Board of Directors: 2011-2012

 

Chair - Laura Weaver, CMP
The Society of American Florists
Laura Weaver, CMP is the Director of Meetings and Conventions for the Society of American Florists located in Alexandria, VA. She is responsible for program development and overall planning, logistics and implementation of SAF's meetings, conferences and annual convention. Laura has been in the meetings industry for over 18 years, and joined SAF in 2004. A certified meeting professional since 2001, Laura has worked for Consumer Bankers Association and Precision Metalforming Association. She has a BA in history from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa. and is also a graduate of the Institute for Organizational Management. Laura is active in many Industry related organizations. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Meeting Professionals (AMP’s), is the AMP’s Golf Tournament Co-Chair and is a member of the Professional Convention Management Association’s (PCMA) Convene Magazine Task Force.

Maria Vogel, CMP
Meeting Management Services, Inc.
Maria E. Vogel is a Senior Project Director with Meeting Management Services Inc. She has been a Meeting Planner at this firm since 2005 when she was hired after working as their Convention Services Manager for one of their major conferences.

As a Senior Project Director, Maria oversees the entire logistical aspect of her client’s conferences and works with a team to ensure that her clients receive the best possible services. And with her comprehensive hotel management experience, she has proven to be a valuable asset to both her clients and MMS especially in the areas of menu planning & development, hotel contract negotiation, site selection and budget forecasting. Her career expands with over 15 years of experience in the hotel and hospitality industry that includes working for Aramark inside the Olympic Village at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta GA.

She received a B. S., Hotel, and Restaurant & Travel Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she graduated with a job offer from Hyatt Hotels to join their Corporate Management Trainee program at the company’s flagship hotel in DC, the Grand Hyatt Washington. She worked at that property for over 7 years receiving extensive experience in hotel management, Food & Beverage and Catering/Convention Services.

Maria is a Certified Meeting Planner and has been a member of AMPs since 2007 where she immediately joined the Special Events Committee and served as its Co-Chair from 2008 to 2010 and will now serve on the Board of Directors for the next 2 year term 2010-2012.

Russell McKinnon, MAM, CAE
International Theos Foundation
Russell F. McKinnon, MAM, CAE is a senior business executive with more than thirty years of experience guiding associations, foundations, and small businesses to achieve their strategic operational and marketing objectives. He has served in the leadership roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer. As such he has managed and developed budgets from $8,000,000 - $15,000,000. Additionally, he has been successful in managing in very diverse non-profit environments: federal law, recycling, insurance, rural electric power, computer service, rural housing, and wealth management, among others. For these non profits, he has successfully directed: strategic planning, legislative and regulatory efforts, publications, association finances, educational program design, annual conventions, expositions, and marketing functions. Russell is committed to help organizations (Board Members, Members and Staff) excel in fulfilling their mission. Russell is a decorated, former Naval Officer with six years of service, including combat experience. He holds a Masters Degree in Management from The George Washington University and an undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross. He has been a Certified Association Executive since 1979. He is currently the elected Treasurer of the Association of Meeting Professionals (AMPS), and has served on committees and boards for the American Society of Association Executives, Greater Washington Society of Association Executives, association/hotel industry advisory councils and local community service organizations. Currently Russell is serving as the volunteer President of the International Theos Foundation dedicated to serving the “poorest of the poor”, and he has consulted to a number of associations and small businesses on: Strategic Planning, Strategic Marketing, Project Management, Finance, Business Development and Public Relations.

Shannon Burke, CMP
National Association for College Admission Counseling
Shannon has been involved with AMPs since 2009. She volunteered for the hospitality committee and was asked to become a co-chair. She later joined the AMPs Board and is now serving as Secretary. Shannon has been in the industry for 12 years and is currently the Assistant Director of Conference and Meetings for NACAC. Previously she was with the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Northern Virginia Technology Council. Though her first role in the industry was working for a conference her lobbyist Aunt was organizing, Shannon worked when she was twelve years old. She has been a Certified Meeting Professional since 2007. Highlights of Shannon’s career include events featuring the Vice President of the United States and the Department of Defense Fire & Emergency Services Training Conference. She has worked on meetings from 10 – 15,000 and enjoys them all. Shannon is also involved in PCMA, on the Capital Chapter’s Communications Committee and on a National Conference Task Force for Expos and Tradeshows. She holds a B.A. from James Madison University in Media Arts and Design with a focus on Graphic Design and Advertising.

Cameron Curtis, CMM
District of Columbia Bar
Cameron Curtis, CMM, is the Manager of Sections Events for the District of Columbia Bar. In her current role she is responsible for the oversight of 250 programs and special events each year. She started her meeting planning career in March of 2000 with the Phi Beta Kappa Society and in 2008 moved to the Association of American Medical Colleges where she was a manager of meetings. In February of 2011 she received her Certification in Meeting Management. She has been an active member of AMPs since 2003 and is the immediate past chair, member of the investment committee, co-chair of the programs committee and has served as co-chair on the golf committee. She is very active in the meetings industry and has served on the corporate and social responsibility task force for the Professional Convention Management Association. She holds a B.A. in Music Theater from Christopher Newport University.

Ryan Barth
Indianapolis CVA
Ryan Barth is currently a Sales Manager for the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association. Ryan began his career with the ICVA in 2006 and has been working the DC market ever since. Ryan has been an active member of AMPs since 2007 and has served as co-chair on the special events and awards committees. Ryan is also an active member in PCMA and is currently serving as co-chair of CVB Reps. He was awarded the AMPs 2008-2009 Outstanding Service Professional of the Year. He holds a B.S. in Tourism & Hospitality Management from Indiana University.

Alyssa Kolat, CMP
Alyssa Kolat is the former Director of Events and Education for the National Association of Federal Unions, NAFCU. NAFCU offers 10 educational events annually and delivers monthly webcasts. NAFCU's largest event attracts 1000 association members from across the nation. Prior to joining NAFCU, Alyssa was Training and Development Manager at Falmouth Institute, a training, consulting and publishing firm based in Fairfax , VA. In this capacity, Ms. Kolat managed the training administration, meeting planning and customer care functions, delivering 15 monthly seminars and 6 annual conferences. Prior to this, she spent several years in IT consultant training and management and has worked in training operations for Pepsi and McKesson. In 2007 Ms. Kolat received her CMP designation. She is a member of AMPs, MPI and PCMA. Ms. Kolat is a graduate of the University of Richmond.

Krista Lundberg, CMP
Foundation for the National Archives
Krista Lundberg, CMP is the Special Events Manager for the Foundation for the National Archives located in Washington, DC. She is responsible for the planning, logistics and execution of Foundation member, corporate, as well as partnership events held at the National Archives. Krista received her Bachelors of Arts from Susquehanna University and has several years of experience in catering, meeting planning as well as special events. Krista is a Certified Meeting Planner and has been a member of AMPs since 2008. She served on the Special Events Committee from 2008 - 2011, and served as the Special Events Committee Co-chair from 2010-2011. Krista is currently involved with the AMPs Programs Committee and has recently joined the Board of Directors for the 2011-2012 term.

Helen Mesfin, CMP,
New Orleans Metropolitan CVB
Helen Mesfin, CMP is currently Manager of National Sales office for the New Orleans CVB in Washington DC since July 2008. In her role, her primary responsibility is to promote New Orleans as a premier meeting and convention destination by generating leads for the association market in Washington DC and Virginia. Helen has several years of experience in full service account management, direct sales and in various other positions in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining New Orleans, Helen held position with Destination as Convention Sales Manager handling the Association market based in DC and the Northeast region. Prior to that with Centerplate/NBSE the exclusive food and beverage provider for the Washington Convention Center as a Director of Catering Sales serving as part of a team to open a state-of-the-art convention center in the Nation's Capitol. Formerly Helen has also served as Sponsorship Committee Chair and Board nominating committee for the Capital Chapter of Professional Convention Managers Association (PCMA) as well as the National Membership Committee and Foundation Dinner Task Force. Besides her professional accomplishments Helen is a longtime resident of Washington DC with her husband and their two children.

Lisbeth Rafferty, CMP
The Brookings Institution
Lisbeth Rafferty is the events manager for the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform at the Brookings Institution, where she is responsible for the conceptualization, planning, management, and execution of all Center events. Prior to joining Brookings in 2008, she managed public relations, communications, and events for two computer software companies in Charleston, SC. Ms. Rafferty holds a bachelor of arts degree in public relations and journalism from Butler University.

Stephanie Soper, CMP
Seattle's Convention & Visitors Bureau
Stephanie Soper is a National Account Director for Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau.  She represents the greater Seattle area as the Pacific Northwest’s premier meetings destination and works to develop relationship with clients along the eastern seaboard.  She has been an active member of AMPs since joining the CVB in 2006 and serves on the Board as the liaison to the Public Relations committee.  Stephanie has a BBA in Marketing from The College of William and Mary and obtained her CMP in January 2011.

Scott Williamson, CHSP, CMP
Conference Direct
Scott has spent his entire career in Washington DC with Hyatt, Sheraton/Starwood, Los Angeles CVB, Puerto Rico CVB and most recently, Indianapolis CVA. Now he is in his fourth year with ConferenceDirect. This has allowed him to forge numerous and strong client and industry relationships over nearly 25 years. Scott is a past MPI Chapter President. He received numerous accolades and awards for involvement in the industry which includes CIC, PCMA, ASAE, MPI and AMP’s, where he is currently serving on the board. Scott's proudest accomplishment is co-founding of “Daddyo’s”, a networking organization for Fathers in the meetings industry. He is a regular lecturer at Northern Virginia Community College. He graduated with a hotel degree from The Pennsylvania State University. He resides in Falls Church with his two cats Major and Minor, dog, Jake and is currently vice commodore of the Eastern Power Boat Club in Washington DC. He is also secretary for the Association/Hospitality bowling league.