Trends for 2023: Planner/Supplier Panel

2023 is here and as we know; anything is possible in the events industry. Stay ahead of competitors, meet your organization and client goals and be proactive with potential challenges in 2023. We’ve curated a panel of top local industry leaders for their take on trends and challenges and to break it down to guide you to solutions. You can expect a candid conversation which will include practical tips and takeaways in real-world experience focusing on attendee experience, AV and entertainment.

Rachel Pfenning Hales, our Moderator, is the Experience Manager at Rock Lititz where she focuses on building up the live event culture on campus and creating a voice for the industry. She grew up a “theatre kid” before starting her career with a brief stint in television production before finding her niche in live event production. Rachel was able to start her career touring around the world with the Black-Eyed Peas, and then with Lynyrd Skynyrd. Always a fan of a classroom, Rachel has BAs from DePauw University, an MA from National University and an MFA from Goucher College.

Maizee Freeman joined the Discover Lehigh Valley team in August 2022. As Manager, Tourism Development, she works directly with Lehigh Valley venues and hotels in order to grow visitation to the area through booked meetings, conference, and sporting events. Maizee is from a small tourist town in northern Minnesota and currently resides in Bethlehem, PA. In her free time, you can find her hosting friends for a dinner party, trying new restaurants, and reading.

Lisa Stokes, Panelist, Central Pennsylvania native, Lisa is the owner and president of BRP Entertainment. She began her career at Penn National Racecourse, located in Grantville, PA, where her position went from Group Sales Assistant to Director of Marketing for the publicly traded company during her 18-year tenure. During that time Lisa completed her bachelor’s degree in Special Education at Millersville University, but after a promotion to Marketing Director at Penn National, she pursued a marketing career.

Her career took a turn in April 1999, when she partnered in the purchase of then Bruce Rohrbach Productions. Changing the name to BRP Entertainment, the company is celebrating over 60 years as a successful business in Central PA.

This event is EIC Approved

Courtyard Hershey 
515 E. Chocolate Avenue
Hershey, PA 17033