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Meeting Pros Radio

Meeting Pros: Ashia Sims with Women Interactive/Art of Genius, Alex Lassiter with Gather, Patrice Washington with Seek Wisdom Find Wealth

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On this Episode of Meeting Pros:

Ashia Sims with Women Interactive/Art of Genius

Ashia R. Sims is the Chief Transmedia Officer of Art of Genius Creative Technology Series and Founding Curator of Women Interactive Creative Technology Festival. She is also the Chief Content Manager at Friday Girl TV, a web station for women. Ashia has worked in the field of television and film production for over 10 years. She has worked on television projects for BET, Fox, Peachtree TV, Starz in Black and NBC as well as several feature film projects. She is passionate about empowering women to be their best selves and stepping outside of the status quo. She represents one of the early generations of kids to grow up sitting in front of a computer and enjoys tech talk about the latest smart phone, coolest app and other tech devices.

Ashia resides in Atlanta, GA and loves attending festivals like Comic Con and Dragon Con and making time to read and write horror and science fiction stories.

Twitter: @ashia  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ashia/

 Alex Lassiter with Gather

My background is comes from the corporate planning side. I worked for a strategy consulting firm (Bain & Company). Among my day-to-day analyst responsibilities, weekly team dinners, holiday parties, & sales dinners also fell under my umbrella. It was really at this point that I realized the challenges of booking venues. We thought finding a venue to host your dinner or event should’ve been as easy as booking a hotel on Orbitz.

I left my job about a year ago with a colleague of mine (Nick) to start a company in the restaurant industry. We spent about 6 months working with all different types of restaurants before we fully developed the idea behind Gather. Now we’re in over 50 restaurants in the Atlanta area with venue sizes that range from 10 to 250 guests. We created Gather to connect meeting planners to hundreds of restaurants & event spaces, facilitating hassle-free event planning.

 Patrice Washington with Seek Wisdom Find Wealth

Patrice C. Washington is the author of Real Money Answers, a series of sensible, straightforward, question and answer style, personal finance books written to address the most common financial questions of targeted groups of individuals. The first installment, Real Money Answers: College Life & Beyond is the ultimate guide to creating a wealthy mindset, skill set and overall personal finance success in your 20s.

Patrice is also the founder of Seek Wisdom Find Wealth, which provides one-on-one personal finance and entrepreneurship coaching to professional women who are overworked, yet underpaid and desire to profit from their passion. A frequent speaker at business, college and women’s events, Patrice’s wisdom on money matters has been featured by national brands such as NBC, Black Enterprise, The Huffington Post, Upscale Magazine and more.

 @seekwisdompcw

 

 

 

 

Meeting Pros: Jordan Glastetter & Denise Rindsberg with Let’s Celebrate, Vanessa Parker with PinkBoss, Inc

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Jordan Glastetter & Denise Rindsberg  with Let’s Celebrate

company name in the blog post. Since 1991, Atlanta based Let’s Celebrate has garnered numerous regional,national and international awards for their winning designs. Seven Allie Awards have been presented to the company in nine years for “Best Balloon Décor.”

Let’s Celebrate was amongst the top three companies nominated for a prestigious award in the industry by International Special Events for Best Balloon Sculptures.

Let’s Celebrate has been written up in the BellSouth regional newsletter and numerous articles about the company have appeared in newspapers, and magazines. CNN invited Denise as a guest speaker on the “TALK BACK LIVE” show. About the President: Denise Rindsberg has been president of Let’s Celebrate for 20 years. She is very recognized within the industry, and works on a local and international scale.

Denise has written numerous unique Centerpiece design books, and has lectured at many seminars, including The Atlanta Mart. She qualified as a CBA (Certified Balloon Artist) and won a scholarship to do a Leadership Program with Qualatex at their corporate Head Office. She served many years on the board of ISES (International Special Event Society) and won special recognition as Director of Programs.

Specialties:We are a dynamic event design company that will turn your special event of any size into an experience you will never forget. We will transform any idea into a dazzling setting, with ambiance that embraces every guest.

Our capabilities are extensive and feature award-winning balloon sculptures, distinctive theme décor ranging from backdrops to props incorporating floral designs, decorative linens, chair covers, and special lighting effects for both private and corporate functions.

Vanessa Parker with PinkBoss, Inc

Vanessa Parker balances family and entrepreneurship with flare and a style all her own. Her mission and purpose is to empower women to use their passion and skills to generate income that will allow them the flexibility to do what they love every day. Parker has taught several entrepreneurship workshops and currently teaching her Jr. CEO curriculum in the metro Atlanta area. She credits her success to community involvement and her drive to help women become economically self sufficient through entrepreneurship.

Facebook: Facebook.com/thepinkboss

Twitter: Twitter.com/thepinkboss

 

 

Meeting Pros: Atlanta Street Food Festival Special- Alisha Nesbitt with Enchanted Events of Atlanta, Mixed Up Food Truck, Yumbli Food Truck

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On This Episode of Meeting Pros:

Alisha Nesbitt with Enchanted Events of Atlanta

Alisha Nesbitt, owner of Enchanted Events of Atlanta, began planning weddings, dinner parties and birthday celebrations for her friends and family in 2005. After continuing to receive an overwhelming amount of request for her services, Alisha decided to officially launch Enchanted Events of Atlanta. In addition to being an expert in the field event coordination & interior design, she is a licensed Occupational Therapist. Alisha maintains a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Masters in Occupational Therapy from Temple University. She is also the co- owner of Enchanted Blu Events. Enchanted Blu Events is a full service event planning, fundraiser organizing, and corporate meeting/team building planning company all in one. Enchanted Blu Events is dedicated to assisting non- profit organizations and or charities in their fundraising efforts. Enchanted Blu currently produces two signature events that each benefits a local charity. Through these events, Enchanted Blu has been able to donate over $6000 to the community in 2012 alone. The events include the Atlanta Chef’s Expo (Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Greater Atlanta) and the Atlanta Street Food Festival (Atlanta Community Food Bank). Her events have been featured on; CBS Better Mornings, in Jezebel Magazine, Southern Living Magazine, Daily Candy, Deep South Magazine, Uptown Magazine, Upscale Magazine, MSN.com, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Thrillist, Creative Loafing, Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine, Crave Atlanta and Essence.com. When Alisha is not planning fabulous events, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her son Nicholas.

Atlanta Street Food Festival

Mixed Up Food Truck

Yumbli Food Truck

 

Meeting Pros: Gloria Wilson Moore with 24 Karat Gold LLC, Anna Williams, GM and Autumn Johnson, Account Executive with GEP Atlanta, Rufin Tshinanga with Popplr

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On This Episode of Meeting Pros:

Gloria Wilson Moore with 24 Karat Gold LLC

Gloria Wilson Moore, the Managing Partner of the Atlanta-based firm 24 Karat Gold, LLC, has been involved in meeting and event planning and marketing since the late 90’s after leaving BellSouth as the regional marketing director. In 1996, she founded a PR company, Confetti Communications, that focused on promoting venture-funded dotcoms. In 2008, she transitioned from PR to broader services, like professional positioning, that helped C-level corporate executives meet their career objectives. The professional positioning service, christened The Right Place @ The Right Time©, combines strategic networking, special events and social media management. The service is now being offered to professionals and entrepreneurs who want to maximize their face-to-face networking efforts and improve the effectiveness of their social media engagement.

Gloria is a self-confessed Internet and social media fanatic who loves exploring new applications and resources and sharing them with her clients. See her LinkedIn profile at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/biziwoman

Anna Williams, GM and Autumn Johnson, Account Executive with GEP Atlanta, DMC:Global Events Partner

With over ten years of experience in sales, management, and hospitality, Anna Williams is the newest member of the growing GEP Atlanta team. Anna most recently exceeded client expectations at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta where she handled large group meetings focusing on the corporate market with emphasis in Financial, Insurance, and Pharmaceutical meetings. Spending the last 6 years in Atlanta hospitality, Anna has been dedicated to promoting and selling the city she calls home. She has held professional membership in local Georgia chapters of Meeting Professionals International, National Business Travel Association and Financial & Insurance Conference Planners. Her professionalism paired with her expertise and knowledge of the city, create the “complete package” to efficiently and hospitably service clients. – See more at: http://www.gepdmc.com/atlanta/aboutus/team/

Autumn Woods Johnson joined GEP with over 10 years experience in Sales, Management, and Hospitality in both Houston and Atlanta. After developing the banquet and events program for a restaurant group in Houston, she came to Atlanta in 2005 to complete a Masters degree at Emory University and has immersed herself in this vibrant city’s hospitality industry. Playing a key role in the restaurant side of the industry for seven years and in her role as Group Dining Sales Manager for one of the premier restaurant groups in Atlanta, Autumn is very connected and in tune with new trends and extremely well versed in the multitude of options available for events in Atlanta. She has managed the sales and coordination of over 500 events annually for domestic and international clients. She is creative, diligent, and has a knack for making all her clients feel extremely comfortable and taken care of. – See more at: http://www.gepdmc.com/atlanta/aboutus/team/

Rufin Tshinanga with Popplr

Rufin Tshinanga is an innovator, entrepreneur, musician, life coach, humanitarian, and a father of healthy 3 year old son.  Rufin specializes in special events and concert production, brand development, user/customer acquisition, and marketing strategy development.  Mr Tshinanga has worked with brands such as Outkast, Ludacris, The Roots, Comcast, AT&T, The Ludacris Foundation, and many more.  Rufin believes in inspiring individuals to reach their fullest potential to help impact our world in a positive direction.  One of his proudest accomplishments is creating Georgia Daze, a volunteer organization aimed at increasing minority recruitment at The University of Georgia. Georgia Daze has been instrumental in aiding the record number increase of minority enrollment at UGA since 2005.  Rufin is passionate about developing and curating innovative business ideas, content, products and properties that are evolutionary, socially impactful, and relevant in today’s connected culture.  He is the founder of Popplr, a crowd-source platform for users to discover and demand local pop up shop experiences in unexpected places. We help large and independent brands produce interactive and engaging experiences to the right audience, at the right place, at the right time.

 

Meeting Pros: Chris Yellina with Graceology Photography, Andrea Kidd with Zoo Atlanta Special Events, Kelli Flournoy with Kelli Flournoy PR

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Chris Yellina with Graceology Photography

Established in early 2005, Graceology Photography, has recently exploded into the global wedding photography market. Known for our unique approach to photography, our witty charm, and our detailed touch to editing, Graceology Photography is one of the most sought after photography studios in Atlanta.

Chris and Heather are young, adventurous, and willing to do anything to get the perfect photo. Our photography team is simply the best in Atlanta and our passion for capturing the perfect photo makes us the perfect choice for you. Call us, we would love to talk to you! 404.395.9041. We are available for travel worldwide, please call for details. Browse our site and our galleries to see why we are the top choice for Atlanta wedding photography.

Andrea Kidd with Zoo Atlanta Special Events

Andrea has her degree in Hospitality Management from Georgia State University’s Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality. While earning her degree, she began managing venue sales, day-of event coordination, vendor relations & logistics planning in the Special Events Department at Rhodes Hall, Atlanta’s Castle on Peachtree Street. After two years at Rhodes Hall, Andrea moved into her current role as Catering & Special Events Manager at Zoo Atlanta, where she worked for over four years managing venue and catering sales, coordination and execution of both corporate and social events ranging from 20 to 5000 guests.

Kelli Flournoy with Kelli Flournoy PR

Kelli Flournoy is the owner of Kelli Flournoy PR, an boutique public relations firm specializing in the representation of fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands.

Meeting Pros: Desiree Scales with Bella Web Design, Inc., Angela Stalcup with Ladies Who Launch/ Angela Stalcup Group, Jill Mastrogiacomo with Offices @1100 Peachtree, LLC/Corporate Meetings ATL

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Desiree Scales with Bella Web Design, Inc.

Desiree Scales has been a featured online marketing and web design expert for USAToday.com, CBS News in Atlanta, 11Alive, NBC Nightly News.

She founded Bella Web Design in 1998 following a successful career as a flight attendant for United Air Lines and an analyst for Delta Airlines. Since the company’s launch, Desiree created a track record of success and profitability for Bella Web, which has helped over 1,000 companies build and maintain a strong online presence with services such as compelling web design, web hosting, ecommerce, automated marketing, SEO, email marketing, and social media coaching. Desiree is also an Infusionsoft Certified Consultant (ICC).

Bella Web Design’s success is a direct result of Desiree’s expertise and experience, which has evolved into a passion to educate both businesses and organizations on how to use Internet technology to spur success. She has been a featured speaker at companies, conferences, and seminars across the country. She also provides classes on blogging, web design, branding, Internet marketing, Web 3.0 strategies and social media, and offers personal social media coaching to business owners who want to apply “an online buzz” to their customer relationships and bottom line. She has over 55,000 followers online.

twitter.com/desireescales

facebook.com/bellawebdesign

youtube.com/bellawebdesign

Sign up for her newsletter for free online marketing tips each week!

Angela Stalcup with Ladies Who Launch/ Angela Stalcup Group

Angela Stalcup launches dreams. As CEO of Angela Stalcup Group, LLC, she has spent nearly 20 years marketing communications, strategic planning, business process improvement, and business development for small businesses and large corporations.

Since 2008, she has also been the Atlanta Market Owner for Ladies Who Launch, an online and in-person support community for women entrepreneurs with education, resources, and exposure opportunities for women-owned businesses from concept, to launch and beyond. In this role she has worked with over 1000 different women to support them in launching and growing businesses.

In 2012 she launched the Velvet Boot emerging and growing businesses to help them clarify their passions, overcome blocks, and deliver their business vision to the world. Additionally, in a nod to her own passion, Angela also launched The Curvy Entrepreneur, a program designed to address body image issues that impact women in business.

Jill Mastrogiacomo with Offices @1100 Peachtree, LLC/Corporate Meetings ATL

Jill Mastrogiacomo, Meeting Sales Manager – Offices @1100 Peachtree, LLC/Corporate Meetings ATL | jill@officesat1100peachtree.com, C#: 404-844-6115, LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jillmastrogiacomo, Twitter: @CorpMtgsATL , @Offices1100, @jillybean8D

Meeting Pros: Kristine Janovitz with Crimson Shutter Photography, Amber C. Saunders

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On this Episode of Meeting Pros :

Kristine Janovitz with Crimson Shutter Photography

Kristine Janovitz, photographer + owner of Crimson Shutter Photography.

 

Amber C. Saunders with Enrichment Prep & Failurebox

Upon graduating from law school, Amber became unsatisfied with the options she saw in the legal field.  Ever the education enthusiast, she began Enrichment Prep after being asked to serve as a volunteer ACT/ SAT tutor at her old Atlanta high school. Shortly thereafter, she was awarded seed funding from 100 Urban Entrepreneurs and was asked to serve as the 100UE rep in the southeast.  Since then, Amber has curated several startup events that focus on connecting entrepreneurs on the fringe of the startup scene to the vast resources available in Atlanta.  Amber recently launched Failurebox, which hosted StemAtl at Atlanta Tech Village, where students from Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory, Spelman, Morehouse, and Clark Atlanta
University were able to tour ATV and connect with some of the most talented entrepreneurs in the city to discuss failure in an effort to provide real world lessons and avoid romanticizing the entrepreneurship experience.

The next Failurebox #StemAtl Mixer will be at 200 Office on June 26th.

Meeting Pros: Toni Friday with events BOUT:IK, Andrew McDonald with PPi

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On this Episode of Meeting Pros :

Toni Friday with events BOUT:IK

Events BOUT:IK a custom event planning, floral design and décor company was single handedly started just over 4 years ago by Planner – Decorist, Toni Friday. After 12 years in the corporate and non-profit world of Marketing and Advertising, Toni was faced with the decision to keep with what was comfortable or take the path less traveled. Initially juggling both marketing and event planning careers and moving past her fears of  “…what if no one hires me” her work quickly spoke for its self.

She was soon featured in one of the nation’s leading bridal resources, The Knot Magazine.  Just into her second year of business, Toni was invited to co-host The Knot’s TV on Demand: The Knot Insider Guide as one of Atlanta’s premiere event planners. Over the past 4 years, Toni’s company has grown a national and international client base. Successfully planning a broad variety of events for groups of 50 to more than 1,000 attendees. From outside-the-box weddings, to launch parties and corporate outings; events BOUT:IK consistently welcomes opportunities to make moments memorable.

Their vast network of stunning venues, leading vendors and loyal clients has proven that companies, can be just as if not more  effective through positive, minimal stress practices and direct yet tactful communication.Toni’s work has been highlighted on numerous blogs, print publications and digital outlets. Although her natural ability and love for event planning is evident from the moment you meet her, she admits that what really drives her is to not only maintain but further building upon current and future philanthropic efforts.

Andrew McDonald with  PPi

Andrew McDonald is the founder and Managing Director of the nationally renowned audiovisual production company, PPi. Throughout his 20 year AV career (and counting!), Andrew has served on several boards and associations in leading roles including; NACE and ISES,  as well as, chairing multiple industry award events.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors as Vice President of Allie Awards Incorporated. Allie Awards Inc. is the leading awards recognition body for the events industry in the Southeast Region. Andrew and his team at PPi have been featured in multiple national trade and social publications for event productions including PLSN, Southeast Staging, FOH and Essence. He and his team are the recipients of over 8 Allie Awards in the past 3 years for production excellence.

Andrew holds multiple degrees from the Royal Academy of Music in London England and spent 10 years performing around the world with the finest orchestras and ensembles including: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Royal Opera House Covent Garden, The Orchestra of the Bolshoi Ballet, The BBC Symphony Orchestra. When asked what was the best gift he ever received Andrew answered, ““My first pair of drum sticks because they led to the most remarkable first part of my professional life”.

 

 

Meeting Pros: Kelly Smink with Amusement Masters, Holland Muscio with Balloonacy & Flowers By Holland, Cathy Taylor with Your Event Solution

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On this Episode of Meeting Pros :Kevin Finn

Kelly Smink with Amusement Masters

At Amusement Masters, our staff is devoted to providing the highest level of customer service. We will work with you to develop a customized program featuring superior gaming equipment for your events. With an emphasis on attracting a crowd, we believe the right games can make a tremendous impact on an event’s success. Our motto is “We provide the fun”, and we create fun safely, efficiently and professionally. Mission Statement: “Work hard, have fun and enhance our clients experiences by providing renowned customer service and innovative amusement solutions.” http://www.amusementmasters.com

Holland Muscio with Balloonacy & Flowers By Holland

For almost 30 years Balloonacy has been adding some POP to events all around Atlanta. In 2005 Holland & Sean Muscio bought the company and added a floral division, Flowers By Holland. Holland has been involved in event planning & production for over 20 years-ever since getting bit by event bug when named Special Events Chair her senior year at Meredith College. Holland was on the festival planning committee for the Peach Bowl (now ChickFilA Bowl) for 5 years- serving as committee co-chair in 2000. After 8 years of planning marketing department events for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra- including the 35th anniversary of Classic Chastain, the introduction of Robert Spano as Music Director and the Memorial Concert for Robert Shaw, Holland decided it was time for a new adventure when the opportunity to purchase Balloonacy presented itself. The award winning design team at Balloonacy & Flowers By Holland are members of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chamblee Business Association and Junior League of Atlanta.

Cathy Taylor with Your Event Solution

Cathy Taylor, Your Event Solution Founded in 1992, Your Event Solution is one of Nation’s premiere event production, entertainment and design and décor companies. From coast to coast we provide services at any location or venue.

With our customers’ needs as our focus, and attention to detail as our foundation, every event we design is a one of kind creation. No matter the size of your event, our goal is to provide you and your guests with an engaging experience. Our vast selection of in-house inventory allows us to be a cost effective solution for your event.

Proud Members of:

• GA Chapter of MPI

• National Association of Catering Executives

• Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association

• Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau• Buford Business Alliance

• National Association of Casino Party Operators

www.youreventsolution.com

Meeting Pros: Anna Stevens with EQ for Success, LLC, Bob Doyle with Boundless Living, Inc., Anne Cohen with Perfect Wedding Guide

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On this Episode of Meeting Pros :

Anna Stevens with EQ for Success, LLC

Anna Stevens is a woman of influence. She helps people discover the POWER OF MIND and utilize it to create SUCCESS! She has an extended and increasingly diverse international experience in MARKETING, BRANDING, management, PR, training and development, and SOCIAL MEDIA. Anna is a domestic violence survivor and a warrior for women’s right to be respected and loved. She is an ENTREPRENEUR, business consultant, coach, blogger, and AUTHOR of the new book called Turn Your Dreams And Wants Into Achievable SMART Goals!

www.SMARTgoalsBook.info

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stevensanna/

Twitter: @SMARTgoalsBook and @EQ for Success

BUY BOOK ON AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CAZTXMO

Bob Doyle with Boundless Living, Inc.

Today more than ever, it seems that people are reaching a point in their lives where the things that used to be working, no longer are. Careers, relationships, health – just to name a few. Often, trying to “fix”these issues causes even more problems – and what’s really needed is a complete Reinvention. Bob Doyle has been in the personal transformation industry for over a decade and is now leading people through their own personal and professional reinventions through a proven system that allows you to get crystal clear on your true passions and develop a vision for yourself that will not only serve you, but for countless others in your life.

Bob Doyle is the CEO of Boundless Living, Inc., a company committed to demonstrating to people how to live their lives by design utilizing Law of Attraction principles and identifying and living their passions.

His Wealth Beyond Reason program has long been recognized as one of the most complete and usable online curriculum in the Law of Attraction, and gained the attention of the producers of the film “The Secret”, in which Bob was one of the featured teachers in the film and book.

Bob is a champion for creative self-expression and has created an online playground called the Boundless Living Challenge where participants join a huge active community of people who are taking on life-long dreams in the period of 45 days and are supported through a full education in the law of attraction, as well as tools for eliminating limiting beliefs and negative thoughts which have historically stopped people in the past.

Bob is a veteran broadcaster, music composer, author, and ukulele fanatic among other things, and encourages people to fully explore any and all of their passions, playing full out all the time, thus allowing the law of attraction to work effortlessly to attract all that they desire into their lives.

On the personal side, I am a complete ukulele fanatic and have spent the last 2 years with this thing glued to my hands. I have a YouTube channel of music, and perform every now and then at Open Mics here in Atlanta, as well as online at TheStage.tv

Anne Cohen with Perfect Wedding Guide

Anne Cohen has spent the last ten years working with small business owners in creative industries on marketing strategy, business development, brand positioning, and advertising. She has worked in New York City, Vail and Denver Colorado, and Atlanta with an array of companies ranging from Estee Lauder and Clear Channel to Alternative Apparel and Get Married. She is a passionate professional with commitment to excellence; and as a 6th generation Atlant an, she has found herself at home in her role as the Market Manager of Perfect Wedding Guide.