Keynotes And Speakers

STEVE KEMBLE
America's Sassiest Lifestyle Guru

Steve Kemble has been the magic behind countless corporate events, weddings and other sassy ventures for more than two decades. The event industry’s king of self-promotion, known as “America’s Sassiest Lifestyle Guru,” is the industry’s most visible, vocal and unique personality. Steve has been dishing out fashion disses at celebrities for more than three years as a Top Cop for Us Weekly magazine’s Fashion Police, on the red carpet at the Golden Globe Awards, American Music Awards and Independent Spirit Awards, and annual appearances on TV Guide Network’s “Idol Tonight.” His “What’s Hot” segment can be heard daily on CBS radio, and he has gone head to head with some of TV’s other big personalities from Melissa Rivers to Donny Deutsch. Steve’s “A Dose of Sass” blog has become an online sensation. Let’s not forget weddings! A centerpiece of WE tv’s marquee block of bridal programming, Wedding Central, Steve has appeared on TLC’s “Battle of the Wedding Planners” (he was declared the winner!) as well as ABC’s “Extreme Makeover Wedding Edition,” Style Network’s “Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?” and “Married Away.” To top it all off, he has dished out delectable advice for throwing Hollywood-level bashes at home for E!’s Countdown to the Academy Awards, CBS’s The Early Show and Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine. Steve recently completed a term on the national board of NACE and has received over twenty-five industry accolades, including Event Solutions magazine Event Planner of the Year, the ISES International Volunteer of the Year award and the Meeting Professionals International Planner of the Year Award. In 2010, he was named to D Magazine’s exclusive “Dallas Dozen.” He has also been profiled by Modern Luxury Dallas and Texas Monthly magazines.

LEE BRIAN SCHRAGER
Vice President, Corporate Communications & National Events, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.

Lee Brian Schrager, one of the nation’s preeminent event planners and media relations experts, serves as the Vice President of Corporate Communications & National Events at Southern Wine & Spirits of America. He joined the company in 2000 and oversees projects in all 33 states in which it does business. Schrager is known for his creation of both the Food Network South Beach and New York City Wine & Food Festivals. As the South Beach Wine & Food Festival® approaches its 10th year, Schrager commemorates it with the release of his first book, Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival Cookbook (Clarkson Potter, $35/hardcover).

Central to Schrager’s business philosophy is the notion of giving back to the community, and appropriately both Festivals are registered non-profit organizations. The South Beach Wine & Food Festival® benefits the Florida International University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center located on campus. Proceeds from the New York City Wine & Food Festival benefit the hunger relief organizations Share Our Strength® and Food Bank For New York City.

Schrager studied at the Culinary Institute of America and at the School of Hospitality Management at Florida International University.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM SPEAKERS

DANIELLE ADAMS
President, Florida/Caribbean Chapter Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC)

Danielle Adams is a certified meeting professional (CMP) with over 20 years of experience in event planning and management. Her expertise and involvement with sustainable meetings led her to found the Florida Caribbean Chapter of the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC). She speaks at industry conferences on the importance Corporate Social Responsibility, including the World Education Conference for Meeting Professional’s International (MPI). She was selected as one of 14 MPI members trained to deliver three CSR sessions – Knowledge, Measurement and Strategy, and is currently serving as an MPI representative on the US TAG 250 group for ISO 20121 Sustainable Event Standard Management.
 

DONALD E. BRAUN
President, Donald Braun Events, LLC

For two decades, Donald Braun’s passion for conceptualizing, creating, and executing outrageously unique events, meetings, special events, and hospitality programs worldwide has been integral in his success, and the formation of donald braun events, LLC.  For years, Donald honed his skills as VP of Production in an Atlanta-based production company and has done everything from strategy development to event execution. He upholds the highest standards, offers superior service, and maintains unbreakable customer relationships.

Donald’s design ideas lead to amazing space transformations; hands-on management enables astute problem solving, creating unforgettable experiences.  Delving into both social and corporate worlds, clients include Barclay’s Capital, Wachovia, The Coca-Cola Company, Frito Lay, and Georgia-Pacific. Donald’s professionalism has helped him achieve results that consistently surpass expectations.

ISABEL CHATTAS
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, SiiNC Agency

With over 20 years experience in the marketing field at companies such as Ogilvy Direct, Rapp/Collins, Intercontinental Hotels and, most recently at IMG, she has been involved with worldwide renowned events such as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (in New York City, LA and Miami), the now Sony-Ericsson Open (Miami), the Latin Grammy®s and Premios Fox Sports.  During her years at IMG she was responsible for creating signature tourism programs for the Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, including the now Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, Miami Spice (Miami's Restaurant Month) and Miami Spa Month.

Since 2006 Isabel Chattas has been responsible for the project management, logistics and operations portion of many Audi programs, including Audi's Design Miami, Art Basel sponsorships, and the build of the 45,000 temporary structure for the World Premiere of the Audi A8 in Miami Beach in 2009.
 

DALLAS DIGGS
Executive Consultant, DiggsGroup, LLC

Dallas Diggs’ passion for brand building helps companies optimize business results by leveraging customer insights and brand equity into effective plans. He has 20 years of success developing and marketing premier brands such as Children’s Tylenol; Breyers Ice Cream; Aqua-Fresh toothpaste; Coca-Cola; and Sprint. Dallas’ clients include: Jardine Foods; Dallas Business Journal; Meeting Professionals International (MPI); and a variety of start ups. He is involved in several entrepreneurial ventures. A native Pennsylvanian, he is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Allegheny College and holds an MBA from the Wharton School.  Donald applies his unique design ideas to facilitate amazing space transformations, and can because of strong vendor relationships. His hands-on management allows him to solve problems as they arise and work with clients on detailed programs, to create unforgettable experiences.

 

DOMINICK FIMIANO

Owner & Founder, Café Ala Carte and Chocolate Fountains of South Florida

Dominick Fimiano is owner and founder of Café Ala Carte and Chocolate Fountains of South Florida.  He created the Café Ala Carte System, having designed the first mobile coffee cart in South Florida, and developed the proprietary espresso blend that has delighted clients and their guests for 17 years.  Although a visionary in the catering industry and prominent business owner, you will still see Dominick serving as Master Barista for Café Ala Carte at events throughout South Florida.  He is committed to stellar service, and has replicated this winning system with franchises in both New York and Tampa Bay.  
 

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.
 

CHAD KAYDO
Editor in Chief, BizBash Media

Chad Kaydo oversees BizBash’s newsgathering operations for all of its editorial products, including the magazine, Web site, email newsletters, and the BizBash National Venue Guide. He leads a team of editors, reporters, and photographers who cover all types of events, watching for industry trends, leaders, and new ideas.

As an industry expert, Chad has spoken about event, marketing, and entertaining trends for NY1, WB11, CBS 2 This Morning, Fox-5's Good Day New York, the Food Network, the RSVP show in London, the Council of Protocol Executives' Eventpower seminar, the International Special Events Society, and the BizBash Expos across the U.S. and in Toronto.

Before joining the BizBash launch team in 2000, 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. 


KATHERINE MANFREDI, CMM
VP, Education and Communication, Florida/Caribbean Chapter Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC)

Katherine has over 20 years of event management experience in corporate planning, associations, government and non-profits.  Dedicated to advancing sustainability, she is one of five representing MPI on the US TAG 250 group for ISO 20121 Sustainable Event Standard Development.  She is also a certified instructor of management skills, and one of only 14 MPI members trained to deliver MPI's three Corporate Social Responsibility Platinum Speaker programs.  An MPI Accredited Trainer, Katherine is qualified to facilitate MPI's Global Certification programs at universities worldwide.  She has presented at local, regional and international events including MPI's WEC.  A Founding Board Member of the Florida/Caribbean chapter of GMIC, she is also a member of the global Learning Design Team for the GMIC Sustainable Meetings Conference 2011.  Katherine holds a Global Certification in Strategic Meetings Management (CMM) designation and is an active member of GMIC and MPI.

 

CHEF SEAN MCDONALD
Executive Chef, ilios, Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort

Sean Mcdonald brings 15 years of experience after leading an illustrious career garnering accolades of Michelin and Mobile stars.  He is impacting Fort Lauderdale's culinary scene with the unveiling of contemporary Mediterranean cuisine ilios.  Chef Mcdonald, born and raised in London, has kown since he was a child that he wanted to become a chef.  After starting washing dishes at 13, he officially got his opportunity on the line at the Hampshire Hotel's Celebrities restaurant located in central London's Lester Square.  It was there that Chef Mcdonald began his career, learning the way sof butchery and pantry work.  He earned his culinary degree from Walthom Forest College. 

Chef Mcdonald features that styles at Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort's sixth floor eatery, ilios.  Adjacent to the Sunrise Terrace, ilios features a chic small plate concept renowned for its wide selection of tapas, simple elegance and versatility.  "Sean's Tasting Menu" provides a personal touch, a five course menu selection, with each course personally selected by Chef Mcdonald.  The chef's inspiration behind the tasting menu is his lifetime affection for tapas, which he believes is the best way to experience what a restaurant has to showcase.  Tapas, to Chef Mcdonald are "A way to experience dining in a modern setting without someone else telling you what to eat."
 

GLADYS MEZRAHI
President, Indigo Events Corporation

Indigo Events, Corp. Founder and President Gladys Mezrahi was educated at The English School in Bogotá, Colombia and the prestigious University of Miami, in Miami, Florida, where she studied International Finance and Marketing.

Mezrahi is a savvy professional whose experience in the challenging field of marketing commenced twenty years ago when she founded a top-line skin and body products manufacturing company in Bogotá, Colombia called Advanced Cosmetics. As President of Advanced Cosmetics, Mezrahi operated a profitable business for fifteen years, and sold it to an international skin care corporation that was interested in acquiring Mezrahi’s established success.
 

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.
 

 

KEN OKEL

Professional Speaker

Ken Okel knows that the path to success is an obstacle course and not a straight line. In his keynote presentations he helps people and organizations get around the challenges that hold them back. Ken spent more than a decade on-air in TV news, where every day is do or die. He then used those skills in the nonprofit world and even served as Executive Director of a professional ballet company. Thought provoking and funny, Ken makes you change they way you think about challenges. For more about Ken, go to www.kenokel.com.
 

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.

 

DAVID SCHWADRON
Chef David Schwadron Catering and Event Design

 

Chef David Schwadron is one of South Florida's top gourmet caterers and event designers.  His reputation for eclectic foods, delicious libations, spectacular decor and impeccable service evolves from traveling the world and experiencing different cuisines and cultures.  For over 20 years, David's energies have been focused on his passion and personal involvement in all of his clients' events, which range from intimate dinner parties to fabulous wine tastings to wonderful galas.

SHAI TERTNER
President, Shiraz Events

Born in Israel and moving to New York City at the age of 23, Shai Tertner incorporates his life experiences and his adventures of world travel into his modern style aesthetic.  At 26, Shai opened Shiraz Events, an event design, production, and catering company now celebrating 10 years in business with offices in New York and Miami.

Shai's design expertise comes from a dedication to learning and exploring and taking inspiration from the world as he sees it.  His trend setting visions have led to the production and design of envirionments for Harper's Bazaar 140th Anniversary, Shakira's fragrance launch, Twiggy launch for HSN, Badgley Mischka for HSN, Nate Berkus & Molly Sims for HSN, the American Ballet Theatre Fall and Pas de Deux Galas, the Piaget Gold Cup and Piaget Limelight Garden Collection launch.

 

More speakers to be announced