Gail Alofsin, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Newport Harbor Corporation

Gail Alofsin, President of Authentic Measurable Performance (AMP) is a professional speaker, executive trainer, university professor and sales and marketing consultant. Over the past two decades, Gail's range of Sales, Marketing, Public Relations, Customer Service and Leadership experience is extraordinary; with extensive experience in retail, dental/medical, hotel/resort, restaurant/catering, events/sponsorship, non-profit, meeting planning and hospitality industries.

John Barry, President, Star Events™, LLC

John Barry is president and CEO of StarEvents™. He has built an award winning special events company that has generated over $5 million in profits for local non-profit groups. Today, he's a founding member of The Festival Foundation™ that was created to provide charities with much needed operating funds. He has managed and developed numerous events in the Midwest and currently produces almost a dozen of the largest events in Chicago.

Tom Bisignano, Producer/Owner, Meeting Biz; Chair-Elect, IFEA World Board of Directors

Tom is an Independent Entertainment and Special Event Producer and the current Chair Elect for the World Board for the International Festival and Events Association. He has 25 years experience in the Festival, Special Event and Entertainment arenas. He spent ten years as a Senior Producer with Walt Disney Creative Entertainment working on Special Projects for Disney Theme Parks, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Channel and Corporate Communications. Projects included Promotional Tours, Media Stunts, Grand Opening Celebrations, Christenings and Signature Event development.

In addition, Tom was the Director of Special Events for Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide for 11 years. He designed and delivered 13 World class Festivals and Events annually at Walt Disney.  Tom was also responsible for all Alliance Events, Promotional Events, PR Events, Synergy Events and Year Long Celebrations for Disney Parks.

Paul Chiaravalle, Associate Vice President/Chief of Staff, Columbia College Chicago

Paul Chiaravalle began his professional career in 1965 with the United States Military Academy Band at West Point. After his participation in the inauguration ceremony for President Jimmy Carter he was appointed director of the Jazz Ambassadors, the Army's premier touring jazz ensemble.

In 1986 he was selected to head the new American Music Program at the University of North Florida. As the Director of Development, he established a Performing Artist Series, a Guest Speaker and Artist in Residence Program and created annual fund-raising activities in support of student scholarships.

In October 1987, Paul accepted a position with the Walt Disney Company to manage and operate the International Festival, Educational Outreach, Guest Talent and Special Event Programs for Walt Disney World Resort. He provided the authentic ethnic folkloric performers for Epcot from around the globe and contracted the guest talent utilized for the Walt Disney TV Specials and Movie Premieres.

He is currently the Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff for Columbia College Chicago, the largest Media and Arts College in the world.

Ed Dempsey, President/Chief Storyteller, TMI Entertainment Marketing

Ed Dempsey is Founder and Chief Storyteller for TMI Entertainment Marketing in Oak Park, Illinois. Founded in June of 2007, TMI is charged with creating extraordinary experiences and environments that Touch, Motivate and Inspire guests, participants and stakeholders. Among its clients are the Heartland International Music Tattoo in DeKalb, Illinois; FunMe Events, and Drum Corps Associates.

Prior to the creation of TMI Entertainment Marketing, Mr. Dempsey worked for nine years as Manager, Strategic Alliances for Drum Corps International, a globally recognized musical non-profit.

Mr. Dempsey is married and lives in Oak Park, Illinois. He is a member of the International Festival and Events Association (IFEA) and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Special Events Network (ISEN).

Mitch Dorger, President and CEO, Pasadena Tournament of Roses

John M. "Mitch" Dorger was appointed CEO for The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, in February 2000. In this capacity, Dorger is responsible for leading the Tournament's 25-member professional staff and supporting the 935 volunteer members who plan and stage the world-renowned Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game and maintain the traditions of this 120-year old Pasadena institution. Dorger has more than 25 years of leadership experience in both the private and public sectors.

Betsy DuBois, Founder and CEO, Betsy DuBois Talent Agency

Betsy DuBois is the founder and CEO of The Betsy DuBois Talent Agency, Inc. located in Aurora, Ohio, since 2005. Betsy is currently a board member of the International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY), Board member of the Ohio Association of Performing Arts (OAPN), member and guest speaker on youth and family artistic programs for International Festival and Event Association (IFEA), Member National Association of Presenters and Arts Providers (APAP) and Arts in Education Consultant to Middletown Enlarged City School District. Betsy has been working in Children's Theater in various capacities for over 20 years.

Tina Ferrario Huck, Events Coordinator, National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

As Events Coordinator for the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Tina's daily focus varies from a one-day multicultural festival welcoming 10- 20,000 visitors to a six-week Christmas light display welcoming nearly 400,000 visitors each year. With the Way of Lights in its 39th year, Tina strives to continue to bring fresh ideas to this event while maintaining its unique, consistent traditional Christmas theme. Prior to joining the Shrine in 2001, Tina's pursued her love for event planning through volunteer efforts ranging from college activities and community organizations to coordinating activities for families and soldiers as a military spouse and leader of a family and single soldier support group.

Dale Hazlewood, Special Event Coordinator, Aurora Mayor's Office of Special Events

From non-profit fundraisers and festivals to international convention galas, Dale is experienced in events of all sizes, styles and budgets. Known for his endless stream of ideas and non-traditional cost effective resources, Dale has a proven record of increasing event revenues and patron satisfaction. His event marketing efforts frequently bring thousands of new faces as well as significantly define and expand an event's "Brand". Dale worked for over a decade at WQRF FOX 39 as the Creative Services Director as well as served as a Senior Event Manager for 10 years at On the Waterfront, Inc., Illinois' largest music festival.

Bonnie Heimbach, Executive Director, Northern Illinois Tourism Development Office

Bonnie Heimbach, serves as the Executive Director for the Northern Illinois Tourism Development Office and is the primary point person for overseeing and administering marketing and development responsibilities for the Illinois Bureau of Tourism as the Northern Illinois Regional Tourism Development Organization - partnering with entities in a 14-county service area. She also serves as Project Director for the Illinois Lincoln Highway, one of the nation's premier National Scenic Byways. Bonnie has served as a Senior Event Manager for 15 years at On the Waterfront, Inc., Illinois' largest music festival among other volunteer endeavors.

Penny Reeh, President, INDIGO Resource Group & IFEA Region 3 Director

Penny C. Reeh is the owner of Indigo Resource Group, an outsource firm that currently manages the Texas Festivals and Events Association and Texas Association of Fairs and Events. She also serves as Associate Director for Business Development for the International Festivals and Events Association, and Region Three Director, covering Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.

Prior to starting Indigo Resource Group, Penny served as the Director of the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau (FCVB) for over nine years. During her tenure with the CVB, Penny worked extensively with many of the community's 60+ annual festivals and events. She served on the 23 member steering committee, appointed by the city council, to create the Fredericksburg 150th Celebration, a ten-day festival with more than 75 individual events.

In addition to consulting and providing marketing services, Penny has developed a series of workshops and seminars. Penny also served as a faculty member for the United States Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Organizational Management, teaching a nine-hour tourism elective course at three of their university training locations.

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