2026 Executive Committee
Paul Treanor, CEM
Stephenie Hawkins, CEM
Stephenie Hawkins, CEM
Executive Committee - Chair
Senior Manager, Content & Community at Informa
🎤 Industry Experience: 30 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: Expect the unexpected. The very best plans can and will be interrupted by unforeseeable challenges.
🎉 Fun Fact: My apartment in college was used in a major motion picture. The movie flopped, so you probably didn't see it.
🔗 Website: LinkedIn Profile
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
🎤 Industry Experience: 9 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: A love for tackling challenges and problem-solving will take you far in the events industry.
🎉 Fun Fact: One of my events won the 2025 TSE Grand Award for Blended Growth - Fastest 50 in the USA
🔗 Website: Let's Connect on LinkedIn
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
🎤 Industry Experience: 25+ Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: Always have a backup plan.
🎉 Fun Fact: My husband is making a YouTube channel called “The Secret Life of Larry’s Wife” featuring ring cam footage on me tripping over nothing, running into things and walking into our glass door.
Andria Klinger, CEM
Kristin Martinez, CMP, HMCC
Andria Klinger, CEM
Director
Senior Director, Business Development at GES
🎤 Industry Experience: 25 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: Never assume anything. If you want the answer, ask the right questions.
🎉 Fun Fact: I used to dance Ballet Folklórico!
🔗 Website: Let's Connect on LinkedIn
Kristin Martinez, CMP, HMCC
Kristin Martinez, CMP, HMCC
Kristin Martinez, CMP, HMCC
Director +
Academia Co-Chair
Vice President at Fast Forward Events
🎤 Industry Experience: 19 yrs
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: You are capable of WAY more than you think.
🎉 Fun Fact: I went to middle school in Alaska.
🔗 Website: Let's Connect on LinkedIn
Melanie Mathis, CEM
Kristin Martinez, CMP, HMCC
Kristin Martinez, CMP, HMCC
Director +
Program and Events Co-Chair
Customer Service Manager at ConvExx
🎤 Industry Experience: 8 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: There is no right way to do something, but there is definitely a wrong way.
🎉 Fun Fact: I am the 9th of 10 children.
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
🎤 Industry Experience: 25 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: Always have a backup plan.
🎉 Fun Fact: I’ve been in a South Point Casino commercial and an infomercial for shoes!
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
🎤 Industry Experience: 28 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: The value of your connections and importance of industry association involvement
🎉 Fun Fact: I took 3rd place in a demolition derby, spent half the time frantically trying to re-start a stalled engine, and lived to tell the tale.
SWIAEE Members
Unique Carper
Jennifer Travanichkul
Jennifer Travanichkul
Attendee Engagement Manager at
Total Product Expo
🎤 Industry Experience: 18 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: Connections Matter
🎉 Fun Fact: N/A
🔗 Website: TPE
Jennifer Travanichkul
Jennifer Travanichkul
Jennifer Travanichkul
Business Development at
Velocity Badge & Label
🎤 Industry Experience: 4 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: Relationships matter more than transactions. How you treat people builds the trust behind lasting opportunities.
🎉 Fun Fact: I was on Family Feud.
🔗 Website: Velocity
Stephanie Phillips
Jennifer Travanichkul
Stephanie Phillips
Director of Digital Engagement and Member Experiences at IAEE
🎤 Industry Experience: 15 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: Stay adaptable, prepared, and calm when challenges arise.
🎉 Fun Fact: I love dinosaurs and have been on a dinosaur dig with my son.
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
Stephanie Phillips
Job Title at ABC Company
🎤 Industry Experience: 12 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: TBD
🎉 Fun Fact: TBD
🔗 Website: TBD
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
Job Title at ABC Company
🎤 Industry Experience: 12 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: TBD
🎉 Fun Fact: TBD
🔗 Website: TBD
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
Job Title at ABC Company
🎤 Industry Experience: 12 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: TBD
🎉 Fun Fact: TBD
🔗 Website: TBD
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
Job Title at ABC Company
🎤 Industry Experience: 12 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: TBD
🎉 Fun Fact: TBD
🔗 Website: TBD
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
Job Title at ABC Company
🎤 Industry Experience: 12 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: TBD
🎉 Fun Fact: TBD
🔗 Website: TBD
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
Job Title at ABC Company
🎤 Industry Experience: 12 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: TBD
🎉 Fun Fact: TBD
🔗 Website: TBD
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
Job Title at ABC Company
🎤 Industry Experience: 12 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: TBD
🎉 Fun Fact: TBD
🔗 Website: TBD
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
Job Title at ABC Company
🎤 Industry Experience: 12 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: TBD
🎉 Fun Fact: TBD
🔗 Website: TBD
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
FULL NAME
Job Title at ABC Company
🎤 Industry Experience: 12 Years
🌎 IAEE Member: Yes
💡 Biggest Lesson Learned: TBD
🎉 Fun Fact: TBD
🔗 Website: TBD
Contact SWIAEE
Additional Information
If you'd like more information on becoming a member of the Southwest Chapter, please contact us at administrator@swiaee.com.
