The DMC Network is proud to present our Leadership........
Sean Kirkland
Executive Vice President/Sales & Marketing
DMC Network, LLC.
Sean Kirkland was named Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing in June of 2008 bringing his 15 year multi-destination DMC background, strong industry relationships, solid grasp of strategic partnership, passion and understanding of the marketplace and forward thinking to the DMC Network.
Prior to joining the DMC Network, Sean spent seven years in Senior Management at a leading Southern California DMC, five years in Sales and Operations for PGI / Kaleidoscope in Dallas and two earlier years of DMC experience in St. Louis.
Sean has been recognized by EDS as Supplier of the Year, served as Vice Chair of the San Diego CVB Sales Committee and as an HSMAI Panelist and Guest Speaker and presented on various DMC topics at two San Diego Universities.
Kelvin W. Nanney, CMP
Executive Director, DMC Network, LLC.
Kelvin is a Manager, Member of Meeting Possibilities, LLC a management company that specializes in the management of for-profit companies and non-profit professional and trade associations. Kelvin joined Meeting Possibilities, LLC in 2004.
Kelvin is currently the Executive Director of DMC Network, LLC, Executive Director of ISES Northern California Chapter and ISES Napa Sonoma Chapter, Chapter Executive Director of CAI Bay Area & Central California and the Executive Director of HSMAI Northern California Chapter. He also assists with Meeting Professionals International Northern California Chapter.
He has been involved in the hospitality and meetings industry for over 25 years and has been a active member of MPI, HSMAI and ASAE for over 15 years. He has held positions as Director of Sales & Marketing and other management positions in operations and accounting for InterContinental, Hilton, Radisson and independent hotel companies in California and Florida. Kelvin has served on a variety of non-profit boards and committees in Sacramento, North Florida and California.
Russell Wyman
Sales & Marketing Coordinator, DMC Network, LLC.
Graduating from Southern Methodist University with a marketing degree, Russell's advertising and marketing skills have proven invaluable. He launched his career in the destination management industry with Ultimate Ventures, the DMC Network's Dallas/Fort Worth partner, and has quickly grown into a valued member of the team. Russell was promoted to Marketing & Sales Associate where he works alongside the sales team on the company's sales and marketing initiatives.
His passion for the destination management industry led Russell to become actively involved in the DMC Network (DMCN). As part of the Communications committee, he has taken on the role of Social Media task force chair to help the Network establish its online presence through social media outlets. Russell also serves as Marketing Coordinator for the DMCN using his talents to execute marketing initiatives established by the DMCN Board.
The DMC Network Board of Managers:
Linda I. Thompson, LTC, USA (RET.), CMP
President & CEO, Cappa & Graham, INC.
Chairwoman, Vision & Management, DMC Network, LLC.
As the President and CEO of Cappa & Graham, Inc., Linda leads one of San Francisco’s most highly respected, longest operating, woman owned businesses. Linda joined Cappa & Graham with 20 years of leadership and management experience. Linda’s goal in business is to create an environment that ensures every client’s expectations are exceeded. She is constantly searching for new and innovative ways to raise the level of professionalism within the hospitality industry and her business.
Linda shows her passion for the industry by staying active and being a leader in many professional organizations. For the DMC Network LLC she is the current Chairwoman managing the change and growth happening in the newly formed company. She has also served as their Education and Programs Chair. Linda was recently selected to Chair the 2008-2009 International Special Events Society (ISES) Spirit of Excellence Committee and for the ISES Northern California Chapter she was elected by her peers to serve two consecutive years (2006-2007 & 2007-2008) as President. Recently, Linda received the International Special Events Society Excellence Award for creating the Best Corporate Event in the Western Region and the Chapet Leadership Award for 2005-2006. She has also held numerous leadership and board positions for Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Northern California Chapter.
Throughout her career, Linda has mentored many aspiring young women and men. As President at Cappa & Graham, Inc., Linda established internship programs with San Francisco State University, Westmont College, Stanford and Vanderbilt University Extension programs to open doors for Hospitality Management and Communications students. For her work with San Francisco State University, Linda was recognized for her ”outstanding contributions and service.” Additionally, Linda was selected to serve on the University’s Advisory Council, is a sought after guest lecturer and mentor in her field.
Linda graduated from California State University, Sacramento and earned a Masters Degree from Long Island University, New York. While serving as an Army Officer, Linda attended the Army’s Command General Staff College and earned her Army parachute wings at Fort Benning Georgia. After a successful career in the United States Army, Linda retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from thePentagon in 1997.
While assigned to the Pentagon, Linda was solely responsible for organizing the Secretary of the Army’s Senior Review Panel on Sexual Harassment. Her extensive meeting planning skills were key to staff training, executive meetings, worldwide travel and logistics. She ensured this executive level politically charged, yearlong, worldwide project was successfully conducted. Linda earned several military awards during her career culminating with the Legion of Merit, one of our nation’s highest honors.
Linda and her husband of 30 years, Gordon, have a daughter, Christine, and a son, Alexander.
Julie Greenspoon-Kelly
Founder/President, Destination St. Louis
Budget/Treasurer, DMC Network, LLC.
Julie Greenspoon-Kelly is originally from the Washington, D.C. area. Julie graduated with a degree in economics from Washington University in St. Louis, and received her MBA from the University of Maryland. She owned and managed Guide Service of Washington, a travel company servicing the convention and tour markets in Washington, D.C. for six years prior to moving to St. Louis.
Julie is an active member of St. Louis’ hospitality industry, volunteering time and effort toward the improvement of St. Louis' historical heritage. Over the past eighteen years she has served in many capacities; she was a long-standing member of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Attractions Association serving that organization as Treasurer and President. Julie served as Treasurer of the St. Louis Chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). In 2004, she was awarded HSMAI’s Industry Supplier of the Year. Committed to the historical preservation of downtown, she serves on the Campbell House Museum Board of Directors and, as First Vice President, is a member of the Executive Committee. She has also served as Secretary. In 2008, Julie was named to the St. Louis Attractions Association Hall of Fame, recognizing her dedication to the hospitality industry.
In 2004, The St. Louis Small Business Monthly honored her as a leading female business owner. The St. Louis Business Journal honored her as one of St. Louis’ 25 Most Influential Businesswomen in 2001 and in 1999, recognized her as one of the “40 Under 40,” an annual listing of “40 outstanding individuals under 40 years old.”
Gary Newman
Managing Director, Briggs, Inc.
Chair, Compliance (Past President), DMC Network, LLC.
Gary Newman has been a DMC Board Member for the past 7 years, most recently as 2007 President. Gary graduated with honors from Principia College in 1978 and moved to New York City to work with theatre legend, Joseph Papp. In 1984 he joined the special events firm, Barbara Israel Associates as Production Manager and in 1999 became co-owner of Briggs, Inc., the leading Destination Management Company in New York.
Fabienne Hanks, CMP, DMCP
President, The Meeting Manager
Chair, Membership, DMC Network, LLC.
Fabienne began her career in the hospitality industry more than 30 years ago with a summer job at SeaWorld San Diego. In 1978, Fabienne and her husband Terry Hanks opened their own Destination Management Company (DMC), TMM | The Meeting Manager, which has expanded to four Southern California Offices.
Fabienne is also very involved with the growing DMC industry and plays a leadership role in many organizations including SITE, The DMC Network and ADME. She serves as an instructor in the Special Events program developed by George Washington University and assisted in the development of ADME's Destination Management Certified Professional program, where she was one of the first thirteen individuals to receive the DMCP designation in August 2001.
TMM has become a leader among Southern California DMCs and, in 2007, was received the Charter Accredited Destination Management Company designation by the Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME). Locally, Fabienne was also the first female Chairman for the Mission Valley YMCA and received the highest honor for volunteer service, the Gold Triangle Award. Most recently, Fabienne was recognized as one of San Diego’s “Women Who Mean Business,” from the San Diego Business Journal.
Laurie Sprouse, CITE, CMP, DMCP
President, Ultimate Ventures
Chair, Sales & Marketing, DMC Network, LLC.
Laurie Sprouse serves as president of Ultimate Ventures, which she co-founded in 1993. Laurie’s broad experience has earned recognition from her colleagues and industry, and for many years she has been a leader in the state’s incentive travel industry.
A certified Emergency First Response Instructor, Laurie provides training for the Ultimate Ventures staff in CPR and first aid life-saving skills.
Pam Graham
President, Congress Canada
Chair, Education, DMC Network, LLC.
Pam Graham is founder and President of Congress Canada. Since 1979, she has developed Congress Canada into Toronto’s largest and highly respected Destination Management and Professional Conference Management Company.
Congress Canada's impressive corporate client list includes, ADP, Astra Zeneca, BASF, Maritz, Procter Gamble, BASF, Wrangler, IBM, and Mercedes-Benz.
Recent large management projects of note include the 50,000 person Alcoholics Anonymous 2005 conference and the International AIDS Congress in 2006 with over 23,000 delegates, representing over 140 countries. 3,000 media reported on the conference highlights which included presentations and interviews with Bill Clinton, Bill and Melinda Gates, Stephen Lewis and Richard Gere.
Through Ms. Graham's leadership, Congress Canada is recognized as a national leader in the management of group events including incentives, corporate meetings, trade shows, scientific, technical and medical international congresses. Group sizes range from 20 to over 20,000 people.
Pam has been featured in many business publications including the Financial Post, The Globe & Mail, Marketing Magazine, EnRoute, industry magazines in the US such as Successful Meetings, Meetings and Conventions and the Canadian Meetings and Incentive Travel, and Event Planner. She has made many presentations to industry colleagues through such associations as MPI, PCMA and SITE. She is a regular webinar instructor for ADME, the Association of Destination Management Executives.
Ms. Graham has been very much involved in the industry, serving on many important posts. She was the founding president of the Canada East Chapter of the Professional Conference Management Association, past president of the Association of Destination Management Executives, and has served on Tourism Toronto’s Board of Directors for over 10 years and Tourism Toronto’s Marketing Committee for over 3 years. She has chaired and served on many PCMA committees including the Annual Conference Program Committee, the founding Chapter Liaison Committee and the Membership Committee. She has also served on the Advisory Council of Convene Magazine and Canadian Meetings and & Incentive Travel Magazine.
Pam holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (Co-op) from the University of Waterloo.
Laurie Z. Stroll, CMP, DCMP
President, Newport Hospitality, Inc.
Co-Chair, New Member Integration, DMC Network, LLC.
Laurie has been with Newport Hospitality since 1992 and worked for many years planning events and growing the business. In 2004 Laurie became the President and owner of Newport Hospitality.
Laurie has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau since 2005 and presently is the Chair of the Sales and Marketing Committee.
In April 2008 she was elected to the Board of Managers for the DMC Network, a worldwide alliance of Destination Management Companies which she originally joined in January of 2006.
In February 2007, Laurie was recognized for Newport Hospitality’s achievement of the ADMC Standards from the ADME Certification and Accreditation Board. This makes Newport Hospitality the only accredited DMC in Rhode Island and all of New England. Only 24 DMCs in the country were awarded this accreditation and have become Charter ADMCs. (Accredited Destination Management Company)
Laurie served on the Board of Directors of the RI Hospitality & Tourism Association (RIHTA) for nine years from 1998-2007. Laurie served as the first woman Chairman of the Board for the RI Hospitality and Tourism Association in 2004. In 2003, Laurie initiated the Women in Hospitality and Tourism Council and chaired this group for three years. In November 2005 Laurie was recognized as “Woman of the Year” by the RI Hospitality and Tourism Association at their Annual Stars of the Industry Awards night.
Also, in 2006 Laurie received her DMCP (Destination Management Certified Professional) certification from the Association of Destination Management Executives in recognition of professional achievement in the destination management industry, commitment to professional conduct and ethics, and superior examination performance.
In 2005, Newport Hospitality received their National Certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise after meeting the strict requirements set forth to be certified by the WBENC.
Laurie served on the Board of Directors of MPI (Meeting Professionals International) New England Chapter 2001-2003 and received the President’s Award in 2004.
Laurie has taken an active role in the Tourism Industry in Rhode Island and served on the Governor’s Tourism Advisory Board in 2003.
Laurie has been a Certified Meeting Professional since 2000 when she earned the CMP designation through the Convention Industry Council.
Laurie is also an active member of ADME (Association of Destination Management Executives), ISES (International Special Events Society), MPI (Meeting Professionals Int’l), The Newport County Chamber of Commerce, the Newport County CVB, The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and The Providence Warwick CVB.
Laurie graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant & Travel Administration. She had worked for many years in the hotel business and held various management positions in catering, sales and marketing before joining Newport Hospitality.
Diane Lyons, CMP, DMCP
President & CEO, ACCENT on Arrangements, Inc.
Co-Chair, Communications, DMC Network, LLC.
As President and CEO of ACCENT on Arrangements, Inc., Diane Lyons leads the most well respected Destination Management Company in New Orleans. Diane has three decades of DMC Experience. She has earned her Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) and Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) designations. In 2007, ACCENT on Arrangements was chosen by the DMC Network to become the exclusive New Orleans member of its network. ACCENT also successfully completed the requirements for the ADME Charter Accredited Destination Company designation as one of its charter members.
Diane is very involved in the industry locally as well as nationally. Diane is currently serving as host committee chairman for the Opening Reception for the Professional Convention Management Association’s 2009 meeting in New Orleans. She is also a contributing editor to Experient’s Meeting Mentor magazine. In April 2008 she was elected to serve on the DMC Network’s Board of Managers. Diane is also an active member of ASAE, PCMA, MPI, ADME, ISES and is a member of the Women’s Business Enterprise Council South. She is a past board member of the Association of Destination Management Executives, served on the ADME DMCP Certification Board and is a former Vice President of Membership for the Gulf South Chapter of Meeting Professional International. Locally Diane has served on the community boards for United Way and the Junior League of New Orleans. In 2004 she was awarded one of the top 50 businesswomen of New Orleans by New Orleans City Business magazine.
When she is not working to create new experiences for customers in New Orleans, she enjoys traveling with her husband and family.
Chris Baker, DMCP
Executive Vice President & Partner, Chicago Travel Consultants (CTC)
Chair, Technology, DMC Network, LLC.
Chris Baker originally joined Chicago Travel Consultants, Inc. (CTC) in 2000, as Vice President of Sales & Marketing and has since moved up to Executive Vice President & Partner. Chris continues to educate corporations around the world about the variety and quality of services CTC and the city of Chicago have to offer. Chris has an extensive knowledge of the Windy City's best venues, restaurants, attractions, and entertainment, which makes him invaluable to his CTC clients. He is active in the industry, especially DMC Network, ADME, and MPI.
Chris has a true dedication to satisfying each CTC customer and is very hands on with the client throughout each program. He is known for his dynamic personality, ability to make people smile and willingness to go the extra mile. Chris earned his Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) in July 2008 and led the charge for CTC earning its Accredited Destination Management Company (ADMC) designation in November 2008.