State of the Industry Panel

THIS EVENT HAS REACHED CAPACITY AND IS SOLD OUT FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDEES.  VIRTUAL REGISTRATION IS STILL AVAILABLE, SO WE HOPE YOU STILL REGISTER AND JOIN US VIRTUALLY. 

We are teaming up with NACE Orlando in May for a check-in on what has changed since our virtual State of the Industry just one year ago, and what future business is looking like. Five panelists (bios below) from various parts of the industry will share their insights and engage in discussion with the audience.  

AGENDA
5:30-6:30pm – Cocktails – Gazebo (Outdoors)
6:30-6:45pm- Transfer to Parkway Ballroom
6:45pm - Meal
7:00pm - Virtual Program begins
7:15 - 8:00 – Panel Discussion – Parkway Ballroom
8:00-8:30pm – Mingling / Exit – Parkway Ballroom

MENU

Networking Hour: 

•  Apple and Gruyere Crostini with a Port Wine Reduction
•  Merlot Glazed Meatball

Dinner:

• Spinach Salad with Strawberries, Candied Pecans and Feta with a Red Wine Reduction Vinaigrette
• Assorted Artisan Breads with Sweet Butter
• Grilled Chicken Breast with a Pinot Grigio Beurre Blanc Served with Asparagus and Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Chef's Selection for Vegetarian and Special Meals

Dessert:

• Chocolate Red Wine Cake with Champagne Soaked Berries and Chantilly Cream with a Red Wine Caramel Served in a Wine Glass

PANELISTS

Daryl Cronk – Senior Director of Market Research and Insights, Visit Orlando

Daryl Cronk is the senior director of market research and insights at Visit Orlando. As the head of the Visit Orlando research team, he oversees all functions of the department including primary and secondary global research programs and internal performance measurements. Daryl has been with Visit Orlando since 1999.

Hope Valentine – Chief Sales Officer & Partner, CSI DMC

“I wake up every morning and am thankful to do a job I love”, says Hope Valentine, a native to Florida, and a graduate from the University of Central Florida. Hope truly embraces her home state and constantly seeks new and exciting ways to share The Sunshine State with her clients. With over twenty-four years of experience in Destination & Event Management, Hope has a knack for coordinating extraordinary programs utilizing only the most reliable vendors and venues. Her strong creative abilities paired with a background in Operations and Logistics makes for flawless events and happy clients, time and time again. She has developed and managed large, complex programs for FORTUNE 500 Companies and is well known within her field. In 2010 she merged with CSI DMC to become one of the owners and since then has had the oversight of opening 9 offices across the United States.  She has a true passion for our industry and the events her team creates.

Ed DiAntonio – Complex Director of Catering and Event Management, Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort

Ed DiAntonio, CPCE, CMP, Complex Director of Catering/Event Management at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, has over 35 years of hospitality experience, primarily in Catering and Convention Services management. Ed has been at the Swan & Dolphin since 2003. Ed is active in NACE, and served on the National where he finished his board term as Immediate Past- President, 2019-2020. Currently he serves as the Chair of the Governance and Elections Committee through the end of 2021. Ed has served on the Board of NACE’s Orlando Chapter, where he was a three-term President. In 2007 Ed was chosen as NACE, National Co-Caterer Member of The Year. Ed and The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Catering Team have earned Catering Magazine’s Catering Team of The Year 2005, Catersource’s ACE award for the South Region 2008 as well as many other accolades. Outside of work Ed enjoy’s riding his bike, pilates and spending time with my wife, Marianne, and his 2 dogs Cassius and Vixen.

Susan Storey – Director of Global Communications, International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions

Susan Storey is the Director of Global Communications for IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry. She more than 20 years of experience working in the amusement and travel industry. Susan began her career in amusement industry when she took part in the Walt Disney World College Program. She later went on to work for national theme park companies including Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation and Great Wolf Resorts. She also spent five years at Give Kids The World, the nonprofit organization that serves children with critical illnesses and their families.  From theme parks to hotels, Susan has specialized in creating public relations programs for brands that focus on providing great experiences and special memories for families. Susan joined IAAPA in 2017 and today oversees all media, public relations and communications for the association and its members, including three annual global expos. When not at work, she and her nine-year-old son, Aiden, can be found exploring zoos and amusement parks across the country. And finally, because some positions must always be mentioned, Susan was honored to serve as an International Good Wheel Ambassador in 1997 when she was chosen to drive the famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

David Buckalew – Owner, Buckalew Hospitality | Co-Host, #SwagAndRepeat Podcast

David Buckalew is the owner of Buckalew Hospitality, a temporary staffing company that focuses on meetings, events and conventions across the US. Prior to starting his business in 2005 he graduated from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management. He is an active member of the local chapter of MPI and will take on a leadership role with membership this coming July. He is 1/3 of the co-hosts for Orlando’s number 1 meeting and event podcast, #swagandrepeat that focuses on the networking events, news, gossip and professionals that make up Orlando’s event industry. He prides himself on networking and education and holds the CMP designation within the industry. When not focused on events he enjoys running, is passionate about baseball and is currently trying to visit every national park, capital, state and baseball stadium in the country, and he is getting pretty close.

Moderator | Todd Zimmerman - Big Guy, Odd-o-T’s Entertainment & Fight or Flight Productions

Todd is an award-winning director of physical comedy shows, variety shows and performances for SeaWorld Orlando, Adventure Island Tampa, Legoland Florida, Busch Gardens Tampa, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Gaylord Palms, Todd understands the value of live entertainment and continues to exercise his creativity as a director, creator and performer. Todd continues to perform which keeps him on the front lines to understand what audiences crave. His background as a producing clown with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus led to many experiences in adapting and innovating on-stage programs to reach new audiences. Onstage and off, Todd is passionate about connecting with people. A lifelong performer himself, Todd’s deep passion for the performing arts comes from years of training and improvising to create world-renowned stage shows that resonate with every audience. Above all, Todd’s effusive smile and friendly demeanor garner him instant trust, a trust that is mirrored in the reputation of Odd-o-Ts’ Entertainment and the strong, lasting relationships it maintains with every client.

SAFETY IS IMPORTANT

• UPDATE: As a result of the recently revised CDC guidelines, masks are only required for those who are NOT vaccinated. For more information on the CDC guidelines visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/participate-in-activities.html
• We invite you to bring your own company name tag to minimize touch points.  Disposable name tags will also be available on site.