Vicki Johnson, CMP - Moderator
Principal, Vicki Johnson & Associates
Vicki brings over 35 years of experience in a variety of capacities associated with the hospitality industry. She has been on the operations side of hotels, served as a meeting planner for several organizations, represented a CVB and led highly productive sales teams.With a long history of finding the right solutions for her clients and being a strong advocate for the best possible outcome, she has earned a solid reputation in the industry. Her success stems from her unique ability to interface with leadership and to understand their long-term vision so she can assist in developing and implementing changes, small or large.
The team at Vicki Johnson & Associates, LLC lives up to the same client centered standards she has set for herself. "Creating experiences that support the broader mission and vision of an organization is creative work and much more thought-provoking," Vicki explains. "Everyone on my team brings talent and expertise in all specialties needed for successful meeting and event planning."
Vicki is on the Advisory Council for the Metro Hospitality Partnership, and provides education and awareness to both the local and national community through her work as the Board Chair of the National Capital Area Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She most recently served on the Board of Directors for the Capital Chapter of PCMA and as a review committee member for the CIC's APEX project. She has also held numerous committee positions with ASAE and AMPs.
Vicki describes herself as fearlessly dedicated to her clients. She advocates for their best interests and ultimate success. When Vicki isn't working, she is collecting cookbooks, shoes, purses and wine. Downsizing is overrated!
Liz DaneRegional Director, Mid Atlantic Sales Office - Visit St. Petersburg/ Clearwater
Liz was the daughter of a diplomat and was born in Berlin, Germany. She live in Berlin until she was 10 years old. Her family returned to the Washington, DC, area and she remained in the area for junior high school and high school. She obtained a Bachelors of Arts in Theater Arts from Beloit College in Wisconsin.
As an industry veteran for more than 34 years, Lisa has had a myriad of jobs beginning with on-property hotels such as Marriott, Hilton and Omni. In 1994, Liz moved to Los Angeles to work in the Omni National Sales office. She returned to Washington, DC to work for the Washington, DC, Convention & Visitor's Bureau, the DC national sales office for Adam's Mark Hotels, Fort Myers CVB, and currently with Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater.
Liz has been active with PCMA for quite a while! She was a long-time member of the sponsorship committee and had a term on the Capital Chapter Board of Directors. Liz is involved with CVB Reps and other industry organizations.
Colleen PhalenExecutive Vice President, Program Development & Meetings - Destinations International
Colleen Phalen is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM), with a 20-year work history of directing conventions ranging from 1,300 attendees to 140,000 attendees with a focus on adult learning and experiential networking. As Executive Vice President of Program Development and Meetings at Destinations International, Phalen directs and manages the overall strategic and operational responsibilities all for meetings, professional development and certificate/credential programs. Phalen works to develop a deep knowledge for each program's content, operations and business plans and manages the alignment of all educational programs and events with the Association's strategic goals.
Phalen was previously senior director of meetings and conventions at the American Association for Justice. Known for her innovation and execution, she rebranded and reinvented the meetings and conventions program resulting in increased revenues and member satisfaction. She also worked closely with volunteers, executive staff and nationally known political figures and speakers.
Prior to the American Association for Justice, Phalen worked at the Consumer Electronics Show, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and Freeman Decorating. She is also a member of PCMA, IAEE and MPI.
Faye Memoli
National Accounts Director - Visit Orlando
Faye Memoli is a 20-year veteran of the meetings and hospitality industry. Faye is the National Accounts Director with Visit Orlando, based in the Washington, DC area. Faye's focus is working with large in-house and citywide accounts in the mid-Atlantic. Prior to joining Visit Orlando, Faye was Director of Eastern Regional Sales for Choose Chicago. Before joining the CVB world, Faye spent 15 years with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts. Faye was Director of National Accounts for Hyatt's award-winning Washington, DC Worldwide Sales team for 12 years and prior to that started her career in group sales at Hyatt Regency Chicago. Faye is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Theatre Arts.
