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MPI San Diego Board of Directors

President

Carrie Shen, CMM, CMP, CED
Bridgepoint Education

Carrie is the manager, event planning for the Asian Real Estate Association of America with their national office in Old Town, San Diego, serving 17,000 members. Prior to her current role, she spent nearly 10 years at Zovio, Inc., (formerly Bridgepoint Education) planning company and employee events.

Carrie joined MPI in 2011 and has volunteered in several different roles since 2012 on the Leadership Development and Education Committees. The summer of 2018, Carrie took up learning to play the violin as a hobby and met her goal of learning Silent Night in time for the holidays. She lives at home in La Mesa, with her husband, Howard, and their two cats, Penny and Pippa.

President Elect

Tina Marie Honor
Live Nation Special Events

Tina Marie Honor’s love for the Meeting and Event industry started at the age of 12 when she joined the student body leadership group as class president. After years focusing on wedding venue sales, she joined the Live Nation team at House of Blues San Diego in 2018. Tina Marie now thrives as National Account Manager for Live Nation Special Events, representing 150+ venues!

Knowledgeable about the clubs, theaters, amphitheaters and House of Blues venues within the Live Nation portfolio, Tina Marie also has access to the world’s greatest musical entertainment, full service event production, state-of-the-art lighting and sound, as well as custom menus and mixology. Tina Marie is thrilled to be her client’s single point of contact at 150+ Live Nation venues across North America - offering unique event spaces, state-of-the-art production and branding capabilities, as well as an experienced staff ready to exceed expectations.

Immediate Past President

Spencer Bezy
Mobile Music Plus

Spencer Bezy is a former nationally syndicated On-air radio mix DJ of 13 years, producing shows in various formats for 40 stations nationwide including shows airing in San Diego, Las Vegas, Houston, New Orleans and more. As the owner of Mobile Music Plus Inc., he’s the award winning DJ and Emcee that San Diego’s Event Coordinators and Hotels call on for their own parties.

He has been recognized as a Master Emcee by the San Diego Association of Bridal Consultants and regularly speaks to groups of Event Industry professionals on entertainment related topics.

Vice President, Finance

Nathan Medina
Vario

Nathan is a student athlete alumnus of Sonoma State University. His passion for soccer took him to Germany, where he played professionally from 2010-2013. Returning to the US after 4 years, he joined the meetings and events industry. Landing a sales position in 2015 at Vario, his passion for meeting new people, and developing relationships, led him to become a member of SDMPI. Immediately looking to be more than just a member, he has now served 4 years in membership as Director and VP, and is entering into his 2nd year as VP of Finance.

Nathan looks forward to learning as much as he can from his peers on his journey to becoming influential, in the meetings and events industry. When not on site, in meetings, or at the office, Nathan can be found out on the soccer field, golfing, grilling, or out being social in America’s Finest City!

Vice President, Professional Development

Yinka Freeman
Triple Pocket Events

Yinka Freeman, owner of Triple Pocket Events, knows how to wow. With over 15 years of event planning, coordination, and design has proven to be the perfect playground to hone her expertise and learn a thing or two about creating unique and dynamic experiences. From events of all sizes to the recent need of virtual experiences, she executes concepts flawlessly with her think outside the box approach.

With a keen eye for detail, creative imagination, contagious enthusiasm, and willingness to go above and beyond, Yinka thrives in producing experiences that are mission and value driven.Her unique coordination style comes from years of national and international hospitality experience, restaurant and catering management and an extensive sales background with companies that include the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, Hilton Hotels, Wyndham Hotel Group, and Behind the Scenes Catering & Events. When she is not creating one-of-a-kind events and experiences, Yinka loves traveling and enjoying nature. You can find her searching for the local hotspots and attractions, or relaxing on the beach with her dog, Rose.

Vice President, Membership

Kristen Elgo, CMP
Encore XP

Kristen Elgo has been in the Special Events, Hospitality Industry for over 24 years. She is currently with Encore Events who provide Event Production, Design, Entertainment and AV Solutions across Southern California. In her current role she’s produced a wide range of events from Product Launches, Experiential Marketing Events, Multi-day Virtual, Hybrid and In Person Conferences, Hospitality Events for up to 10,000 ppl and more.

She got her start with SEAT Planners in 1996 operating transportation logistics across the country. She is a San Diego native, receiving her degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management from San Diego State University. After graduation she was with Pacific Event Productions for 15 years managing their Entertainment Division and then moving into complete Event Production and Design along with the Wedding Division. She is currently with Encore Events who provide Event Production, Design, Entertainment and AV Solutions across Southern California. In her current role she’s produced a wide range of events from Product Launches, Experiential Marketing Events, Multi-day Virtual, Hybrid and In Person Conferences, Hospitality Events for up to 10,000 ppl and more. When she’s not doing events she’s busy raising 2 teens with her husband. They enjoy traveling, camping and exploring the great outdoors. She’s been involved with MPI San Diego for many years. Formerly the Director of Recruitment and now VP of Membership.

Vice President, Marketing

Sydney Balelo
Unbridled Solutions

Sydney has such a passion for the events industry. She is an SDSU Alumni with a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management with a focus in Meetings and Events.

She is now a Sales Manager for Unbridled Solutions, a full-service third-party event management company servicing clients all over the US. She is obsessed with her chocolate lab, iced coffee, and husband: in that order.

Director of Strategic Partnerships

Alyssa Longeuay
Conference Services at Aztec Shops Ltd. San Diego State University

Alyssa Longeuay graduated with a BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management from San Diego State University and has made her way back there in her current role as the Associate Director for Business and Housing Development. Her new role allows her to partner with clients to create memorable experiences while hosting their meeting, conference or camp on campus.

Before coming back to SDSU, Alyssa worked for PRA for almost five years where she used her knowledge and expertise of San Diego to help clients design unique events to meet their budgets. Although she is not a San Diego native, Alyssa, her husband and their daughter and son have made San Diego their home. She became a Member of MPI in 2013 and has been involved ever since. After serving as the Director of Recruitment for a year, the Vice President of Finance for three years and helping lead the chapter through the difficult COVID years as Chapter President and then Immediate Past President, Alyssa is excited to focus on the strategic partnerships that help make MPI San Diego great! In her spare time she enjoys being outside taking advantage of all San Diego has to offer – especially a day at the beach or catching a baseball game!

Director of Special Events

Kelly Truitt, CMP
Terramar, a DMC Network Company

Kelly’s passion for planning memorable experiences has taken her to South Florida, Washington D.C., and San Diego where she’s lived with her pups since 2018. A lifelong learner, she earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Meeting & Event Management and never misses an opportunity to grow her industry knowledge.

When she isn’t at an event, you can find Kelly at Coronado’s Dog Beach, curled up with a good book, or traveling the globe absorbing different cultures and cuisine. She prides herself on knowing the latest and greatest spots in her city and every place she visits.

Director of Programs

Emily Amezcua
Event Management

Having been involved in the entertainment world from a very young age, Emily has a multi-dimensional background in her field. From acting and singing, to event production and planning, to gigging with a band or two throughout the years, she is no stranger to the stage or working behind the scenes. Cultivating a career in event entertainment was a natural evolution that began in 2015. Emily primarily works with musical entertainment, as well as specialized and unique acts for the corporate and private event world.

Her experience with a wide range of performers, as well as knowledge of the inner workings of live events, gives her unique insight into the entertainment that will be the most impactful to your event. Emily has a true passion for working with clients to help their vision come to life as well as a deep admiration for performers of all kinds. She has been involved with several industry associations and is thrilled to be a part of such a dynamic community. She is a proud member of MPI San Diego and has served on the committee of educational events.On a personal note, you can find her adventuring and traveling with her husband, seeing all the shows and eating all the good food, and playing in her music studio as much as possible.

Director of Retention & Recognition

Marc Lehman
Ashley Media Productions

Marc, a US Navy veteran and former Nuclear Power Engineer, and his Wife Lorelei, a former, actress and on-air radio personality, started Ashley Productions at the inception of the Event Video industry. The forces driving their entrepreneurship were their passion for creating video that moved, inspired and entertained people, and their affinity for the event and service industries. Over the past 3 decades they have won multiple industry awards for innovation and creative excellence.

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Today Ashley Media Productions is a multi-generational family business that provides videography, photography, virtual and hybrid event production services, and more. Marc has been a member, and board member, of several event industry associations and is excited to support and grow the MPI San Diego chapter.

Executive Director

Erin Scholes, CMP, CSEP, CMM,DES
Phone: (858) 270-2103

Erin Scholes is a past MPISD Chapter President and currently Executive Director of the chapter. During Scholes' 16 year tenure with MPISD she has served seven years on the MPISD board of directors and three years as a committee chair.

She owns a local meeting & event planning business SD Meeting & Events. SDME provides full service meeting planning, hotel site selection and local onsite event staffing. Erin is a faculty member of the Institute for Meetings and Events in the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at San Diego State University. Scholes carries the respected designations of CMP (Certified Meeting Professional), CMM (Certificate in Meeting Management) and the CSEP (Certified Special Event Professional).

Chapter Administrator Assistant

Kayla Taliaferro
Phone: (626) 529-4577

Kayla Taliaferro is a recent graduate from San Diego State University with a BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management with an emphasis in Meetings and Events. Kayla’s passion for working with people & creating memorable experiences started at her first job at 16 and led her to focus on a career in Hospitality.

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MPI San Diego Board of Directors

President

Carrie Shen, CMM, CMP, CEDBridgepoint Education