Jay Blankenship
AI-Powered Procurement: Revolutionizing Event Purchasing Networks
Shepard
SVP, Sales
Jay Blankenship is Senior Vice President of Sales at Shepard, where he helps organizations turn big ideas into successful events and lasting partnerships. With more than 20 years in media, associations, and live events, he’s known for blending strategy with creativity—and making the process enjoyable along the way. When he’s not shaping event experiences, you’ll likely find him cooking something adventurous, catching a show at the theatre, or traveling with his wife, two daughters, and their three dogs.
AI-Powered Procurement: Revolutionizing Event Purchasing Networks
Shepard
SVP, Sales
Jay Blankenship is Senior Vice President of Sales at Shepard, where he helps organizations turn big ideas into successful events and lasting partnerships. With more than 20 years in media, associations, and live events, he’s known for blending strategy with creativity—and making the process enjoyable along the way. When he’s not shaping event experiences, you’ll likely find him cooking something adventurous, catching a show at the theatre, or traveling with his wife, two daughters, and their three dogs.
Danielle Dade
The Right Side Revolution: Precision Targeting for Maximum Event Impact
National Association of Broadcasters
Sr. Director, Content Marketing & Audience Engagement
Dani Dade is Senior Director of Content Marketing & Audience Engagement at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), where she drives the content marketing strategy for NAB Show and NAB Show New York, two of the world’s premier events for media, entertainment and technology. Since joining NAB in 2017, she has advanced through a series of leadership roles that highlight her ability to deliver results, including double-digit increases in impressions, conversions and engagement across digital channels while strengthening brand visibility year-round.
Prior to NAB, Dani held key marketing roles at the Consumer Technology Association, where she supported global campaigns for CES, the world’s most influential technology event. She is recognized for blending creativity with data-driven insights to craft innovative, multi-channel marketing programs that connect audiences, grow communities and fuel business results.
The Right Side Revolution: Precision Targeting for Maximum Event Impact
National Association of Broadcasters
Sr. Director, Content Marketing & Audience Engagement
Dani Dade is Senior Director of Content Marketing & Audience Engagement at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), where she drives the content marketing strategy for NAB Show and NAB Show New York, two of the world’s premier events for media, entertainment and technology. Since joining NAB in 2017, she has advanced through a series of leadership roles that highlight her ability to deliver results, including double-digit increases in impressions, conversions and engagement across digital channels while strengthening brand visibility year-round.
Prior to NAB, Dani held key marketing roles at the Consumer Technology Association, where she supported global campaigns for CES, the world’s most influential technology event. She is recognized for blending creativity with data-driven insights to craft innovative, multi-channel marketing programs that connect audiences, grow communities and fuel business results.
John Dandeneau
From Gut to Graph: Elevating Executive Decision-Making with Data
John has been delighting clients and thrilling customers through technology and product management for over 30 years. Drawing from decades of hands-on experience in Product, Sales, and Partnerships, including a leadership role at a mega event organizer, he now helps Bear Analytics' clients extract insights through unified event intelligence.
From Gut to Graph: Elevating Executive Decision-Making with Data
John has been delighting clients and thrilling customers through technology and product management for over 30 years. Drawing from decades of hands-on experience in Product, Sales, and Partnerships, including a leadership role at a mega event organizer, he now helps Bear Analytics' clients extract insights through unified event intelligence.
Joe Federbush
The AI Tipping Point: Redefining Event Metrics with Intelligence
Evolio Marketing
President & Chief Strategist
President & Chief Strategist of EVOLIO, Joe brings over 20 years of expertise in the event marketing industry, including collaborating with leading trade shows such as FABTECH and CATTLECON, as well as some of the world’s most renowned brands, including Intel, Lenovo, and Novo Nordisk. Joe specializes in conducting strategic workshops and delivering measurable insights that empower events and exhibits to succeed. By driving greater efficiency and delivering exceptional return on experience (ROX), investment (ROI), and objectives (ROO), Joe helps events and brands achieve meaningful impact. Learn more at www.evolio.co.
The AI Tipping Point: Redefining Event Metrics with Intelligence
Evolio Marketing
President & Chief Strategist
President & Chief Strategist of EVOLIO, Joe brings over 20 years of expertise in the event marketing industry, including collaborating with leading trade shows such as FABTECH and CATTLECON, as well as some of the world’s most renowned brands, including Intel, Lenovo, and Novo Nordisk. Joe specializes in conducting strategic workshops and delivering measurable insights that empower events and exhibits to succeed. By driving greater efficiency and delivering exceptional return on experience (ROX), investment (ROI), and objectives (ROO), Joe helps events and brands achieve meaningful impact. Learn more at www.evolio.co.
Reggie Henry
AI, Associations, and the Future of Face-to-Face: A Fireside Chat with Reggie Henry
ASAE
Chief Information and Performance Excellence Officer
Reggie Henry joined ASAE in November of 1994. His responsibilities are to implement "exemplary" systems at ASAE that can serve as a model to the rest of the association community and to "ratchet-up" the use and understanding of technology among ASAE members. He has been working with and/or for non-profit organizations since 1985.
Mr. Henry speaks regularly on technology and strategy issues. Some of his most recent speaking engagements include the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting, 2025 MMC+ Tech Conference, 2024 Association AI Summit, 2024 ASAE Annual Meeting, 2024 ASAE MMCC Conference, e 2023 HigherLogic Superforum Conference, March 2023 Generative AI for Associations - How to Use ChatGPT and AI Tech Right Now! Webinar, 2022, ASAE Technology Exploration Conference, 2022 NAESP/NASSP State Executive Directors’ Professional Development Conference, 2021 World Chambers Congress – Dubai. In 2009 he was invited by the Secretary of Smithsonian to participate in Smithsonian 2.0, a Gathering to Re-Imagine the Smithsonian in the Digital Age. Reggie was recently named one of the top 40 CIOs in DC-MD-VA area.
Mr. Henry holds a B.S. in Economics and Computer Science from Georgetown University. Mr. Henry regularly serves on association Boards, most recently Educause and the National Association of Colleges and Employers. He enjoys cooking, drawing, pottery and golf.
AI, Associations, and the Future of Face-to-Face: A Fireside Chat with Reggie Henry
ASAE
Chief Information and Performance Excellence Officer
Reggie Henry joined ASAE in November of 1994. His responsibilities are to implement "exemplary" systems at ASAE that can serve as a model to the rest of the association community and to "ratchet-up" the use and understanding of technology among ASAE members. He has been working with and/or for non-profit organizations since 1985.
Mr. Henry speaks regularly on technology and strategy issues. Some of his most recent speaking engagements include the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting, 2025 MMC+ Tech Conference, 2024 Association AI Summit, 2024 ASAE Annual Meeting, 2024 ASAE MMCC Conference, e 2023 HigherLogic Superforum Conference, March 2023 Generative AI for Associations - How to Use ChatGPT and AI Tech Right Now! Webinar, 2022, ASAE Technology Exploration Conference, 2022 NAESP/NASSP State Executive Directors’ Professional Development Conference, 2021 World Chambers Congress – Dubai. In 2009 he was invited by the Secretary of Smithsonian to participate in Smithsonian 2.0, a Gathering to Re-Imagine the Smithsonian in the Digital Age. Reggie was recently named one of the top 40 CIOs in DC-MD-VA area.
Mr. Henry holds a B.S. in Economics and Computer Science from Georgetown University. Mr. Henry regularly serves on association Boards, most recently Educause and the National Association of Colleges and Employers. He enjoys cooking, drawing, pottery and golf.
Faith Keiser
AI-Powered Procurement: Revolutionizing Event Purchasing Networks
EventNation
Founder
Faith Keiser has over 5 years of experience as an event tech entrepreneur. She spent the pandemic founding and expanding her online marketplace for the corporate events industry, eventnation.com (like "Yelp" but just for corporate event planners and vendors.) This year, she's added GotchaFinder.ai, an AI Agent to detect issues with venue contracts that may result in hidden fees, coupled with best industry practices to resolve those issues.
Faith specializes in being empathetic, having talked to many event planners to find out what their pain points are before delving into the event tech world, after being an event videographer and photographer for over 20 years. Faith has a passion to help the notoriously overworked and stressed out event planner, making their lives a little easier with her products.
AI-Powered Procurement: Revolutionizing Event Purchasing Networks
EventNation
Founder
Faith Keiser has over 5 years of experience as an event tech entrepreneur. She spent the pandemic founding and expanding her online marketplace for the corporate events industry, eventnation.com (like "Yelp" but just for corporate event planners and vendors.) This year, she's added GotchaFinder.ai, an AI Agent to detect issues with venue contracts that may result in hidden fees, coupled with best industry practices to resolve those issues.
Faith specializes in being empathetic, having talked to many event planners to find out what their pain points are before delving into the event tech world, after being an event videographer and photographer for over 20 years. Faith has a passion to help the notoriously overworked and stressed out event planner, making their lives a little easier with her products.
Erin Lee
The Right Side Revolution: Precision Targeting for Maximum Event Impact
AdvaMed
Vice President, Marketing Strategy & Growth
Erin Lee is a strategic and creative marketing leader with more than 20 years of experience driving data-informed strategies, revenue growth, and event success for associations and global organizations. As Senior Vice President of Marketing Strategy & Growth at AdvaMed, Erin leads the organization’s marketing and branding strategy as well as efforts to elevate The MedTech Conference, transforming it into a premier global forum for medical technology. Under her leadership, the conference has achieved record-breaking growth in attendance, engagement, and international participation.
Erin has led successful acquisition, revenue, and event strategies across health care, environment, automotive, agriculture, and B2B sectors. She is recognized for building high-performing teams, delivering effective marketing programs, and blending creativity with analytics to accelerate engagement and organizational growth.
Prior to AdvaMed, Erin held senior roles at mdg, A Freeman Company, where she drove digital and revenue growth strategies for leading associations and events. She also spent 14 years at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), where she drove digital transformation and helped scale the BIO International Convention into the world’s largest partnering event, earning a Guinness World Record.
The Right Side Revolution: Precision Targeting for Maximum Event Impact
AdvaMed
Vice President, Marketing Strategy & Growth
Erin Lee is a strategic and creative marketing leader with more than 20 years of experience driving data-informed strategies, revenue growth, and event success for associations and global organizations. As Senior Vice President of Marketing Strategy & Growth at AdvaMed, Erin leads the organization’s marketing and branding strategy as well as efforts to elevate The MedTech Conference, transforming it into a premier global forum for medical technology. Under her leadership, the conference has achieved record-breaking growth in attendance, engagement, and international participation.
Erin has led successful acquisition, revenue, and event strategies across health care, environment, automotive, agriculture, and B2B sectors. She is recognized for building high-performing teams, delivering effective marketing programs, and blending creativity with analytics to accelerate engagement and organizational growth.
Prior to AdvaMed, Erin held senior roles at mdg, A Freeman Company, where she drove digital and revenue growth strategies for leading associations and events. She also spent 14 years at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), where she drove digital transformation and helped scale the BIO International Convention into the world’s largest partnering event, earning a Guinness World Record.
Nate Mann
From Gut to Graph: Elevating Executive Decision-Making with Data
National Association of Broadcasters
Vice President of Data Intelligence
Nate Mann is Vice President of Data Intelligence at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), where he leads the organization’s enterprise data and AI strategy. In this role, he oversees efforts to transform data into actionable insights that drive revenue growth, enhance member value, and inform strategic decision-making across the association.
Since joining NAB in 2013, Nate has advanced through a series of leadership roles that reflect his passion for turning information into impact. He has led major initiatives to modernize NAB’s data platforms, improve analytics capabilities, and create a culture of data-driven decision-making. Today, he is focused on unifying data across the enterprise, building advanced reporting and analytics, and piloting AI solutions that empower staff and create new opportunities for engagement and innovation.
Prior to NAB, Nate spent five years as an account executive at WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from The George Washington University and lives in Northern Virginia with his family
From Gut to Graph: Elevating Executive Decision-Making with Data
National Association of Broadcasters
Vice President of Data Intelligence
Nate Mann is Vice President of Data Intelligence at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), where he leads the organization’s enterprise data and AI strategy. In this role, he oversees efforts to transform data into actionable insights that drive revenue growth, enhance member value, and inform strategic decision-making across the association.
Since joining NAB in 2013, Nate has advanced through a series of leadership roles that reflect his passion for turning information into impact. He has led major initiatives to modernize NAB’s data platforms, improve analytics capabilities, and create a culture of data-driven decision-making. Today, he is focused on unifying data across the enterprise, building advanced reporting and analytics, and piloting AI solutions that empower staff and create new opportunities for engagement and innovation.
Prior to NAB, Nate spent five years as an account executive at WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from The George Washington University and lives in Northern Virginia with his family
Megan Martin, CMP, DES
The Content Curator: How AI is Revolutionizing Session Programming and Speaker Alignment
Bear Analytics
Partnership Lead
Megan Martin is an expert at one thing, connecting humans. With a background spanning nearly two decades in sales and marketing, event design, and community building, Megan has the keen ability to unlock business opportunities with actionable, data-backed insights. She is the gatherer of people, a connector of data and ideas.
She hosts the “Event About It” podcast, telling crazy event stories and exploring event-led growth business strategies; The VP of Marketing and Innovation for EMC Meetings and Events. Megan leads partnerships for Bear Analytics and is the founder of M Squared Dynamics, an event consulting company focused on event-led business growth strategies for meeting planners and event technology companies.
Megan is an award-winning speaker and innovative thinker. Most recently having won Bizbash 40 under 40, named Gather Voices "50 Top Voices in Events, and having won a PCMA Visionary Award. She is a former affiliate faculty member at MSU Denver, a certified meeting professional and digital event strategist. In her free time, Megan loves to be outside exploring nature and enjoying time at home cooking and baking with her partner and rescue dogs.
The Content Curator: How AI is Revolutionizing Session Programming and Speaker Alignment
Bear Analytics
Partnership Lead
Megan Martin is an expert at one thing, connecting humans. With a background spanning nearly two decades in sales and marketing, event design, and community building, Megan has the keen ability to unlock business opportunities with actionable, data-backed insights. She is the gatherer of people, a connector of data and ideas.
She hosts the “Event About It” podcast, telling crazy event stories and exploring event-led growth business strategies; The VP of Marketing and Innovation for EMC Meetings and Events. Megan leads partnerships for Bear Analytics and is the founder of M Squared Dynamics, an event consulting company focused on event-led business growth strategies for meeting planners and event technology companies.
Megan is an award-winning speaker and innovative thinker. Most recently having won Bizbash 40 under 40, named Gather Voices "50 Top Voices in Events, and having won a PCMA Visionary Award. She is a former affiliate faculty member at MSU Denver, a certified meeting professional and digital event strategist. In her free time, Megan loves to be outside exploring nature and enjoying time at home cooking and baking with her partner and rescue dogs.
Denise Miller
Turning Team Time into a Marketing Flywheel
National Association of Home Builders
VP, Event, Product & Brand Marketing
Turning Team Time into a Marketing Flywheel
National Association of Home Builders
VP, Event, Product & Brand Marketing
Akshar Patel
AI, Associations, and the Future of Face-to-Face: A Fireside Chat with Reggie Henry
eShow
VP of Corporate Strategy & Development
Akshar Patel is the Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Development at eShow, a leading provider of end-to-end event management software solutions. Since June 2024, he has led the company’s long-term strategic vision, focusing on growth opportunities in sales, marketing, and fostering key partnerships. He collaborates closely with senior leadership to ensure alignment with business objectives and drive innovation.
In addition to his role at eShow, Akshar serves on the advisory boards of the Philadelphia CVB and Shepard Exposition Services. He’s been recognized by Northstar Meetings Group and nominated for the PCMA Groundbreaking Award. In 2024, Gather Voices listed him as one of the "50 Top Voices in Events."
AI, Associations, and the Future of Face-to-Face: A Fireside Chat with Reggie Henry
eShow
VP of Corporate Strategy & Development
Akshar Patel is the Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Development at eShow, a leading provider of end-to-end event management software solutions. Since June 2024, he has led the company’s long-term strategic vision, focusing on growth opportunities in sales, marketing, and fostering key partnerships. He collaborates closely with senior leadership to ensure alignment with business objectives and drive innovation.
In addition to his role at eShow, Akshar serves on the advisory boards of the Philadelphia CVB and Shepard Exposition Services. He’s been recognized by Northstar Meetings Group and nominated for the PCMA Groundbreaking Award. In 2024, Gather Voices listed him as one of the "50 Top Voices in Events."
Elaine Richardson
AI-Powered Procurement: Revolutionizing Event Purchasing Networks
National Black MBA Association
VP, Conference and Events
Elaine Richardson, CMP has extensive experience in event planning and management, with a focus on non-profit associations. Elaine has held various roles in event operations, publishing, and editorial management, working with organizations such as National Black MBA Association and Naylor Association Solutions. With a background in journalism and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Elaine is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Quantic School of Business and Technology to further enhance their skills in business administration and management.
AI-Powered Procurement: Revolutionizing Event Purchasing Networks
National Black MBA Association
VP, Conference and Events
Elaine Richardson, CMP has extensive experience in event planning and management, with a focus on non-profit associations. Elaine has held various roles in event operations, publishing, and editorial management, working with organizations such as National Black MBA Association and Naylor Association Solutions. With a background in journalism and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Elaine is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Quantic School of Business and Technology to further enhance their skills in business administration and management.
Annette Sandler
The Content Curator: How AI is Revolutionizing Session Programming and Speaker Alignment
Avixa
Sr. Director, Live Content US/Canada
Annette Sandler has worked in live events for over 15 years delivering creative, connected experiences. As the Sr. Director, Live Content for AVIXA, Annette curates in-person and digital content that shines a spotlight on the power of AV technology and integrated experiences at the annual InfoComm tradeshow and the AVIXA Power Hour series throughout the year.
Annette was previously a senior event producer for Bloomberg, responsible for establishing dynamic and engaging content programs for industry audiences across the company’s brands, including Bloomberg Law, Bloomberg Government, and Bloomberg Next. Annette’s events have appeared on Bloomberg TV and been covered by media outlets including the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and U.S. News and World Report.
The Content Curator: How AI is Revolutionizing Session Programming and Speaker Alignment
Avixa
Sr. Director, Live Content US/Canada
Annette Sandler has worked in live events for over 15 years delivering creative, connected experiences. As the Sr. Director, Live Content for AVIXA, Annette curates in-person and digital content that shines a spotlight on the power of AV technology and integrated experiences at the annual InfoComm tradeshow and the AVIXA Power Hour series throughout the year.
Annette was previously a senior event producer for Bloomberg, responsible for establishing dynamic and engaging content programs for industry audiences across the company’s brands, including Bloomberg Law, Bloomberg Government, and Bloomberg Next. Annette’s events have appeared on Bloomberg TV and been covered by media outlets including the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and U.S. News and World Report.
Michael Sellers, PhD
AI Meets Game Day: Reimagining Onsite Event Experiences in Professional Sports
Booz Allen Hamilton
Senior Artificial Intelligence Solution Architect
Michael is a Senior AI Solution Architect in Booz Allen Hamilton's Artificial Intelligence Group and leads teams in Computer Vision for Physical AI systems and SaaS cloud platforms. He also leads the recently formed Rapid Prototyping group. Michael’s work is supported by a background in simulation software development at US Army Research Laboratory and the Oil and Gas industry, with a BS and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University at Buffalo.
AI Meets Game Day: Reimagining Onsite Event Experiences in Professional Sports
Booz Allen Hamilton
Senior Artificial Intelligence Solution Architect
Michael is a Senior AI Solution Architect in Booz Allen Hamilton's Artificial Intelligence Group and leads teams in Computer Vision for Physical AI systems and SaaS cloud platforms. He also leads the recently formed Rapid Prototyping group. Michael’s work is supported by a background in simulation software development at US Army Research Laboratory and the Oil and Gas industry, with a BS and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University at Buffalo.
