# Feed Room — all public voices

Source: Gathering Architecture. Directory roles and editorial notes are supplied reference information, not verified current appointments. Direct LinkedIn profiles are used only when marked verified; other links search by name and organisation.

## Why Gatherings Fail: Purpose & Design

The people who argue that design — not logistics — decides whether a room works, and who have built teachable methods to prove it.

### Priya Parker
Role: Author, The Art of Gathering · United States
Why listed: Most gatherings fail at the purpose stage, before a single logistical decision is made.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Priya%20Parker
Website: https://www.priyaparker.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyaparker/

### Peter Block
Role: Author, Community: The Structure of Belonging · United States
Why listed: Social fabric is created one room at a time, by choosing who is in it and what conversation happens there.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Peter%20Block
Website: https://www.peterblock.com/about-contact/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-block-238848a/

### Adrian Segar
Role: Author, Conferences That Work · United States
Why listed: A predetermined agenda wastes the expertise already sitting in the room.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Adrian%20Segar
Website: https://www.conferencesthatwork.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriansegar/

### Maarten Vanneste
Role: Author, Meeting Architecture: A Manifesto · Belgium
Why listed: Belgium requires a licensed architect for a €100,000 house. We spend ten times that on events with nobody holding a comparable qualification — and procurement allows it.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Maarten%20Vanneste
Website: https://www.meetingdesigninstitute.org/meeting-architecture-manifesto
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartenvanneste/

### Mike van der Vijver
Role: Co-author, Into the Heart of Meetings · Italy & Netherlands
Why listed: A meeting is a form of communication with describable processes, so those processes can be designed rather than left to chance.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mike%20van%20der%20Vijver
Website: https://www.mindmeeting.org/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-van-der-vijver-8a431b1/

### Ruud Janssen
Role: Co-author, The Event Design Handbook · Switzerland
Why listed: Events should be designed by mapping the behaviour change intended for each stakeholder — a shared design language for the industry.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Ruud%20Janssen
Website: https://edco.global/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Ruud%20Janssen%20The%20Event%20Design%20Handbook%20%C2%B7%20Switzerland

### Roel Frissen
Role: Co-author, The Event Design Handbook · Netherlands
Why listed: A design method only spreads if it is teachable and certifiable — fourteen trainers across fourteen countries is what makes it a discipline.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Roel%20Frissen
Website: https://edco.global/eventcanvas/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/roelfrissen/

### Ben Moorsom
Role: Author, Engagement: Decoded · Canada
Why listed: Branding every surface does not raise recall, it teaches the brain to ignore you. Events hold attention only a quarter to a third of the time.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Ben%20Moorsom
Website: https://www.benmoorsom.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/moorsom/

### Tahira Endean
Role: Author, Our KPI is Joy · Canada
Why listed: Joy is measurable and belongs in the C-suite metric set. A badge scan is not an outcome.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tahira%20Endean
Website: https://meetings.skift.com/2025/03/28/meetings-innovator-tahira-endean/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tahira-endean-msc-citp-cmp-ced-918a868/

### Steve Clemons
Role: Founder, The Washington Note; Chair, Widehall · United States
Why listed: Convening is a craft with its own artistry, and the editorial frame most events inherit is a constraint on it.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Steve%20Clemons
Website: https://washingtonnote.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-clemons-1381801/

### Rebecca Grinnals
Role: Co-founder, Engage! Summits · United States
Why listed: A siloed trade with no trust between operators can be reorganised into a collaborative one by building the room deliberately — capped at 350.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Rebecca%20Grinnals
Website: https://engagesummits.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccagrinnals/

### Kathryn Arce
Role: Co-founder, Engage! Summits · United States
Why listed: The gala for a business conference should be better than the weddings its attendees produce. Execution is the argument.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kathryn%20Arce
Website: https://engagesummits.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-arce-5b30357/

### Akeshi Akinseye
Role: Author, The Art of Celebrating · United States
Why listed: Hosting is a practice with intention behind it — the same principles govern a grand destination wedding and an intimate dinner at home.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Akeshi%20Akinseye
Website: https://www.keshevents.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/akeshiakinseye/

### Sarah Haywood
Role: Author & Producer, The Wedding Fixer · United Kingdom
Why listed: The multi-day celebration is a production discipline, not a bigger party.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sarah%20Haywood
Website: https://www.sarahhaywood.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhaywood/

### Mindy Weiss
Role: Event Producer & MasterClass Instructor · United States
Why listed: Thirty years and thousands of events on the argument that warmth scales.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mindy%20Weiss
Website: https://mindyweiss.com/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Mindy%20Weiss

### Bryan Rafanelli
Role: Founder, Rafanelli Events · United States
Why listed: Clients come for the sense of meaning, not the execution. Bold design and business intelligence are the same discipline.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Bryan%20Rafanelli
Website: https://www.rafanellievents.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-rafanelli-433a843/

### David Stark
Role: Author, The Art of the Party · United States
Why listed: An event is an installation — work that crosses into the design press rather than staying in the trades.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Stark
Website: https://davidstarkdesign.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-stark-a507bab/

### David Beahm
Role: Founder, David Beahm Experiences · United States
Why listed: Events are theatre. Lighting, silhouette and staging separate a designed room from a decorated one.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Beahm
Website: https://www.davidbeahm.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-beahm-experiences/

### Aloysius Arlando
Role: President, SACEOS · Singapore
Why listed: Festivalisation — a trade show should become the festival of an industry rather than a hall of booths.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Aloysius%20Arlando
Website: https://saceos.org.sg/leadership/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/aloysius-arlando-22355573/

## How Groups Actually Decide: Facilitation Method

Microstructures, groan zones, held space and the invisible craft of running a room. The method people behind participation that isn't theatre.

### Keith McCandless
Role: Co-author, The Surprising Power of Liberating Structures · United States
Why listed: Microstructures decide who gets to contribute. Change the structure, change the outcome.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Keith%20McCandless
Website: https://www.liberatingstructures.com/keith-mccandless
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithmccandless/

### Henri Lipmanowicz
Role: Co-author, Liberating Structures · France & United States
Why listed: Conventional meeting formats systematically exclude most of the people in the room.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Henri%20Lipmanowicz
Website: https://www.liberatingstructures.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/henri-lipmanowicz-b3802b12/

### Sam Kaner
Role: Author, Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making · United States
Why listed: Groups must pass through a groan zone to reach real decisions. Skipping it manufactures false consensus.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sam%20Kaner
Website: https://communityatwork.com/the-community-at-work-staff/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sam%20Kaner%20Facilitator's%20Guide%20to%20Participatory%20Decision-Making%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Chris Corrigan
Role: Author, The Tao of Holding Space · Canada
Why listed: In complexity you host conditions rather than control outcomes. Steward of Open Space Technology.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Chris%20Corrigan
Website: https://openspaceworld.org/wp2/hho/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscorrigan1/

### Myriam Hadnes
Role: Host, workshops work; founder, NeverDoneBefore · Netherlands
Why listed: Facilitation is an invisible craft that clients systematically undervalue and underpay.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Myriam%20Hadnes
Website: https://workshops.work/podcast/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/myriam-hadnes/

### Johnnie Moore
Role: Author, Unhurried at Work · United Kingdom
Why listed: Facilitators feel pressure to make things happen. Sitting with the confusion instead lets the group find its own resources.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Johnnie%20Moore
Website: https://www.johnniemoore.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnie-moore-2323/

### Viv McWaters
Role: Co-author, Creative Facilitation · Australia
Why listed: Improvisation is a trainable competence for decision-making under pressure, not a personality trait.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Viv%20McWaters
Website: http://vivmcwaters.com.au/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivmcwaters/

### Sarah Michel
Role: Partner, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting · United States
Why listed: Connection inside a conference has to be engineered. Hoping for it is a programme failure.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sarah%20Michel
Website: https://velvetchainsaw.com/team/sarah-michel/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmichelcsp/

### Liz Lathan
Role: Co-founder, Club Ichi · United States
Why listed: The agenda should emerge from the room's actual unsolved problems. No speakers, no panels, nobody rehearses.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Liz%20Lathan
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizlathan
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Liz%20Lathan%20Club%20Ichi%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Nicole Osibodu
Role: Co-founder, Club Ichi; the Wingman Protocol · United States
Why listed: Belonging can be engineered by someone deliberately reading who is left out and bridging it.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Nicole%20Osibodu
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleosibodu/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Nicole%20Osibodu%20Club%20Ichi%3B%20the%20Wingman%20Protocol%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Jefferson Fisher
Role: Author, The Next Conversation · United States
Why listed: Argue less, talk more. Conflict escalates because people try to win rather than be understood.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jefferson%20Fisher
Website: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffersonfisher/

### Jeffrey Cufaude
Role: Principal, Idea Architects · United States
Why listed: Most volunteer leadership fails at facilitation rather than at strategy. Boards need someone who can run the room.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jeffrey%20Cufaude
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreycufaude/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-cufaude-facilitatebetter/

## How Ideas Spread in Rooms: Network & Behavioural Science

The researchers whose findings on contagion, social capital and values explain why some rooms change behaviour and others don't.

### Alex Pentland
Role: Author, Social Physics · United States
Why listed: Idea flow across face-to-face networks predicts group performance better than individual talent does.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Alex%20Pentland
Website: https://connection.mit.edu/people/alex-sandy-pentland
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexsandypentland/

### Damon Centola
Role: Author, Change: How to Make Big Things Happen · United States
Why listed: Complex behaviours spread through reinforcing clusters and wide bridges, not weak ties.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Damon%20Centola
Website: https://www.damoncentola.com/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Damon%20Centola%20Change%3A%20How%20to%20Make%20Big%20Things%20Happen%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Nicholas Christakis
Role: Co-author, Connected · United States
Why listed: Behaviour and emotion propagate roughly three degrees through a social network.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Nicholas%20Christakis
Website: https://humannaturelab.net/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-christakis-07a01ba5/

### Marcus Collins
Role: Author, For the Culture · United States
Why listed: Culture, not messaging, moves people to act — through tribes and congregations rather than persuasion.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Marcus%20Collins
Website: https://drmarcuscollins.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmarcuscollins/

### Eric Klinenberg
Role: Author, Palaces for the People · United States
Why listed: Social infrastructure — the physical places people gather — determines who survives a crisis.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Eric%20Klinenberg
Website: https://www.ericklinenberg.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-klinenberg-8b60402/

### Robert Putnam
Role: Author, Bowling Alone; The Upswing · United States
Why listed: Social capital is built through repeated structured association, its collapse is measurable, and it has been reversed once already.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Robert%20Putnam
Website: http://robertdputnam.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertdputnam/

### Charlotte Blank
Role: Chief Behavioral Officer, Maritz · United States
Why listed: Few organisations run real experiments. Her field research found loss-framed incentives produce negative consequences — contradicting the industry that pays her.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Charlotte%20Blank
Website: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Charlotte-Blank-2
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-blank/

### David Allison
Role: Founder, Valuegraphics · Canada
Why listed: Demographics are stereotypes dressed as data. Values predict behaviour; belonging is the top shared value worldwide.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Allison
Website: https://valuegraphics.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidallisoninc/

## Ritual, Belonging & Meaning

Ritual, conversation, solitude and the analogue case for leaving the house — the meaning layer under the schedule.

### Casper ter Kuile
Role: Author, The Power of Ritual · United Kingdom & United States
Why listed: Secular gatherings are quietly taking over the functions religion used to perform.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Casper%20ter%20Kuile
Website: https://www.caspertk.com/projects
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/caspertk/

### Angie Thurston
Role: Co-author, How We Gather; Sacred Design Lab · United States
Why listed: Young people are building communities of meaning outside inherited institutions.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Angie%20Thurston
Website: https://sacred.design/who-we-are
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/awthurston/

### Sherry Turkle
Role: Author, Reclaiming Conversation · United States
Why listed: We sacrificed conversation for mere connection, and fewer real conversations erodes the capacity to hold them.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sherry%20Turkle
Website: https://www.sherryturkle.com/reclaiming-conversation
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherry-turkle/

### Susan Cain
Role: Author, Quiet; Bittersweet · United States
Why listed: We design gatherings for extroverts, and that bias wastes a third of the room's talent and energy.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Susan%20Cain
Website: https://susancain.net/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancain/

### David Sax
Role: Author, The Future Is Analog · Canada
Why listed: Leaving the house is underrated. Instant communication spreads anger better than joy.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Sax
Website: https://saxdavid.com/the-future-is-analog
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=David%20Sax%20The%20Future%20Is%20Analog%20%C2%B7%20Canada

### James Wallman
Role: Author, Time And How To Spend It; founder, WXO · United Kingdom
Why listed: Experientialism — he forecast the shift from possessions to experiences in 2013 and built a seven-rule framework for designing one.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=James%20Wallman
Website: https://worldxo.org/member/james-wallman/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswallman/

## Technology & AI

Practical AI adoption, hybrid as a production discipline, and the archives nobody has made searchable yet.

### James Spellos
Role: President, Meeting U · United States
Why listed: Planners can exploit AI tools productively without understanding the models underneath.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=James%20Spellos
Website: http://www.meeting-u.com
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jspellos/

### Michelle Bruno
Role: Publisher, Event Tech Brief · United States
Why listed: Event technology needs independent analysis, not vendor content marketing.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Michelle%20Bruno
Website: https://www.eventtechbrief.com/michelle-bruno
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Michelle%20Bruno%20Event%20Tech%20Brief%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Brandt Krueger
Role: Co-host, the Event Tech Podcast · United States
Why listed: Hybrid is a production discipline, and pretending otherwise is why it failed.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Brandt%20Krueger
Website: https://podcasts.apple.com/tt/podcast/the-event-tech-podcast/id558242863
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/brkrueger/

### Julie Novack
Role: Co-founder & CEO, PartySlate · United States
Why listed: The industry's own visual record is its most underused asset — 3.5 million photos, now being made searchable.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Julie%20Novack
Website: https://www.partyslate.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/julienovack/

## Measurement & Evidence

Carbon accounting, exhibitor NPS, learning-time data and diagnosable decline. The people who publish numbers the trade would rather not read.

### Shawna McKinley
Role: Columnist, Skift Meetings; Eventcellany · Canada
Why listed: Most event carbon accounting excludes attendee travel — usually the largest component — so the published number is not the footprint.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Shawna%20McKinley
Website: https://meetings.skift.com/author/shawna-mckinley/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawna-mckinley/

### Denzil Rankine
Role: Co-author, Reinventing Live · United Kingdom
Why listed: The one-off in-person show is finished as a business model. Organisers are facilitators of year-round community.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Denzil%20Rankine
Website: https://www.penelopev.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/denzil-rankine-b93a631/

### Dave Lutz
Role: Managing Director, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting · United States
Why listed: Conference decline is diagnosable from data long before registration numbers drop.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Dave%20Lutz
Website: https://velvetchainsaw.com/team/dave-lutz/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/davelutz/

### Mark Brewster
Role: Founder, Explori; ELX · United Kingdom
Why listed: Exhibitor satisfaction is comparable across shows and the aggregate is bad — NPS of minus 18.4 across a thousand events.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mark%20Brewster
Website: https://www.explori.com/blog
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-brewster-09931221/

### Ken Holsinger
Role: EVP, Freeman · United States
Why listed: Attendees want most of their learning outside the session room — 54% of conference learning time, 64% at trade shows.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Ken%20Holsinger
Website: https://www.freeman.com/resources/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenholsinger/

### Baris Onay
Role: Founder, Event Strategy Bot · United Kingdom
Why listed: Organisers hide behind expensive technology to mask the disorganised state of their underlying data.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Baris%20Onay
Website: https://barisonay.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonay/

## The Economics Underneath

Sponsorship valuation, marketplace design, holding companies and the buyers reshaping who owns the gathering economy.

### Chris Baylis
Role: Author, The Sponsorship Bible · Canada
Why listed: Sponsorship should be valued from audience assets, not from invented tier packages.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Chris%20Baylis
Website: https://sponsorshipcollective.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbaylis/

### Kim Skildum-Reid
Role: Author, Last Generation Sponsorship · Australia
Why listed: Sponsors do not want to connect with your event. They want your target market — the event is only the means.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kim%20Skildum-Reid
Website: https://powersponsorship.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimskildumreid/

### Bruce Rosenthal
Role: Convener, Partnership Professionals Network · United States
Why listed: Association sponsorship has to shift from transactional to year-round partnership, or it stays a logo sale.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Bruce%20Rosenthal
Website: https://partnershipprofessionals.network/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucerosenthal46/

### Jacob Cohen Donnelly
Role: Founder, A Media Operator · United States
Why listed: B2B media and events are one business, and events quietly subsidise the rest of it.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jacob%20Cohen%20Donnelly
Website: https://www.amediaoperator.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-cohen-donnelly-08aa3a8/

### Robyn Davis
Role: Author, Exhibit Smarter · United States
Why listed: The popular exhibiting goals are the wrong goals — that's what makes most booths a waste of money.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Robyn%20Davis
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whenineedhelp/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/whenineedhelp/

### Greg Topalian
Role: Founder, On Deck Ventures; LeftField Media · United States
Why listed: Enthusiast passion is a B2B asset — he scaled Clarion North America from $50M to $250M by buying and launching.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Greg%20Topalian
Website: https://us.clarionevents.com/team-bios/greg-topalian
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-topalian-75b9042/

### Paul Miller
Role: CEO, Questex · United States
Why listed: An event company is an information business with events at the centre — one customer data platform makes year-round engagement possible.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Paul%20Miller
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmiller/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmiller/

### Jonathan Weiner
Role: Co-founder, Events Venture Group · United States
Why listed: Design the marketplace, not the agenda. Money20/20, Shoptalk, HLTH and HumanX all structure the deal-making.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jonathan%20Weiner
Website: https://www.eventsventuregroup.com/jonathan-weiner
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/writejw/

### Jay Weintraub
Role: Founder, Connectiv · United States
Why listed: Events are a thing you can build, sell and build again — LeadsCon, MAU and InsureTech Connect, all exited.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jay%20Weintraub
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayweintraub/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayweintraub/

### Marco Giberti
Role: Co-author, Reinventing Live; Events Venture Group · United States & Argentina
Why listed: He argued in 2017 that a $565B industry was about to be disrupted like hospitality. Dismissed as alarmist, then read as prophecy.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Marco%20Giberti
Website: https://www.eventsventuregroup.com/marco-giberti
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcogiberti/

### Doug Emslie
Role: Founder, Cuil Bay Capital · United Kingdom
Why listed: He sold Tarsus to Informa for over a billion, then went back in as a buyer — the returns now sit in small and mid-sized independents.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Doug%20Emslie
Website: https://www.eventsventuregroup.com/douglas-emslie
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-emslie-2540405/

### Marilú Páez
Role: Founder & MD, Events Venture Group · Mexico & United States
Why listed: After 17 years corporate she built a consultancy around maximising exit value, then founded the group that pairs event entrepreneurs with operator-investors.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Maril%C3%BA%20P%C3%A1ez
Website: https://www.eventsventuregroup.com/marilu-paez
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilu-paez/

### Eric Lisman
Role: Founder & CEO, Media Front Inc · United States
Why listed: 35 years and more than 150 acquisitions of exhibitions, conferences and publishing — the consolidation machine now scouting early-stage event ventures.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Eric%20Lisman
Website: https://www.eventsventuregroup.com/ericlisman
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-lisman-049a89b/

### Kerry Gumas
Role: CEO, Metacomet; founder, Questex · United States
Why listed: He built Questex's global trade shows and media platforms from 2005 to 2018, after senior roles at Reed, IDG World Expo and Advanstar — now advising and investing in the next generation.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kerry%20Gumas
Website: https://www.eventsventuregroup.com/kerry-gumas
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryg27/

### Bob Priest-Heck
Role: Board Member & Academic Advisor, Events Venture Group · United States
Why listed: Thirty years leading media, entertainment and hospitality companies through transformation and M&A — the board's institutional-memory seat.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Bob%20Priest-Heck
Website: https://www.eventsventuregroup.com/bob-priest-heck
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-priest-heck/

### Sam Jacobson
Role: Founder, Ideaction Consulting · United States
Why listed: Selling is a science rather than charisma. Creative businesses lose high-end clients because they cannot articulate value.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sam%20Jacobson
Website: https://www.ideactionconsulting.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-jacobson-2a928733/

### Jaclyn Bernstein
Role: President, Empire Force Events · United States
Why listed: Independent beats consolidated on local knowledge — permits, NYPD detail, Ellis Island access is a moat scale cannot buy.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jaclyn%20Bernstein
Website: https://www.empireforce.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclyn-bernstein-5941545/

### Subhanjan Sarkar
Role: Host, The Trade Show Podcast · India
Why listed: Driving footfall to a booth is not a smart objective, it is a useless one. Buyers run a process the seller cannot see.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Subhanjan%20Sarkar
Website: https://pitchlink.substack.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar/

### Howard Givner
Role: Founder, Event Business Intelligence · United States
Why listed: He built the sector's main education platform, sold it, and now advises on the M&A reshaping the industry.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Howard%20Givner
Website: http://www.eventbusinessintel.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/hgivner/

## Bodies, Safety & Access

Crowd management, contracts, dietary liability and inclusive practice as professional competence rather than values statement.

### Steven Adelman
Role: VP, Event Safety Alliance · United States
Why listed: Event safety is a legal standard of care question, not a best practices question.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Steven%20Adelman
Website: https://eventsafetyalliance.org/steven-adelman
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenadelman/

### Jim Digby
Role: Founder, Event Safety Alliance · United States
Why listed: The industry adopts safety standards only after people die.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jim%20Digby
Website: https://eventsafetyalliance.org/jim-digby
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdigby/

### Tracy Stuckrath
Role: Host, Eating at a Meeting · United States
Why listed: Dietary accommodation is a liability exposure, not a hospitality courtesy.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tracy%20Stuckrath
Website: https://www.eatingatameeting.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracystuckrath/

### Russ Simons
Role: Managing Partner, Venue Solutions Group · United States
Why listed: Crowd behaviour is predictable and therefore preventable — he wrote the Walmart Black Friday crowd plan.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Russ%20Simons
Website: https://venuesolutionsgroup.com/about/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-simons-2aa13b5b/

### Joan Eisenstodt
Role: Principal, Eisenstodt Associates · United States
Why listed: Better 'tell me more' questions produce better contracts. Rushed communication and fill-in-the-blank RFPs cause most disputes.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Joan%20Eisenstodt
Website: https://eisenstodt.com/bio/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joaneisenstodt/

### Kirsten Palladino
Role: Author, Equally Wed · United States
Why listed: Inclusive practice is a professional competence, not a values statement.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kirsten%20Palladino
Website: https://equallywed.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenottpalladino/

### Shafonne Myers
Role: Founder, Pretty Pear Bride; Aisle Society · United States
Why listed: Representation is an economic argument, not a moral one.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Shafonne%20Myers
Website: https://aislesociety.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/shafonnemyers/

## Sustainability Under Scrutiny

Auditable standards, public scoring and the unglamorous procurement choices that actually decide an event's footprint.

### Guy Bigwood
Role: CEO, Global Destination Sustainability Movement · Spain
Why listed: Destinations respond to scoring and ranking, so score them publicly.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Guy%20Bigwood
Website: https://www.gds.earth/team/guy-bigwood/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/guybigwood/

### Fiona Pelham
Role: Chair, ISO 20121 committee · United Kingdom
Why listed: Sustainability claims only bind when they sit inside an auditable standard — so she chaired the committee that wrote one.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Fiona%20Pelham
Website: https://www.fionapelham.com/about
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionapelham/

### Nancy Zavada
Role: Founder, MeetGreen · United States
Why listed: A waste audit reveals what a sustainability statement conceals.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Nancy%20Zavada
Website: https://meetgreen.com/author/nancy/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-j-zavada-328659/

### Al Mercuro
Role: Columnist, TSNN; ESCA/EDPA sustainability · United States
Why listed: Exhibition sustainability is decided by unglamorous procurement choices on the show floor, starting with carpet.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Al%20Mercuro
Website: https://www.tsnn.com/author/al-mercuro
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-mercuro-4929645/

## Craft of the Stage

Persuasion, imagination and moderation treated as trainable craft — plus the curator who gave away the institution.

### Tamsen Webster
Role: Author, Find Your Red Thread · United States
Why listed: You cannot create change, only the conditions for it. Persuasion works by validating what an audience already believes.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tamsen%20Webster
Website: https://tamsenwebster.com/books/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamsenwebster/

### Chris Anderson
Role: Head of TED; author, Infectious Generosity · United Kingdom & United States
Why listed: Giving the thing away is the strategy — including the institution itself, handed to the best vision rather than the highest bid.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Chris%20Anderson
Website: https://ideas.ted.com/author/chris-anderson/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-anderson-3b2a05bb/

### Nancy Duarte
Role: Author, Resonate; Slide:ology · United States
Why listed: Great communication oscillates between what is and what could be. Beautiful visuals still carried boring content.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Nancy%20Duarte
Website: https://www.duarte.com/resources/books/slideology/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyduarte/

### Duncan Wardle
Role: Author, The Imagination Emporium · United Kingdom & United States
Why listed: Creativity is a teachable skill, and innovation cannot be outsourced to consultants or a designated team.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Duncan%20Wardle
Website: https://duncanwardle.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncanwardle/

### Femi Oke
Role: Co-founder, Moderate The Panel · United Kingdom & United States
Why listed: Moderation is a trainable craft, not a favour asked of a friendly executive. The shortage of skilled moderators of colour is structural.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Femi%20Oke
Website: https://www.moderatethepanel.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealfemioke/

## The Workforce & What the Work Costs

Psychological safety, contract risk, mental health at work and the trade that treats burnout as proof of commitment.

### Janice Cardinale
Role: Founder, Event Minds Matter · Canada
Why listed: Ending workplace abuse in events is a human right, not a wellness perk. Psychological safety is trainable at every level.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Janice%20Cardinale
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janice-cardinale/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/janice-cardinale/

### Courtney Stanley
Role: Host, Dare to Interrupt; #MeetingsToo · United States
Why listed: Representation without voice is not enough — the industry needs spaces where people can speak without being talked over.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Courtney%20Stanley
Website: https://www.courtney-stanley.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneystanley/

### Heather Reid
Role: Founder, Planner Protect; co-creator, CECP · Canada
Why listed: Planners sign contractual risk they were never trained to assess — $27–35K in avoided risk per contract reviewed.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Heather%20Reid
Website: https://plannerprotect.ca/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherereid/

### Melissa Doman
Role: Author, Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work · United States
Why listed: Talking about mental health at work is a trainable skill requiring structure, not merely permission.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Melissa%20Doman
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissadoman1/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissadoman1/

### Iain Morrison
Role: Author, Behind the Stage Leadership · Australia
Why listed: People think events are about creativity. They are really about systems — most event stress is structural, not personal.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Iain%20Morrison
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iainmorrison1/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/iainmorrison1/

### Andrew Roby
Role: Founder, Andrew Roby Events · United States
Why listed: The industry rewards exhaustion and calls it craft.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Andrew%20Roby
Website: http://www.andrewrobyevents.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewrobyeventplanner/

### Amanda Cecil
Role: Professor, event & tourism management, Indiana University · United States
Why listed: Event management deserves academic standing, not just vocational training — scholarship and practice have to inform each other.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Amanda%20Cecil
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacecil/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cecil-7932111/

## Strategy & the Industry's Own Structure

Event strategy as a discipline distinct from execution, foresight built from many contributors, and exhibitions as soft power.

### Nicola Kastner
Role: Founder, The Event Strategist; CEO, ELX · Canada
Why listed: Event strategy is a distinct discipline from execution, accountable to business outcomes rather than attendance.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Nicola%20Kastner
Website: https://nicolakastner.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolakastner/

### Rohit Talwar
Role: CEO, Fast Future · United Kingdom
Why listed: Foresight should be built from many contributors rather than one forecaster, aiming at a human-centred future.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Rohit%20Talwar
Website: https://fastfuture.com/team/rohit-talwar/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-talwar-futurist-keynote-speaker/

### Roger Kellerman
Role: Columnist, Meetings International · Sweden
Why listed: A strategy that is never implemented is cosmetics. When countries publish event strategies and never fund them, the document was the point.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Roger%20Kellerman
Website: https://meetingsinternational.com/mi-magazine/columnists/kellerman/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-kellerman-60a0491/

### Kai Hattendorf
Role: Author, the 5 S Model; Event(s)ful · Norway
Why listed: Floor space is no longer the financial backbone of a trade show — the mix is shifting to services and subscriptions.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kai%20Hattendorf
Website: https://kaihattendorf.substack.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaihattendorf/

### Michael Cerbelli
Role: Creator, The Hot List · United States
Why listed: The industry hoards its vendor knowledge and everyone loses — 25 years of opening his black book in public.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Michael%20Cerbelli
Website: https://www.thehotlist.com/about/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcerbelli/

### Stephanie Selesnick
Role: Founder, Women in Exhibitions North America · United States
Why listed: American shows behave as though the world will come to them. Internationalising a show is work almost nobody does.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Stephanie%20Selesnick
Website: https://www.womeninexhibitions.com/team/stephanie-selesnick/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieselesnick/

### Chetan Shah
Role: Founder, micebook · United Kingdom
Why listed: The sector is all about people and was the first to be hit — MICE buyers were isolated from each other and from information.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Chetan%20Shah
Website: https://micebook.com/members/chetan-shah/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/chetan-shah-41617417/

### Trixie LohMirmand
Role: CEO, KAOUN International (GITEX) · United Arab Emirates
Why listed: An exhibition is an instrument of soft power — events drive capital, talent and policy rather than merely hosting them.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Trixie%20LohMirmand
Website: https://ae.linkedin.com/in/trixie-lohmirmand
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/trixie-lohmirmand/

### Richard Attias
Role: Founder, Richard Attias & Associates · Saudi Arabia & United Arab Emirates
Why listed: A conference is an instrument of statecraft. He built the format at Davos, then applied it as nation branding.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Richard%20Attias
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-attias
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-attias-09139915a/

## Community Building

Lifecycle, mutual concern and building with people rather than for them.

### Ben Yurcisin
Role: CEO & Founder, Intu Global (formerly The Generative AI Network) · United States
Why listed: A great theme won't guarantee people show up, but a boring one guarantees they won't — his Founders' Oasis swapped the summit for live music, food and meditative exhibits.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Ben%20Yurcisin
Website: https://luma.com/user/benyurcisin
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/benyurcisin/

### David Spinks
Role: Author, The Business of Belonging · United States
Why listed: Community is a business function with measurable return, and it has a lifecycle you can design for.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Spinks
Website: https://davidspinks.substack.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidspinks/

### Carrie Melissa Jones
Role: Co-author, Building Brand Communities · United States
Why listed: Most brand communities are transactional relationships wearing the word community.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Carrie%20Melissa%20Jones
Website: https://www.buildingbrandcommunities.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriemelissajones/

### Bailey Richardson
Role: Co-author, Get Together · United States
Why listed: Build your community with people, not for them. Communities feel magical but do not come together by magic.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Bailey%20Richardson
Website: https://gettogether.world/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/baileyrichardson/

## This Year's Influential #Eventprofs

Drawn from Northstar's 7th annual Meetings Industry Influencers list (October 6, 2026), Skift Meetings' Most Powerful Women in Meetings (September 16, 2026) and Sara Sandeep's 25 Event Industry Influencers to Follow in the USA (October 7, 2026), all archived in List & Award Land.

### Rachel Andrews
Role: Senior Director, Global Meetings & Events, Cvent · United States
Why listed: Runs nearly 800 gatherings a year and staged a live rebrand at Cvent Connect — attendees experienced the transformation instead of hearing about it.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Rachel%20Andrews
Website: https://www.cvent.com/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Rachel%20Andrews%20Cvent%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Noah Cheyer
Role: AI Educator and Founder, Silicon Valley Speakers · United States
Why listed: A boutique, AI-native bureau with an exclusive, story-first roster — the counter-model to the big bureaus' breadth.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Noah%20Cheyer
Website: https://www.svsb.ai/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Noah%20Cheyer%20Silicon%20Valley%20Speakers%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Carvie Gillikin
Role: President and CEO, MGME · United States
Why listed: Named a 2026 Northstar influencer for her work on the planner–hotel relationship.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Carvie%20Gillikin
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Carvie%20Gillikin%20MGME%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Tommy Goodwin
Role: President and CEO, Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance · United States
Why listed: Leads the industry's advocacy voice in Washington as ECA relaunches.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tommy%20Goodwin
Website: https://www.exhibitionsconferencesalliance.org/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Tommy%20Goodwin%20Exhibitions%20%26%20Conferences%20Alliance%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Joshua Grimes
Role: Attorney and President, Grimes Law Offices · United States
Why listed: Last year's numbers no longer predict next year's attendance — contracts now need pricing language for war and inflation spikes.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Joshua%20Grimes
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Joshua%20Grimes%20Grimes%20Law%20Offices%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Nicole Marsh
Role: COO and Cofounder, Imprint Events Group · United States
Why listed: Got Colorado to reclassify DMCs as professional services rather than resellers — a year-long campaign that changed state tax law.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Nicole%20Marsh
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Nicole%20Marsh%20Imprint%20Events%20Group%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Marisa Nebosky
Role: Director of Special Events & Digital Marketing, FIFA World Cup Boston 2026 · United States
Why listed: Fan activations as community engagement — what a host committee does with the year before the matches.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Marisa%20Nebosky
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Marisa%20Nebosky%20FIFA%20World%20Cup%20Boston%202026%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Kathy Nelson
Role: CEO, Kansas City Sports Commission · United States
Why listed: Sports events as a destination's growth strategy.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kathy%20Nelson
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kathy%20Nelson%20Kansas%20City%20Sports%20Commission%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Lisa Schulteis
Role: Founder, ElectraLime Marketing · United States
Why listed: Named a 2026 Northstar influencer for her teaching on event marketing.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Lisa%20Schulteis
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Lisa%20Schulteis%20ElectraLime%20Marketing%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Min and Chase Seon
Role: Cofounders, TalkValue · United States
Why listed: Named jointly as 2026 Northstar influencers.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Min%20and%20Chase%20Seon
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Min%20and%20Chase%20Seon%20TalkValue%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Rachel Stephan
Role: Founder and CEO, Snöball · United States
Why listed: Attendees and speakers are a conference's best promoters — if you give them the tools to share.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Rachel%20Stephan
Website: https://snoball.events/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Rachel%20Stephan%20Sn%C3%B6ball%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### David T. Stevens
Role: Cofounder, Olympian Meeting; Host, Return on Wellness · United States
Why listed: Caring about people isn't separate from performance. Wellness belongs at the centre of event design, not on the margins.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20T.%20Stevens
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=David%20T.%20Stevens%20Return%20on%20Wellness%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Melvin Tennant II
Role: President and CEO, Meet Minneapolis · United States
Why listed: Six years of crisis management for a destination — and how a CVB rebuilds bookings after the headlines.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Melvin%20Tennant%20II
Website: https://www.minneapolis.org/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Melvin%20Tennant%20II%20Meet%20Minneapolis%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Jenn Artura
Role: Marketing and Events Executive, Fractional CMO · United States
Why listed: Ties an event portfolio to the business's marketing goals, with human-centred design. (Via Sara Sandeep's 2026 list of 25 US event voices.)
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jenn%20Artura
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jenn%20Artura%20Fractional%20CMO%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### David Kliman
Role: Facilitator; Cofounder, Event Leaders Exchange; The Kliman Group · United States
Why listed: A trend hunter and connector who spots shifts in meetings and hospitality early. (Via Sara Sandeep's 2026 list.)
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Kliman
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=David%20Kliman%20Event%20Leaders%20Exchange%3B%20The%20Kliman%20Group%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Lea Stafford
Role: Event Designer and Producer · United States
Why listed: Production and design that carry sustainability and social impact, not just execution. (Via Sara Sandeep's 2026 list.)
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Lea%20Stafford
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Lea%20Stafford

### Eva Clark
Role: Founder, Eva Clark Events · United States
Why listed: Destination wedding design with lessons for any event on branding and visual storytelling. (Via Sara Sandeep's 2026 list.)
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Eva%20Clark
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Eva%20Clark%20Eva%20Clark%20Events%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Annette Naif
Role: Strategic Event Producer and Event Planning Coach · United States
Why listed: Helps independent planners build the business side, across corporate, nonprofit and social events. (Via Sara Sandeep's 2026 list.)
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Annette%20Naif
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Annette%20Naif

### Fiona Bruder
Role: Global CEO, GPJ
Why listed: Runs one of the largest experiential agencies, where brand events are planned at global scale. (Via Skift Meetings' 2026 Most Powerful Women in Meetings, #5.)
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Fiona%20Bruder
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Fiona%20Bruder%20GPJ

### Cameron Curtis
Role: Executive Director, LGBT Meeting Professionals Association; CEO, C2 Association Strategy
Why listed: Leads the industry's LGBTQ+ professional association and advises associations on strategy. (Via Skift Meetings' 2026 list, #6.)
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Cameron%20Curtis
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Cameron%20Curtis%20C2%20Association%20Strategy

### Tina Madden
Role: CEO, Meetings & Incentives Worldwide (M&IW)
Why listed: Leads a large US meetings and incentive travel company. (Via Skift Meetings' 2026 list, #11.)
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tina%20Madden
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Tina%20Madden%20Meetings%20%26%20Incentives%20Worldwide%20(M%26IW)

### Monique Ruff-Bell
Role: Chief Program & Strategy Officer, TED
Why listed: Shapes the program behind one of the best-known conference formats in the world. (Via Skift Meetings' 2026 list, #12.)
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Monique%20Ruff-Bell
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Monique%20Ruff-Bell%20TED

### Mary Jo Blythe
Role: Masterplan; The Above and Beyond Foundation
Why listed: Named among Skift Meetings' 2026 Most Powerful Women in Meetings.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mary%20Jo%20Blythe
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Mary%20Jo%20Blythe

### Annette Gregg
Role: CEO, Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE)
Why listed: Leads the global association for incentive travel, the reward-trip corner of the gathering economy. (Via Skift Meetings' 2026 list.)
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Annette%20Gregg
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Annette%20Gregg%20Society%20for%20Incentive%20Travel%20Excellence%20(SITE)

### Stephanie Harris
Role: President, Incentive Research Foundation (IRF)
Why listed: Leads the research body that measures what incentives and reward travel actually do. (Via Skift Meetings' 2026 list.)
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Stephanie%20Harris
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Stephanie%20Harris%20Incentive%20Research%20Foundation%20(IRF)

## The Wisdom Bank

The practitioners behind the GatheringPoint.news Wisdom Bank profiles — producers, hosts, diplomats, chefs, conductors and educators whose interviews fill the archive. Follow the people the industry learns from.

### Jason Alexander
Role: Actor & director · United States
Why listed: Collaboration learned on stage and screen translates directly to the room — the craft of working together is the same.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jason%20Alexander
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jason%20Alexander

### Lisa Belzberg
Role: Conscious connector & community builder · United States
Why listed: Breaks down the barriers between strangers deliberately, and builds larger caring communities out of the result.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Lisa%20Belzberg
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-belzberg-08876bb8/

### Mary Boone
Role: Meeting experience designer · United States
Why listed: Designs meeting experiences that stimulate high-performance collaboration rather than passive attendance.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mary%20Boone
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Mary%20Boone

### Sarah Brown
Role: Founder, Theirworld · United Kingdom
Why listed: Quiet activism with deliberate structure — a former Prime Minister's spouse who built a global education movement.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sarah%20Brown
Website: https://www.theirworld.org/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-brown-530729a2/

### Paul Bulencea & Claus Raasted
Role: Co-founders, The College of Extraordinary Experiences · Romania & Denmark
Why listed: Built a school for immersive experience design — learning as a theatrical, transformative act.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Paul%20Bulencea%20%26%20Claus%20Raasted
Website: https://extraordinarycollege.com/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Paul%20Bulencea%20%26%20Claus%20Raasted%20The%20College%20of%20Extraordinary%20Experiences%20%C2%B7%20Romania%20%26%20Denmark

### Cheryl Cecchetto
Role: Founder, Sequoia Productions · United States
Why listed: Produced the Oscars Governors Ball for decades — Hollywood event production as a casting exercise.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Cheryl%20Cecchetto
Website: https://www.sequoiaprod.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-cecchetto-a000495/

### Michael Cirino
Role: Founder, A Razor, A Shiny Knife · United States
Why listed: Pushes dining into immersive theatre — the experience creator who keeps raising the bar.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Michael%20Cirino
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjcirino/

### Chris & Jill Drury
Role: Event interaction designers · United States
Why listed: A duo pioneering new models of event interaction — the room as a designed system, not a stage.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Chris%20%26%20Jill%20Drury
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Chris%20%26%20Jill%20Drury

### Philip Dufour
Role: Founder, Philip Dufour & Co. · United States
Why listed: Washington's global host of influence — protocol-grade hospitality for embassies and institutions.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Philip%20Dufour
Website: https://philipdufour.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-dufour-a805094/

### Mike Duignan
Role: Founder, Centre for Events & Festivals; professor · United Kingdom
Why listed: Built an academic home for the serious study of events and festivals — evidence for a trade that ran on instinct.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mike%20Duignan
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbduignan/

### Ben Erwin
Role: CEO, Encore · United States
Why listed: Runs the production giant behind thousands of stages — the voice-of-god's boss on what large-scale production really takes.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Ben%20Erwin
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerwin
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-erwin-b902176/

### Brian Feit
Role: Co-founder, BMF · United States
Why listed: Runs an experiential agency where the hustle never stops — it just gets bigger.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Brian%20Feit
Website: https://www.bmfmedia.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeit/

### Edie Fraser
Role: CEO, Women Business Collaborative · United States
Why listed: The networking ninja who turned introductions into opportunity infrastructure for women.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Edie%20Fraser
Website: https://www.wbcollaborative.org/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/edie-fraser-38b4466/

### Marc Friedland
Role: Founder, Marc Friedland Couture Communications · United States
Why listed: Designed the Oscar envelope — invitations and details as the first act of the event.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Marc%20Friedland
Website: https://marcfriedland.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-friedland/

### Andrew Garcia
Role: Co-founder, Goodshuffle Pro · United States
Why listed: Built the operating software rental and production companies actually run on.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Andrew%20Garcia
Website: https://pro.goodshuffle.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-garcia-0791966/

### Steve Gottlieb
Role: Founder & CEO, Shindig · United States
Why listed: Uses technology to let participants choose their own journeys — increasing participation by giving up control.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Steve%20Gottlieb
Website: https://www.shindig.com/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Steve%20Gottlieb%20Shindig%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Natalie Jones Hallahan
Role: Protocol & statecraft adviser · United States
Why listed: Sets the stage for diplomatic results — statecraft expertise applied to the details of gathering.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Natalie%20Jones%20Hallahan
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Natalie%20Jones%20Hallahan

### Mark Johnson
Role: Co-founder, Playing For Change · United States
Why listed: Made it possible for people around the world to sing together — unity through shared performance.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mark%20Johnson
Website: https://playingforchange.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-johnson-40429b70/

### Kathy 'Coach' Kemper
Role: Founder & CEO, Institute for Education · United States
Why listed: Tennis teacher to the powerful who built Washington's most unusual convening institution off the court.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kathy%20'Coach'%20Kemper
Website: https://www.instituteforeducation.org/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-kathy-kemper-45930239/

### Laurie Kirby
Role: Co-founder, FestForums · United States
Why listed: Built the room where festival creators go to think — the industry's own gathering about gatherings.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Laurie%20Kirby
Website: https://www.festforums.com/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Laurie%20Kirby%20FestForums%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Lauren Kotkin
Role: Conference & philanthropy strategist · United States
Why listed: Unlocks the energy and resources of the philanthropic world through conferences.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Lauren%20Kotkin
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-kotkin-276435b9/

### Andrew Lacanienta
Role: Experience design researcher & professor · United States
Why listed: Designs transformations strategically, grounded in a taxonomy of experience types.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Andrew%20Lacanienta
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-lac/

### James Lancaster
Role: Engagement strategist · events industry
Why listed: Codified the rules of engagement — what actually makes a room participate.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=James%20Lancaster
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-lancaster-9350378/

### David Landgraf
Role: Gathering designer · United States
Why listed: The quiet architect of gatherings — structure you feel but never notice.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Landgraf
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidplandgraf/

### Wynton Marsalis
Role: Managing & Artistic Director, Jazz at Lincoln Center · United States
Why listed: Improvisation is a discipline of listening — the musical superstar on making something together in real time.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Wynton%20Marsalis
Website: https://wyntonmarsalis.org/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Wynton%20Marsalis%20Jazz%20at%20Lincoln%20Center%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Anita McBride
Role: Former chief of staff to First Lady Laura Bush; American University · United States
Why listed: The DC insider shining a spotlight on the convening power of First Ladies.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Anita%20McBride
Website: https://www.american.edu/spa/faculty/anita-mcbride.cfm
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-b-mcbride/

### J.B. Miller
Role: Collaboration & experience strategist · United States
Why listed: The go-to resource for next-level collaborations with greater impact.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=J.B.%20Miller
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-b-miller-b47b441/

### Seth Moulton
Role: U.S. Congressman (MA-6); Marine veteran · United States
Why listed: A military-trained congressional leader on the democracy of collaboration.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Seth%20Moulton
Website: https://moulton.house.gov/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethmoulton/

### Xavier Mufraggi
Role: CEO, YPO · United States
Why listed: At the epicenter of the world's most powerful corporate leadership community — 38,000 chief executives by design.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Xavier%20Mufraggi
Website: https://www.ypo.org/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/xaviermufraggi/

### Roger Nierenberg
Role: Conductor; creator, The Music Paradigm · United States
Why listed: Teaches businesspeople collaboration by seating them inside a working orchestra.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Roger%20Nierenberg
Website: https://www.musicparadigm.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogernierenberg/

### J. Francisco Núñez
Role: Founder & Artistic Director, Young People's Chorus of New York City · United States
Why listed: The choirmaster who leverages diversity and mentorship to create harmony — literally.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=J.%20Francisco%20N%C3%BA%C3%B1ez
Website: https://ypc.org/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisco-nunez-b27a9931/

### Charlie Palmer
Role: Chef & restaurateur · United States
Why listed: The chef and host who cooks up collaborative experiences — hospitality as the gathering's engine.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Charlie%20Palmer
Website: https://charliepalmer.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-palmer-b5a285379/

### Ben Parr
Role: Author, Captivology · United States
Why listed: Pays attention to attention — the science of why some moments capture a room and most don't.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Ben%20Parr
Website: https://www.benparr.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/benparr/

### Arthur Pearson
Role: Veteran Outward Bound leader · United States
Why listed: Collaboration in learning, proven outdoors over decades — the icon of experiential education.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Arthur%20Pearson
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthurnpearson/

### Nicole Peck
Role: Hospitality leader · United States
Why listed: The General of Warmth — guest experience run with operational discipline and genuine welcome.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Nicole%20Peck
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolepeck212/

### Dr. Wayne Pernell
Role: Executive coach & clinical psychologist · United States
Why listed: Applies the principles of couples therapy to get big business results — relationships as the unit of work.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Dr.%20Wayne%20Pernell
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynepernell/

### Holly Peterson
Role: Author & host; former ABC News producer · United States
Why listed: The dinner party doctrine — the private table as the most underrated gathering format in public life.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Holly%20Peterson
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollypetersonny/

### Barry Ross Rinehart
Role: Event & communications strategist · United States
Why listed: Leverages emotion for impact — feeling as a design material, not a byproduct.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Barry%20Ross%20Rinehart
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-ross-rinehart-3408122/

### Sandy Safi
Role: Co-founder, Dîner en Blanc International · United States
Why listed: Created a global FOMO phenomenon — 120 cities gathering in secret, dressed in white.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sandy%20Safi
Website: https://international.dinerenblanc.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-safi-8050785/

### Angela Scalpello
Role: Communications consultant · United States
Why listed: Catalyzes serendipitous conversations on purpose — chance as an engineered outcome.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Angela%20Scalpello
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-scalpello/

### Lee Brian Schrager
Role: Founder, New York City & South Beach Wine & Food Festivals · United States
Why listed: Twenty-five years of the beach, the crowd and the crisis — food festivals at city scale.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Lee%20Brian%20Schrager
Website: https://nycwff.org/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-brian-schrager/

### Sarah Shewey
Role: Founder, Happily; former TEDActive producer · United States
Why listed: Made trained event talent on demand a reality — the workforce layer the industry was missing.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sarah%20Shewey
Website: https://www.happily.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahshewey/

### Amanda Slavin
Role: Author, The Seventh Level; founder, CatalystCreativ · United States
Why listed: The progression of engagement, level by level — a ladder from disengaged to evangelist.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Amanda%20Slavin
Website: https://www.amandaslavin.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/amslavin/

### Brian Solis
Role: Head of Global Innovation, ServiceNow; author · United States
Why listed: Combines digital and real-world experiences to reach more people — the innovation evangelist's case for hybrid.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Brian%20Solis
Website: https://briansolis.com/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansolis/

### Jonathan Steffert
Role: New Zealand cultural attaché, Washington D.C. · New Zealand
Why listed: A country's cultural diplomat who can't afford a typical story or a so-so party.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jonathan%20Steffert
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathansteffert/

### Joanna Stone Herman
Role: Deal strategist & partnership builder · United States
Why listed: The dealmaker who births collaborations destined for success — matchmaking with a term sheet.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Joanna%20Stone%20Herman
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannastone/

### Deborah Szekely
Role: Co-founder, Rancho La Puerta & Golden Door · United States
Why listed: Life lessons on collaboration from a century of building the world's defining wellness retreat.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Deborah%20Szekely
Website: https://rancholapuerta.com/
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Deborah%20Szekely%20Rancho%20La%20Puerta%20%26%20Golden%20Door%20%C2%B7%20United%20States

### Caitlin Walker
Role: Clean Language facilitator & author · United Kingdom
Why listed: Pioneered clean questions for more effective collaboration — how you ask decides what a group can say.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Caitlin%20Walker
Website: https://cleanlearning.co.uk/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-walker-phd-6a11a8b/

### Don Welsh
Role: President & CEO, Destinations International · United States
Why listed: The coach and showman in chief — leading the global body for destination organizations.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Don%20Welsh
Website: https://destinationsinternational.org/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-welsh/

### Carl Winston
Role: Founding director, L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, San Diego State · United States
Why listed: The discipline of building something that wasn't supposed to matter — and the first to sound the alarm on enrollment.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Carl%20Winston
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-winston-9079a77/

### John Woo
Role: Experience designer, hybrid gatherings · United States
Why listed: Breaks the 'fifth wall' to connect physical and virtual audiences in one room.
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=John%20Woo
Website: https://gatheringpoint.news/
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/yjohnwoo/

## Exhibitions & Consumer Shows

Trade shows, expos, consumer shows — the people redefining how large-scale buying, selling, and discovery happens in physical space.

### Julius Solaris
Role: Events Consultant & Creator, Boldpush
Why listed: 90K+ followers — the most influential voice in events, breaks down strategy with data nobody else shares
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Julius%20Solaris
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Julius%20Solaris%20Boldpush

### Stephanie Selesnick
Role: International Trade Show Consultant
Why listed: The go-to advisor for exhibition organizers expanding into new markets
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Stephanie%20Selesnick
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Stephanie%20Selesnick

### Liz Irving
Role: CEO, Clarion Events
Why listed: Runs one of the world's largest exhibition companies
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Liz%20Irving
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Liz%20Irving%20Clarion%20Events

### Chris Skeith OBE
Role: CEO, UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry)
Why listed: Leads the global body for exhibitions — shapes industry standards
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Chris%20Skeith%20OBE
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Chris%20Skeith%20OBE%20UFI%20(Global%20Association%20of%20the%20Exhibition%20Industry)

### Danica Tormohlen
Role: Editor in Chief, Trade Show Executive
Why listed: Tracks every major move in the exhibition business
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Danica%20Tormohlen
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Danica%20Tormohlen%20Trade%20Show%20Executive

### Elizabeth George
Role: Content & Programming Leader, IAEE
Why listed: Obsessed with building community at Expo! Expo!
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Elizabeth%20George
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Elizabeth%20George%20IAEE

### Mark Bogdansky
Role: VP of Trade Shows & Events, InfoComm/AVIXA
Why listed: Leads one of the tech industry's most important annual shows
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mark%20Bogdansky
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Mark%20Bogdansky%20InfoComm%2FAVIXA

### Mary Larkin
Role: President, Convention Management Resources
Why listed: 30+ years managing large-scale trade shows and associations
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mary%20Larkin
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Mary%20Larkin%20Convention%20Management%20Resources

### Hervé Sedky
Role: President & CEO, Emerald
Why listed: Runs a publicly traded exhibition company reshaping B2B events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Herv%C3%A9%20Sedky
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Herv%C3%A9%20Sedky%20Emerald

### Charlie McCurdy
Role: CEO, Informa Markets (former)
Why listed: Ran the world's largest B2B events division
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Charlie%20McCurdy
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Charlie%20McCurdy%20Informa%20Markets%20(former)

### Mark Temple-Smith
Role: CEO, Montgomery Group
Why listed: Leads a global exhibition organizer known for emerging market expansion
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mark%20Temple-Smith
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Mark%20Temple-Smith%20Montgomery%20Group

### Jason McGraw
Role: CRO, GES
Why listed: Drives revenue at one of the largest exhibition services companies globally
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jason%20McGraw
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jason%20McGraw%20GES

### Lisa Hannant
Role: President, SISO
Why listed: Leads the Society of Independent Show Organizers — independent voice for the sector
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Lisa%20Hannant
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Lisa%20Hannant%20SISO

### Nancy Walsh
Role: President, Reed Exhibitions Americas (former)
Why listed: Managed the Americas portfolio of the world's largest exhibition organizer
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Nancy%20Walsh
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Nancy%20Walsh%20Reed%20Exhibitions%20Americas%20(former)

### Michael Duck
Role: EVP, Informa Markets
Why listed: Drives growth strategy across one of the most expansive trade show portfolios
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Michael%20Duck
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Michael%20Duck%20Informa%20Markets

### Marsha Flanagan
Role: President & CEO, IAEE
Why listed: Leads the International Association of Exhibitions and Events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Marsha%20Flanagan
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Marsha%20Flanagan%20IAEE

### Rachel Wimberly
Role: Editorial Director, Trade Show News Network
Why listed: The trade show industry's most-read journalist
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Rachel%20Wimberly
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Rachel%20Wimberly%20Trade%20Show%20News%20Network

### Ben Wills
Role: Managing Director, Tarsus Group
Why listed: Organizes major exhibitions across 5 continents
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Ben%20Wills
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Ben%20Wills%20Tarsus%20Group

### Andrew Anagnost
Role: CEO, Autodesk (AEC conference)
Why listed: Leads one of tech's most powerful industry conferences connecting digital and physical
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Andrew%20Anagnost
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Andrew%20Anagnost%20Autodesk%20(AEC%20conference)

### Sandy Angus
Role: Co-founder, Angus Montgomery Arts
Why listed: Pioneer of consumer art fairs globally — Art Central, India Art Fair
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sandy%20Angus
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sandy%20Angus%20Angus%20Montgomery%20Arts

### Tommy Goodwin
Role: VP Advocacy & Government Relations, IAEE
Why listed: Fights for the exhibition industry in Washington — policy shaper
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tommy%20Goodwin
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Tommy%20Goodwin%20IAEE

### Kelly Megnin
Role: VP of Sales, Messe Frankfurt USA
Why listed: Drives German exhibition model in the US market
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kelly%20Megnin
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kelly%20Megnin%20Messe%20Frankfurt%20USA

### David Shanks
Role: CEO, Messe Frankfurt UK
Why listed: Bridges European exhibition standards with UK and US markets
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Shanks
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=David%20Shanks%20Messe%20Frankfurt%20UK

### Robyn Mietkiewicz
Role: SVP, Comexposium US
Why listed: French exhibition powerhouse expanding US footprint
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Robyn%20Mietkiewicz
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Robyn%20Mietkiewicz%20Comexposium%20US

### Megan Tanel
Role: President, International Association of Venue Managers (former)
Why listed: Connected exhibition organizers to venue operations excellence
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Megan%20Tanel
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Megan%20Tanel%20International%20Association%20of%20Venue%20Managers%20(former)

### Hanan Baban
Role: Exhibition Marketing Strategist
Why listed: Helps organizers actually fill their show floors — demand gen specialist
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Hanan%20Baban
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Hanan%20Baban

### Hamid Qadir
Role: Founder, VisionLive.io
Why listed: Pioneered interactive floor plan technology for exhibitions
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Hamid%20Qadir
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Hamid%20Qadir%20VisionLive.io

### Dawn Pettus
Role: VP Business Development, PCMA
Why listed: Bridges association meetings with exhibition strategy
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Dawn%20Pettus
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Dawn%20Pettus%20PCMA

### Marco Giberti
Role: Co-founder, Vesuvio Ventures
Why listed: Event tech investor and strategist — backs the tools shaping exhibitions
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Marco%20Giberti
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Marco%20Giberti%20Vesuvio%20Ventures

### Brian Casey
Role: President & CEO, Center for Exhibition Industry Research
Why listed: Runs CEIR — the authority on exhibition performance data
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Brian%20Casey
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Brian%20Casey%20Center%20for%20Exhibition%20Industry%20Research

### Vinnie Polito
Role: VP Sales, Freeman
Why listed: Sells exhibition services at scale — understands exhibitor needs deeply
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Vinnie%20Polito
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Vinnie%20Polito%20Freeman

### Carrie Ferenac
Role: VP Events, NACS
Why listed: Runs one of the US's largest trade shows — 30K+ attendees
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Carrie%20Ferenac
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Carrie%20Ferenac%20NACS

### Geoff Dickinson
Role: CEO, dmg events
Why listed: Runs major B2B exhibitions in energy, construction, and hospitality
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Geoff%20Dickinson
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Geoff%20Dickinson%20dmg%20events

### Janet Dell
Role: CEO, Freeman
Why listed: Leads the global leader in exhibition services — shapes how every major trade show is built
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Janet%20Dell
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Janet%20Dell%20Freeman

### Athena Koutsonikoli
Role: Consumer Show Director, RX
Why listed: Designs consumer-facing exhibition experiences at scale
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Athena%20Koutsonikoli
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Athena%20Koutsonikoli%20RX

### James Rees
Role: Executive Director, Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia
Why listed: Leads the region's exhibition industry body
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=James%20Rees
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=James%20Rees%20Exhibition%20%26%20Event%20Association%20of%20Australasia

### Sam Lippman
Role: President, Lippman Connects
Why listed: Publishes the definitive revenue model analyses for trade show organizers
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sam%20Lippman
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sam%20Lippman%20Lippman%20Connects

### Grant Snider
Role: SVP Global Sales, Informa Markets
Why listed: Runs exhibitor sales across the world's largest portfolio
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Grant%20Snider
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Grant%20Snider%20Informa%20Markets

### Stephanie Pace Brown
Role: President & CEO, Explore Asheville CVB
Why listed: Bridges destination marketing with exhibition hosting strategy
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Stephanie%20Pace%20Brown
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Stephanie%20Pace%20Brown%20Explore%20Asheville%20CVB

### Kara Kroskey
Role: VP Events, NRF (National Retail Federation)
Why listed: Runs Retail's Big Show — the most important exhibition in retail
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kara%20Kroskey
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kara%20Kroskey%20NRF%20(National%20Retail%20Federation)

## Corporate Events & Meetings

Internal meetings, incentives, conferences, and business events — the people turning corporate gatherings from cost centers into competitive advantages.

### Sherrif Karamat
Role: President & CEO, PCMA
Why listed: Runs the largest business events association in the world
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sherrif%20Karamat
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sherrif%20Karamat%20PCMA

### Nicola Kastner
Role: Global Event Strategist, SAP (former)
Why listed: Pioneered event ROI measurement at enterprise scale
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Nicola%20Kastner
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Nicola%20Kastner%20SAP%20(former)

### Carina Bauer
Role: CEO, IMEX Group
Why listed: Leads the MICE industry's most important gathering
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Carina%20Bauer
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Carina%20Bauer%20IMEX%20Group

### Tahira Endean
Role: Head of Events, SITE
Why listed: Expert in incentive travel and experiential events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tahira%20Endean
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Tahira%20Endean%20SITE

### Mike Ferreira
Role: Event Strategy Consultant
Why listed: Former tech exec turned events strategist — connects event design to business outcomes
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mike%20Ferreira
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Mike%20Ferreira

### Bob Chain
Role: B2B SaaS Sales & Event Specialist
Why listed: Bridges event tech and strategic accounts
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Bob%20Chain
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Bob%20Chain

### Kerry Bannigan
Role: Founder, Nolcha Group
Why listed: Combines corporate event production with sustainability leadership
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kerry%20Bannigan
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kerry%20Bannigan%20Nolcha%20Group

### Liz King
Role: Founder, Liz King Events
Why listed: Pioneers tech-forward corporate event production
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Liz%20King
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Liz%20King%20Liz%20King%20Events

### Tracy Judge
Role: Founder, Soundings
Why listed: Built the leading freelance event staffing platform — understands the workforce shift
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tracy%20Judge
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Tracy%20Judge%20Soundings

### Joanna Pineda
Role: CEO, Matrix Group International
Why listed: Blends association management with corporate event technology innovation
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Joanna%20Pineda
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Joanna%20Pineda%20Matrix%20Group%20International

### Howard Givner
Role: Founder, Event Manager Blog (former)
Why listed: Built one of the event industry's most widely read education platforms
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Howard%20Givner
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Howard%20Givner%20Event%20Manager%20Blog%20(former)

### Christy Lamagna
Role: CEO, Strategic Meetings & Events
Why listed: Teaches event strategy at university level — bridges academia and practice
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Christy%20Lamagna
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Christy%20Lamagna%20Strategic%20Meetings%20%26%20Events

### Paul Van Deventer
Role: President & CEO, MPI
Why listed: Runs the Meeting Professionals International — the global MICE community
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Paul%20Van%20Deventer
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Paul%20Van%20Deventer%20MPI

### Jessie States
Role: Director of MeetingsNet
Why listed: Curates the most read corporate meetings media platform
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jessie%20States
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jessie%20States

### Kevin Hooper
Role: Strategic Events Director
Why listed: Delivers enterprise-scale corporate events with measurement-first approach
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kevin%20Hooper
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kevin%20Hooper

### Cathy Breden
Role: CEO, IAEE (former) / EVP, CEIR
Why listed: Bridged the exhibition and corporate event worlds for decades
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Cathy%20Breden
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Cathy%20Breden%20CEIR

### Elizabeth Glau
Role: Events Industry Accessibility Advocate
Why listed: Leading voice on accessible meeting design — changes how corporate events include everyone
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Elizabeth%20Glau
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Elizabeth%20Glau

### Jonathan Kazarian
Role: Founder, Accelevents
Why listed: Built event tech for corporate hybrid events from scratch
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jonathan%20Kazarian
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jonathan%20Kazarian%20Accelevents

### Michael Dominguez
Role: President & CEO, ALHI
Why listed: Connects corporate meeting planners with luxury hotel partners
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Michael%20Dominguez
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Michael%20Dominguez%20ALHI

### Amy Calvert
Role: CEO, Events Industry Council
Why listed: Runs the umbrella body that sets standards for the entire meetings industry
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Amy%20Calvert
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Amy%20Calvert%20Events%20Industry%20Council

### Jennifer Collins
Role: CEO, JDC Events
Why listed: Delivers high-profile corporate events for Fortune 500 clients
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jennifer%20Collins
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jennifer%20Collins%20JDC%20Events

### Mahoganey Jones
Role: Executive Event Strategist
Why listed: Designs award-winning corporate events focused on attendee transformation
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mahoganey%20Jones
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Mahoganey%20Jones

### Barbara Palmer
Role: Deputy Editor, PCMA Convene
Why listed: Covers how business events are evolving with the deepest editorial lens
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Barbara%20Palmer
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Barbara%20Palmer%20PCMA%20Convene

### MaryAnne Shew
Role: VP Strategic Partnerships, Visit Orlando
Why listed: Connects corporate planners with Florida's $75B tourism infrastructure
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=MaryAnne%20Shew
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=MaryAnne%20Shew%20Visit%20Orlando

### Tyra Warner
Role: AVP Conferences & Events, PCMA
Why listed: Plans PCMA's own conferences — practices what the organization preaches
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tyra%20Warner
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Tyra%20Warner%20PCMA

### Sandra Piscopo
Role: Chief Strategy Officer, CORT Events
Why listed: Runs strategy for the largest event furnishings company — shapes the physical feel of corporate events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sandra%20Piscopo
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sandra%20Piscopo%20CORT%20Events

### Don Neal
Role: CEO, 360 Live Media
Why listed: Designs corporate conferences as media experiences — merges content and production
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Don%20Neal
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Don%20Neal%20360%20Live%20Media

### Kristen Bowen
Role: VP Global Events, HubSpot
Why listed: Builds INBOUND — one of the most admired corporate events in tech
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kristen%20Bowen
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kristen%20Bowen%20HubSpot

### Gianna Gaudini
Role: VP Events, New York Stock Exchange
Why listed: Designs events where billion-dollar deals happen
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Gianna%20Gaudini
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Gianna%20Gaudini%20New%20York%20Stock%20Exchange

### Clare Chaplin
Role: Head of Events, Canva
Why listed: Building event strategy at one of the world's fastest-growing tech companies
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Clare%20Chaplin
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Clare%20Chaplin%20Canva

### Rachel Andrews
Role: VP Meetings & Events, Maritz Global Events
Why listed: Delivers massive corporate meetings for the world's biggest brands
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Rachel%20Andrews
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Rachel%20Andrews%20Maritz%20Global%20Events

### Melissa Park
Role: CEO, Melissa Park Events
Why listed: Award-winning Australian corporate event producer scaling globally
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Melissa%20Park
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Melissa%20Park%20Melissa%20Park%20Events

### Ashwin Bharath
Role: CEO, Eventible
Why listed: Built the 'Glassdoor for events' — transparency platform for corporate conferences
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Ashwin%20Bharath
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Ashwin%20Bharath%20Eventible

### Brian Ludwig
Role: SVP Sales, Hilton Events
Why listed: Shapes how corporate events work inside the world's largest hotel company
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Brian%20Ludwig
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Brian%20Ludwig%20Hilton%20Events

### Patrick Delaney
Role: CEO, CollaboRATE Events
Why listed: Designs corporate events that prioritize collaboration over presentation
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Patrick%20Delaney
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Patrick%20Delaney%20CollaboRATE%20Events

### Cleo Battle
Role: President & CEO, Greater Cleveland CVB
Why listed: Attracts corporate events to one of the Midwest's most transformed cities
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Cleo%20Battle
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Cleo%20Battle%20Greater%20Cleveland%20CVB

### Miguel Neves
Role: Editor, Skift Meetings
Why listed: Publishes the most data-driven corporate event coverage
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Miguel%20Neves
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Miguel%20Neves%20Skift%20Meetings

### Janet Sperstad
Role: Strategic Events Management Faculty, Madison College
Why listed: Educates the next generation of meeting professionals
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Janet%20Sperstad
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Janet%20Sperstad%20Madison%20College

### Jeff Hurt
Role: EVP, Education & Engagement, PCMA
Why listed: Designs the educational programming at the world's leading meetings body
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jeff%20Hurt
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jeff%20Hurt%20PCMA

### Michelle Poole
Role: VP Events, Marriott International
Why listed: Shapes how corporate events happen across the world's largest hotel portfolio
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Michelle%20Poole
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Michelle%20Poole%20Marriott%20International

## Social Events & Luxury

Weddings, galas, private celebrations, luxury experiences — the people who understand that intimacy is a design discipline.

### David Monn
Role: Social Event Architect & Author
Why listed: Creates private events that become cultural reference points
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Monn
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=David%20Monn

### Colin Cowie
Role: Lifestyle Expert & Event Designer
Why listed: Built a global brand around extraordinary celebrations
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Colin%20Cowie
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Colin%20Cowie

### Marcy Blum
Role: Event Producer & Planner
Why listed: NYC institution — her taste level is the industry benchmark
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Marcy%20Blum
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Marcy%20Blum

### David Stark
Role: Founder, David Stark Design and Production
Why listed: Event Planner Expo Power 50 (2026) — treats event design as authored, art-world-adjacent work
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Stark
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=David%20Stark%20David%20Stark%20Design%20and%20Production

### David Beahm
Role: Founder, David Beahm Experiences
Why listed: Event Planner Expo Power 50 (2026) — luxury celebrations built on theatrical floral and design
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Beahm
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=David%20Beahm%20David%20Beahm%20Experiences

### Jes Gordon
Role: Founder, Jes Gordon / Proper Fun
Why listed: Event Planner Expo Power 50 (2026) — a designer's eye applied to high-energy social events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jes%20Gordon
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jes%20Gordon%20Jes%20Gordon%20%2F%20Proper%20Fun

### Mindy Weiss
Role: Celebrity Event Planner
Why listed: Behind some of the most photographed events in history
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mindy%20Weiss
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Mindy%20Weiss

### Preston Bailey
Role: Event & Floral Designer
Why listed: Transforms raw spaces into fantasy environments — artistry at scale
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Preston%20Bailey
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Preston%20Bailey

### Christel Winther
Role: Global Luxury Wedding & Event Planner
Why listed: Designs destination weddings across cultures
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Christel%20Winther
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Christel%20Winther

### Anna-Marie Trzebinski
Role: Founder, AMTEvents
Why listed: Eventex UK Top 50 Influencer — stretches budgets with creative concepts
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Anna-Marie%20Trzebinski
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Anna-Marie%20Trzebinski%20AMTEvents

### David Tutera
Role: Celebrity Event Planner & TV Host
Why listed: Brought event design to mainstream TV — the most recognized name in social events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Tutera
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=David%20Tutera

### Matthew Oliver
Role: Luxury Wedding Planner, UK
Why listed: Leads the British luxury wedding scene with refined editorial taste
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Matthew%20Oliver
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Matthew%20Oliver%20UK

### Rafanelli Events (Bryan Rafanelli)
Role: Founder, Rafanelli Events
Why listed: Planned events for US presidents — the ultimate in high-stakes social gatherings
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Rafanelli%20Events%20(Bryan%20Rafanelli)
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Rafanelli%20Events%20(Bryan%20Rafanelli)%20Rafanelli%20Events

### Sharon Sacks
Role: Founder, Sacks Productions
Why listed: Hollywood's go-to event producer for A-list celebrations and brand launches
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sharon%20Sacks
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sharon%20Sacks%20Sacks%20Productions

### Oren Shai
Role: Event Designer & Creative Director
Why listed: Known for pushing creative boundaries in luxury event design
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Oren%20Shai
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Oren%20Shai

### JoAnn Gregoli
Role: Founder, Elegant Occasions
Why listed: NYC luxury planner known for seamlessly blending cultures in celebrations
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=JoAnn%20Gregoli
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=JoAnn%20Gregoli%20Elegant%20Occasions

### Mark Niemierko
Role: Luxury Wedding & Event Planner, London
Why listed: Named the UK's leading wedding planner — combines British formality with contemporary design
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mark%20Niemierko
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Mark%20Niemierko%20London

### Yifat Oren
Role: Celebrity Event Planner, Los Angeles
Why listed: Designs for entertainment royalty — understands the intersection of fame and celebration
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Yifat%20Oren
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Yifat%20Oren%20Los%20Angeles

### Barkha Arora
Role: Luxury Indian Wedding Specialist
Why listed: Bridges South Asian tradition with global luxury standards
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Barkha%20Arora
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Barkha%20Arora

### Tara Fay
Role: Celebrity Wedding Planner, Ireland
Why listed: Ireland's most recognized event planner — brings European elegance to every detail
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tara%20Fay
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Tara%20Fay%20Ireland

### Liz Taylor
Role: CEO, Taylor Lynn Corporation
Why listed: One of the UK's most awarded event planners — 30+ years in luxury events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Liz%20Taylor
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Liz%20Taylor%20Taylor%20Lynn%20Corporation

### Amunet Burgueno
Role: Destination Wedding Planner, Mexico
Why listed: Master of Mexican and Caribbean luxury celebrations
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Amunet%20Burgueno
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Amunet%20Burgueno%20Mexico

### Carla Ten Eyck
Role: Event Photographer & Planner
Why listed: Bridges visual storytelling with luxury event design
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Carla%20Ten%20Eyck
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Carla%20Ten%20Eyck

### Sarah Haywood
Role: International Luxury Wedding Planner
Why listed: Plans ultra-high-net-worth weddings across 30+ countries
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sarah%20Haywood
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sarah%20Haywood

### Jacin Fitzgerald
Role: Founder, Jacin Fitzgerald Events
Why listed: Austin-based luxury planner known for distinctive floral and design concepts
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jacin%20Fitzgerald
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jacin%20Fitzgerald%20Jacin%20Fitzgerald%20Events

### Larry Scott
Role: Founder, Larry Scott Events
Why listed: Celebrity party planner known for theatrical, immersive private events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Larry%20Scott
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Larry%20Scott%20Larry%20Scott%20Events

### Mary Fiore
Role: Founder, Mary Fiore Design & Events
Why listed: San Francisco luxury event institution — decades of refined celebration design
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mary%20Fiore
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Mary%20Fiore%20Mary%20Fiore%20Design%20%26%20Events

### Sonal J. Shah
Role: Founder, Sonal J. Shah Event Consultants
Why listed: Pioneered modern South Asian wedding planning in America
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sonal%20J.%20Shah
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sonal%20J.%20Shah%20Sonal%20J.%20Shah%20Event%20Consultants

### Michelle Rago
Role: Founder, Michelle Rago Destinations
Why listed: Luxury destination wedding specialist — Europe and Caribbean focus
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Michelle%20Rago
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Michelle%20Rago%20Michelle%20Rago%20Destinations

### Sarah Pease
Role: Event Planner, Goop
Why listed: Brings wellness-meets-luxury to modern celebrations
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sarah%20Pease
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sarah%20Pease%20Goop

### Jung Lee
Role: Founder, Fête
Why listed: NYC's coolest event designer — editorial, modern, effortless luxury
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jung%20Lee
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jung%20Lee%20F%C3%AAte

### André Wells
Role: Celebrity Event Designer, Washington DC
Why listed: Designs events for political and cultural elite — Presidential Inaugurations
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Andr%C3%A9%20Wells
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Andr%C3%A9%20Wells%20Washington%20DC

### Calder Clark
Role: Luxury Wedding Planner, Charleston
Why listed: Southern elegance elevated to an art form — one of the most sought-after planners in the US
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Calder%20Clark
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Calder%20Clark%20Charleston

### Mindy Rice
Role: Floral & Event Designer
Why listed: Transforms spaces with extraordinary floral architecture
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mindy%20Rice
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Mindy%20Rice

### Lisa Vorce
Role: Celebrity Event Planner
Why listed: Known for refined outdoor celebrations — brings nature into luxury design
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Lisa%20Vorce
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Lisa%20Vorce

### Stefanie Cove
Role: Founder, Stefanie Cove & Co
Why listed: LA-based luxury planner for entertainment industry celebrations
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Stefanie%20Cove
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Stefanie%20Cove%20Stefanie%20Cove%20%26%20Co

### Michael Russo
Role: Founder, Russo Events
Why listed: High-end NYC corporate and social events with theatrical flair
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Michael%20Russo
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Michael%20Russo%20Russo%20Events

### Harriette Rose Katz
Role: Founder, Gourmet Advisory Services
Why listed: Pioneer of luxury event catering as an art form
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Harriette%20Rose%20Katz
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Harriette%20Rose%20Katz%20Gourmet%20Advisory%20Services

## Festivals & Cultural Events

Music festivals, cultural events, arts gatherings — the people who create the conversations everyone else follows.

### Melvin Benn
Role: Managing Director, Festival Republic
Why listed: Behind Reading & Leeds, Latitude, and Wireless
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Melvin%20Benn
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Melvin%20Benn%20Festival%20Republic

### Signe Lopdrup
Role: CEO, Roskilde Festival Group
Why listed: Leads one of Europe's most important cultural festivals
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Signe%20Lopdrup
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Signe%20Lopdrup%20Roskilde%20Festival%20Group

### David Hazan
Role: Founder, DLH Strategic Marketing
Why listed: 25+ years at the intersection of music, entertainment, and events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Hazan
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=David%20Hazan%20DLH%20Strategic%20Marketing

### Vivian Belzaguy
Role: Director of Sustainability, Ultra Music Festival
Why listed: Proving massive events can be platforms for social change
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Vivian%20Belzaguy
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Vivian%20Belzaguy%20Ultra%20Music%20Festival

### Chris Christou
Role: Festival Director & Cultural Strategist
Why listed: Programs festivals that shift public discourse
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Chris%20Christou
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Chris%20Christou

### Devi Sridhar
Role: Public Health & Festival Safety Advocate
Why listed: Changed how festivals think about crowd wellbeing
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Devi%20Sridhar
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Devi%20Sridhar

### Rehan Sadiq
Role: CEO, Broadwick Live
Why listed: Behind Printworks, The Drumsheds — redefining nightlife-meets-festival culture
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Rehan%20Sadiq
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Rehan%20Sadiq%20Broadwick%20Live

### Emily Eavis
Role: Co-organizer, Glastonbury Festival
Why listed: Co-runs the world's most iconic music festival
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Emily%20Eavis
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Emily%20Eavis%20Glastonbury%20Festival

### Paul Reed
Role: CEO, Association of Independent Festivals (AIF)
Why listed: Represents 100+ independent UK festivals — policy voice for the sector
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Paul%20Reed
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Paul%20Reed%20Association%20of%20Independent%20Festivals%20(AIF)

### Fruzsina Szép
Role: Director, Sziget Festival
Why listed: Programs one of Europe's largest and most diverse cultural festivals
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Fruzsina%20Sz%C3%A9p
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Fruzsina%20Sz%C3%A9p%20Sziget%20Festival

### Janet Pierson
Role: Director, SXSW Film & TV Festival
Why listed: Programs the discovery engine for independent film and storytelling
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Janet%20Pierson
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Janet%20Pierson%20SXSW%20Film%20%26%20TV%20Festival

### Keny Gédéon
Role: CEO, Festival de Jazz de Montréal
Why listed: Leads the world's largest jazz festival — 2M+ attendees annually
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Keny%20G%C3%A9d%C3%A9on
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Keny%20G%C3%A9d%C3%A9on%20Festival%20de%20Jazz%20de%20Montr%C3%A9al

### Ben Challis
Role: Music & Festival Lawyer
Why listed: The legal brain behind festival contracts and rights — essential infrastructure voice
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Ben%20Challis
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Ben%20Challis

### Greg Parmley
Role: CEO, International Live Music Conference (ILMC)
Why listed: Runs the live music industry's most important annual gathering
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Greg%20Parmley
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Greg%20Parmley%20International%20Live%20Music%20Conference%20(ILMC)

### Pasquale Rotella
Role: Founder & CEO, Insomniac Events
Why listed: Built the EDC franchise into a global phenomenon — defines electronic festival culture
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Pasquale%20Rotella
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Pasquale%20Rotella%20Insomniac%20Events

### John Giddings
Role: Festival Director, Isle of Wight Festival
Why listed: Decades of festival programming — understands the business behind the magic
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=John%20Giddings
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=John%20Giddings%20Isle%20of%20Wight%20Festival

### Joanne Gibb
Role: Manager, Parklife Festival
Why listed: Built Parklife from a local event to a national institution
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Joanne%20Gibb
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Joanne%20Gibb%20Parklife%20Festival

### Megan Griffith
Role: Festival Strategy Consultant
Why listed: Helps cultural events find sustainable business models
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Megan%20Griffith
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Megan%20Griffith

### Kevin Mitchell
Role: Co-Founder, Club Kilimanjaro
Why listed: Bridges African cultural programming with global festival circuits
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kevin%20Mitchell
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kevin%20Mitchell%20Club%20Kilimanjaro

### Superfly Production (Rick Farman)
Role: Co-Founder, Bonnaroo & Outside Lands
Why listed: Created two of America's most influential music festivals
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Superfly%20Production%20(Rick%20Farman)
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Superfly%20Production%20(Rick%20Farman)%20Bonnaroo%20%26%20Outside%20Lands

### Roberto Medina
Role: Creator, Rock in Rio
Why listed: Built the world's largest recurring music festival brand
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Roberto%20Medina
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Roberto%20Medina%20Rock%20in%20Rio

### Tim Chambers
Role: Founder, Pollen
Why listed: Pioneered festival-meets-travel experiences before anyone else
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tim%20Chambers
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Tim%20Chambers%20Pollen

### Chantal Rickards
Role: CEO, BCDMEE
Why listed: Leads the global body connecting business events with cultural programs
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Chantal%20Rickards
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Chantal%20Rickards%20BCDMEE

### Colleen Dillenschneider
Role: Chief Market Engagement Officer, TrendsWatch
Why listed: Data-driven insights on cultural attendance — essential for festival strategy
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Colleen%20Dillenschneider
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Colleen%20Dillenschneider%20TrendsWatch

### Neil Warnock
Role: Agent & Live Music Pioneer, UTA
Why listed: One of the most powerful agents in live music — shapes who plays where
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Neil%20Warnock
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Neil%20Warnock%20UTA

### Ann Dunnington
Role: Arts Festival Director
Why listed: Programs cultural festivals that prioritize community engagement over spectacle
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Ann%20Dunnington
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Ann%20Dunnington

### Sherry Lansing
Role: Festival Board Member, Sundance
Why listed: Former Paramount CEO who brings entertainment industry perspective to festival governance
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sherry%20Lansing
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sherry%20Lansing%20Sundance

### Emma Banks
Role: Agent, CAA
Why listed: One of the most powerful booking agents in live music — shapes festival lineups globally
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Emma%20Banks
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Emma%20Banks%20CAA

### Chris Waddington
Role: Director, The Great Escape Festival
Why listed: Runs the UK's premier new music discovery festival
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Chris%20Waddington
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Chris%20Waddington%20The%20Great%20Escape%20Festival

### Shelley Holley
Role: VP Events, Lollapalooza
Why listed: Runs operations at one of the world's most recognized festival brands
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Shelley%20Holley
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Shelley%20Holley%20Lollapalooza

### Michael Rapino
Role: President & CEO, Live Nation Entertainment
Why listed: Runs the world's largest live entertainment company — 600M+ tickets annually
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Michael%20Rapino
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Michael%20Rapino%20Live%20Nation%20Entertainment

### Jay Marciano
Role: Chairman & CEO, AEG Presents
Why listed: Leads the #2 global live entertainment company — Coachella, Firefly, BST Hyde Park
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jay%20Marciano
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jay%20Marciano%20AEG%20Presents

### Rebeca León
Role: CEO, Lionfish Entertainment
Why listed: Bridges Latin music culture with global festival circuits
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Rebeca%20Le%C3%B3n
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Rebeca%20Le%C3%B3n%20Lionfish%20Entertainment

### Andy Gensler
Role: Executive Editor, Pollstar
Why listed: The live music industry's most important trade publication
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Andy%20Gensler
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Andy%20Gensler%20Pollstar

### Laura Davidson
Role: Sustainability Director, Shambala Festival
Why listed: Pioneer of genuinely sustainable festival operations — zero single-use plastic since 2015
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Laura%20Davidson
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Laura%20Davidson%20Shambala%20Festival

## Thought Leadership Gatherings

TED, Davos, Aspen Ideas, summits — the people who design gatherings where ideas become movements.

### Kai Hattendorf
Role: Founder & CEO, htf consulting; former CEO, UFI
Why listed: Led UFI for a decade and drove the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative; 2025 JMIC Unity Award
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kai%20Hattendorf
Website: https://www.themeetingsindustry.org/wp-content/uploads/Press-Release-JMIC-Unity-Award-Kai-Hattendorf.pdf
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kai%20Hattendorf%20UFI

### Martin Sirk
Role: Former CEO, ICCA
Why listed: Ran ICCA for 16 years; a long-standing voice on why international meetings matter to policymakers
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Martin%20Sirk
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Martin%20Sirk%20ICCA

### Priya Parker
Role: Author, 'The Art of Gathering'
Why listed: Wrote the definitive book on why most gatherings fail and how to fix them
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Priya%20Parker
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Priya%20Parker%20'The%20Art%20of%20Gathering'

### Chris Anderson
Role: Head of TED
Why listed: Transformed TED from a conference into a global knowledge platform
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Chris%20Anderson
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Chris%20Anderson

### June Cohen
Role: Co-founder, WaitWhat (Masters of Scale)
Why listed: Former TED executive who designs gatherings that create intellectual movements
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=June%20Cohen
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=June%20Cohen%20WaitWhat%20(Masters%20of%20Scale)

### Kelly Stoetzel
Role: Chief Content Officer, TED (former)
Why listed: Programmed the TED main stage for years
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kelly%20Stoetzel
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kelly%20Stoetzel%20TED%20(former)

### Adrian Segar
Role: Facilitator & Author, 'Conferences That Work'
Why listed: Pioneered participant-driven conferences
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Adrian%20Segar
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Adrian%20Segar%20'Conferences%20That%20Work'

### Martin Lindstrom
Role: Author & Brand Futurist
Why listed: Studies human behavior at the intersection of brands and culture
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Martin%20Lindstrom
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Martin%20Lindstrom

### Simon Sinek
Role: Author & Leadership Speaker
Why listed: His 'Start With Why' framework shapes how conferences are designed and pitched
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Simon%20Sinek
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Simon%20Sinek

### Brené Brown
Role: Research Professor & Author
Why listed: Her work on vulnerability transformed how conferences talk about leadership
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Bren%C3%A9%20Brown
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Bren%C3%A9%20Brown

### Adam Grant
Role: Organizational Psychologist, Wharton
Why listed: The most popular management thinker on LinkedIn — reshapes how workplaces gather
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Adam%20Grant
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Adam%20Grant%20Wharton

### Esther Perel
Role: Psychotherapist & Author
Why listed: Brought relationship intelligence to corporate stages — redefines what conferences can explore
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Esther%20Perel
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Esther%20Perel

### Malcolm Gladwell
Role: Author & Journalist
Why listed: His ideas about social dynamics directly shape how summits design for connection
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Malcolm%20Gladwell
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Malcolm%20Gladwell

### Daniel Pink
Role: Author, 'Drive' and 'When'
Why listed: His timing research literally changes when conferences schedule their best content
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Daniel%20Pink
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Daniel%20Pink%20'Drive'%20and%20'When'

### Amy Edmondson
Role: Professor, Harvard Business School
Why listed: Her psychological safety research shapes how summits design for honest conversation
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Amy%20Edmondson
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Amy%20Edmondson%20Harvard%20Business%20School

### Scott Galloway
Role: Professor, NYU Stern / Pivot podcast
Why listed: The most provocative business voice on stage — draws enormous conference audiences
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Scott%20Galloway
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Scott%20Galloway%20NYU%20Stern%20%2F%20Pivot%20podcast

### Dorie Clark
Role: Author & Strategy Consultant
Why listed: Helps thought leaders design their conference presence and speaking careers
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Dorie%20Clark
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Dorie%20Clark

### Rohit Bhargava
Role: Founder, Non-Obvious Company
Why listed: Curates the trends that summit programmers build their agendas around
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Rohit%20Bhargava
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Rohit%20Bhargava%20Non-Obvious%20Company

### Nick Bilton
Role: Journalist & Author
Why listed: Covers tech and culture for Vanity Fair — a sought-after summit speaker and moderator
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Nick%20Bilton
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Nick%20Bilton

### Sally Krawcheck
Role: CEO, Ellevest
Why listed: Designs summits for women in finance — applies gathering principles to movement building
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sally%20Krawcheck
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sally%20Krawcheck%20Ellevest

### Arianna Huffington
Role: Founder, Thrive Global
Why listed: Built a media empire and now designs wellness-focused leadership gatherings
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Arianna%20Huffington
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Arianna%20Huffington%20Thrive%20Global

### Reid Hoffman
Role: Co-founder, LinkedIn; Partner, Greylock
Why listed: His 'Masters of Scale' summits show how tech leaders think about convening
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Reid%20Hoffman
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Reid%20Hoffman%20Greylock

### Gary Vaynerchuk
Role: CEO, VaynerMedia / VeeCon
Why listed: Built VeeCon — proving that creator economy meets conference can work at scale
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Gary%20Vaynerchuk
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Gary%20Vaynerchuk%20VaynerMedia%20%2F%20VeeCon

### Chip Conley
Role: Founder, Modern Elder Academy
Why listed: Designs transformative retreats and gatherings focused on wisdom and longevity
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Chip%20Conley
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Chip%20Conley%20Modern%20Elder%20Academy

### Brad Feld
Role: Co-founder, Foundry Group / Techstars
Why listed: Runs Boulder Startup Week and other tech gatherings — understands community-first events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Brad%20Feld
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Brad%20Feld%20Foundry%20Group%20%2F%20Techstars

### Anand Giridharadas
Role: Author & Speaker
Why listed: Critiques elite gatherings like Davos — forces the industry to examine its own power dynamics
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Anand%20Giridharadas
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Anand%20Giridharadas

### Tina Brown
Role: Journalist & Founder, Women in the World Summit (2010–2018)
Why listed: Created one of the most important annual gatherings in journalism and feminism
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tina%20Brown
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Tina%20Brown%20Women%20in%20the%20World%20Summit%20(2010%E2%80%932018)

### Neri Oxman
Role: Designer & MIT Professor (former)
Why listed: Brings material ecology and computational design to summit stages — stretches what's possible
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Neri%20Oxman
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Neri%20Oxman

### Tim Ferriss
Role: Author & Podcaster
Why listed: His experiments in self-optimization reshape how wellness summits are designed
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tim%20Ferriss
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Tim%20Ferriss

### Angela Duckworth
Role: Psychologist & Author, 'Grit'
Why listed: Her research on perseverance shapes how leadership summits design their narratives
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Angela%20Duckworth
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Angela%20Duckworth%20'Grit'

### Kara Swisher
Role: Journalist & Podcast Host
Why listed: Created the Code Conference — the tech industry's most important intimate gathering
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kara%20Swisher
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kara%20Swisher

### Walter Isaacson
Role: Author & Professor, Tulane University (former CEO, Aspen Institute)
Why listed: Ran the Aspen Ideas Festival — one of the world's most prestigious intellectual gatherings
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Walter%20Isaacson
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Walter%20Isaacson%20Aspen%20Institute)

### David Perell
Role: Founder, Write of Passage
Why listed: Pioneered cohort-based courses that function as intellectual gatherings
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Perell
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=David%20Perell%20Write%20of%20Passage

### Nilofer Merchant
Role: Author & Innovation Strategist
Why listed: Coined 'sitting is the new smoking' on a TED stage — challenges conference design norms
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Nilofer%20Merchant
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Nilofer%20Merchant

### Jason Fried
Role: Co-founder & CEO, 37signals (Basecamp)
Why listed: Challenges every assumption about how businesses should gather and collaborate
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jason%20Fried
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jason%20Fried%2037signals%20(Basecamp)

### Luvvie Ajayi Jones
Role: Author & Speaker
Why listed: Professional troublemaker who brings honest critique to conference stages
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Luvvie%20Ajayi%20Jones
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Luvvie%20Ajayi%20Jones

### Tiffany Dufu
Role: Author, 'Drop the Ball'
Why listed: Designs gatherings that advance gender equity in leadership
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tiffany%20Dufu
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Tiffany%20Dufu%20'Drop%20the%20Ball'

## Sports & Experiential

Sports events, brand activations, immersive experiences — the people turning stadiums and venues into emotional architecture.

### Lauren Tietjen
Role: Head of Events & Experiential Marketing, LinkedIn
Why listed: Designs LinkedIn's flagship events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Lauren%20Tietjen
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Lauren%20Tietjen%20LinkedIn

### Jennifer Baligian
Role: Executive Director of Events, FOX Entertainment
Why listed: Creates immersive experiences for one of the world's biggest entertainment brands
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jennifer%20Baligian
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jennifer%20Baligian%20FOX%20Entertainment

### Heidi Olson
Role: Board Member, Experiential Marketing Measurement Coalition
Why listed: Pioneering how we actually measure the impact of brand experiences
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Heidi%20Olson
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Heidi%20Olson%20Experiential%20Marketing%20Measurement%20Coalition

### Pete Davies
Role: Experiential & Live Events Leader
Why listed: 20+ years delivering global brand experiences for major rights holders
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Pete%20Davies
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Pete%20Davies

### Dan Strang
Role: CEO, Superfly (Bonnaroo co-creator)
Why listed: Sits at the exact intersection of festivals and brand marketing
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Dan%20Strang
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Dan%20Strang%20Superfly%20(Bonnaroo%20co-creator)

### Abigail Jennings
Role: Senior Experiential Marketing Leader
Why listed: Built Nike's event activations
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Abigail%20Jennings
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Abigail%20Jennings

### Greg Economou
Role: Chief Commercial Officer, UFC
Why listed: Monetizes the fastest-growing sport through experiential partnerships
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Greg%20Economou
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Greg%20Economou%20UFC

### Kerry Chandler
Role: CHRO, Under Armour (former)
Why listed: Built internal culture events at one of the world's biggest sports brands
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kerry%20Chandler
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kerry%20Chandler%20Under%20Armour%20(former)

### Russell Findlay
Role: CMO, Hershey
Why listed: Brings brand activation to life at sports venues and major events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Russell%20Findlay
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Russell%20Findlay%20Hershey

### Claire Bennett
Role: Chief Commercial Officer, Olympic Broadcasting
Why listed: Shapes how the world's biggest sporting event is experienced
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Claire%20Bennett
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Claire%20Bennett%20Olympic%20Broadcasting

### Tim Ellis
Role: CMO, NFL
Why listed: Markets the biggest sporting league in the world — Super Bowl experience design
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tim%20Ellis
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Tim%20Ellis%20NFL

### Brian Mirakian
Role: Principal, Populous
Why listed: Designs stadiums and arenas — shapes the physical container for sports experiences
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Brian%20Mirakian
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Brian%20Mirakian%20Populous

### Darren Marshall
Role: SVP Experiential, Jack Morton
Why listed: Leads experiential for one of the biggest brand experience agencies
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Darren%20Marshall
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Darren%20Marshall%20Jack%20Morton

### Kerry Smith
Role: President & Editorial Director, Event Marketer
Why listed: Publishes the leading trade media for experiential marketing
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kerry%20Smith
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kerry%20Smith%20Event%20Marketer

### Chris Weil
Role: CEO, Momentum Worldwide
Why listed: Runs one of the world's largest experiential agencies — FIFA, Olympics, Coca-Cola
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Chris%20Weil
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Chris%20Weil%20Momentum%20Worldwide

### Janet Traphagen
Role: EVP Global Experiences, BCD Meetings & Events
Why listed: Delivers brand experiences at massive global scale
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Janet%20Traphagen
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Janet%20Traphagen%20BCD%20Meetings%20%26%20Events

### Jason Bradwell
Role: Founder, B2B Better
Why listed: Challenges how B2B brands think about experiential — content creator and strategist
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jason%20Bradwell
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jason%20Bradwell%20B2B%20Better

### Victoria Copans
Role: VP Experience Marketing, Adobe
Why listed: Designs Adobe Summit — one of tech's most immersive brand experiences
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Victoria%20Copans
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Victoria%20Copans%20Adobe

### Stuart Khan
Role: Founder, ProperExperiences
Why listed: Designs hospitality experiences at major sporting events globally
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Stuart%20Khan
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Stuart%20Khan%20ProperExperiences

### Jennifer Bravo
Role: VP Events, ESPN
Why listed: Creates experiential extensions of the biggest sports media brand
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jennifer%20Bravo
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jennifer%20Bravo%20ESPN

### Alison Brod
Role: Founder, Alison Brod Marketing + Communications
Why listed: Bridges luxury brands with experiential events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Alison%20Brod
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Alison%20Brod%20Alison%20Brod%20Marketing%20%2B%20Communications

### Emily Callahan
Role: CMO, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Why listed: Uses experiential events to drive one of America's most effective fundraising operations
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Emily%20Callahan
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Emily%20Callahan%20St.%20Jude%20Children's%20Research%20Hospital

### David Droga
Role: Vice Chair, Accenture (founder, Droga5)
Why listed: Created some of the most awarded brand experiences in advertising history
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Droga
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=David%20Droga%20Droga5)

### Kristina McCoobery
Role: VP Events, Salesforce
Why listed: Designs Dreamforce — one of the largest brand events on Earth
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kristina%20McCoobery
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kristina%20McCoobery%20Salesforce

### Chris Cavanaugh
Role: Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer, Freeman
Why listed: Bridges exhibition services with brand experience strategy
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Chris%20Cavanaugh
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Chris%20Cavanaugh%20Freeman

### Susan Stern
Role: CEO, Stern Strategy Group
Why listed: Places thought leaders at sports and business events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Susan%20Stern
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Susan%20Stern%20Stern%20Strategy%20Group

### Matt Stoeckel
Role: CEO, Sparks
Why listed: Runs one of the top experiential marketing agencies in North America
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Matt%20Stoeckel
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Matt%20Stoeckel%20Sparks

### Denise Wong
Role: VP Global Experiential Marketing, American Express
Why listed: Designs premium experiences at the intersection of finance and lifestyle
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Denise%20Wong
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Denise%20Wong%20American%20Express

### Kate Patay
Role: CMO & Brand Strategist, Event Industry
Why listed: Award-winning event marketing strategist
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kate%20Patay
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kate%20Patay%20Event%20Industry

### Javier Sanchez Lamelas
Role: Former VP Marketing, Coca-Cola
Why listed: Designed Coca-Cola's experiential strategy across Olympics and FIFA World Cup
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Javier%20Sanchez%20Lamelas
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Javier%20Sanchez%20Lamelas%20Coca-Cola

## Hospitality & F&B

Hotels, venues, catering, F&B programs — the operational backbone that determines whether your gathering is remembered for the right reasons.

### Will Guidara
Role: Author, 'Unreasonable Hospitality'
Why listed: Wrote the book on going beyond expectations
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Will%20Guidara
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Will%20Guidara%20'Unreasonable%20Hospitality'

### Danny Meyer
Role: Founder, Union Square Hospitality Group
Why listed: Created 'Enlightened Hospitality' — changed how the entire industry operates
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Danny%20Meyer
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Danny%20Meyer%20Union%20Square%20Hospitality%20Group

### José Andrés
Role: Chef, Founder of World Central Kitchen
Why listed: Transformed disaster relief through food — F&B as infrastructure for dignity
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jos%C3%A9%20Andr%C3%A9s
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jos%C3%A9%20Andr%C3%A9s%20Founder%20of%20World%20Central%20Kitchen

### Lorraine Copes
Role: Founder & CEO, Be Inclusive Hospitality
Why listed: Changing how hospitality thinks about inclusion and equity
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Lorraine%20Copes
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Lorraine%20Copes%20Be%20Inclusive%20Hospitality

### Gert Kopera
Role: Global Hospitality Leader
Why listed: 30+ years across 18 global destinations
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Gert%20Kopera
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Gert%20Kopera

### Gideon Horowitz
Role: Hospitality Leader & Culture Builder
Why listed: 25+ years in multi-unit hospitality
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Gideon%20Horowitz
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Gideon%20Horowitz

### Arne Sorenson (legacy)
Role: Former CEO, Marriott International
Why listed: Transformed Marriott into the world's largest hotel company — his vision still shapes the industry
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Arne%20Sorenson%20(legacy)
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Arne%20Sorenson%20(legacy)%20Marriott%20International

### Anthony Capuano
Role: CEO, Marriott International
Why listed: Leads the world's largest hotel company — shapes how corporate events use hotel infrastructure
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Anthony%20Capuano
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Anthony%20Capuano%20Marriott%20International

### Mark Hoplamazian
Role: President & CEO, Hyatt Hotels
Why listed: Repositioned Hyatt around purpose-driven hospitality
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mark%20Hoplamazian
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Mark%20Hoplamazian%20Hyatt%20Hotels

### Chip Rogers
Role: President & CEO, AHLA
Why listed: Leads the American Hotel & Lodging Association — industry advocate
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Chip%20Rogers
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Chip%20Rogers%20AHLA

### Sébastien Bazin
Role: CEO, Accor
Why listed: Runs one of the world's largest hospitality groups — 5,400+ hotels in 110 countries
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=S%C3%A9bastien%20Bazin
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=S%C3%A9bastien%20Bazin%20Accor

### Geoff Ballotti
Role: President & CEO, Wyndham Hotels
Why listed: Runs the world's largest hotel franchising company
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Geoff%20Ballotti
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Geoff%20Ballotti%20Wyndham%20Hotels

### Elie Maalouf
Role: CEO, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Why listed: Runs InterContinental, Kimpton, and 6,000+ hotels globally
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Elie%20Maalouf
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Elie%20Maalouf%20IHG%20Hotels%20%26%20Resorts

### Mark Weinstein
Role: Chief Marketing Officer, Hilton
Why listed: Shapes how the world's most recognized hotel brand connects with event planners
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mark%20Weinstein
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Mark%20Weinstein%20Hilton

### Chris Nassetta
Role: President & CEO, Hilton
Why listed: Leads Hilton's global portfolio — shapes how 7,000+ properties serve events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Chris%20Nassetta
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Chris%20Nassetta%20Hilton

### Peter Kern
Role: Vice Chairman, Expedia Group
Why listed: Shapes how travelers and event attendees discover and book hospitality
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Peter%20Kern
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Peter%20Kern%20Expedia%20Group

### David Kong
Role: CEO, BWH Hotel Group (former)
Why listed: Led Best Western's transformation — advocate for diversity in hospitality leadership
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Kong
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=David%20Kong%20BWH%20Hotel%20Group%20(former)

### Marlene Poynder
Role: GM, Waldorf Astoria London
Why listed: Runs one of the world's most prestigious event venues
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Marlene%20Poynder
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Marlene%20Poynder%20Waldorf%20Astoria%20London

### Patrick Pacious
Role: CEO, Choice Hotels
Why listed: Growing a major hotel brand — shapes the mid-market event hosting landscape
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Patrick%20Pacious
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Patrick%20Pacious%20Choice%20Hotels

### Sloan Dean
Role: CEO, Remington Hotels
Why listed: Manages 100+ hotels — understands event hosting from the operator's perspective
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sloan%20Dean
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sloan%20Dean%20Remington%20Hotels

### Tina Edmundson
Role: President, Luxury Brands, Marriott
Why listed: Leads Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, W Hotels — the luxury end of event hosting
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tina%20Edmundson
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Tina%20Edmundson%20Marriott

### Rob Gillette
Role: CEO, Levy Restaurants
Why listed: Leads the dominant sports and entertainment venue catering company
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Rob%20Gillette
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Rob%20Gillette%20Levy%20Restaurants

### David Grutman
Role: Founder, Groot Hospitality
Why listed: Miami's most influential nightlife and F&B operator — defines experiential dining
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Grutman
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=David%20Grutman%20Groot%20Hospitality

### Sam Nazarian
Role: Founder & CEO, sbe Entertainment
Why listed: Builds lifestyle hotel and F&B brands that blur hospitality and nightlife
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sam%20Nazarian
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sam%20Nazarian%20sbe%20Entertainment

### Ruthie Rogers
Role: Co-Founder, The River Cafe
Why listed: Defines the standard for food as experience at the highest level
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Ruthie%20Rogers
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Ruthie%20Rogers%20The%20River%20Cafe

### Asma Khan
Role: Chef & Founder, Darjeeling Express
Why listed: Uses food and gathering to tell stories of identity and belonging
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Asma%20Khan
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Asma%20Khan%20Darjeeling%20Express

### Massimo Bottura
Role: Chef & Founder, Osteria Francescana
Why listed: Runs the world's best restaurant — proves food is culture, not just sustenance
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Massimo%20Bottura
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Massimo%20Bottura%20Osteria%20Francescana

### Thomas Keller
Role: Chef & Restaurateur
Why listed: The French Laundry, Per Se — defines American fine dining and event catering standards
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Thomas%20Keller
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Thomas%20Keller

### Kwame Onwuachi
Role: Chef & Author
Why listed: Brings Nigerian, Trinidadian, and Bronx culture to high-end dining — reshaping what F&B means at events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kwame%20Onwuachi
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kwame%20Onwuachi

### Dominique Crenn
Role: Chef & Owner, Atelier Crenn
Why listed: Only woman to hold 3 Michelin stars in the US — challenges how events think about culinary leadership
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Dominique%20Crenn
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Dominique%20Crenn%20Atelier%20Crenn

### Bobby Stuckey
Role: Master Sommelier & Restaurateur
Why listed: One of the most respected wine and hospitality voices in America
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Bobby%20Stuckey
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Bobby%20Stuckey

### Erin Wade
Role: Founder, Homeroom
Why listed: Pioneered anti-harassment policies in restaurants — changes how F&B teams operate at events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Erin%20Wade
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Erin%20Wade%20Homeroom

### Andrew Zimmern
Role: Chef, TV Host, Educator
Why listed: Bridges food, culture, and travel — challenges event F&B to think beyond Western palates
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Andrew%20Zimmern
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Andrew%20Zimmern%20Educator

### Claire Smith
Role: MS, Wine Director, Court of Master Sommeliers
Why listed: Shapes wine and beverage programs at the highest level of hospitality
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Claire%20Smith
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Claire%20Smith%20Court%20of%20Master%20Sommeliers

### Arjun Waney
Role: Founder, Zuma & Roka
Why listed: Built a global restaurant empire — defines contemporary Japanese hospitality
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Arjun%20Waney
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Arjun%20Waney%20Zuma%20%26%20Roka

## Event Technology & Innovation

Event platforms, registration tech, AI tools, production systems — the people building the tools everyone else depends on.

### Tess M. Vismale
Role: Founder & CEO, iSocialExecution; Co-Founder, Event Tech Atlas
Why listed: CMP Fellow (2026) and DES; the event-tech fixer who speaks both planner and production
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tess%20M.%20Vismale
Website: 
LinkedIn (verified profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessvismale/

### Alon Alroy
Role: Co-founder & CMO, Bizzabo
Why listed: Building one of the leading event tech platforms
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Alon%20Alroy
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Alon%20Alroy%20Bizzabo

### Reggie Aggarwal
Role: Founder & CEO, Cvent
Why listed: Built the largest event technology company in the world
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Reggie%20Aggarwal
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Reggie%20Aggarwal%20Cvent

### Brandt Krueger
Role: Event Technology Consultant & Educator
Why listed: The event industry's go-to voice for making sense of new tech
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Brandt%20Krueger
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Brandt%20Krueger

### Corbin Ball
Role: Event Technology Consultant
Why listed: Tracking and evaluating event technology for 25+ years
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Corbin%20Ball
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Corbin%20Ball

### Sina Bünte
Role: Event Strategist & Producer
Why listed: 2024 EIC Pacesetter Award winner — passionate about event tech and AI
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sina%20B%C3%BCnte
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sina%20B%C3%BCnte

### Joe Meehan
Role: Director of Professional Services, Swoogo
Why listed: 25 years in event tech — bridges technology and client experience
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Joe%20Meehan
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Joe%20Meehan%20Swoogo

### Marco Giberti
Role: Co-founder, Vesuvio Ventures
Why listed: Event tech investor — backs the tools shaping the future of events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Marco%20Giberti
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Marco%20Giberti%20Vesuvio%20Ventures

### Eran Ben-Shushan
Role: Co-founder & CEO, Bizzabo
Why listed: Building the event OS that major brands depend on
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Eran%20Ben-Shushan
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Eran%20Ben-Shushan%20Bizzabo

### Eric Ly
Role: Co-founder, LinkedIn / CEO, KarmaCheck
Why listed: Understands networking infrastructure at the platform level
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Eric%20Ly
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Eric%20Ly%20KarmaCheck

### Rahul Razdan
Role: Co-founder, vFairs
Why listed: Built a leading virtual and hybrid event platform
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Rahul%20Razdan
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Rahul%20Razdan%20vFairs

### Callan Mantell
Role: VP Product, RainFocus
Why listed: Building enterprise event management that connects to CRM and marketing stacks
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Callan%20Mantell
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Callan%20Mantell%20RainFocus

### Peter Poehle
Role: CEO, Grip
Why listed: AI-powered networking and matchmaking for events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Peter%20Poehle
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Peter%20Poehle%20Grip

### Colja Dams
Role: CEO, VOK DAMS Worldwide
Why listed: Leads a pioneering event agency focused on tech-enabled brand experiences
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Colja%20Dams
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Colja%20Dams%20VOK%20DAMS%20Worldwide

### JT Long
Role: Content Director, Smart Meetings
Why listed: Covers event technology trends for meeting planners
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=JT%20Long
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=JT%20Long%20Smart%20Meetings

### Michael Heipel
Role: Event Tech Strategist
Why listed: Helps event organizations navigate digital transformation
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Michael%20Heipel
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Michael%20Heipel

### Vasil Azarov
Role: Founder, Growth Blazers
Why listed: Builds tech-first event communities for marketers
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Vasil%20Azarov
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Vasil%20Azarov%20Growth%20Blazers

### Brian Fanzo
Role: Digital Futurist & Keynote Speaker
Why listed: Bridges social media, AI, and event technology
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Brian%20Fanzo
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Brian%20Fanzo

### Dahlia El Gazzar
Role: Founder, DAHLIA+ Agency
Why listed: Event tech evangelist — tests and reviews tools so planners don't have to
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Dahlia%20El%20Gazzar
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Dahlia%20El%20Gazzar%20DAHLIA%2B%20Agency

### Alex Shashou
Role: Co-founder & CEO, ALICE (now Actabl)
Why listed: Built hotel operations tech that directly impacts event execution
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Alex%20Shashou
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Alex%20Shashou%20ALICE%20(now%20Actabl)

### Felicia Asiedu
Role: Senior Marketing Manager, Cvent Europe
Why listed: Bridges event tech with marketing strategy in the European market
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Felicia%20Asiedu
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Felicia%20Asiedu%20Cvent%20Europe

### Joe Schwinger
Role: Co-founder & CEO, MeetingPlay / Aventri
Why listed: Built event networking tech used by Fortune 500 companies
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Joe%20Schwinger
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Joe%20Schwinger%20MeetingPlay%20%2F%20Aventri

### Kristi Casey Sanders
Role: Director of Digital Strategy, Event Leadership Institute
Why listed: Teaches event professionals how to use technology strategically
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Kristi%20Casey%20Sanders
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Kristi%20Casey%20Sanders%20Event%20Leadership%20Institute

### Nick Borelli
Role: Director of Marketing, Allseated/Prismm
Why listed: Pushes VR and spatial design tools for events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Nick%20Borelli
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Nick%20Borelli%20Allseated%2FPrismm

### Travis Stanton
Role: Editor in Chief, Exhibit City News
Why listed: Covers the technology reshaping exhibition design
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Travis%20Stanton
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Travis%20Stanton%20Exhibit%20City%20News

### Will Curran
Role: Founder, Endless Events
Why listed: Built an event production company on transparency and tech adoption
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Will%20Curran
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Will%20Curran%20Endless%20Events

### Hubilo (Vaibhav Jain)
Role: Founder & CEO, Hubilo
Why listed: Built a leading virtual and hybrid event platform
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Hubilo%20(Vaibhav%20Jain)
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Hubilo%20(Vaibhav%20Jain)%20Hubilo

### Katie McPhee
Role: VP Product, Splash
Why listed: Shapes how marketers build branded event experiences
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Katie%20McPhee
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Katie%20McPhee%20Splash

### Derek Disbrow
Role: CEO, Webex Events (Socio)
Why listed: Leading Cisco's event technology platform
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Derek%20Disbrow
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Derek%20Disbrow%20Webex%20Events%20(Socio)

### Ankur Bhatia
Role: CEO, Enjin
Why listed: Applies blockchain and digital ownership to event ticketing
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Ankur%20Bhatia
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Ankur%20Bhatia%20Enjin

### Bogdan Suceavă
Role: Co-founder, Oveit
Why listed: Builds cashless payment and registration tech for events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Bogdan%20Suceav%C4%83
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Bogdan%20Suceav%C4%83%20Oveit

### Hopin (Johnny Boufarhat)
Role: Founder, Hopin
Why listed: Built and scaled the pandemic-era event platform phenomenon
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Hopin%20(Johnny%20Boufarhat)
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Hopin%20(Johnny%20Boufarhat)%20Hopin

### Jim Sharpe
Role: CEO, PSAV/Encore
Why listed: Leads the dominant AV technology provider for events worldwide
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jim%20Sharpe
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jim%20Sharpe%20PSAV%2FEncore

### Steve Mackenzie
Role: CEO, Glisser
Why listed: Built audience engagement tech that transforms passive audiences into active participants
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Steve%20Mackenzie
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Steve%20Mackenzie%20Glisser

### Florian Roth
Role: CEO, Slido (now part of Cisco)
Why listed: Built the leading audience interaction platform — used at millions of events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Florian%20Roth
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Florian%20Roth%20Slido%20(now%20part%20of%20Cisco)

### Panos Moutafis
Role: Co-founder & CEO, Zenus
Why listed: Brings AI and facial analytics to event measurement — privacy-first approach
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Panos%20Moutafis
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Panos%20Moutafis%20Zenus

## Signal Trackers & Industry Media

Trade journalists, independent analysts, researchers — the people who see patterns before they become trends.

### Miguel Neves
Role: Editor, Skift Meetings
Why listed: Publishes the most data-driven event industry coverage
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Miguel%20Neves
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Miguel%20Neves%20Skift%20Meetings

### Danica Tormohlen
Role: Editor in Chief, Trade Show Executive
Why listed: First to spot emerging trends and leadership shifts in exhibitions
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Danica%20Tormohlen
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Danica%20Tormohlen%20Trade%20Show%20Executive

### Megan Henshall
Role: Global Events Strategist, Google
Why listed: Shapes event strategy at one of the world's most influential companies
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Megan%20Henshall
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Megan%20Henshall%20Google

### Rafat Ali
Role: Founder & CEO, Skift
Why listed: Built the leading travel and events media company
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Rafat%20Ali
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Rafat%20Ali%20Skift

### Cate Chapman
Role: Editor, LinkedIn News
Why listed: Curates how business professionals see the events industry on LinkedIn itself
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Cate%20Chapman
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Cate%20Chapman%20LinkedIn%20News

### Gordon Glenister
Role: Business Influencer & Speaker
Why listed: Connects exhibition strategy with broader business marketing
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Gordon%20Glenister
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Gordon%20Glenister

### Rachel Wimberly
Role: Editorial Director, Trade Show News Network
Why listed: The trade show industry's most-read journalist
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Rachel%20Wimberly
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Rachel%20Wimberly%20Trade%20Show%20News%20Network

### Sam Lippman
Role: President, Lippman Connects
Why listed: Publishes the definitive revenue analyses for trade show organizers
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sam%20Lippman
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sam%20Lippman%20Lippman%20Connects

### Andy Gensler
Role: Executive Editor, Pollstar
Why listed: The live music industry's most important trade publication
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Andy%20Gensler
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Andy%20Gensler%20Pollstar

### Brian Casey
Role: President & CEO, CEIR
Why listed: The authority on exhibition performance data and research
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Brian%20Casey
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Brian%20Casey%20CEIR

### Ian Zelaya
Role: Director, Content Marketing & Communications, PCMA
Why listed: Shapes the narrative of the global meetings industry
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Ian%20Zelaya
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Ian%20Zelaya%20PCMA

### Luke Bujarski
Role: Content Director, Event Marketer
Why listed: Covers experiential marketing trends with editorial depth
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Luke%20Bujarski
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Luke%20Bujarski%20Event%20Marketer

### Michelle Russell
Role: Editor in Chief, PCMA Convene
Why listed: The most respected editorial voice in the meetings industry
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Michelle%20Russell
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Michelle%20Russell%20PCMA%20Convene

### Barbara Palmer
Role: Deputy Editor, PCMA Convene
Why listed: Deep-dive journalist covering how business events are evolving
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Barbara%20Palmer
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Barbara%20Palmer%20PCMA%20Convene

### JT Long
Role: Content Director, Smart Meetings
Why listed: Covers meetings industry trends for hotel and planner audiences
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=JT%20Long
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=JT%20Long%20Smart%20Meetings

### Jessie States
Role: Director, MeetingsNet
Why listed: Curates the most-read corporate meetings media platform
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jessie%20States
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jessie%20States%20MeetingsNet

### Travis Stanton
Role: Editor in Chief, Exhibit City News
Why listed: Covers exhibition design, technology, and industry transformation
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Travis%20Stanton
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Travis%20Stanton%20Exhibit%20City%20News

### Colleen Dillenschneider
Role: Chief Market Engagement Officer, TrendsWatch
Why listed: Data-driven insights on cultural and event attendance patterns
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Colleen%20Dillenschneider
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Colleen%20Dillenschneider%20TrendsWatch

### Greg Oates
Role: Skift Contributor & Hospitality Analyst
Why listed: Tracks the intersection of hotels, venues, and events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Greg%20Oates
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Greg%20Oates

### David Adler
Role: Founder & CEO, BizBash
Why listed: Built the largest event industry media platform in North America
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=David%20Adler
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=David%20Adler%20BizBash

### Anna Kachur
Role: Producer, BizBash
Why listed: Produces the event industry's most comprehensive media content
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Anna%20Kachur
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Anna%20Kachur%20BizBash

### Beth Kormanik
Role: Editor in Chief, BizBash
Why listed: Leads editorial at the most widely-read event industry publication
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Beth%20Kormanik
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Beth%20Kormanik%20BizBash

### Timothy Burke
Role: Conference Producer & Industry Researcher
Why listed: Designs conference agendas based on actual industry research
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Timothy%20Burke
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Timothy%20Burke

### Eric Lutz
Role: Editor, Meetings & Conventions
Why listed: Covers the M&C industry with hotel-meets-planner editorial perspective
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Eric%20Lutz
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Eric%20Lutz%20Meetings%20%26%20Conventions

### Roger Dow
Role: President & CEO, US Travel Association (former)
Why listed: Shaped travel industry policy that directly impacts how events get hosted
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Roger%20Dow
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Roger%20Dow%20US%20Travel%20Association%20(former)

### Lisa Grimm
Role: Freelance Event Industry Journalist
Why listed: Independent voice covering event technology and innovation
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Lisa%20Grimm
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Lisa%20Grimm

### Patrick Salyer
Role: CEO, Stova
Why listed: Leads one of the major event tech companies and publishes industry insights
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Patrick%20Salyer
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Patrick%20Salyer%20Stova

### Deanna Ting
Role: Senior Hospitality Editor, Skift
Why listed: Covers the hotel-meets-events intersection with analytical rigor
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Deanna%20Ting
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Deanna%20Ting%20Skift

### Tess Minnens
Role: Founder, MICE Blog
Why listed: European voice covering the MICE industry with practitioner perspective
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Tess%20Minnens
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Tess%20Minnens%20MICE%20Blog

### Martin Fullard
Role: Editor, Conference & Meetings World
Why listed: Covers the European meetings industry with depth and independence
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Martin%20Fullard
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Martin%20Fullard%20Conference%20%26%20Meetings%20World

### James Drury
Role: CEO, The Iceberg
Why listed: Builds the event industry's knowledge-sharing community and content platform
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=James%20Drury
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=James%20Drury%20The%20Iceberg

### Sean Whaley
Role: Industry Analyst, AMR International
Why listed: Publishes independent strategic research on the events industry
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Sean%20Whaley
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Sean%20Whaley%20AMR%20International

### Mark Levin
Role: Association Management Consultant
Why listed: Helps trade associations understand their event revenue models
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Mark%20Levin
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Mark%20Levin

### Michael Shapiro
Role: Founder, TripCanvas Media
Why listed: Covers the intersection of travel, culture, and destination events
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Michael%20Shapiro
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Michael%20Shapiro%20TripCanvas%20Media

### Jim Spellos
Role: President, Meeting U
Why listed: Teaches event professionals technology adoption — practical, not hype-driven
Listed here: https://gatheringarchitecture.com/feed-room?name=Jim%20Spellos
Website: 
LinkedIn (people search): https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=Jim%20Spellos%20Meeting%20U