VP of Programs & Education
Melanie is a Senior Event Manager at the Westin Cleveland Downtown, specializing in weddings and galas. Melanie has over 9 years of experience in social event planning for hotels and country clubs through the northeast Ohio area. Melanie has served on the Programs & Education committee for the past three years. Residing on the east side, Melanie loves to try new restaurants in Cleveland, see theatre, and attend Cleveland sporting events.
Director of Programs & Education
Vicki is excited to be a part of the ILEA team after spending 13 years in the event industry in various capacities. Currently, Vicki is a wedding planner as part of the Kirkbride’s Wedding Planning and Design Team. She loves putting on events for her various clients, knowing that her hard work and dedication means that a beautiful couple and their families will have a gorgeous wedding that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Prior to working as a wedding coordinator, Vicki worked on the catering side of events. Her perseverance and dedication showed there as well. Vicki’s attention to detail and devotion to her craft always shines through whether she is planning an event for hundreds of thousands of people, as was the case for the 2016 Republican National Convention, or whether it is a small gathering of close friends celebrating their nuptials. Vicki has been on the P & E Committee for two years and is also starting her second year on the board.
Committee Member
Kristy is the Sales and Special Events Manager at Great Lakes Science Center. She has more than 12 years of experience in catering and event planning in the Cleveland area. Making each event unique to her clients is what she loves best about planning events. Kristy, an Old Brooklyn neighborhood resident, enjoys exploring the fine city of Cleveland, its culinary scene and finds happiness in her weekly Spin class!
Committee Member
Gail L. Palmer, a Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP), has over 18 years of experience designing, planning, implementing, and ‘fixing’ events for nonprofit, corporate, and private clients from New York to Alaska. Her clients often comment on her high level of personal and professional accountability. Events benefit from her extensive skill set and broad experience, a healthy dose of OCD, and her concierge style approach to project management.
Gail loves to explore possibilities…so brainstorming million dollar ideas comes naturally to her. She also knows that final results must work in the real world, where budgets and the laws of gravity come into play. She adds value to events by expecting the highest quality from herself and others, leading to better execution of collaborative efforts. Clients and vendors appreciate her approachable and transparent style as she enthusiastically shares knowledge and connects them seamlessly to quality resources.
Gail’s expertise was refined while living in Anchorage, Alaska where she worked for the state’s most sought after event company, Art Services North. She’s called Cleveland home for 6 years and is the proud CEO (that’s Chief Event Organizer) of Palmer Event Solutions LLC. Her company supports organizations with staffs large and small, as they strategize and plan live events to help celebrate milestone achievements and meet their goals to raise funds, friends, mission awareness – and fun!
Committee Member
More information coming soon….
Committee Member
More information coming soon….
Committee Member
More information coming soon….
Programs and Education News
Learn about committee projects, upcoming events, and exciting educational opportunities.
Event Source Promotes Two Following Acquisition
CLEVELAND, OH – JBK Group, Inc, dba Event Source and Panache Party Rental, has promoted two key executives to the Vice President level. Jeremy Halaska and Debbie Halkovics were [...]
Solus Lighting LTD Nominated as Top FBE in the State of Ohio
Lighting Company Shines Through to the Top Solus Lighting LTD is honored to announce the company’s nomination for 2017 OhioMBE Award of Top FBE (Female [...]
Solus Lighting LTD Press Release
Lighting Company in the Spotlight with New Web Design Solus Lighting LTD Announces New Website Showcasing Their Specialized Services CLEVELAND - Aug. 22, 2017 -- Solus Lighting LTD is thrilled [...]
Programs and Eductation
Education is the backbone of the ILEA community. Our chapter strives to provide members with a continuing education platform that encourages personal and professional growth.