Ticket Price
ILEA Members: FREE
Non-Members: $5
We are excited to introduce a collaboration between the Minneapolis/St. Paul and San Diego ILEA chapters to discuss how we can work together to not only rebuild but revitalize our industry for its long-term future.
In this choose-your-own-adventure program, you’re invited to participate in one of five virtual roundtable discussions focused on several key aspects of the events industry: design, event planning/production, catering, nonprofit and venues. Each conversation will last 30 minutes, and be led by both a moderator from the Minneapolis/St. Paul chapter, and a moderator from the San Diego chapter. Moderators will lead you through a series of questions to spark conversation and inspiration so that you leave with new ideas, a fresh perspective and new contacts in your field.
During registration, you will be asked to select one of the five roundtables mentioned above.
Design
ILEA Minneapolis-St. Paul: April Chugtai, Founder of Hana April Inc: Hana April Chughtai is the Wicked Visionary at Hana April Inc., a marketing agency focused on producing epic virtual and live events, experiential activations, and wild design installations that creatively show off brands. Their work has been featured in Bizbash magazine, Grace Ormond Magazine, and Special Events Magazine, and Hana has been recognized as a pioneer in the experiential design industry.
ILEA San Diego: Sara Kincaid, Senior Account Executive at BBJ Linen: Sara Kincaid is a Senior Account Executive with BBJ Linen | La Tavola.
Event planning/production
ILEA Minneapolis-St. Paul: Ryan Kroenig, Events by Lady K: Ryan Kroening is the Founder & President of Events by Lady K, an LGBTQ-owned benefit company based in Minneapolis. Events by Lady K partners with clients to create events where every attendee feels welcomed, celebrated, and included!
ILEA San Diego: Anthony Bollotta; Owner of Bollotta Entertainment: A graduate of Syracuse University’s renowned musical theatre program, Anthony is the President of Bollotta Entertainment, a San Diego-based production and entertainment booking company specializing in corporate meetings and entertainment-driven experiences.
Catering
ILEA Minneapolis-St. Paul: Maari Cedar James, President at Chowgirls: Maari Cedar James is President of Chowgirls Catering in Minneapolis, a founding partner of Minnesota Central Kitchen, and founding co-chair of Minnesota Events Coalition.
ILEA San Diego: Lindsey Chronert, Business Development Manager at MIHO Catering: Lindsey Chronert serves as MIHO Catering Company’s Business Development Manager, combining her years of experience in sales, marketing, and executing events. Lindsey has opened and managed multiple event venues, created vendor programs, sales strategies, and strategic partnerships, always with brand development and client experience in mind.
Nonprofit
ILEA Minneapolis-St. Paul: Jim Leighton, Founder of RAIN: Jim has more than 20 years of experience as an event producer and has helped raise millions of dollars for nonprofits.
ILEA San Diego: Katie Tran, Director, Marketing and Events at San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce: Katie is a Certified Meeting Professional through the Convention Industry Council and serves as Marketing & Events Director for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. She is responsible for strategic planning, marketing and overall production of Chamber events. Katie has produced events for the Chamber and partner organizations that range from small workshops or meetings to large dinners, golf tournaments, receptions and multi-day delegation trips in Sacramento, Washington D.C. and Mexico City.
Venues
ILEA Minneapolis-St. Paul: Sarah Johnson, Executive Director at Machine Shop: Sarah Johnson is the Executive Director of Machine Shop - a historic venue in northeast Minneapolis - the immediate Past President of ILEA MSP and steering committee member of the MN Events Coalition.
ILEA San Diego: Anna Tran, Director of Catering for Loews Hotels: Anna fell into hospitality as a front desk agent while trying to find a quick summer job and has never left. Her love for travel and meeting new people from all over the world and through all walks of life has laid the foundation for her career growth. She is now the Director of Catering at the Loews Coronado and loves that no event or day is the same when producing high-end incentive programs for corporations or luxury weddings for social clients alike.