ISES Indiana :: International Special Events Society

ISES Indiana Education Conference Speakers

Keynote Speaker: Allison Melangton, President and CEO 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee

About Allison:
Allison Melangton has been the President and CEO of the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee since October of 2008. She brings over 25 years of National and International experience in sports and events management to this prestigious event.

Allison moved to Indianapolis in 1983 when the City of Indianapolis was in the beginning stages of implementing a sport tourism strategy, and moved USA Gymnastics from Colorado to Indianapolis. For 12 years she worked with USA Gymnastics directing 100 national and international events.

Following her tenure at the Olympics Allison shared her knowledge and expertise with the Indiana Sports Corporation as Senior Vice President of Events. While at the Sports Corporation she bid on, planned, and directed numerous events including; Olympic Trials, World Championships, Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division I Basketball Championships, Big Ten Tournaments and administrated both Indianapolis Super Bowl bids for 2011 and 2012.

Allison has worked at 7 Olympic Games as an Associate Producer of the Gymnastics Competition and won 4 Emmy Awards for her work.

Allison is a native of Auburn, Maine and a graduate of Colorado State University. She has been an Indiana resident for over 25 years.

Gary Jones, CSEP, has worked in the hospitality and special events industry for over 15 years. His current title, Executive Director of Fun, expresses his view on life as well as the events he produces and works on. Equipped with a phenomenal passion for producing fabulous celebrations, Gary oversees every detail from start to finish.

Gary currently serves on the Board of Govenors for the International Special Events Society. Gary has earned international awards including the prestigious Esprit Award, as well as regional awards including the Texas Star Award. Gary earned his Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) in 2003.

Since 1997, Andy Ebon has been the owner-operator of EBS Virtual Communications, a Las Vegas based Internet marketing company. In early 2007, Andy refocused his company almost exclusively on Wedding Marketing, helping businesses more effectively connect with brides. He provides direct business consulting and marketing coaching and has been actively publishing one of the most highly read industry blogs: TheWeddingMarketingBlog.com. Andy recently co-authored “The Power of the Platform: Speakers on Purpose” featuring his chapter, “Building a Focused Social Media Strategy.” Andy is an international public speaker, giving keynotes, presentations and seminars, primarily on Wedding Marketing, Blogging and other New Social Media.

Jeff Bowe is Principal and Chief Strategist of ACTUM Group. Jeff conducts professional development programs for sales strategy and tactics, strategic thinking and business planning. Jeff’s diverse experience allows him to transcend industry lines to assist organizations in finding and crystallizing solutions to the problems of growth and succession. He has worked with numerous start-up entrepreneurial ventures, small to medium sized service and manufacturing entities, not-for-profits, as well as international chemical, research, and game and toy companies. Along with being an Adjunct Faculty of Psychology at Oakland City University, Adjunct Faculty of Finance at Anderson University, and a certified University of Phoenix Instructor, Jeff is an active public speaker and author on the buying/selling process, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, leadership, and personal and organizational focus

Jim Cerone has been hosting parties since 1980. In demand nationally as a public speaker, Jim has given his "Perfect Host" presentations in Chicago, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Niagara Falls and Phoenix, among other cities. Recently named Indiana's first Wedding Entertainment Director, Jim is on the National Board of Directors of the Wedding Entertainment Directors Guild. He is also a member of the American Disc Jockey Association and was elected to serve on the ADJA National Board of Directors from 2003-2006. Jim Cerone is represented by the prestigious Helen Wells Agency for his work as an on-camera and voice-over talent. In addition, Jim now serves on the board as President-Elect of ISES Indiana.

Bill Ferguson, CSEP, CERP is an experienced event coordinator and rental logistics manger with over 20 years of experience in the special event industry. Bill joined the team of Event Source, Columbus operations September 2006, and was recently promoted to General Manager with the opening of the new showroom and warehouse located near Polaris Mall. Some of the noted special events Event Source has been related with are the President of MBNA bank, Cleveland Browns, Case Western Reserve University, King James Inc., (Lebron James) as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Noted Columbus customers include The Governors Inaugural Ball - 2007 (10,000 guests) Abigail House, Cameron Mitchell Catering, Abercrombie & Fitch as well as Limited Brands. Bill earned his (CSEP) Certified Special Event Professional designation March 2003 and his (CERP) Certified Event Rental Professional designation December 2008. He is currently the ISES Midwest Regional Vice President.

Kevin White, CSEP is the Director of Production for the award-winning event and destination management firm Empire Force Events. For over a decade, he has been designing and producing corporate experiences worldwide. Kevin is an ISES past president of both the Philadelphia and New York chapters, has served as the chair of its international Certification Committee, and is currently serving his second term on ISES’s Board of Governors.

Kevin was one of the youngest event professionals to attain the CSEP certification. He is an Adjunct Professor at New York University in the Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management school and has been a presenter at university campuses and event industry conferences throughout the world on various event topics. Most recently Kevin has been focusing on environmental research and solutions for the event industry.

Tonya J. Shadoan, owner and president of Circle City Planners, prides herself in owning her own business and making a difference in the lives of the people around her. With a Masters degree in Education, Tonya enjoys educating her clients while bringing their vision to life. Since 2001 starting from the ground up, Tonya knew creating unique events for her clients was her true passion. Tonya is recognized in the Indianapolis market, as one of the top event designers and has a true commitment to her field.

Lady Fuchsia is a major award-winning event planner from London. She started her work primarily with weddings, but in more recent years has also opened herself up to planning any number of other events as well. A couple of her most recent well-known events were the reception last year for the wedding of Peter Phillips (son of Princess Anne, and 11th in line to the British throne) to Autumn Kelly, and the British Retail Consortium Dinner at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London just this last September. Some of her more recent awards include the BME Award for Outstanding Awards Show, the London Heritage Award for Outstanding Event Producer, and the Royal Institution of Great Britain Star of Excellence.