2025
SPEAKERS
Richard Anderson, Vice President, Strategy & Experience Design, Shepard
Richard Anderson is a recognized strategic and creative leader in the event marketing industry, consistently delivering results for his clients’ programs by working with them to first, understand what success looks like. His methodology then helps them build measurable objectives, strategies, and purposeful creative solutions that deliver success for all constituents.
His 30+ plus years in the industry has included time with the largest event marketing agencies in the country as well as The Coca-Cola Company where he led the event design group. He has served as the global lead for program strategy and experience design for IBM, Cisco Systems and Intel’s worldwide event marketing programs.
Today, he serves as the Vice President of Strategy and Experience Design for Shepard where he works with organizations to strategically and creatively evolve their shows to create greater success for all.
Rachel Boehm, PhD Candidate, NBC-HWC, Founder, Rachel Boehm Coaching & Consulting LLC
Rachel Boehm is a leading authority on burnout prevention and sustainable peak performance. As a behavior change and performance psychologist, she transforms how organizations work by building burnout-proof leaders and creating the conditions for teams to thrive. Boehm's unique approach combines her personal experience overcoming burnout and her decades-long career across private, non-profit, and public sectors, with her doctoral candidacy in worker well-being and business psychology, along with her national board certification in health and wellness coaching.
Through her BS ON BURNOUT® programs, Boehm helps executives and business owners protect their organizations against the costly effects of burnout. Her science-backed, people-proven tactics address both individual and systemic factors that contribute to burnout, from entry-level employees to the C-Suite. By improving retention, performance, talent attraction, customer relations, and managerial excellence, she saves organizations valuable time and money.
Lisa Chan, Sales Manager, Oregon Convention Center
Bio Coming Soon.
Justin Cheshire, Director of Marketing & Business Development, Cheshire AV
Justin Cheshire leads the strategy for reaching new markets for Cheshire AV - and spends a fair amount of time studying the competitive landscape and coming up with new product ideas. Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Justin started working for his family's business while still in high school. Today, he's taken over the reins alongside his brother, Jamie. As Director of Business Development & Marketing, he's responsible for seeking out new global business opportunities for the company.
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Justin is an active member of his community, and leads and supports numerous causes in the Rochester metro region including the annual fundraising golf tournament for Golisano Children's Hospital, annual Stroll for Strong Kids charitable fundraiser, and the MPI Eastern Great Lakes Chapter.
Having worked for a family business for over 26 years, Justin understands what it takes to keep his company fresh, dynamic and well respected. "Continuing a tradition of excellent customer service being job number one" he says. "We have a strong sense of pride in what we do here - and why we are different than the competition."
Tim Hines, Founder, Marketing Starter Group
Tim Hines is a global keynote speaker and business coach who believes that an entrepreneurial mindset is the key to success in this rapidly changing world. He helps travel industry professionals accelerate their growth by guiding them to be more collaborative, innovative, and influential.
He’s the author of the book, The Marketing Starter: How an Entrepreneurial Spirit Will Make You a More Savvy Marketer and he also hosts The Marketing Starter Podcast.
Tim Hopkins, Managing Director, McKinley Advisors
A true innovator at heart, Tim excels at helping associations find unique solutions to tough problems while setting clear and realistic goals to measure and celebrate progress. Tim has 20 years of experience leading initiatives that transform mission-driven organizations. He is a highly skilled strategist, focusing on culture, change management, inclusiveness and world-class user experiences. His accomplishments include supporting and enabling organizational efficiencies, revenue growth and member engagement. Prior to joining the McKinley team, Tim was CIO for the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), as well as head of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Tim is passionate about giving voice to underrepresented leaders and celebrating the strengths of every individual. In fact, he believes that this dynamic distinguishes good from great organizations. Giving back to the community is important, which is exemplified in his 15 years of volunteer experience, serving in numerous volunteer capacities, including the ASAE Technology Advisory Council, CAE Scholarship Committee, conference selection committees, and providing thought leadership articles and sessions to dozens of outlets. He is also Chair of the ASAE Conscious Inclusion Advisory Committee (2023-2025), in which he helps advise associations on being the best versions of themselves through intention and collaboration.
Earla Jones, Events Director, Conference Business Exhibits and Meetings, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
Earla Jones is an experience strategist who is passionate about the meetings and hospitality industry. She recently joined the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses as Events Director. She is the former Director of Conference Services and Operations for the American Library Association and prior Senior Director, Annual Meeting with the National Association of College and University Business Officers. With over twenty years as a planning professional, producing meetings and conventions, Jones focuses on incorporating experience-centered approaches and innovative learning strategies.
Earla is a member of ASAE, Association Forum, and PCMA. She is the immediate past Chair of the ASAE Meetings and Expositions Professionals Advisory Council and a member of the 2010-2012 class of the ASAE Diversity Executive Leadership Program. She was selected as one of NorthStar Meetings Group’s Meetings Industry Influencers for 2023. Jones’ credo: “our job is connection, designing events to bring people together – one of the last great hopes of saving humanity.”
Sarah Kokernot, Director of Meetings & Events, Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society
Bio Coming Soon.
Louis Layton, Senior Vice President, Event Technology, Freeman
Louis Layton is the Senior Vice President, Event Technology at Freeman. Louis is certified in the Pragmatic Marketing framework and has worked in Product Management since 1999. During his career, Louis has managed product development, led business process redesigns, led industry collaboration initiatives in both domestic and international markets. Louis is passionate about designing and building products people love to use! Louis received his MBA and BBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Dallas and Texas Christian University, respectively. In his spare time Louis is a photography enthusiast and volunteers at the Dallas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
Derek Lotfi, National Sales Director, The Expo Group
Derek Lotfi is a seasoned professional with 20 years in the exhibitions and events industry, currently serving as the National Sales Director at The Expo Group since June 2017. In this role, he leverages his extensive experience in sales and marketing to deliver innovative solutions for clients in the live events, trade show, conference, convention, and hospitality sectors.
Prior to joining The Expo Group, Derek served as a Senior Sales Manager in the Conferences and Conventions Division at National Conference Services, Inc. (NCSI) focusing on selling exhibit opportunities and sponsorships to the Department of Defense contracting community.
Derek resides in Annapolis, Maryland, with his wife, three children, and dog. He is also an active member of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).
Dr. Panos Moutafis, CEO and Co-founder of Zenus
Dr. Panos Moutafis, CEO and Co-founder of Zenus, has 14 years of experience in ethical AI. He received his B.Sc. in Statistics from Athens University and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Houston. Internationally acclaimed as an expert in ethical facial analysis, his distinctions include a TEDx Talk, the best paper award by the IEEE Homeland Security Conference, a dozen publications in esteemed journals, and published articles in the Harvard Business Review.
Jeff Rasco, Administration, MPI Texas Hill Country Chapter
Jeff Rasco brings over 43 years of experience in the meetings and events industry, where he has had the privilege of learning from some of the brightest minds and nurturing the next generation of professionals. As head of conference services at UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Jeff worked under his godmother and mentor, Frances Goff, a trailblazer enshrined in the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame for Volunteerism. Her guidance shaped his approach to leadership and mentorship, inspiring him to pay it forward throughout his career.
Jeff joined the Houston Chapter of MPI in 1982, serving in various leadership roles and developing a deep appreciation for the power of mentorship. His involvement extended to international committees and MPI's board of directors, but he always brought back valuable lessons to strengthen the chapter, cultivating a legacy of succession planning and mentorship.
In 2001, Jeff founded Attendee Management, Inc., creating opportunities to expand his role as both mentor and mentee. Leading a growing team, including his two children, challenged him to navigate the intersection of family, business, and mentorship. His active involvement in the Austin area and the Texas Hill Country Chapter of MPI further deepened his commitment to fostering talent and sharing knowledge.
Meaghan Rhame, Director of Education, Texas Self Storage Association (TSSA)
Meaghan is an association planner with nearly 15 years in association event planning and oversight. She received her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2015 and is currently pursuing the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation. Her attention-to-detail, ability to focus on multiple event timelines at various stages and sizes, and her strive for excellence has resulted in association growth. Meaghan currently serves as the Director of Education for Texas Self Storage Association and both Immediate Past President and Regional Representative for MPI Texas Hill Country Chapter. She values volunteerism in the meetings industry as Meaghan believes you truly get back so much more than you put into the industry through personal and professional growth.
Elaine Richardson, Vice President, Conferences & Events, National Black MBA Association, Inc.
In her role as Vice President, Conference and Events, Elaine is responsible for the event strategy, design, planning, logistics and execution for NBMBAA’s in-person events. She is the chief architect of the NBMBAA® Annual Conference and Exposition, where she also manages Career Expo exhibit sales and the NBMBAA® Job Board. In her role, Elaine is also responsible for NBMBAA’s membership department, with a focus on member growth and retention strategy. She also supports NBMBAA’s overall live events portfolio, including the NBMBAA Leaders of Tomorrow®, board and other meetings.
Prior to joining NBMBAA full time, Elaine spent 17 years at Naylor Association Solutions, where she supported media and event needs for non-profit associations across the country, working for national association clients, including the National Association of Home Builders, Association of Old Crows, National Urban League and Intermodal Association of North America, among many others. An award-winning journalist, Elaine served as the publisher and editor of Black MBA Magazine for five years and as publisher and managing editor of the Journal of Electronic Defense for more than 10 years. She has also written for The Chicago Tribune, The Daily Southtown, Money and Print magazines.
A native of the Chicago area, Elaine received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is currently an MBA candidate at the Quantic School of Business and Technology. She holds a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) Designation issued by the Events Industry Council and is a member of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and Meeting Professionals International (MPI).
Barry Schieferstein, Chief Operating Officer, American Society for Nondestructive Testing
Bio Coming Soon.
Chanel Sheragy, National Account Director, Travel Portland
Bio Coming Soon.
Alice Shikina, Founder, Shikina Mediation and Arbitration
Alice Shikina has several years of experience mediating landlord/tenant disputes and neighborly disputes. She also works with divorcing couples to get to a resolution around their children, money and property. Finally, family disputes can be about taking care of aging parents, strained relationships between adult siblings or children. Alice mediates both litigated cases, such as probate, conservatorship and unlawful detainers as well as conflicts which are not in litigation. Most cases which are stuck in conflict have strong emotional components, whether it be a business case or a family case. She helps parties get beyond the emotional blocks and move them to a place where they can come to agreement.
Steven Stout, Executive Director, Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE)
Steven has served as the Executive Director for the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) since late 2016. Before TSAE, Steven was with the Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals (HFTP®), an international hospitality association, where he served in various roles for over 14 years.
Steven was selected as 1 of 10 Nationwide Diversity Executive Leadership Program Scholars (DELP) by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) in 2008, earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) professional designation in 2009, awarded the Texas Society of Association Executives' (TSAE) Young Professional of the Year Award in 2010, named one of the USAE Magazine & The Association Forum of Chicagoland's 40 Under 40 in the association industry in 2013, in 2015 was selected as one of Association Trends Magazine's Young & Aspiring Association Professionals and most recently in 2019 was named as an ASAE Fellow which is a recognition that is bestowed on less than 1 percent of ASAE's 26,000 person international membership.
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Steven has also been a member of the Association Societies Alliance (ASA) since 2017, the national coalition of State and Local Societies of Association Executives throughout the country. He also serves on the Visit Austin Board of Directors.
Dan Whittington, National Sales Manager, Shepard
Bio Coming Soon.
