Board of Directors

Robert Sanchez, CMP co-owns S3 Global Events (Single Source Solution) a Full Service Event Planning Service that provides research, negotiating and contracting for all types of events including Association Conferences, Board Retreats and Corporate Incentive Trips. Robert has over 20 years of Planning, Sales, Marketing and Human Resources experience with a strong background in leadership roles within the Hospitality, Convention, Advertising and Medical Industries. Robert enjoys volunteering his time with his Church and several organizations including the Meeting Professionals International DFW, DFW Association Executives and Grapevine Chamber of Commerce.  He has served on the board and various committees within MPI including VP of Education Events, Director of Member Care, WEC Planning Committee and Chaired multiple committees.

Robert has a degree in Business Administration from Texas Tech University, He loves to play ice hockey and also enjoys coaching his middle daughter's hockey team. Robert is originally from Acapulco, Mexico, but has been a resident of Texas since 1984. He now resides in Grapevine with his wife of 18 years Griselle and their three daughters Mia 15, Sofia 13 and Gianna 10.

Sandra grew up immersed in the arts and food, ultimately heading to New York University to pursue a degree in Performing Arts Administration.  After school Sandra moved to Houston where she managed the special events program for Stages Repertory Theatre, worked for an event décor firm, Art Attack, and was recruited manage events at The George R. Brown Convention Center.

In 2009 Sandra moved to Los Angeles and ran her own company, Bright Red Events, where she would regularly manage dance and theatrical events throughout the Los Angeles area.

In 2014, Sandra moved to Dallas where she ran the events programs for Sissy’s Southern Kitchen, Lisa Garza Taste Studio, and Cane Rosso.  Sandra was then hired by The Adolphus to cultivate a new restaurant event sales program where she represented The French Room, City Hall Bistro and The Pool at The Adolphus. 

Just recently, Sandra started her own business, The Events Project, building and managing events programs for the restaurant industry. 

Sandra has been heavily involved in the MPI D/FW Chapters for several years – chairing two galas and acting as Director of Education on the Board as well as taking part in many other volunteer opportunities.  She is  looking forward to supporting the chapter’s members in her new role as President-Elect. 

Nicole has over 17 years of experience in the event and hospitality industry. She loves to plan conferences and international incentive trips that inspire and motivate her clients and attendees. 

Nicole’s expertise in event planning includes curating the big picture, focusing on the details, onsite execution, and follow up. She strives for perfection and success in every program she operates. Nicole is passionate about improving event processes and procedures to enhance efficiencies. She excels at monitoring program budgets while adding value with cost savings. Nicole is bilingual in Spanish and English and enjoys utilizing this skill during event planning, whether with attendees or hotels. 

Nicole is a member of MPI (Meeting Professionals International) and is the MPI DFW VP of Special Events for 2021-2022. 

Nicole maintains a CMM (Certificate in Meeting Management), CMP (Certified Meeting Professional), and CIS (Certified Incentive Specialist) certification. 

Nicole enjoys traveling the world, practicing her Spanish, and discovering new restaurants. She enjoys spending time with her boyfriend Mike and her dogs Emmie and Otis.

As the highest rated Magician and Mentalist in Texas, Anthony Dempsey loves to provide mind-blowing entertainment for party guests who like to have FUN!

In his 10-year career he has thrilled audiences across four continents with his unique style of Comedy Magic and Mind Reading. 

From the biggest celebrities to top corporations, he has brought a laugh and an unforgettable experience to a variety of clientele through his strolling and stage performances.

He is excited to play a part in the continuing success and growth of the MPI DFW chapter and is honored to serve the community alongside the amazing 2021-2022 Board of Directors.

When Anthony isn’t entertaining at an event, you can find him spending time with his wife Rhianna and their newest addition to the family- their daughter Evelyn.

Anthony’s hobbies include traveling the world with his family, comic books, collecting dirt, theme parks, and acting. 

Stacy has been involved in the meeting, event, and tradeshow industries since 2005 through varying levels of responsibility, most recently as the Senior Manager, US Congresses & Events, at Galderma Laboratories. Her current role at Galderma allows her to split time between the special event and tradeshow management worlds, as well as all things Cvent/SMM. Outside of work, Stacy is Director of Education for MPI DFW, mom to two fantastic little humans, two big dogs, and wife to one pretty awesome husband who humors her love of all things Disney. She also loves to network and attend industry shows - first for the coffee, with networking a close second - so please say hello and connect on LinkedIn. 

Debra has been in the hospitality and event management industry for 39 years. Currently, she is the owner of Corporate Events & Occasions located in Ft Worth and Houston.  The company is celebrating its 20th year of operation in 2021.

Debra remains personally involved in managing and executing select client events. Her expertise ranges from producing tradeshows, global incentives, conferences, and specialty sporting events, including numerous client experiences to the Super Bowl, Final Four and Masters. Debra’s team of event managers work in client offices in Houston, Dallas and Colorado Springs. 

Debra is a member of MPI (Meeting Professionals International) for the past 17 years, WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council) for 15 years and is the MPI DFW Director of Special Events for 2021-2022. 

Debra has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Texas Christian University and currently serves on the Clark Society Board in Ft Worth, TX.  In 2020, she expanded her education by becoming certified as a VEMM (Virtual Event Meetings Manager). 

Debra enjoys travel and spends at least one week each year in Cabo with family.  Her upcoming plans include a trip to Oberammergau to see the Passion Play that was rescheduled for 2022.  Her favorite places in the world to visit are Italy, Scotland, Mexico, Ireland, Thailand and Germany. The two loves of her life are Ike (Rottie/Lab Mix) and Mac (Shih Tzu) both are rescues pups. Her daughter Hope, that is a perpetual college student, occasionally is ranked ahead of the dogs.  

Amy is an event professional with 10+ years of experience in the entertainment and events industry.  She’s a proud graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management and minor in Business Administration. Amy is thankful that her career has put her on both the planner and supplier side of the business.

For the last 7 years Amy has been the Director of Events for the Texas Trust CU Theatre working for AEG Presents, the second largest concert promoter in the world.  At the Theatre, she’s in charge of all private corporate events of up to 6,500 people and 3rd party promoted ticketed concerts.  

She is a connector that is naturally drawn to bringing people together.  Event planning isn’t just a 9 – 5 to Amy as she finds herself coordinating events in both her professional and personal life.  Her clients and friends recognize her passion for pairing fresh ideas with sensible logistics to produce memorable experiences and trust her to turn their event vision into a beautiful reality.

Amy recognizes the importance of being well-rounded and focusing on personal growth in every facet of life by maintaining involvement in professional organizations like MPI, volunteerism and continuing education in addition to her career achievements.  She earned her certificate as a Certified Meeting Professional in September 2020.

In her free time, you’ll likely find Amy outdoors exploring national parks, camping, riding bicycles with her boyfriend Spencer, catching a concert or corralling her terrier mix Reginald. 

Venkat Viswanathan is American’s director of group and meeting travel sales, and helps define American’s value proposition for group, meeting and incentive customers globally. He is focused on connecting with key leaders in the meeting travel space in order to provide the best group customer and traveler experience. Venkat has spent 8 years in leadership roles within sales and revenue management including most recently managing AA’s west coast strategy. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with an MBA in Marketing and Strategy.

Paola Bowman is currently the Destination Services Manager at the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau. As an experienced hospitality and events professional, Bowman has worked in numerous positions, from front of the house to sales and services. Prior to her current role she worked with the Grapevine CVB leading the Destination Services team. Her previous roles include Visit Fort Worth for over nine years, where she succeeded in a variety of roles from tourism to convention services. 

As an events and destination services professional, Bowman has worked with event planners to build attendance, select partner services, assist with marketing efforts to promote, and welcome the group, and overall help design a successful event and destination experience. In her current role, Paola enthusiastically oversees the destination services offered and to enhance the planner and visitor experience in Arlington, Texas.

Bowman holds the CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) designation from the Events Industry Council and earned her CMM (Certificate in Meeting Management) from Meeting Professionals International. Recently, she was named to the Smart Meetings Magazine “100 Women Who Inspire Us” list, and the was recognized in the Connect Association 40 under 40 group of 2019.

She is active in the Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA) currently serving as President-Elect, and on the conference & continuing education committees, as well as remaining engaged through the mentorship program and the webinar series. Paola is also involved in the local DFW MPI Chapter and was recently elected to the 2021-2022 Board of Directors. Her passion for the hospitality and events industry drives her to remain engaged with industry organizations.