2019-2020 Board of Directors

President
Pawntra Shadab, CTA
Elite Productions International
Tel: 949.367.2900
E-Mail: president@mpioc.com

With an extensive and qualified background in the world of event production and design, Pawntra Shadab joins Meeting Planners International, Orange County, as President. Previously, she served as Director of Recognition and Community Outreach & VP of Education. The role at MPI will be balanced with her current title: Vice President at event production and design firm, Elite Productions International. With the company now for over fifteen years, Pawntra has a masterful hand in designing and producing events for top corporate clients, as well as social and celebrity cliental. In addition to her history with Elite Productions International, Pawntra Shadab has worked countless award shows such as The Academy Awards, The Grammys, and The Golden Globes. A history of philanthropy to those in need makes the position tailor made for Pawntra. As a previous board member of The National Urban League Young Professionals, which helps historically impoverished urban communities, she organized fundraising events. Volunteering for Make A Wish Foundation and the American Cancer Society are just a couple other organizations she continually supports, satisfying her passion to bettering the community. Combining her professional experience with her personal passion, Pawntra Shadab accepts the position with enthusiasm and eagerness. When she is not busy on-site coordinating an event, Pawntra enjoys traveling to exotic locales, salsa dancing, and attending concerts.

President-Elect
Bruno Duarte, CTA
Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen
Tel: 714- 563-7261
E-mail: president-elect@mpioc.com

 

 

Immediate Past President
Brian Gilman
SpringHill Suites Huntington Beach
Tel: 310-413-6492
E-mail: past-president@mpioc.com

Brian is a seasoned sales professional working in the travel industry since 2004.  His experience includes selling to consumers and businesses in a variety of markets, which offers a unique understanding of the complex travel industry.

Brian has a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University Long Beach, with the emphasis in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication.  Through his experience and education, Brian has developed a keen sense of market trends and sales expertise.  He has had the opportunity to participate in a variety of Hilton and Starwood sales training courses, workshops, and seminars that allows for a broad resource base on which to build his career.  He continues to build a strong contact network through local memberships in the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, Visit Anaheim, and a global membership in MPI, among others.

The MPIOC Presidents award was given to Brian in June 2016 for his leadership and mentoring of others in the chapter.

In addition to being passionate for the travel industry, Brian coaches his kids’ soccer and baseball teams, referees, and occasionally has to umpire a game.  He lives in Torrance, CA with his wife, two kids, and dog.

 

Vice-President, Finance
Jon Trask, CMP CMM
Strategic Meeting Tech
Tel: 714-757-9281
E-mail: vp-finance@mpioc.com

Owner of Strategic Meeting Tech and previously the co-founder of AVforPlanners. Jon has spent the last 33 years in the audiovisual and technical production area of the meetings and events industry. Prior to his current position he worked for a number of AV/Staging companies in Southern California as a Technician, Project Manager, General Manager, Senior Account Manager, Director of Sales. Over the past five years he’s also worked as a freelance Technical Director.

Vice-President, Membership
Mark Stewart
CLI-Worldwide Transportation
Tel: 949-581-7531 Ext. 504
E-Mail:vp-membership@mpioc.com

Mark Stewart is a 25 year veteran and industry leader in the California chauffeured ground transportation business. His experience includes humble beginnings as a chauffeur, a limousine owner, operations manager and now is responsible handling business development & corporate sales for CLI Worldwide Transportation. He served on the executive board and as President of the Greater California Livery Association-GCLA from 2005-2013.

Mark was awarded the Association Leader of the Year at the 2012-2013 Limousine Digest Show Industry Achievement Awards Gala and the GCLA President’s Award for outstanding commitment and service as President from 2010-2013. Mark is excited to continue to grow in the meetings industry and MPI Orange County by taking the role as V.P. of Membership.

Vice-President, Education
Beth Hoffman, CDS
ConferenceDirect
Tel: 949-510-8580
E-Mail: vp-education@mpioc.com

Vice-President, Communications
Deanne Figueras, CMP CMM
California & Nevada Credit Union Leagues
Tel: 951-990-7920  
E-Mail: vp-communications@mpioc.com

 

Director, Education Events
Christina Domino-Philpott, CMP CTA
Hornblower Cruises and Events
Tel: 949-478-7602
E-Mail: programs@mpioc.com

Director, Supplier Sponsorships
Kelly Feeney
Disney Destinations
Phone: 714-936-7028
E-Mail: spa@mpioc.com

Director, Special Events
Alivia Kimotho, CMP
E-Mail: specialevents@mpioc.com

Alivia has been in the events industry since 2011, where she got her start as an Event Planner for a High School Reunion company. She has also worked at the venue / property level and loves working with clientele from near and far, booking their programs within the Orange County area! Most recently she has been a Sales Manager with Hilton Worldwide for over 3 years and looks forward to the experiences and opportunities being a board member for MPIOC will bring during the 2019-2020 term.

Director of Member Recruitment
AnaLaura Becerra, CMP CTA
Destination Irvine
Phone: 949-502-4127 Ext 409
E-Mail: recruitment@mpioc.com

Born and raised in Mexico City, AnaLaura has always worked in the Hospitality industry, from camp counseling to high end coastal resorts and wholesale travel agencies.

After earning a BS in Tourism Management, AnaLaura joined Delta Airlines and later on opened the Mexico City offices for Korean Air and Malaysian Airlines where operations, marketing and sales allowed her to travel the world extensively.

The new millennium brought AnaLaura to the US,  and she lived in Iowa, Arizona and Southern  California where she opened smaller properties for both Marriott and Hilton.

Ms. Becerra sat on the board of the San Diego chapter of HSMAI 5 years.

AnaLaura’s job at Destination Irvine allows her to truly network, bringing people together, showcasing the magnificence of the area and the many faces of Orange County to our visitors and helping groups enjoying outstanding local experiences.

In her free time you can find AnaLaura at the beach, helping consolidating the OC Chapter of MPI,  or exploring up and coming venues.

Director of Member Retention
Nancy Garvey, CTA
Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
Phone: 562-436-3645
E-Mail: retention@mpioc.com

Director of Marketing & Communications
Nicole Hickey
AAY Corporate Events
Phone: 949-735-7355  
E-Mail: marcom@mpioc.com