Fall Symposium

Devon Pasha

Director, North America for Event Design Collective

Owner of DMP Creative, LLC

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Devon Montgomery Pasha, CMP, CED is the founder of DMP Creative LLC - a firm that specializes in helping not-for-profits, associations, and institutions of all sizes reach their strategic goals via training and event design.
A passionate event professional, Devon also serves as the Director of North America for the Event Design Collective, specializing in event design education and training in the United States and Canada. A believer in purposeful and mission-driven events, Devon leverages design thinking and empathy-driven systems to design events that maximize impact.
Prior to applying her skills for the Event Design Collective, Devon worked at several universities to help advance their institutional and alumni events as well as notable special events around the Philadelphia region including work for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia Waterworks, and the Fairmount Park Conservancy.
Devon has been a featured speaker and volunteer for MPI, Academic Event Planners, and Northstar Meeting Group, and has been recognized for her passion in elevating the importance of events as part of strategic plans. She holds a B.A. from Bryn Mawr College in Music and B.S. from Drexel University in Culinary Arts and Event Planning. Devon earned her CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) certification from the Events Industry Council in 2020 and a CED (Certified Event Designer) designation from the Events Design Collective in 2021, CED Mastermind in 2021, and her CED+ in 2022. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Creativity and Innovation from Drexel University’s School of Education and is an adjunct professor at Drexel University and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

• 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM, September 27, 2023 Provincial Ballroom

  Event Design Lab - Sponsored by Choose Lansing

Alissa Maul, MBA, CHSP

Vice President of Sales

Ambridge Hospitality

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Alissa Maul is Vice President of Sales with Aimbridge Hospitality, managing sales and marketing operations for 300+ hotels representing multiple industry-leading brands, and delivering $1.8B in annual revenue throughout the US. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Grand Valley State University, and an MBA from Cornerstone University. She is responsible for communicating with ownership regarding the performance of her hotels, including updates on the financial results of the properties, and production from established initiatives. With over 20 years within the hospitality industry, she is continually working to overcome complexities and leverage analytics to exceed revenue targets while building a unified team.
Alissa has a strong passion for inclusion and serves as a volunteer with Texas Parent to Parent that provides support and community resources to parents who have a child with special healthcare needs. She is also a member of the Corporate Engagement Council for My Possibilities, which strives to find meaningful work for adults with disabilities. Alissa also serves as a committee member with A.W.E. (Aimbridge Women Excelling) working to mentor women within Aimbridge Hospitality seeking to grow their careers. While Alissa was born and raised in West Michigan, her career has led her to live in other states including Illinois and Colorado. She now resides in the greater Dallas, TX area with her husband and two children, ages 8 and 6. Her weekends consist of watching Disney movies, attending FC Dallas soccer games, and spending time with her family.

• 10:00 - 11:30 AM, September 27, 2023 Provincial Ballroom

  Session I - Back to Basics

• 1:30 - 2:30 PM, September 27, 2023 Provincial Ballroom

  Session II - Negotiations, Contracts and Community Partnerships

Chris Ward

Director of Education & Training

Community Mental Health Association of Michigan

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• 10:00 - 11:30 AM, September 27, 2023 Provincial Ballroom

  Session I - Back to Basics

• 1:30 - 2:30 PM, September 27, 2023 Provincial Ballroom

  Session II - Negotiations, Contracts and Community Partnerships

Carol Galle, CMP, VEMM

President & CEO

Special D Events

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• 1:30 - 2:30 PM, September 27, 2023 Provincial Ballroom

  Session II - Negotiations, Contracts and Community Partnerships

Lindsay Krause, VEMM

Chief Operating Officer

Special D Events

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Lindsay Krause is an accomplished and dynamic event planner with a passion for creating exceptional event experiences. As Chief Operating Office (COO) of Special D Events, she brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to the event industry.
With a communications career spanning more than 20 years, Lindsay has honed her skills in event management and organizational strategy, ensuring seamless execution of diverse events, from intimate gatherings to large scale conferences. Her commitment to excellence and attention to detail have been instrumental in driving the success of countless events, earning her recognition as a true industry expert.
As COO, Lindsay spearheads a team of talented professionals, fostering a collaborative environment that inspires innovation and creativity. Her ability to envision and implement forward-thinking event concepts has made Special D Events a sought-after partner for corporations, non- profit organizations, foundations and more.
As a thought leader in the event planning realm, Lindsay is often interviewed by industry outlets including Meetings Today, Smart Meetings, Biz Bash and more. In 2022 she was a recipient of the Innovator Award for Smart Women in Meetings. She serves on the editorial advisory board of Michigan Meetings and Events Magazine and has spoken at multiple Destination Michigan events and webinars.
When she is not immersed in creating memorable experiences for clients, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her two teenage sons and husband, rooting for MSU and being outdoors.

• 10:00 - 11:30 AM, September 27, 2023 Provincial Ballroom

  Session I - Back to Basics

• 1:30 - 2:30 PM, September 27, 2023 Provincial Ballroom

  Session II - Negotiations, Contracts and Community Partnerships

Amber Sheerin

Program and Event Director

Michigan Library Association

Amber is responsible for helping to craft the best conferences, celebrations, and professional development opportunities for the 2,000 members of the Michigan Library Association, a role she has held since 2019. Amber is a graduate of Grand Rapids Community College, Ferris State University, and has a Certificate in Event and Convention Management from New York University. She is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), a Digital Event Strategist (DES), and is certified in Virtual Event and Meeting Management from the Event Leadership Institute. Amber was named the 2023 Innovative Planner of the Year by MPI – Michigan.

• 1:30 - 2:30 PM, September 27, 2023 Provincial Ballroom

  Session II - Negotiations, Contracts and Community Partnerships

• 10:00 - 11:30 AM, September 27, 2023 Provincial Ballroom

  Session I - Back to Basics

Clarissa Lange

Director of Sales & Marketing

DoubleTree by Hilton Bay City-Riverfront

• 1:30 - 2:30 PM, September 27, 2023 Provincial Ballroom

  Session II - Negotiations, Contracts and Community Partnerships

• 10:00 - 11:30 AM, September 27, 2023 Provincial Ballroom

  Session I - Back to Basics

Kristy Poore, CMP, CTA

National Sales Account Executive

Destination Ann Arbor

Kristy graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Consumer & Family Sciences. She has worked for Destination Ann Arbor for the past 18 years as a National Sales Account Executive and prior to that worked in sales for various hotels in Metro Detroit. She is a Past President of the MPI Michigan Chapter and also serves on the Advisory Bord for Michigan Meetings & Events Magazine and Education Committees for MACVB and MSAE.

• 1:30 - 2:30 PM, September 27, 2023 Provincial Ballroom

  Session II - Negotiations, Contracts and Community Partnerships