Education Seminar Overview
Event Solutions and partners are coming together in Vegas to offer the best event and catering education in the industry. Just use the codes listed here to help you plan.
Every class is coded with initials of the organization offering the session. Following the class title, there’s a notation for a specific education track or series, necessary to fulfill certificate options or to follow a series of classes within a focused industry segment.
Click here for the complete education seminar descriptions – including links to speaker bios and details on every session.
Go here for more about Professional Interest Tracks.
Abbreviation Key
Sunday, Feb. 24
Monday, Feb. 25
Tuesday, Feb. 26
Wednesday, Feb. 27
Thursday, Feb. 28
Abbreviation Key
ES Event Solutions class
IACEP International Association of Corporate Entertainment Producers
CS catersource class*
NACE National Association of Catering Executives*
CIA Culinary Institute of America*
ICA International Caterers Association*
NACE National Association of Catering Executives*
*of interest to business owners and food and beverage pros
** AT Association Track classes
** CT Corporate Track classes
*GS Event Greening Series, all of which count towards both the Corporate & Association Track
UNLV Classes taught by University of Nevada Las Vegas instructors. Those completing all 10 hours of UNLV courses are and eligible for 1 Continuing Education Credit (CEU).
WS Wedding Series, presented jointly by Event Solutions and catersource
** Certificates of Completion are offered to planners who attend five (5) of the designated classes in the Corporate or Association Tracks, designated with CT or AT in the class schedule. This year all the Event Greening classes qualify for the certificate programs. It is not necessary to sign up for the Corporate or Association Track sessions in advance. Seating at all sessions is on a first come, first seated basis. Schedule subject to change.
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
CS001 - TAKE FIVE…Regional Wedding Catering Networking [WS]
ES051 - Budgeting Introduction to Financial Management for Events [UNLV]
Speaker: Dr. Kathy Nelson, CSEP, CMP, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
ES056 - The Energy of Synergy: Events and Catering Come Together
Speaker: Laura Schwartz, White House Strategies
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
ES057 - Introduction to Risk Management for Events [UNLV]
Speaker: Julia Rutherford Silvers, CSEP, President, Speaking of Events
ES059 - Do More with Less: Cost Saving Tips for Meeting Planners [CT/AT]
Speaker: Arlene Sheff, CMP, The Boeing Company
ES060 - The Color of Success: Designing with the Art and Emotion of Color
Speakers: Ira Mitchell-Steiman, All Over Miami & David Halsey, The Meetinghouse Companies
4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
CS004 - How the Conference Works
Speakers: Michael Roman, President, catersource, Linda West, Director of Education, catersource , and John Baragona, President, Event Solutions
ES063 - Entertainment Acquisition and Management [UNLV]
Speaker: Dan Nelson, Adjunct Professor, University of Nevada Las Vegas
ES068 - I Don’t Have Time to Do Timelines! Using Paperwork for Great Efficiency and Greater Success [AT]
Speaker: Cassie Brown, CSEP, Tribble Creative Group
ES068 - Increase Sales Using Marketing Philosophies to Think Outside the Sales Box [CT]
Speaker: Franklyn Dickson, CMP, former marketing professor and current chairman of Ray Bloch Productions
6:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
COCKTAILS & CONNECTIONS - a networking event
9:00 p.m. – Midnight
OPENING NIGHT LAS VEGAS
7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
CS102 - The Art (and Crafts) of the Wedding Table [WS]
Speakers: Teresa Day and Kendall Collier, Magic Moments Inc.
CS103 - Global Food Trends Affecting the Catering Industry
Speaker: Dr. Victor A.L. Gielisse, CMC, CHE, Associate Vice President, The Culinary Institute of America
ES149 - Case Study [UNLV]
Facilitators: Gael D. Hancock, APR, CHE, Adjunct Professor University of Nevada Las Vegas
Consultant Robyn Hadden, CSEP, Events Manager, UNLV Foundation
9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
CS107 - Enhancing the Wedding Experience [WS]
Speakers: Holly Safford, President, The Catered Affair and Andrew Marconi, Director of Sales, The Catered Affair
CS109 - Using the Principals and Elements of Design to Create Sensational Buffets
Speaker: Steve Enselein, VP of Catering & Convention Services, Hyatt Hotels
ES150 - Designs for the Senses [UNLV]
Speaker: Gael Hancock, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV)
ES151 - What a Corporate Planner Wants: Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Selling to the Corporate Planner
Speaker: Arlene Sheff, CMP, The Boeing Company
ES152 - This Little Piggy Really Needs to Market
Speaker: Meryl Snow, Feastivities Events, Philadelphia, PA
ES153 - Creating the Ultimate in Branded Environments [CT]
Speakers: Armen Gharabegian, Ethos Design and Lounge22, and Rebecca Coons, Ethos Design and Lounge22
ES154 - The Pillars of Event Greening, Part I: Saving the Planet One Event at a Time (Overview) [CT/AT, GS]
Speakers: Georgia Malki, President, Seven-Star, Inc. and Joseph Malki, President, Green Event Management Systems
10:45 a.m. – Noon
CS111 - Distinctive and Fun Food Stations
Speaker: Lynn Buono, Chef/Owner, Feast Your Eyes
ES155 - Impact your Bottom Line Utilizing Students and Interns [UNLV]
Speaker: Robyn Hadden, CSEP, Events Manager, University of Nevada Las Vegas
ES156 - Master Planner Series 1
ES157 - El Gran Evento: Event Opportunities in Latin America [CT]
Speaker: Eli Gorin, CMP, gMeetings
ES158 - Sold! Get Rich by Selling your Event Business
Speaker: Franklyn Dickson, CMP, Ray Bloch Productions
ES160 - The Pillars of Event Greening: Finding Sustainable Solutions (Pillars 1 & 2) [CT/AT, GS]
Speakers: Georgia Malki, President Seven-Star, Inc. and Joseph Malki, President, Green Event Management Systems
12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
ICA119 - High-Impact Employee Development
Speaker: Walter Sasiadek, Owner, Business Development Strategies
ES161 - Festival & Event Management [UNLV]
Speaker: Nancy D. Matheny, MA, CSEP, Instructor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
ES163 - Risky Business – Site Inspection from a Risk Management Perspective [CT/AT]
Speaker: Julia Rutherford Silvers, CSEP, Speaking of Events
ES164 - The Power of the You: How to Use Networking to Realize Professional and Personal Benefits [AT]
Speaker: Laura Schwartz, White House Strategies
ES166 - The Pillars of Event Greening, Pillars 3 & 4: Finding Sustainable Solutions [CT/AT, GS]
Panelist Speakers: David Johnston, President, What’s Working, and Gil Friend, Founder, President and CEO of Natural Logic
2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
ES169 - IACEP Booking Entertainment Management [CT]
Panel: Jeff Enloe, President, Enloe Productions; Mark Felix, Director of Entertainment Services, Drury Design Dynamics; Lee McDonald , President, Key Artist Group; Dick Smith, President, communivisions llc; and Howard Stovall, Managing Partner, Resource Management Group
ES170 - Drawing the Line: Anyway, Whose Wedding is it? [WS]
Speakers: Wialillian Howard, Wialillian & Company: Events, Training & Consulting Specialists and Nancy Tucker, Weddings Beautiful Worldwide
ES168 - Show your True Colors: Conflict Resolution for a More Effective Event Team [AT]
Speaker: Letitia Fox, True Colors
ES172 - Menu with a Mission: Healthy Food for People and the Planet [CT/AT, GS]
Panel: Ari Derfel, Co-founder, Back-to-Earth Organic Catering; Katrina Frey, Director of Sales for Frey Vineyards Ltd; Sheila Bowman, Monterey Bay Aquarium; and Jim Smith, Home Grown Nevada/4-S Land and Cattle Company
3:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
GRAND OPENING SESSION with featured speaker Colin Cowie
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
WELCOME RECEPTION and the Kitchen Contenders catersource Chef’s Challenge
7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
ICA202 - Putting Your “Signature” on Events
Speaker: Lon Lane, Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
ES256 - Getting Started With Vivien
Speaker: Vivien virtual event designer team
*This is a sponsored class. Go here to register now!
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
CS207 - Ways to Reward and Pay Staff
Panel: Carl Sacks, Director of Consulting, catersource, Lisa Richards, Picnic People, Carl Jones, Carl Jones Culinary Concepts, Carlyn Berghoff, Artistic Catering By Carlyn Berghoff, Russell Morin, Fine Catering By Russell Morin
ES252 - Get the Attention You Deserve: Case Studies From the Road
Speaker: Shari Lynn Rothstein, SLK Creative
ES253 - The Lawyer is In, Part 1: From ADA to SOX [CT/AT]
Speaker: Samuel J. Erkonen, Howe & Hutton Ltd.
ES254 - Super-Size It, Please: Upselling your Wedding Business [WS]
Speakers: Ira Mitchell-Steiman, All Over Miami and Noel Brown, Medallion Occasion Boutique
ES256 - Design Evolution: From Decoration to Experience
Speaker: Armen Gharabegian, Ethos Design and Lounge22
10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Tradeshow Floor open
4:45 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
NACE216 - Global Weddings [WS]
Speaker: Melissa Paul, Evantine Design and Daniel Briones, CPCE, Four Seasons Hotel
ES258 - Master Planner Series 2
ES259 - The Lawyer is In, Part 2: Intellectual Property [CT/AT]
Speaker: Samuel J. Erkonen, Howe & Hutton Ltd.
ES257 - Dazzling Design that Creates Impact
Speaker: Fe Domenech, The Event Firm
ES261 - ISO 14001, A Higher Standard: What Environmental Standards Certification Means for You [CT/AT, GS]
Speaker: Mark Jordan, Environmental Management Systems Expert and Associate on the Booz Allen Hamilton Environment Team
ES262 - Audio, Video, Lighting and Scenic Design — The Pathway to a Smooth and On-Budget Event [CT/AT]
Speakers: Warren K. Kong and Jonathan Adcock, Chameleon Designs LLC
8:00 p.m. - Midnight
THE FABULOUS SHOWCASE EVENT, “Temptation”
produced by catersource and Event Solutions
7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
NACE303 - Transforming Your Event to Create a Masterpiece
Speaker: Brian Kappra, Evantine Design, Inc.
ICA308 - The Roadmap to Success: Mission, Vision and Goals
Speakers: Denise Slavitt, Checkers Catering, and Gary Hochman, The HR Matrix
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
CS306 - Santé Magazine’s Liquid Assets
Speaker: Mark Vaughn, Publisher, Sante Magazine
ES350 - Exhibit like an Expert: Selling More, Looking Great and Making Money at Trade Shows and Events
Speaker: Susan Ratliff, Exhibit Experts
ES351 - Master Planner Series 3
ES352 - Getting a Big Piece of the Corporate Birthday Cake [CT/AT]
Speakers: Diana Graling, PCL, and Michelle Gagnon, PCL
ES353 - The Consummate Professional: Improving your Business Relationships for Greater Business Success [WS]
Speakers: Wialillian Howard, Wialillian & Company: Events, Training & Consulting Specialists, and Noel Brown, Medallion Occasion Boutique
ES354 - Design Trends Show & Tell
Speaker: Diane Butner, Director of Event Design, MGM MIRAGE Events
10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.Tradeshow Floor open
3:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
SPECIAL AFTERNOON SESSION: Exposing Yourself with The Hearty Boys
Speakers: Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, Owners, Hearty Boys Catering
ES357 - A Formula for E-mail Success: Unveiling 34 Indispensable Tips that Get a Reply [CT/AT]
Speaker: Karen E. Purves, M.A., innovative impact
ES356 - Entertainment Redefined
Speaker: Blair Farrington, Farrington Productions
5:30 – 6:45 p.m.
CLOSING SESSION with featured speaker Robyn Waters
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
CS403 - The Knot Market Intelligence presents:10 Ways Your Website Is Killing Your Business
Speaker: Alan Berg, The Knot Market Intelligence
9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
CS404 - Proposal Packaging Panache
Speaker: Shelley Pedersen, CPCE, Beyond Cuisine, Inc
CS405 - Maintaining “Quality of Life” in Catering
Speakers: Michael Roman, President, catersource
11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
CS408 - Becoming Green
Speakers: Pauline Parry, Owner, Good Gracious! Events, Los Angeles, CA and Dan Smith, Good Gracious! Events