Josie Caldwell, CEM
National Sales Manager, GES
Josie Z Caldwell, CEM, is a National Sales Manager for GES. She has been with GES for more than 28 years. GES is your "FACE-TO-FACE MARKETING PARTNER". She has more than 30 years of industry sales development experience.
She is a a graduate of The American University in Washington, D.C. where she earned her B.S. degree in Business Administration with a concentation in Criminal Justice. During her tenure at GES, Josie has worked with all aspects of the business. Since she was a Division I basketball player, she enjoyed producing the NCAA Women's Final Four in Philadelphia. She really enjoys her clients who eventually turn into friends.
In her free time, Josie was the assistant HS girls basketball coach for six (6) years. She enjoys cooking and posting her creations online. She has been married for more than 28 years and has raised two grown sons.
James Rut 
IT Project Manager, Production Resource Group
James Rut is an IT Professional and makes his home in Waco, Texas. He has more than 20 years of experience in the IT industry. James is a graduate of Texas State Technical College where he received an associate's degree in Computer Networking Systems Administration. His first job in the tech industry was with CORD (Center for Occupational Research and Development) as the Director of IT for nine years. He then worked as a networking and software consultant for Derosa Mangold.
James began work for Davis Audio Visual in 2007 which was acquired by PRG in 2010. During his time with PRG, James has overseen many large projects, both from a technical perspective and as a project manager. These events include SIBOS, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Statistical Association, GreenBuild and many others.
In his free time, James enjoys spending time with his wife, Caterina, and his kids, Chelsea, Nathan and Cameron. James also enjoys the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.
Steve FrenchDirector of Group Sales, Washington Marriott Wardman Park
Steve French just celebrated his 20 year anniversary with Marriott International and is currently the Director of Group Sales of Washington Marriott Wardman Park. Steve has more than 30 years of hotel experience across several disciplines including banquet operations, events and sales. During the past 10 years in sales leadership, Steve has held roles overseeing regional sales teams, account management teams and most recently property sales teams.
Steve began his hospitality career in 1988 in Blacksburg, VA while obtaining his B.S. in Hotel Management from Virginia Tech. He has held positions at twelve different hotels in various markets including resorts and convention hotels across four different brands. Steve holds a CASE designation with the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and is an active member of Marriott's Washington, DC Business Council benefiting the Network of Children's Hospitals.
Tim Zanker
President, O'Keefe Communications, LLC
Tim Zanker is the President of O'Keefe Communications, LLC in Bethesda, Maryland. Founded in 1979, O'Keefe Communications is one of the most established and well-respected live event and media production companies in the country.
Tim has more than 30 years of experience in the communications and experiential marketing field. In that time he has successfully orchestrated over 500 live events for a wide variety of corporations, trade associations, financial organizations, government agencies, and non-profits. Specializing in dynamic and ground-breaking event production design, and seamless execution, Tim develops new ideas and techniques to enhance message delivery, information retention, and brand identity in an experiential environment.
Greg TurnerDirector, Global Accounts - Production Resource Group
Greg has worked in the meetings and events industry for nearly 30 years. He began his career in television and video production with the Navy Broadcast Service and also spent time at various network affiliates and independent production companies.
Greg served as Audio Visual Director at the AAA-Five Diamond Jefferson Hotel in Richmond before advancing to Convention Coordinator and finally Senior Convention Coordinator. In 2004, Greg joined Davis Audio Visual in Denver as Vice President of Sales. His client list includes the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Associate of Independent Schools, and the Materials Research Society, among many others. Greg's experience is a valuable asset in assisting clients to negotiate the challenging terrain associated with labor management, technology solutions, and budget management. Greg maintains a high client retention rate, working with many clients for 15-20 years to date.
Greg is a 1988 honors graduate with a degree in Mass Communications/ Public Relations from Virginia Commonwealth University. Greg has twice been honored as the Supplier of the Year by a major meeting service company and is a member of PCMA.
Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Greg has also lived for three years on an aircraft carrier (USS Independence CV-62) and one year in Iceland. He has lived in Denver for 13 years and in his free time enjoys travel, hiking, discovering restaurants, baseball and cultural events.
Bryan Stiffler 
Director of Catering - Omni Shoreham Hotel
Originally from Bedford, Pennsylvania, Bryan is the Director of Catering at the Omni Shoreham Hotel and now calls Washington, D.C. home. With eleven years of event planning, more specifically, nine years with Omni Hotels & Resorts, Bryan has an extensive knowledge of the events industry...his passion. Bryan believes that there is a solution to every question - it just takes some creativity!
Scott RobisonGeneral Manager - The Embassy Row Hotel
As General Manager, Scott oversees all hotel operations while leading the staff to exceed guest expectations by providing an authentic D.C. experience. Before joining The Embassy Row Hotel, Scott was the Assistant General Manager at the Sheraton Tysons Hotel in Virginia, overseeing sales and marketing, housekeeping and front office efforts. In his leadership role, Robison lead his team to multiple awards achieving accolades within sales, marketing and public relations.
A native of Washington, D.C., Robison grew up in Fairfax, VA and has lived in Colorado and Hawaii, following his passion for the hospitality business. When he's not on property, he enjoys living an active lifestyle outdoors, playing golf, snowboarding, mountain biking, fishing and spending time with his children.
Audio Visual:
- Greg Turner, Senior Account Executive - PRG
- Tim Zanker, President - O'Keefe Communications, LLC
Food and Beverage:
- Bryan Stiffler, Director of Catering - Omni Shoreham Hotel
- Tisha Downes, Director of Operations - Centerplate/NBSE
General Service Contractors:
- Josie Caldwell, CEM, National Sales Manager - GES
- Bob O'Connell, National Sales Manager - GES
Hotel:
- Scott Robison, General Manager - Embassy Row Hotel
- Steve French, Director of Group Sales - Marriott
Wi-Fi:
- Jim Erickson, General Manager - Smart city Networks/ Washington Convention & Sports Authority
- James Rut, Senior IT Project Manager - PRG
