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SWIAEE Chapter History

SWIAEE history starts with two separate chapters: one from Southern California and the other from Southern Nevada (including Las Vegas). In the 1990's each chapter's board of directors decided to merge as Southern California had many show organizers but few suppliers and Las Vegas had no show organizers, but lots of suppliers. 


Arizona came on board years later. Collectively, we have the largest group of convention centers, hotels and amazing weather in the country! 

2026 Executive Committee

Paul Treanor

Stephenie Hawkins, CEM

Stephenie Hawkins, CEM

Executive Committee - Chair 

Senior Manager, Content & Community at Informa

Stephenie Hawkins, CEM

Stephenie Hawkins, CEM

Stephenie Hawkins, CEM

Executive Committee - Vice Chair

CEM Senior Director, Event Production at Informa 

Ryann Brown, CEM

Russ Callahan, CEM

Russ Callahan, CEM

Executive Committee - Treasurer

National Sales Manager at Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority - LVCVA

Russ Callahan, CEM

Russ Callahan, CEM

Russ Callahan, CEM

      Executive Committee - Immediate Past Chair

         Director of National Operations at Quest Events

2026 Board of Directors

Kate Ammerman

Janine Coughlin

Janine Coughlin

Director

MarCom Committee Chair

  Senior Marketing Director 

Janine Coughlin

Janine Coughlin

Janine Coughlin

       Director

Sponsorship Co-Chair

   VP of National Accounts at Connections Housing

Jill Jensen

Janine Coughlin

Andria Klinger, CEM

  Director

Membership Engagement Co-Chair

     Strategic Account Manager at Cort

Andria Klinger, CEM

Kristin Martinez, CMP, HMCC

Andria Klinger, CEM

 Director

     Senior Director, Business Development at GES

Kristin Martinez, CMP, HMCC

Kristin Martinez, CMP, HMCC

Kristin Martinez, CMP, HMCC

  Director

Academia Co-Chair

    Senior Event Manager at Fast Forward

Melanie Mathis, CEM

Kristin Martinez, CMP, HMCC

Kristin Martinez, CMP, HMCC

  Director

Program and Events Co-Chair 

Customer Service Manager at ConvExx

Veronica Medina, CEM

Veronica Medina, CEM

Veronica Medina, CEM

               Director                

Executive Director, Global Sales - Citywide and Entertainment at MGM Resorts International

Jill Syler

Veronica Medina, CEM

Veronica Medina, CEM

        Director      

         Membership Engagement Co-Chair               

  Senior Client Relationship Manager

    at Freeman

Lou Tassone, CEM

Veronica Medina, CEM

Steve Walker, CEM

  Director

Program and Events Co-Chair

  VP Business Development at LVE

Steve Walker, CEM

Heather Willden, CSEP, CHE

Steve Walker, CEM

  Director

Golf Committee Chair

  Executive Director, City Wide Sales 

    at MGM Resorts International 

Erika Welling, CEM

Heather Willden, CSEP, CHE

Heather Willden, CSEP, CHE

      Director

       Founder at Blendz Events

Heather Willden, CSEP, CHE

Heather Willden, CSEP, CHE

Heather Willden, CSEP, CHE

      Director

Academia Co-Chair

       UNLV Instructor and 

Director, SEPA Program 

         at Smart Electric Power Alliance 

Participate on a Committee

Program and Events

Marketing and Communications

Program and Events

Program/Meetings/Education Committee plans and produces chapter meetings, events and educational programs. It is our goal is to add value, enhance the careers and skills of our members, and to help them develop meaningful professional relationships through education and social meetups spanning the industry. Responsibilities shared among committee members include the full scope of event management - content development, marketing, and logistical support such as site selection, food/beverage arrangements, registration, and onsite support. 

Sponsorship

Marketing and Communications

Program and Events

The Sponsorship Committee offers viable sponsorship opportunities to our Chapter and adjacent community, which allow for the promotion of their brand, at the same time providing revenue dollars to fund unique and engaging learning and networking opportunities to our members. 

Marketing and Communications

Marketing and Communications

The Communications/Marketing Committee is the voice of SWIAEE, sharing important chapter news, event announcements, and celebrating the victories of individual members, the chapter, and our industry as a whole. Committee members craft marketing copy, keep the website updated, generate creative collateral for our communications, and promote industry news across SWIAEE social channels.

Young Professionals/Academia

Young Professionals/Academia Committee supports and elevates young professionals in the trade show industry by providing focus on the needs of those who are at the beginning of their career paths and to provide an educational, social, and professional support network.

Membership Engagement

Membership Engagement Committee welcomes new members to SWIAEE and develops leaders in the chapter for roles on committees and Board of Directors.  

Golf

The Golf Committee plans and executes an annual SWIAEE golf tournament. Duties include recruitment of golfers and sponsorships, pre-event planning and onsite execution of the event.

Contact SWIAEE

Additional Information

If you would like more information on how to become a member of the Southwest Chapter, please contact us at administrator@swiaee.com.

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