Dr. Kristin Malek, CMP, CED, DES has nearly 20 years in hospitality and event management experience. She was recognized by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as a Hospitality Hero during National Travel and Tourism week for both 2014 and 2015, by Meetings Today Magazine as a Top 20 Meetings Industry Trendsetter for 2016, served as the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) faculty chair for 2017 and 2018, was recognized as an Emerging Leader of the Year for PCMA Heartland Chapter in 2018, and won statewide awards for her impact and innovation in 2021. She has achieved designations as a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Certified Event Designer (CED), and Digital Event Strategist (DES).  

Corporate lawyer Barbara Dunn is relied upon by clients and colleagues alike for her innovative approach to nonprofit and tax-exempt legal matters. She remains at the forefront of current trends in this area of the law and advises clients on meetings, hospitality and travel law; contracts; employment law; computer, trademark and copyright law; litigation and risk management; administrative law; taxes; antitrust; and governance matters.

Known for her depth in the law and candid communication style, pragmatism and workable solutions are at the core of Barbara’s commitment to those she serves. With more than a quarter century of experience, Barbara does not reinvent the wheel, saving her clients valuable time and money.

Barbara has been involved in a variety of leadership positions in organizations that serve the associations and hospitality industries. She was the first woman to serve in a leadership role as chair of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Legal Section Council in 2005-2006.

Prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg, Barbara was a partner at the law firm of Howe & Hutton Ltd., where she practiced for more than 20 years.

David Grindle’s career has taken him from managing opera productions to association management. As Executive Director of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) he leads a conference and trade show that brings together the people who make live entertainment happen. As such, the expectation is that this show will have high production values while operating on a tight budget. He’s happy to share how little things can make a big impact on attendees at your General Session.

Recently named a 2022 Industry Innovator in Catering and Food & Beverage by BizBash Magazine, “40 Under 40” by Connect Corporate Magazine, and "Changemaker" by MeetingsNet, Thomas Whelan, Director of Banquets at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center and John B Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, has successfully planned food and beverage operations for nearly 20 years. He has worked in Off-Premise and On-Premise Catering, Corporate Events, and Social Gatherings. Thomas has assisted in meetings and events throughout the country, but calls Boston home.  Through contract negotiations, strikes, and thousands of events, his events always exude his passion for guest experiences.

Thomas spends his days leading 500 team members in exceeding client expectations. His nights are spent wrangling one very large orange cat named Alroy. Thomas is an operations expert with a passion for developing the next generation of hospitality legends. Not only a leader in the future of food and beverage in meetings, but he is also an outspoken advocate for inclusion and advocates on behalf of members of the meetings and events industry.  Currently, Thomas sits on the Board of Directors for the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association, the SEARCH Foundation, and is the President of the Massachusetts Live Events Coalition.

Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM is the President and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE). As IAEE’s president, Flanagan is responsible for the management of IAEE’s full-time professional staff, producing the annual business operating plan and budget, overseeing the support of all meetings of governance units, leading business development, directing fund raising efforts, advocating for the industry and the organization’s members, providing organizational leadership and strategic counsel to the board. Also, she serves as the association’s representative with industry coalitions, partner organizations and strategic alliances.

Prior to joining PPAI, Flanagan was the Director of Content Strategy and Development at the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), where she was responsible for steering strategy and the development and delivery of all PPAI professional development and editorial offerings.

Flanagan spent 6 years in the medical industry serving in various roles overseeing operations, purchasing, revenue cycle management, marketing and business development. 

Flanagan began her career with Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and spent 12 years in various roles including Executive Vice President of Professional Development where she oversaw operations, including all strategic partnerships, the design and delivery of all professional development offerings and meetings management.

She was named one of the 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry by Successful Meetings in 2017 and named to BizBash’s Inaugural Top 500 in the Events Industry in 2018 and 2019. In 2021, she was listed in Meetings Today as a 2021 Trendsetter. In 2021, she obtained her GBAC Trained Technician Certificate of Completion from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA.

Flanagan received her bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University and her master’s in education from the University of Arkansas specializing in Meeting, Tourism and Recreation Management. She obtained her Certified in Exhibition Management designation in 2021.

Flanagan is a 5th generation Texan, loves sports and the outdoors and spending time with family.

Stacy Powers is currently the Director, Learning Experiences at IAEE, where she is responsible for the development and planning of IAEE’s education programs which include Expo! Expo! education, the Women’s Leadership Forums, Leadership Institute, CEIR Predict, MATSO Community Meet Up Education, Consumer Events Education and IAEE webinar content. She previously held the position of Senior Education Manager.

Before joining IAEE, Stacy was Professional Development Manager at Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). Prior to that she spent 12 years as a Director of Human Resources and Compliance within the medical and dental industry.

With an initial background in Psychology, she began her career as a counselor assisting at-risk youth, battered women and children. After completing her Master of Science Degree in Human Resources and Training, she worked for Meeting Professionals International (MPI) managing various educational programs and events.

Jason A. Ware is the Vice President of Convention Housing Operations and Contracting for MCI USA in Plano, Texas. MCI USA specializes in convention housing and registration, meeting management, incentive programs, business travel management and site selection. In his new role he is responsible for overall housing account management and domestic hotel contracting. In addition to leading and mentoring an established team, he will also ensure the organization is well positioned in a rapidly evolving and competitive industry.

With more than twenty years of experience in the meetings and events industry, Jason was previously the Director of Meetings and Exhibits for the Cardiovascular Research Foundation in New York City and the Director of Meetings for the American Heart Association in Dallas.

He has received the “Meeting Professional of the Year” award by both the Dallas Fort Worth Chapter as well as the North Florida Chapter of Meeting Professionals International. Just recently he was recognized as of one the “Top Meeting Professionals to Watch” by Convention South Magazine.

Additionally, he’s an active member of the Professional Convention Management Association and serves in various volunteer leadership roles with non-profit associations and civic organizations.