant Contact Event Marketing

Erik Mintz serves as General Manager of the Constant Contact Event Marketing product. He has more than a decade of experience in the event management industry and has acted as developer, project manager, event planner and owner of his own small business providing event management technology.

Prior to his experience with Constant Contact, and managing his own company, Erik worked for IBM in Boca Raton, Florida for 10 years in OS/2, Global Services, and IBM Corporate.

Erik holds a Masters of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida.

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.

THOMAS PRETI
Owner and Founder, Thomas Preti events to savor

Owner and Founder of New York based, Thomas Preti Events to Savor, Tom Preti is the creative force and personality behind this 23 year old, top catering company. Seeking to formalize his expertise beyond the kitchens of his Tuscan and Sicilian grandmothers’, Tom attended Culinary Institute of America, became Executive Sous Chef at New York’s legendary Plaza Hotel and eventually opened his own company. Tom earned a reputation for providing an unparalleled culinary experience by tailoring the needs of each event to match their unique image and style. Tom continues to travel the world on culinary learning journeys and experiments with alternative cuisines in order to bring back fresh ideas and concepts.

DARA P. RICHARDSON-HERON, MD
Chief Executive Officer, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Greater New York City Affiliate

Dara Richardson-Heron, MD completed her second year as CEO of the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in June 2010. During her tenure, the Affiliate has ranked as the #1 Komen Affiliate in fundraising and grants awarded — outpacing 125 Affiliates in the US and abroad.

Dr. Richardson-Heron has more than 18 years of health care leadership, management and operations experience in the corporate and nonprofit sectors. She is also a 13 year breast cancer survivor and a powerful advocate and spokesperson on the topic of preventive breast health. Her media appearances include The Doctor Oz Show, The Martha Stewart Show, The CBS Morning Show and The Today Show.

DERRICK ROBERTS
Director of Business Development, Lighting Designer/ Event Producer, BML Blackbird

Derrick Roberts - formerly of Derrick Roberts Productions, Inc. (DRP) in November 2002 - 2009. Roberts - a technical expert within lighting design/event production - creates visually spectacular and technically ingenious events that celebrate the magical and transformative qualities of illumination & full service event production. Shining a spotlight on detail! Derrick Roberts produces small to large scale events that continue to exceed client expectation. Derrick has authored 2- published Lighting Design articles for Oprah Home Magazine. Within his busy schedule and if time permits, Robert's contributes article for numerous Lighting/Event Design publications throughout the country.

“Although our goal is to be the BEST and not necessarily the biggest, our success at satisfying customers and motivating employees will bring Growth and Long Term Profitability.”

CARLA M. RUBEN
President and Owner, Creative Edge Parties

In the over two decades since Carla founded Creative Edge Parties in her studio apartment, Carla has learned how best to bring the finest food along with visionary design to the plates of New York’s most discriminating clientele. On any given night, Carla can be found exceeding the expectations of clients such as: Beyonce, Alicia Keyes, Mariska Hargitay, Jay Z, Bon Jovi and Calvin Klein

Carla has an endless well of ideas for making any event distinctive and memorable and she has never met a challenge she cannot overcome with flair. Her years of experience have earned her a loyal following, and the love and trust of everyone with whom she has worked.

Carla has been featured in Gotham Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings, New York Magazine and Brides. In 2008, she was the recipient of Modern Brides, Trend Setter Award.

JANET SPERSTAD, CMP
Program Director, Meeting and Event Management Degree, Madison Area Technical College

Janet Sperstad, CMP is founder and instructor of the nation’s first Meeting and Event Management Associate Degree program, exclusively designed for meeting planning, located at Madison Area Technical College in Madison, WI. She has over 20 years of experience planning meetings and events all across the United States.

She is an internationally recognized meeting professional, teacher, and trainer. She is a frequent lecturer at national and international association and convention industry events. Janet has served the meetings industry in many capacities most recently on the International Board of Directors for Green Meetings Industry Council, CIC APEX Leadership Council and the MPI Body of Knowledge Task Force. In addition to her current service she contributes her time to Professional Convention Management Association, and is a member of Meeting Architecture 2020.

Janet has received many industry awards and recognitions over the years including Meeting Professionals International 2007 International Planner of the Year, as well as being selected as the 2005 MATC Distinguished Teacher of the Year and 2009 Student Advisor of the Year.


 

STEPHANIE THOMAS
President, Susan Ulin Associates Ltd.

Stephanie is President of Susan Ulin Associates Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in event management for nonprofit organizations. The events organized by the firm consistently generate an aggregate of more than $35 million annually. Since joining the firm in 1995, Stephanie has advised a broad spectrum of organizations, coordinating both inaugural and annual benefits. Recent clients include A Better Chance, Figure Skating in Harlem, Innocence Project, Legal Aid Society, Lower East Side Tenement Museum, Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Prep for Prep and Rubin Museum of Art. She received her master’s degree in nonprofit management from New School University and her bachelor’s degree from New York University. She is President-Elect of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater New York board and is a former board member of Women in Development, New York.
 

More speakers to be announced