Board of Directors
Executive Committee:
President
Tim Altbaum, CMP, CMM
Vario
Tim Altbaum is CEO of Vario, a premiere Event Production, Virtual Platform and Technology company servicing clients who are looking for a trusted and reliable resource to provide all pre‐production planning, in-person and hybrid A/V, and event technology needs. He is a former board member of NACE, and was awarded Community Leader of the Year by MPI and Supplier of the Year by NACE. He actively contributes to other professional organizations, as well as holds CSEP, CMP, HMCC, and CMM designations.
As a special event producer and technology guru, he is constantly striving to bring new and innovative experiences to the meetings and events his company Vario manages. His diverse knowledge set includes extensive expertise in Hybrid/Virtual Meetings, Experiential Marketing, Projection Mapping, Holograms, Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
He is honored to serve as MPI DFW President for the 2025 term.
President-Elect
Zhanna Atherton
Hilton Worldwide
Meet Zhanna Atherton, a dedicated and dynamic individual with a passion for hospitality and building connections. Currently serving as a Senior Manager at Hilton Direct, Hilton Worldwide Sales, Zhanna excels at creating tailored solutions and providing services to clients beyond expectations with a focus on fostering meaningful relationships.
Additionally, being a member of the MPI DFW Chapter, Zhanna actively engages with a vibrant community of professionals in the event and meeting industry. Through networking events, educational opportunities, serving on committees and collaboration, Zhanna continuously expands her knowledge and stays up to date with the latest trends in the field.
Driven by a love for learning, Zhanna embraces new challenges and seeks personal growth. Zhanna’s genuine interest in meeting new people creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making her an asset in building strong professional relationships.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Zhanna cherishes her time with family and her two dogs. Whether it is taking family road trips, or enjoying quality moments together, Zhanna finds joy in the simple pleasures of life.
With her experience in operations, leadership and group Sales, dedication to professional development and commitment to meaningful connections, Zhanna embodies the spirit of hospitality and the power of forging genuine relationships in the business world and beyond.
.tmb-medium.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=46307355_1 "Stephanie Evans Headshot (2)")
Immediate Past President
Stephanie Evans, MBA, CMP
W.E.D.
Stephanie B. Evans, MBA, CMP is the Worldwide Event Production, Conference Manager for Gartner, and visionary behind her thriving family business WED Spaces Event Venue, Wedding Event Design (WED) and Meeting Professionals International DFW Chapter President.
Stephanie brings over 15 years of unparalleled event planning and event strategy experience to the table. From creating and executing personalized and sophisticated wedding packages to designing and producing live and corporate events that drive growth, marketability, and profitability in challenging and competitive markets.
She has handled everything from live event productions with 250,000+ attendees, corporate events, and intimate social affairs. No matter the size of the event, her commitment to conscientious and professional service remains unchanged.
I look forward to working with all of you to ensure that our organization continues to thrive and make a positive impact. Whether you are the next rising star, a seasoned industry veteran, or someone transitioning to the events industry, I want to remind you all that "You Belong Here!" as a part of the MPI family.
Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Paola Bowman, CMP, CMM
Arlington CVB
Paola Bowman is currently the Director of Client Services and Events 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. She was named to the Smart Meetings Magazine “100 Women Who Inspire Us” list in 2018 and 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, and on the conference, DEI, & 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 re-elected to the Board of Directors, for the 2022-2023 term. Her passion for the hospitality and events industry drives her to remain engaged with industry organizations.
Vice President of Educational Events
Katy King, CMP
Katy King, CMP, is a dynamic leader in the events industry with over a decade of experience transforming ideas into impactful experiences. As the Founder of Coact Experiences, Katy brings a fresh approach to meeting planning, blending strategic innovation with immersive design to deliver exceptional results for corporate, nonprofit, and association clients.
Before launching Coact Experiences, Katy excelled as Senior Sales Manager at Access Destination Management, where she consistently surpassed revenue goals, maintained a 96% client satisfaction rate, and earned the "Rising Star" award in her first year. Her strengths in building strategic partnerships, developing the luxury market, and launching industry initiatives set her apart as a trusted advisor and collaborator.
At Dow Jones & Company, Katy held the role of Associate Director of Events, where she launched the inaugural MarketWatch hybrid event for 5,000+ attendees and cultivated partnerships for The Wall Street Journal’s flagship festival, The Future of Everything. Her innovative strategies expanded brand reach and created a scalable model for future success.
During nearly a decade with the International News Media Association (INMA), Katy spearheaded global events for 20,000+ executives, launched a robust webinar series, and directed international study tours. She collaborated with C-level boards, strengthened sponsorships, and grew global membership engagement—all while wearing multiple hats to ensure seamless execution.
Katy began her career at Feld Entertainment, managing live events across the U.S. and coordinating high-profile sponsorships. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from the University of Central Oklahoma. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Katy actively contributes to the industry as a SITE Texas Ambassador and serves on various leadership roles within ILEA, MPI, and ADMEI. Passionate about
community, she volunteers with The Stewpot and previously served on its board, showcasing her commitment to both professional and personal impact.
Brandon Walker, CMP
Freeman Company
Brandon Walker, CMP is the Events & Brand Experience Manager at Freeman, where he focuses on enhancing brand equity through event experiences, particularly in corporate exhibit programs, activations, and sponsorships. Before joining Freeman, Walker spent nearly 15 years as the Director of Events at Cornerstone League. His passion for the events industry started in high school when he took on the responsibility of planning prom and graduation for his class of…25 students.
Walker grew up on a farm in a tiny town in Oklahoma, but being a farmer would not be his passion. After graduation, he moved to Oklahoma City where he attended the University of Central Oklahoma and received a Bachelor of Science in Adult Education.
Outside work, Walker enjoys time with his family and two dog-sons, Braxton and Radley. Random road trips or vacationing somewhere tropical are always his sweet spots for enjoying life. He joined the chapter board as VP of Special Events in 2023.
Vice President of Leadership
Shakara Shelton
Hilton Worldwide
Shakara Shelton has spent 15+ years specializing in property sales and catering. With 11 of those years selling directly on property, most notable at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas. With the last 4 years as a team leader with Hilton Worldwide Sales, partnering on various intermediary, corporate and association accounts.
Currently she is a Regional Account Manager with Hilton Worldwide Sales managing a diverse roster of accounts based in the Southern US Region. She is passionately dedicated to collaborating to provide solutions that fit our industries business objectives and helping others unlock their full potential by guiding them to grow into the best versions of themselves.
She is a non-traditional graduate of Texas Woman's University and currently holds a seat on the Pioneer Alumni Association Board of Directors where she passionately supports underserved students at TWU. She married her high school sweetheart, they have two young children (12 and 3) and an 8 year old Maltipoo that keeps them busy. In her free time, she considers herself a travel enthusiast, audible addict and an occasional binge watcher. Her favorite pastime is basking in the sun with a good book.
Vice President of Membership
Cheryl Batzing
Independent Planner
Cheryl has been involved in the event industry for over 30 years with the opportunity to plan meetings and events as part of a Fortune 500 team, for a national high school baseball tournament, a CPA review firm, a children’s furniture company, a church, and most recently for a VIP Buyer’s Program in the home building industry.
In addition to her work she enjoys volunteering as a planner for most any organization she stumbles across, currently for her church and MPI’s Dallas chapter.
A member of the MPI D/FW chapter for 4 years, Cheryl learned about the chapter through M.T. Hickman’s Hospitality and Event Planning Program at Dallas College. Cheryl immediately joined the chapter and the Membership committee, where she has served from day one. She’s excited to be a part of the 2023-2024 Board as the VP of Membership and spread the great news about our chapter.
Cheryl grew up near White Rock Lake in Dallas and married a Yankee who was transplanted in Dallas temporarily. They live in Richardson and travel to upstate NY every chance they get to hang out at the family dairy farm. In her spare time Cheryl can be found having coffee with friends, exercising, hiking with her husband, or volunteering at her church or for the American Heart Association.
.tmb-medium.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=ed974c55_1 "Emily Wales - Headshot")
VP Strategic Partnerships
Emily Wales
Destination Concepts
vpstrategicpartners@mpidfw.org
Emily Wales is an Account Executive for Destination Concepts, inc., a destination management company. Her focus is developing new sales accounts, nurturing relationships with local vendors, and continually researching the best experiences Texas has to offer.
Prior to this role, her career spans over a decade in luxury hospitality. Most notable was her time spent at The St. Regis Aspen, St. Regis San Francisco, and Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, in Event Manager & Catering Sales positions. Her diverse hotel background equips her to manage events across varied settings, leveraging unique advantages and addressing challenges adeptly. Her strength resides in her ability to nimbly anticipate and successfully plan for her client’s needs, saving them time and resources.
Outside of professional life, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband, their toddler daughter, and their three dogs. Her passions are camping, hiking, and paddleboarding.
Emily moved with her family to Texas in April 2023. After settling into the area, she joined the Destination Concepts team in November 2023. She eagerly sought a community that would be both professionally and personally rewarding, and found that within the MPI DFW Chapter. Emily attended local chapter events, traveled to the MPI WEC 2024 conference in Louisville, and served on the Planning Committee for the MPI Gala. She is honored and delighted to be part of the Board for 2025 and looks forward to the chance to serve the Dallas chapter.
Directors:
Director of Marketing and Communications
Marieke Franz
Teneo Hospitality Group
Marieke is an accomplished senior hospitality professional with 25+ years of hospitality experience. She started her career in sales, working for Hilton, Waldorf Astoria and Sonesta. Currently she is Director, Global Sales with Teneo Hospitality Group.
One of the greatest joys in Marieke’s career and personal life is creating bonds with people, connecting with friends and clients globally, and building lasting relationships.
Marieke speaks multiple languages, loves her dog, is active in her children’s school community and their activities and loves being active herself. She enjoys spending time with her family in New Orleans and back home in the Netherlands.
Director of Educational Events
Angela Dennison
Jasper Catering
Award-winning executive administrative assistant, highly skilled at multitasking and scheduling, planning meetings, events, travel, and office administration. My motto is to choose joy in every circumstance. Setbacks are set ups for comebacks. I am so grateful for the opportunity to shine in my role at Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc, where we actively pursue scientific discoveries to advance medicine.
Director of Special Events
Jennifer Kachinsky
Hilton Worldwide
Jennifer Kachinsky has an over ten-year career in the hospitality industry. She currently is employed by Hilton Hotels in their corporate Worldwide sales office, where she handles the Helmsbriscoe Account. Her duties include assisting her many clients who wish to source meetings with Hilton properties. Jennifer previously worked as an on-property Group Sales Manager for the Hilton Anatole Hotel and the Westin Dallas Downtown.
Originally from Boston, MA, Jennifer relocated to Dallas in 2018 and has been a member of the MPI DFW chapter for 6 years. Prior to her joining the Board of Directors, Jennifer volunteered on various committees including the Leadership, and Special Events committee. She also chaired the 2023 CMP/CMM Breakfast.
Jennifer prides herself on her strong relationships she has built with her clients and in return has become a trusted advisor. In 2023, Jennifer earned a Hilton’s Circle of Excellence award for her 2022 sales performance. This prestigious award is only reserved for an elite group of Hilton’s top sales performers.
Originally from Boston, MA, Jennifer relocated to Dallas in 2018 and has been a member of the MPI DFW chapter for 4.5 years. Prior to her recent selection to the Board of Directors, Jennifer volunteered on various committees including the Leadership, and Special Events committee. She also chaired the 2023 CMP/CMM Breakfast.
Jennifer prides herself on her strong relationships she has built with her clients and in return has become a trusted advisor. In 2023, Jennifer earned a Hilton’s Circle of Excellence award for her 2022 sales performance. This prestigious award is only reserved for an elite group of Hilton’s top sales performers.
Jennifer is excited for this honor of being asked to join the Board of Directors. She looks forward to learning from her esteemed fellow board members, to offer her experience and expertise, and especially, to interact with our MPI DFW members.
Director of Leadership
Kathryn Krieger
Mystic Kathryn
Kathryn Krieger, better known as Mystic Kathryn, the fun ambassador in the event
industry. With over two decades of experience, she's the visionary behind injecting FUN and wellness into events across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and beyond.
Her journey began in 2000 with fortune tellers and magicians, gradually expanding to encompass a diverse array of talented entertainers and engaging event activations. In 2020, Kathryn elevated her offerings by introducing wellness packages, featuring unique experiences like boozy yoga, meditation classes, and serene zen dens tailored for corporate and DMC clients.
Passionate about wellness, yoga, and everything fun, Kathryn, a devoted wife and mother of three, thrives on curating unforgettable moments. Her mantra? "If you're having fun, you're doing it RIGHT!" Actively involved in the DFW NACE board for three years, she's
now bringing her expertise and enthusiasm to the MPI family, eager to share her gifts and elevate experiences to new heights.
Director of Membership
Jessica Rodgers
Visit Shreveport-Bossier
Jessica Rodgers is the National Sales Manager for Visit Shreveport-Bossier (Louisiana), bringing over 15 years of experience in the Hospitality and Tourism industry. With a strong enthusiasm for destination sales, marketing, and event planning, Jessica thrives on developing creative solutions and strategies to promote Shreveport-Bossier as a top convention destination. Known for her creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, Jessica is dedicated to making meaningful connections and building strong relationships, always looking for innovative ways to approach her work and make a positive impact.
Jessica is honored to serve as Director of Membership on the Board of Directors for MPI DFW. She has been a member of MPI DFW for 5 years, and through the organization, she has connected with many incredible professionals who have supported her growth and learning.
Jessica resides in Bossier City, Louisiana, with her husband, two children, three dogs, a cat, and two goldfish—embracing the lively and joyful chaos of family life. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Louisiana State University Shreveport.
Director of Sponsorships
Eric Hutchins, CMP, CTA
LamontCo
I have been with Lamont Associates since 2017 and have had the opportunity to forge many lasting
partnerships with suppliers and clients over these years through a dedicated approach of service and
expertise.
I come from the Hotel world in sales having worked resort, airport, downtown and resort properties
in most of the major brands and have opened 2 hotels during my tenures. Additionally, I have been a
meeting planner – coordinating all efforts for success from sponsorship and registration to site selection and onsite on a global scale.
Staff:
Chapter Administrator
Michele Byers, CAE, CMP, DES, HMCC
Catalyst Management Solutions
(214) 233-6702
chapadmin@mpidfw.org
Michele is a highly accomplished association executive known for her dynamic approach to leadership within organizations. She has a proven track record of enhancing operational excellence and achieving concrete results. Michele excels in building strong stakeholder relationships, managing complex projects, and implementing innovative strategies to enhance member engagement.
In 2023, Michele founded Catalyst Management Solutions with the goal of providing comprehensive association management, event planning, and consultancy services to chapter, national, and corporate clients.
At MPI Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter, Michele serves in an executive capacity, collaborating closely with the Board of Directors and organizational leaders to implement strategic plans that align with the association’s mission and vision. Her responsibilities include overseeing chapter programs and services such as membership growth, education and training, special events, leadership development, and communications. Michele also ensures financial stability and effective resource management.
Michele earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and holds several professional certifications including Certified Association Executive (CAE), Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Digital Event Strategist (DES), and Healthcare Meetings Compliance Certificate (HMCC).
-(1).jpg?sfvrsn=ff585355_1)
