When thinking about who has had a significant impact on Colorado’s meetings and events industry, several influential figures come to mind. At Colorado Meetings & Events, we spoke with the presidents and chairs of four major associations whose commitments are focused on advancing the industry and engaging with the many people involved.
Daniel Stones, CMP, DES, senior director of industry relations at Cogent Global Solutions in Denver and president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Professional Meeting Management Association (RMPCMA), affectionately refers to Colorado’s unique professional community as the “Colorado Meeting Planner Mafia.” “Colorado may not be the largest group of planners and vendors in the country, but we are a very tight-knit and strong community. We are very supportive of each other and really enjoy being together,” he said.
Joining this tight-knit network is as simple as picking up the phone or sending an email. Before long, you’ll be one of the movers and shakers of Colorado’s meetings industry. “Take the first step, even if you’re nervous,” says Angela “Fig” Wirkler, Director of Sales for the Boulder Visitors Bureau and President of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of International Meeting Professionals (MPIRMC). “No matter which association you decide to join, everyone will be very welcoming and supportive of your growth.”
Paving the way
Stones joined RMPCMA 15 years ago and admits it took him a long time to get involved in chapter activities. In 2020, he was elected to the RMPCMA board of directors, initially serving as program director and becoming president three years later. “My very close friends Megan Fennell and Megan Martin stopped me at an RMPCMA event in 2019 and asked if I would like to join the board. We still joke that there certainly weren’t too many question marks around their ‘ask’,” he said with a laugh.
He admits that taking over his first board position in January 2020 was bad timing, as just two months later I was “bumbling through some amazing COVID events — social distance, hybrid, digital, multi-state hybrid, metaverse, etc.,” Stones recalls. “Those events were barely attended at the time, and they really thrust our chapter into the global spotlight. That had a huge impact on the next phase of my career.”
While serving as chapter president is a big responsibility, Stones stressed that it is just as rewarding as his membership in MPIRMC. “I get to work with the best and brightest in the industry, giving more to ourselves and our daily work. We are advocates for the industry, helping individuals advance their careers, and impacting the business events economy.”
Stone finds volunteering an important part of his job as senior director of industry relations for event production and audiovisual company Cogent Global Solutions. His meeting planning career began in 2005 at Solution Tree in Bloomington, Indiana, and continued at Educause in Louisville, Colorado, in 2013. In late 2020, he and his friends formed Denver-based third-party planning firm Coalesced Events to stay busy during the pandemic, and he continued coordinating webinars for the Medical Group Management Association in Englewood before joining Fenton, Missouri-based Maritz as director of strategic accounts.
Stones also stressed that getting involved is as easy as expressing an interest. “Contact any of our local chapters and ask what openings are available,” he said. “Most have a variety of needs, from board seats and committee roles to micro-volunteer opportunities. Pick something that sounds interesting and go for it. You can always try out for other roles, and you never know what you might enjoy doing.”
Build relationships
Wikler began working in the travel and hospitality industry in 2013 and has worked in various sales roles with Boulder Tourism since 2014. She is passionate about sharing the city’s unique charm with groups and admits to being “a wanderlust-obsessed travel freak.”
The guiding light of her career has been building relationships with so many people. “I cherish the opportunity to interact and connect with clients, partners and attendees,” Wirkler said. “Each event is unique, with different goals, attendees and locations. This keeps things fresh and exciting—every day in the office is a little different.”
She initially joined MPIRMC in 2016 to network with other meeting professionals and attract group business to Boulder, but her involvement grew into various volunteer roles and last year she became chapter president. She is also a member of RMPCMA, Destination Colorado Meetings and Destinations International.
“I quickly realized that my involvement brought more than just business opportunities,” Wirkler explained. “It allowed me to connect with the community, further my professional development, and foster personal growth. Joining these associations allows me to network with like-minded professionals, stay up to date on industry trends, and contribute to the advancement of the meetings and events industry that we all cherish.”
She stressed that serving as Chair is an honor. “I am able to help others find their voice while leading the organization, guiding its strategic direction, and ensuring that its mission and goals are achieved. This is a huge responsibility that I do not take lightly. It involves working with a dedicated team, making key decisions, and representing the organization as a voice to the community and industry.”
In addition to the stunning scenery and outdoor adventures, she appreciates Colorado’s collaborative spirit and genuine hospitality. “The community understands the power of tourism and welcomes visitors with open arms, ensuring everyone benefits from the success of tourism.”
Share business wisdom
Desiree Kelly, CPCE, was a molecular biologist before founding The Makery Cake Co. in 2006. While she is no longer involved in day-to-day cake production, her key role as president is to focus on operations and securing orders for the Centennial-based business.
Kelly’s business coach suggested joining an association where industry referrals could be made and there would be an opportunity to serve on the board of directors. “She suggested building up my brand strength and credibility so we could have a better position in the market,” Kelly recalls.
She found the Greater Denver chapter of the National Catering & Events Association was a good fit for her and joined in 2017, taking on a communications role on the board a year later. Next came the role of education director, because she noticed that “friends in the industry really needed to be more business savvy,” she says. “I had an MBA, and I thought I could help.”
After helping five members earn the Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE) designation, she became president in 2021 and has remained in that position ever since. Known affectionately as “Prez Dez,” she says, “I love how inclusive our organization is. When the industry thrives, the industry as a whole becomes stronger.”
Kelly especially enjoys helping organize creative chapter events. “I really love making people happy,” she shares. “I’m a nurturer by nature. Throwing a party brings such positive energy to everyone—people have a great time, they relax, they connect with friends, and everything is positive.”
She joined the Colorado National Speakers Association (NSA) in 2019. “I joined the NSA because I speak publicly a lot and wanted to learn how to get better at it,” Kelly said. “I primarily speak about entrepreneurship at high schools and colleges. I’ve spoken at the Future Business Leaders of America conference and gave a TED-style talk at the Colorado Convention Industry Council’s Global Meetings Industry Day.”
Embracing industry collaboration
Sydney Rhea, CEM, became president of the Colorado Convention Industry Council (MIC) in July, aiming to attract more planners to the 25th annual MIC Conference and Trade Show in Denver next March 25-26. The council will also host the Serving Hope Luncheon on Nov. 14 this year to raise money for the nonprofit Food Bank of the Rockies.
“I love that Colorado MIC is made up of 12 different organizations from across the hospitality and events industry,” she said. “Each organization has its own priorities, but working together ensures Colorado’s hospitality and events industry is well supported and promotes future collaboration among all industries.”
Rhea joined the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) in 2015 while working at New York City-based Penton Media (later acquired by London, England-based Informa). “I joined because my supervisor encouraged me to further my education beyond what my company offered and learn more about the trade show industry. She supported me in taking 10 industry-related courses over three years, culminating in my Certificate in Exhibition Management (CEM),” she says.
Rhea’s involvement has led her to serve as IAEE’s representative to MIC, communications director, treasurer and president. “It is an honor to serve as president of MIC, which aligns with my commitment to elevating Colorado’s hospitality and convention industry,” she said. “It is about carrying on a tradition of excellence and fostering collaboration to ensure the continued vitality of our industry.”
Today, she’s the sustainability program delivery manager for Informa Markets North America, which has offices across the North American continent (including one in Boulder), where she leads trade show and conference sustainability initiatives for the geographic division of the world’s largest trade show production company. “I advise more than 70 conferences and trade shows on sustainable practices and influence sustainability in their industries,” she explains.
Previously, she worked in operations at Informa, organizing and executing trade shows for up to 14,000 attendees, as well as planning weddings and celebrations in New York City. “For me, the meetings and events industry is all about collaborating to bring an individual or group’s vision to life,” says Rhea.
Investing in the future of the conference and hospitality industry is a priority for Rhea, and one of the ways she achieves this is by giving back and mentoring others who are entering or expanding into the industry. “I encourage seasoned professionals to do the same, as teaching is often more rewarding and valuable than working in a vacuum,” she says.
bouldercoloradousa.com
cogentglobalsolutions.com
IAEA website
Information Market Network
themakery.com
mic-colorado.org
mpi website
Nass Network
nsaspeaker.org
pcma.org
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