Speaker Bios
Ryan Schefke, founder and CEO, Captello
Ryan Schefke is Founder and CEO of Captello, the award winning, end-to-end lead capture and event engagement software platform. Coining the phrase "Universal Lead Capture", Ryan developed the platform to offer event professionals unprecedented flexibility and control of their lead capture and engagement processes by giving them full control of the lead management process, from customizable lead capture forms and digital gamification experiences to automated workflows, event automation and more.
Gina Schommer, global tradeshow manager of neuro, Natus Medical
Results-oriented, creative marketer with over 20 years of experience in global event planning, event strategy, execution, lead management, leadership and communication, with the ability and skill set to provide innovation, enthusiasm and forward-thinking leadership in a team environment. Gina is the Global Tradeshow Manager at Natus Medical and is continually looking at process improvements across the commercial marketing organization.
Vanessa Schultz, CTSM Gold, senior director of corporate marketing, Cellanome
Vanessa Schultz is the Senior Director of Corporate Marketing at Cellanome. With more than 17 years of event and marketing experience in the life sciences industry, Schultz is responsible for building the brand's corporate marketing function and strategy. Vanessa has served on the EXHIBITOR Industry Advisory Board, is a regular Sizzle Awards judge, and a leading voice in experiential marketing. Schultz has received her CTSM Gold Level Certification and holds a B.A. in International Business from SDSU.
Ian Sequeira, vice president of strategy, research and insights, Freeman
Ian Sequeira, VP, Strategy, Research & Insights at Freeman, has 39 years of research experience in the trade show and events industry. He is a well-respected industry speaker, an active member of IAEE, and a member of the CEIR Board of Directors. He also received IAEE's Distinguished Services Award. Ian has a B.S. degree in Economics from Allegheny College, Meadville, PA., and an MBA from the American University in Washington D.C.
Jessica Sibila, CTSM, executive director, The Exhibitor Advocate
Jessica is a seasoned marketer with a unique collection of experiences including strategic event marketing, philanthropy and corporate branding. Jessica has over 20 years' experience as an exhibitor and in show management. She most recently led the corporate event, community engagement and branding strategy for WhiteWave Foods and Danone North America, the largest certified B Corp in the world. Today, Jessica consults on event strategy and execution and leads The Exhibitor Advocate as Executive Director.
Pete Smith, president, SmithImpact
Stroke survivor. International speaker. Author. Coffee shop owner. Wrestling coach. Helping people run their race to win. Author of Dare to Matter, the #1 Best Seller in the HR and Personnel Management Category, and the #2 Best Seller in the Business Motivation and Self-Improvement category. Using a combination of hilarious wit and profound wisdom, Pete educates, entertains, and challenges his audiences to BE more, DO more, and MATTER more... and shows them how.
Courtney Soice, Chief Marketing Officer, Hamilton
Courtney Soice serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Hamilton and brings to Hamilton more than a decade of experience in successful marketing, account leadership, and engagement strategy. Courtney oversees and manages all marketing initiatives across the company, including strategic planning, brand development, demand generation, advertising, sales support, PR, SEO, and competitive bid efforts. Before joining Hamilton, Courtney held a high-impact position at Ogilvy & Mather in New York, where she helped grow their engagement strategy practice.
Julius Solaris, founder, Boldpush LLC
Julius Solaris is regarded as the most influential person in the event industry. He is the founder of Boldpush a management consultancy agency for the event industry. He founded EventMB (exit to Skift in 2019) and Showthemes, exit in 2018. He has worked for high-profile technology companies and tech events. Julius has been named one of the most influential individuals in the meetings industry by many magazines and media for the past 10 years.
Tracy Stuckrath, CSEP, CMM, CFPM, CHC, president/chief connecting officer, thrive! meetings & events
Founder and president of thrive! meetings & events and host of Eating at a Meeting, Tracy Stuckrath has had a 30+ year career in corporate, association, and social event planning. In 2009, her personal health changed the trajectory of her career. She works with organizations worldwide to understand how food and beverage affects risk, employee/guest experience, company culture, and the bottom line. Catered events should be safe, sustainable, and inclusive experiences so everyone feels valued.
Melanie Swanson, CTSM, diamond level, CMP, marketing specialist, Bruker
Melanie Swanson, CTSM Diamond, CMP, MBA Melanie has managed events for 30 years and was one of the first four CTSM graduates to achieve Diamond-level status in 2011. In 2018 Melanie won an EXHIBITOR All-Star Award for an innovative solution for reconfiguring booth assets to save material handling and shipping fees and maximize booth interactions. Melanie holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin and volunteers with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response organization.
Ryan Schefke, founder and CEO, CaptelloRyan Schefke is Founder and CEO of Captello, the award winning, end-to-end lead capture and event engagement software platform. Coining the phrase "Universal Lead Capture", Ryan developed the platform to offer event professionals unprecedented flexibility and control of their lead capture and engagement processes by giving them full control of the lead management process, from customizable lead capture forms and digital gamification experiences to automated workflows, event automation and more.
Gina Schommer, global tradeshow manager of neuro, Natus MedicalResults-oriented, creative marketer with over 20 years of experience in global event planning, event strategy, execution, lead management, leadership and communication, with the ability and skill set to provide innovation, enthusiasm and forward-thinking leadership in a team environment. Gina is the Global Tradeshow Manager at Natus Medical and is continually looking at process improvements across the commercial marketing organization.
Vanessa Schultz, CTSM Gold, senior director of corporate marketing, CellanomeVanessa Schultz is the Senior Director of Corporate Marketing at Cellanome. With more than 17 years of event and marketing experience in the life sciences industry, Schultz is responsible for building the brand's corporate marketing function and strategy. Vanessa has served on the EXHIBITOR Industry Advisory Board, is a regular Sizzle Awards judge, and a leading voice in experiential marketing. Schultz has received her CTSM Gold Level Certification and holds a B.A. in International Business from SDSU.
Ian Sequeira, vice president of strategy, research and insights, FreemanIan Sequeira, VP, Strategy, Research & Insights at Freeman, has 39 years of research experience in the trade show and events industry. He is a well-respected industry speaker, an active member of IAEE, and a member of the CEIR Board of Directors. He also received IAEE's Distinguished Services Award. Ian has a B.S. degree in Economics from Allegheny College, Meadville, PA., and an MBA from the American University in Washington D.C.
Jessica Sibila, CTSM, executive director, The Exhibitor AdvocateJessica is a seasoned marketer with a unique collection of experiences including strategic event marketing, philanthropy and corporate branding. Jessica has over 20 years' experience as an exhibitor and in show management. She most recently led the corporate event, community engagement and branding strategy for WhiteWave Foods and Danone North America, the largest certified B Corp in the world. Today, Jessica consults on event strategy and execution and leads The Exhibitor Advocate as Executive Director.
Pete Smith, president, SmithImpactStroke survivor. International speaker. Author. Coffee shop owner. Wrestling coach. Helping people run their race to win. Author of Dare to Matter, the #1 Best Seller in the HR and Personnel Management Category, and the #2 Best Seller in the Business Motivation and Self-Improvement category. Using a combination of hilarious wit and profound wisdom, Pete educates, entertains, and challenges his audiences to BE more, DO more, and MATTER more... and shows them how.
Courtney Soice, Chief Marketing Officer, HamiltonCourtney Soice serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Hamilton and brings to Hamilton more than a decade of experience in successful marketing, account leadership, and engagement strategy. Courtney oversees and manages all marketing initiatives across the company, including strategic planning, brand development, demand generation, advertising, sales support, PR, SEO, and competitive bid efforts. Before joining Hamilton, Courtney held a high-impact position at Ogilvy & Mather in New York, where she helped grow their engagement strategy practice.
Julius Solaris, founder, Boldpush LLCJulius Solaris is regarded as the most influential person in the event industry. He is the founder of Boldpush a management consultancy agency for the event industry. He founded EventMB (exit to Skift in 2019) and Showthemes, exit in 2018. He has worked for high-profile technology companies and tech events. Julius has been named one of the most influential individuals in the meetings industry by many magazines and media for the past 10 years.
Tracy Stuckrath, CSEP, CMM, CFPM, CHC, president/chief connecting officer, thrive! meetings & eventsFounder and president of thrive! meetings & events and host of Eating at a Meeting, Tracy Stuckrath has had a 30+ year career in corporate, association, and social event planning. In 2009, her personal health changed the trajectory of her career. She works with organizations worldwide to understand how food and beverage affects risk, employee/guest experience, company culture, and the bottom line. Catered events should be safe, sustainable, and inclusive experiences so everyone feels valued.
Melanie Swanson, CTSM, diamond level, CMP, marketing specialist, BrukerMelanie Swanson, CTSM Diamond, CMP, MBA Melanie has managed events for 30 years and was one of the first four CTSM graduates to achieve Diamond-level status in 2011. In 2018 Melanie won an EXHIBITOR All-Star Award for an innovative solution for reconfiguring booth assets to save material handling and shipping fees and maximize booth interactions. Melanie holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin and volunteers with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response organization.
