October 26, 2023
Join us for MPI After 5 Networking at Flight Club Social Darts
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November 17, 2023
Step into a world of disco delight as we celebrate 50 years of greatness with our Golden Grooves Disco Theme Celebration!
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Board of Directors
Our MPI Rocky Mountain Chapter leadership is a group of meeting professionals dedicated to meeting and exceeding the needs of every member. Simply expand their title to obtain their contact information & to learn more about each member of our leadership team. Developing relationships is what it’s all about.
Angela (Fig) Wirkler, CMP
Director of Sales
Boulder CVB
President@mpirmc.org
Fig is an energetic, passionate, and service-focused professional, wife, and mom of two. Her athletic fueled past, combined with her experience in the travel and hotel industry has led Fig to her current role as the Director of Sales at Visit Boulder. She specializes in bringing meetings and conferences to Boulder, CO. Handling all markets west of the Mississippi, Fig believes that developing strong relationships is the foundation of everything both professionally and in her personal life. Fig is passionate about connecting and bringing people together.
She is always eager to learn more about the industry, with specific interests in hands-on event planning, managing tradeshow logistics and sales activity, which led Fig to pursue her CMP designation in 2020.
She has been honored as one of Smart Meeting Magazine’s 2020 Smart Women in Meeting Industry Rising Star. She has served on the Destinations International Alumni Council since 2020 and the MPI Rocky Mountain Chapter Board of Directors since 2019.
Outside of work, Fig enjoys spending time with her family outdoors exploring the great state of Colorado.
Matt Kalb, CMP CEM-AP
President Elect
T3 Expo
PresidentElect@mpirmc.org
Matt Kalb, CEM-AP, CMP, started in the event industry in 2009 working for S.A.F.E. Management as an Operations Manager with the Baltimore Ravens. After working Super Bowl XLIV (44), he took an opportunity to work with Hargrove, Inc. as an Account Executive in Lanham, Maryland.
In 2017, Matthew moved to Denver and began a career with GES as a Sales Manager in their Tradeshow and Conferences Division. In 2020 he transitioned to a Phoenix based association WorldatWork as a Manager, Exhibits & Sponsorship Sales. As events began their comeback following the pandemic, he was recruited to help PRG as their new Director of Business Development in June of 2021.
He has a strong customer service background and his attention to detail and ability to think outside the box, has positioned him a leading innovator in the industry. He is a recipient of the CONNECT Associations 40 under 40 recognition and part of the inaugural class of the CEM-AP designation.
Nikki Bibbero CMP
Bibbero Events
IPP@mpirmc.org
Nikki brings a lifetime of hospitality passion to her role with MPI. At a young age when others were playing sports or dolls with the neighborhood kids, Nikki was playing waitress, taking orders and serving her family meals in her restaurant The Scented Candle, which had locations in her mom’s Colorado backyard and Grandma’s Pennsylvania kitchen. Since then, she has graduated with a degree in Hospitality, Tourism, and Events from Metropolitan State University. Nikki began her adult career with Marriott International, before moving to the planner side with Kinsley Meetings and her current role with Arrow Electronics. Nikki is currently in her fourth year on the MPIRMC Board of Directors. She has been honored as one of Smart Meetings Magazine’s 2021 Smart Women in Meetings Industry Leader and Colorado Meetings + Events 2019 Up-And-Coming Meeting Professional. Outside of work, she loves to enjoy all of the outdoor activities Colorado has to offer, travel often, and drink great wine.
Viveca McDonald, MBA, DES
Corporate Executive Meeting Manager, West Region
VISIT DENVER
vpfinance@mpirmc.org
Viveca, an Ohio native, holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dayton and a dual B.A in Communication and Labor Relations from Rutgers University, where she was also a Track & Field student athlete. Viveca began her career at Macy's and Kroger as a merchandising and operations manager that focused on brand development and driving customer engagement.
Currently, serving as the Corporate Sales Meeting Manager, West Region for Visit Denver, Viveca markets the city of Denver to conventions and leisure travelers for the economic benefit of the community. Viveca also serves on the Denver Public Art Selection committee for the DEN expansion project. Additionally, Viveca is on the University of Dayton Alumni Association leadership board representing the Denver Community. Viveca is passionate about the Arts, travel, equity, and getting out into the great outdoors!
Genevieve Belou
Assistant Director of Sales
Magnolia Hotel Denver, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
VPMembership@mpirmc.org
Genevieve Belou, the Assistant Director of Sales at the Magnolia Hotel Denver, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, spent her childhood in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she was exposed to a culture rich with hospitality. After studying English Literature at Kennesaw State University for her Bachelor’s Degree and then the University of South Alabama for her Master’s, she started her career in hotel management at the Battle House Hotel in Mobile, Alabama.
Since then, she has worked in sales for hotels in Alabama and Colorado including the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, in Point Clear, Alabama, and Hotel Boulderado, in Boulder, Colorado. In addition to her work, she has been active in the meetings and events community and has served on the Board of Directors for Meeting Professionals International’s Rocky Mountain Chapter (MPIRMC) since 2020. She also won MPIRMC’s Rising Star Award in 2019 and President’s Award of Excellence in 2021.
Genevieve is passionate about making connections, contract negotiation, sales strategy, and team building. She loves analyzing group programs and using creative problem solving to make programs work for the hotel and location. In her free time, she loves to cook and entertain. She also enjoys hiking, drinking wine, and exploring with her husband, Mark, and her dogs.
Jeanette Stensgaard, MBA, CMP, HMCC
Director of Conferences & Events
Kidney Cancer Association
vpmembership@mpirmc.org
Jeanette, a nearly 17-year veteran of the meetings industry, works remotely for the Kidney Cancer Association, as the Senior Director of Education and Events, where she executes large-scale, CME-accredited, global conferences. She also volunteers as the Director of Fundraising for the MPI Rocky Mountain Chapter Board of Directors, and an advisor on the EastWest Travel Advisory Board.
Jeanette’s passion for meetings started with her first industry-related job with the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds where she started as their administrative assistant, and quickly learned she loved meetings, members, and meaningful missions! As a 10- year CMP, holding an MBA, and MPI certifications in Contracting and Negotiation, Healthcare Meetings Compliance, and Meeting and Event Strategy, industry trend analysis and strategy are not only her livelihood, but they are also her passion.
Jeanette loves public speaking and has been featured in Smart Meetings Magazine and Colorado Meetings and Events Magazine. She has been the recipient of the MPI Rocky Mountain Chapter Rising Star and the Smart Meetings - Meeting Professional of the Year awards. Outside of work, Jeanette lives in Aurora, Colorado with her two amazing boys and an incredibly supportive husband. She has three sweet dogs, and a [healthy] obsession with Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.
Brooke Eder, MS, DES
Marketing Event Manager
Sysdig
dirrecruitment@mpirmc.org
Outside of work, Brooke is an avid animal lover passionate about dog rescue. She is also a dog mom to Stanley. Brooke enjoys attending live music events, exploring new restaurants, collecting houseplants, and skiing in her free time.
Danielle Dela Paz
Regional Sales Manager
Allied PRA Destination Management
dirseandsa@mpirmc.org
Stacy Daeffler
ADOS
The Charter Beaver Creek
dirfundraising@mpirmc.org
Stacy Daeffler is the Associate Director of Group Sales at The Charter at Beaver Creek Resort, managed by East West Hospitality. Before joining East West, Stacy was the manager of Destination Colorado Meetings, a statewide association providing group travel services throughout Colorado. Stacy sits on the Board of Directors for both MPI Rocky Mountain Chapter and Destination Colorado Meetings; both associations partner and work together to promote Colorado as a premier destination in the meetings and events industry. You can find Stacy riding her horse in the summer and her snowboard in the Winter in Beaver Creek, Colorado!
Rachel Milligan
National Sales Manager
Vail Resorts Meetings & Events
dirpublications@mpirmc.org
Rachel graduated from Indiana University in 2018 with a degree in Tourism & Event Management and moved out to Colorado to pursue her passions that same year. After working on the front line of hotels, she began her career with Vail Resorts in 2019, moving to her current role as a National Sales Manager in 2021. She sits on the EpicPromise Employee Foundation committee, assisting with the awarding of emergency grants and educational scholarships to employees and their families, as well as volunteering through community service projects. She will serve as the Director of Publications on the 2023/2024 MPI Board of Directors. Come rain, heat, or snow, you can find her exploring the mountains with her boyfriend and pup, Blizzard.
Sara Olán
Independent Event Contractor
Sara Olan Solutions (SOS)
Dirfulfillment@mpirmc.org
Sara started in her journey into hospitality by word of mouth from a fellow classmate in Chicano Studies. Captivated by interest and possibilities she investigated what a career in Hospitality would entail; turns out it was a realistic fit! Sara graduated with her B.A in Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management from MSU Denver in 2015. Sara is not only a first-generation college graduate but is also the first in her family to graduate high school.
Sara is and has always been known as a “hustler”, simultaneously working various customer focused positions while also getting herself involved in the community; Excitingly she will be the incoming Director of Fulfillment for the 2023-2024 MPIRMC Board of Directors. Sara has a keen eye for detail, a welcoming demeanor and a strong work ethic putting 100% into everything she does with integrity and positivity.
This year, Sara is still bustling but has now embarked on a new journey of entrepreneurship with starting Convene OPS, a business that provides a task-focused support system to aid her fellow event planners and colleagues in the industry.
When not immersed in logistics, Sara can be found enjoying time with her newly wedded husband, Ryan and their two pups (Reese & Spud), watching weather-related television, learning new phrases in different languages and being a cliche outdoor-loving Colorado native with a craft beverage in hand.
Jonathan Miller
Senior Director
Lamont Associates
direducation@mpirmc.org
In the early 2010’s, Jonathan formed a new company called PlayNStay, a sports tourism housing and event management firm. The success of PlayNStay led him to the corporate world, where he was tapped as Radisson Hotel’s Director of Global Sports Tourism. While there, Jonathan received accolades as Salesperson of the Year in 2019 and the company’s Every Moment Matters award in 2020.
Today, Jonathan is the Senior Director of Global Events with Lamont Associates where he works with clients across underserved market segments including 12-Step Recovery Groups, Fraternal Organizations, and Law School Trial Team Travel.
Jonathan and his wife Beth live in Denver along with his wife Beth. Their three children, Haley, Chasen, and Olivia, all graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Jonathan is thrilled to return to his planner roots and thrives in the industry based on his strong desire to constantly surprise and delight his clients.
Justin Clark
Vice President of Sales and Services
Visit Aurora
DirLeadershipDevelopment@mpirmc.org
Justin Clark is a Colorado native, graduate of the University of Colorado, and the Vice President of Sales and Services for Visit Aurora. Prior to joining Visit Aurora, Justin worked in a variety of natural resources management and community event roles in municipal government for 16 years. Justin is active in the community and the meetings and events industry, and he is currently serving on a number of boards and committees including Meeting Professionals International Rocky Mountain Chapter, Colorado Meetings and Events, Serving Up Hope, and the Colorado Freedom Memorial.
Justin is dedicated to supporting the meetings and events industry, providing timely and relevant education opportunities, building authentic relationships, and supporting opportunities and growth for Meeting Professionals International Rocky Mountain Chapter members.
Freddie Templeton (ED)
Rocky Mountain Event Consultants, LLC
(720) 733-8000
ExecutiveDirector@mpirmc.org
Keith Templeton (CA)
Rocky Mountain Event Consultants, LLC
(720) 733-8000
admin@mpirmc.org
Rocky Mountain Event Consultants is a full-service event planning company specializing in developing and managing associations, corporate events, award galas, festivals and more. We help clients create an event vision or theme, handle location procurement, catering, decorating, program speaker management, entertainment, audio visual, design, promotion, marketing, public and media relations and more!
As Executive Director for the Meeting Professionals International Rocky Mountain Chapter (MPIRMC), a client for whom Rocky Mountain Event Consultants provides full-service association management services, Freddie Templeton is responsible for working with the MPIRMC board of directors to facilitate strategic planning for the association. She also provides support services including communications, database management, membership operations, financial management and meeting/event planning and execution. Freddie joined the MPIRMC team in 2005.
Freddie brings a background in meeting planning, event management, business development and leadership training while Keith, Managing Partner brings promotion, design, and printing to their clients.
Angela Layton, CMP Fellow, CMM, DESChapter Operations Manager
Meeting Professionals International
alayton@mpi.org I www.mpiweb.org