SITE Southeast Summit
 
Workshops

All Inclusive Resorts Today – This is NOT your Grandma’s All Inclusive… 

Understanding the All Inclusive Package and how you can make it work best for you! 

Covering topics like: 

  • Are all AI resort inclusions the same?
  • F&B quality and service styles and how have they changed? 
  • What are SEASONS and how do they effect rate?
  • Are the rates and inclusions flexible and negotiable? 
  • Define single, double, triple, quad occupancy in an AI? 
  • VAT Tax- What is it and how can I be exempt? 
  • What are the benefits of booking an AI resort? 
  • What are the limitations of booking an AI resort?



Debra Edwards, Vice President Group Sales, 
Marival Resorts – TraficTours DMC 

Starting her career in the hospitality industry in 1996 after years in the entertainment industry as vocalist was a seamless transition for Debra Edwards. She relocated from Los Angeles to Atlanta following the Olympics joining the sales team at the Westin Peachtree Plaza. Both industries were based in entertaining, so making that career change was a natural. Debra feels fortunate to have that true passion for sales, so success came quickly. 

Debra enjoyed various positions with The Westin, Wyndham Atlanta, Krisam Group, Wynn & Encore, Palace Resorts, and The Baha Mar Project before landing my current position with Marival Group. Throughout her career of almost 20 years she found great success and gained vast knowledge, while developing personal relationships that have proven to be invaluable.

 Looking back now, Debra says she is thrilled to have landed in such a diverse and ever changing career in the Hospitality Industry. She has traveled the World and has experienced many cultures.Debra met numerous people from all walks of life and feels she has been blessed.Looking forward, she cannot wait to see where this journey takes her. 

“This road called life is a true journey. Look back with pride and smile at the trials and challenges that made you who you are today. Look forward to the mysteries to come and cherish each new experience with joy and anticipation. Life is what YOU make of it. Make it an Adventure!”…………. Debra Edwards


Annette Furman, Director of Groups & Incentives, North America
IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts 

With over 17 years in the travel industry, including 6 years with IBEROSTAR, Annette Furman brings with her a wealth of knowledge in the hospitality industry. After receiving her education at Columbia College Chicago, Annette began her career as a sales manager increasing client relations, trade show presence and profit margins across the Midwest. Since, Annette has relocated to Atlanta, Georgia as the Director of Groups, Meetings & Incentives, North America. In her current position, Annette is responsible for cultivating client partnerships, leading the sales team and executing contracts for groups, meetings and incentives for 19 IBEROSTAR properties. Her expertise includes an extensive knowledge of group travel in Mexico and the Caribbean and an unbridled enthusiasm towards the IBEROSTAR brand

 


The Art of the Show – The latest in Audio Visual Resources and Presentation Technology

 

Learn about new presentation technology in audio, video, lighting and scenic design. We will also look at the use of virtual and augmented reality use in meeting and events.


Russ Lopinto, Vice President of New Business Development 
ONstage; a division of ON Event Services, a National Audio Visual Rental and Staging company 

Russell LoPinto CMP is the Vice President of New Business Development for ON Services. After graduating from The University of South Carolina with a BA in broadcast journalism in 1984 Russell came to Atlanta and worked at CNN, WSB and a number of local production companies running camera, lights and sound. In 1989 Russell went to work for Total Audio Visual Services as a sales associate. At the time, TAVS was one of the largest A/V companies in the country.  In 1993 Russell took the position of DOS & M for Tech Rentals Inc, which at the time was a relatively small A/V company. Since that time, Tech Rentals rebranded and became ON Event Services. Most recently ON Event Services has been acquired by Viad, GES’ parent company. ON Events Services is now ON Services a GES Company. ON Services is now one of the largest audio visual production companies in the world.  Russell has served on the Georgia Meeting Professionals International, International Special Events Society boards, Professional Conference Managers Association, as well as the Hospitality Helping Hands board Executives. 


Emerging trends in Event Security (1st Session)

Some of the issues faced with risk management, identifying issues and response strategy

Managing Active Security Threats (2nd Session)

Responses to enhance security protocols when something happens; Factors that save lives and reduce risk 


J. “Tripp” Mitchell, CPP, President, Guardstar; Professional Security Management 

J. “Tripp” Mitchell’s career spans over many years of experience in public law enforcement, security consulting and investigation. His early start in loss prevention and asset protection for two major Georgia retailers set the tone for his long term criminal justice career. After years as a police officer and detective, he became a criminal investigator with the State Court Prosecutor’s Office and was eventually promoted to Chief Investigator. 

He holds the designation of Certified Protection Professional (CPP) which is the highest credentialing certificate awarded by the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS International) for demonstrable knowledge in the security field. In 2003, Georgia’s Governor Sonny Purdue appointed him to serve as a member of the Georgia State Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies. He was the youngest member ever to be appointed to the board at 33 years old. 

He has since been re-appointed by Governor Nathan Deal for his third consecutive term and has been recently re-elected this year as Chairman of the Board. He is one of the longest serving board members of that regulatory body in the State of Georgia. He is a past President of the Georgia Association of Professional Private Investigators and a proud member of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, as well the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP). In addition to his memberships and affiliations, he serves on many advisory boards and leadership panels within the criminal justice community. Mr. Mitchell is State certified trainer, firearms instructor and an adjunct criminal justice instructor at various colleges and technical schools as well as an instructor at many regional police academies. 

He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University and has had extensive training in such areas as security management, investigation, stalking, investigations, threat assessment, behavioral analysis, deadly force confrontations, risk management and active shooter training. His security management firm, Guardstar, consults trains and advises many organizations on how to protect their enterprise from threats and help them stay safe and secure.