International Special Events Society - Greater Washington, D.C. Chapter

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Board of Directors

Renee Stake -- President
Troutman Sanders LLP
202-274-2928
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An ISES board member since 2003, Renee is excited to begin her position as President. In 2007, she served as the co-chair of the 2007 Northeast REC, hosted by the Greater Washington DC Chapter and her other previous positions on the ISES DC board include President-Elect, Secretary and Vice President of Programs. Renee is the Event Manager for Troutman Sanders LLP and is responsible for all national events for the firm. She holds a BA degree in Advertising from the University of Maryland at College Park and is currently working towards her Masters of Science in Marketing at Johns Hopkins University.

June Ring -- President Elect
Classic Design Events
703-349-1230
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June has been a member and on the Board of ISES since 2003. She served as Front Desk Director and Co-Chair of the 2007 Northeast Regional Education Conference. June is President of Classic Design Events, Inc. As an Event Planner, she has created, developed and executed successful events with corporate, government, non-profit and social organizations in the Washington Metropolitan area over the past 24 years. June enjoys spending time with her family, reading and running.

Kelley Gillespie -- Immediate Past President
GEM Events
703-629-9111
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Kelley is an experienced strategic special events planner, having designed and orchestrated events in the US and abroad for more than 20 years. She has planned Inaugural events, parties for as many as 12,000 guests and major fundraisers. She joined ISES in 1997 and also serves on the International Membership Committee. She is the principal of GEM Events based in Washington, DC..

Karen Bridges -- Vice President of Membership
BRAVO! Events by Design
202-543-7388
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Karen Bridges, CSEP, is Vice President and Partner of BRAVO! Events by Design. She joined BRAVO! in 2001 after a career in event management that spanned the government, university and association worlds. With her logistical expertise and keen management skills, she directs BRAVO!’s operations. Karen was director of alumni events for The George Washington University, where she also earned a Masters in tourism administration with a concentration in event management. Prior to that, she produced pavilions and booths at international air shows as an international trade specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce. Karen currently teaches event administration at Stratford University and is a sought-after lecturer.

Amy Guthridge -- Vice President of Education & Programs
Washington Marriott
202-640-6231
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Amy Guthridge is an experienced event planner having planned and executed several events, in both the corporate and social markets, for up to 1,300 guests over the last 4 years. She holds a BA in Communication from the University of Maryland at College Park and has also studied under the Event Management Certificate Program at George Washington University. Amy is currently with Marriott International and Engaging Affairs, Inc. and is also a volunteer for The March of Dimes.

Pat Richitt -- Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Entertainment Exchange
301-986-4640
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Pat Richitt is an owner at Entertainment Exchange, a music entertainment and artist development company. Pat has been a professional singer and musician since 1976 and is a veteran of the special events industry. He also owned a retail florist for nine years and worked for IBM as a marketing rep for almost ten years. A native of Washington, DC, Pat received his MBA from the University of Maryland in 1984 and has received professional awards from NACE and also received the 2008 Leadership Award from ISES DC.

Taylor Strimple -- Director of Archives
Plan-it Parties
301-977-7270
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Taylor has been a member of ISES since 2006. In the event planning business for the past eight years, she helps her clients create exquisite, creative and memorable events. Working with Plan-It Parties, Taylor plans lavish celebrations from mitzvahs to weddings, anniversaries to corporate affairs. She graduated from Penn State in 2007 and offers her young professional outlook to the DC Chapter, hoping to make it an even more successful part of the ISES community.

Monica Vidal -- Director of Education
Washington Talent Photo & Video
301-762-6912
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Monica Vidal is one of Washington Photo’s finest photographers with a background in the arts and an attention to detail. Formerly a partner with MH Photography & Concepts, she merged with Washington Talent Agency in 2005 to form Washington Talent, Photo and Video. In addition to ISES, Monica is involved with several significant organizations such as NACE (National Association of Catering Executives), The Board of Trade and Destination DC, where she has been recognized and awarded for her photographic talents.

Jennifer Fontine -- Director of Programs
Syzygy Event Productions LLC
301-987-0095
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Jennifer has been an active ISES Member since 2006, serving on the membership committee and as co-chair of volunteers and job bank prior to joining the ISES board as director of programs. She is an event stylist at Syzygy Event Productions Where she enjoys the challenge of presenting fresh and interesting décor ideas to DC’s decidedly hipster crowd of event planners. Jennifer is a graduate of the George Washington University Event Management Certificate Program and resides in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband and two dogs.

Angela Lee -- Director of Students
Amazing Affairs LLC
202-288-2330
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Angela became a member of ISES in 2004 while a student in the GW Event Management Certificate Program. Since joining ISES she has served as Volunteer Coordinator for the Expo, REC Room co-chair, Co-chair for Silent Auction, Gala Volunteer and Front Desk Committee member. She received the Greater Washington DC Chapter of ISES Rising Star Award in 2007. Angela works full-time for the DC Housing Authority where she is able to use her degrees in social work and her love of event planning to organize and execute a myriad of events to benefit low-income families living in public and assisted housing in DC. Angela is owner of Amazing Affairs LLC, a full service event management company serving DC/MD/VA.

Dave Fritz -- Director of Membership
CORT Event Furnishings
301-776-7690
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An active ISES Member since 2006, Dave joins our DC ISES Board as Director of Membership. As a Cort Event Furnishings Account Executive, he helps clients create memorable events with event furnishings designed to accentuate and enhance the event experience. Cort Event Furnishings is proud winner of the current “ Rental Company of the Year” Events Solutions Spotlight Award. Dave has over 10 years of experience in the event industry, and holds a History Degree from the University of Delaware, and a graduate TESOL Certificate from William Carey University. Dave lives in Ellicott City, MD. with his wife, Allison, and two children.

Dave Markowitz -- Director of Sponsorship
Advantage Marketing
301-424-3781
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David has over 23 years in the hospitality industry being involved at every level from event planning and club managing to booking agent, kitchen chef and bartending. He is a certified TIPS trainer for responsible beverage service. David joined ISES in the fall of 2006 and quickly became involved with the membership committee. In the fall of 2007 David accepted his current position on the Board of Directors. David currently works with a dynamic team at Blue Thunder Promotions providing custom imprinted promotional gifts, apparel, and awards for companies and events throughout the United States.

Lindsay Barber -- Director of Newsletter
Lindsay Barber Events, LLC
703-981-5870
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Lindsay Barber Byrne is going into her third year as a member of ISES. She has been very active since she joined and has assisted with the silent auction and newsletter. Lindsay formed her company Lindsay Barber Events, LLC in early 2008 and currently does event planning for weddings and non-profits. Lindsay also works full time for a trade association representing the aerial application industry and oversees their communications and public relations. She also assists with the association meeting planning activities. She holds a BA in English from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and also has an Event Management Certificate from George Washington University.

Gala Chairs

Wendy Raab
Rave Reviews
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Kelly Jenkins
Capital Décor and Events
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