Unsolicited Advice: Eventerview Series with Zoe Moore: Recent Episodes
Zoe Moore
Unsolicited Advice: Eventerview Series is raw dialogue focused on evolving the hospitality, events and tourism industry. Business Leaders, Resource Executives and DEI Practitioners are invited to share their thoughts about the current challenges the industry faces, what excuses are being made and what solutions need to be implemented that will lead to measurable and sustainable change.
This series will lay the groundwork for soon to be released training, webinars and courses for industry leaders seeking DEI certification and guidance.
An Inclusive Event Strategist, Resource Broker & Consultant, Zoe Moore interviews each guest as an educator leading the dialogue around Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in the meetings, events and tourism industry. Co-founder of CADAZO Consulting Group, she uses her platforms to help leaders achieve supplier diversity, inclusive organizational culture and diverse representation in leadership.
"What gets measured gets managed but people shouldn't be a statistic." -Nikki Benner
Nicole facilitates organizational achievement of business development goals and objectives through effective and strategic planning, management, and execution of virtual, hybrid, and live meetings and events. With nearly 20 years of corporate and association meetings management, her marketing, project management, and event logistics experience for private-sector and non- profit organizations provides companies with expertise in all aspects of strategic meeting development and execution, ensuring the goals and objectives of each event is aligned to those of the overall organization. She has a TiVo-like ability to take in feedback and assimilate that into her work-product, providing spot-on results that are tailored specifically to both the individual and the project. As a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Virtual Event and Meeting Manager (VEMM), her expertise includes marketing plan and budget development, contract negotiations for event partners and suppliers, event logistics management, email and social media marketing (copywriting and basic HTML coding), and integrated marketing strategies for live, hybrid, and virtual/digital meetings and events. She is also a certified Pandemic Compliance Advisor (PCA) for meetings and events, have earned her Pandemic Meeting and Event Design (PMED) designation, and have been trained in contact tracing. Specialties: Planning and logistical management of corporate and professional association events, including educational seminars, networking dinners and cocktail parties, golf outings, awards ceremonies, and more. Pandemic safety and compliance certified. Development and execution of comprehensive marketing plans and related budgets, including advertising, public relations, national industry-related article placements, speaking engagements, and business development.
"Because if you're committed to change there is going to be some labor that you're going to feel but it also depends are you willing to challenge people." -Tanida Mullen
Tanida is an experienced Sales Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the marketing and advertising industry. Executive Coaching, Team Building, and and Facilitating are my strengths. She has a Bachelor's degree focused in Psychology from Texas A&M University-Central Texas.
Tanida is currently a co-chair for Meeting Professional International Diversity & Inclusion committee.
Tanida has been able to tune into what customers want, create and implement result producing training programs, and ensure that it benefits her company’s bottom line. Due to her excellent communication skills, she was selected to be her company’s Training Coordinator, and has created and led leadership, sales and customer service classes to promote employee development. Her success has been the result of her creativity and thirst for knowledge. Tanida is a member of a number of associations including the Texas Travel Industry Association, Texas association of convention & Visitors Bureau, Texas Society of Association Executives , and Meeting Professionals International. She has served on the board of the Greater Killeen Young Professionals, Killeen Chamber of Commerce, the board of American Advertising Federation. Tanida is also a long time Toastmaster (yep, just what is sounds like) One of her recent speaking engagements includes serving as a keynote speaker for the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) regional leadership conference. She has been in the hospitality industry for over twelve years and is well sought after luminary for young professionals. Her podcast “The Savvy Young Professional” focuses on helping young professionals navigate through careers, leadership and life the Savvy Way.
"Hope is not a strategy, luck is not a factor, doing nothing is not an option, change is inevitable, progress is optional, the next step is up to you." -Dr. Patti Phillips
ROI Institute, Inc., founded in 1992, is a service-driven, industry leader in measurement and evaluation. With a combined 50 years experience in measuring and evaluating training, human resources, technology and quality programs and initiatives, founders and owners Jack J. Phillips, Ph.D. and Patti P. Phillips, Ph.D., are the leading experts in return on investment (ROI).We strive to assist professionals and organizations with improving their programs and processes through the use of the ROI Methodology. We do this through consulting and research projects for organizations, specialized internal workshops, public ROI Certification workshops that enable professionals to earn the designation of Certified ROI Professional, and release publications on the measurement and evaluation. We have worked with dozens of Fortune 500 companies and government agencies in the USA, as well as with industries and public sector organizations around the world. The ROI Methodology was developed by Dr. Jack J. Phillips in the 1970s, refined through application and use in the 1980s and implemented globally during the 1990s. The methodology is now is a critical tool for having success in measuring and evaluating programs in 22 applications in 65 countries. ROI Institute offers a variety of consulting services, learning opportunities and publications. In addition, it conducts internal research activities for the organization, other enterprises, public sector entities, industries and interest groups. Together with their team, Jack and Patti Phillips serve private and public sector organizations globally optional, the next step is up to you." -Dr. Patti Phillips
"Amongst the first thing I would say as people rally around the idea of DEI in 2021 especially in the destinations and meeting industry, you don't go it alone."
Greg DeShields is a qualified Tourism/Hospitality and Academic Professional proficient in developing and implementing plans, strategies and initiatives specifically designed to raise destinations image for diverse multicultural travel. Experienced Diversity Equity and Inclusion practitioner with a demonstrated cultural competence.
Greg is a Graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, with an A.S. Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management; and B.S. Degree in Hospitality Management. His professional certifications include: American Hotel & Lodging Association, Educational Institute – Certified Hospitality Educator – 2013 Asian American Hotel Owners Association – Certified Hotel Owner 2013
Recently Greg served as Managing Director of Business Development for Temple University Fox School of Business & School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. Professionally, Greg has been a manager in the hospitality industry for such companies as Hyatt Hotel, Omni Hotels, Sheraton Hotels, Korman Company, General Manager of Philadelphia OIC’s Opportunities Inn: Hospitality Training Institute
Greg’s Board membership and committee chairs include: American Hotel & Lodging Association Multicultural & Diversity Advisory Council, Asian American Hotel Owners Association Center City District (Philadelphia), Center City Proprietors Association (Philadelphia), COMHAR Inc. (Philadelphia) Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Independent Business Alliance (Philadelphia), Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center, Responsible Hospitality Institute - National Board and SKAL International (Philadelphia)
Greg is an active member of the Council on Hotel & Restaurant Institute Educators, The American Hotel & Lodging Association, Meeting Professionals International, Hispanic Meeting Professionals, National Association of Black Hotel Owners Operators and Developers, and Hispanic Hotel Owners Association.
His interests include cars, travel, and most importantly cooking.
" I think if we could sort of put the shame aside and acknowledge, there is imperfection but what am I going to do about it, get some help, get some guidance and start educating ourselves and never stop..."
Anna Marie Rembold has been creatively connecting colleagues, friends and family ever since she can remember. It just comes naturally to her. Anna’s (Phi Beta Kappa) educational background in fine arts and deep corporate business experience, coupled with her warm personality give her all the right ingredients for working with many different personalities, flexibly adapting as event budgets and conditions change and planning unforgettable events down to the last detail. Quality, professionalism and high standards are the mantra of Anna Marie Events.
Anna’s client-side corporate background is a unique asset and positions Anna Marie Events to immediately add value when planning corporate and special events. Prior to launching Anna Marie Events, Anna served as Director of Administration for a private equity firm with over $1B in assets under management. As a member of the management team, Anna participated in strategic decision-making and directed and led all client-facing as well as internal events for the firm. With 20+ years of event planning experience, Anna and her experienced team of events professionals offer clients the perfect blend of innovative designers, multi-tasking project managers, fierce negotiators, and strategic advisors.
The Metavent virtual events platform enables your company to build attendee excitement with a visually stunning, engaging experience at every event. Our innovative virtual and hybrid events solution, Metavent, delivers an unparalleled, cinematic audience experience to drive maximum attendee engagement and powerful real-time data and analytics. Now you can create, plan and host an unlimited range of branded corporate events, big and small, in a single platform. Amplify your brand, expand your event capacity and reach, increase audience engagement and power up your impact. Brand your unique virtual environments to reflect your company culture, design aesthetic, products and creativity. With design and innovation at the forefront, Metavent leverages technology to use stunning graphics, audio and 3D video to drive unparalleled audience impact.
"There is nothing about a culture that is inferior or incorrect as we're often led to believe." -Farzin Farzad
Farzin Farzad is a practitioner of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) with experience in higher education, local government and the private sector. Holding two master's degrees in international affairs and diplomacy as well as a certificate in conflict resolution skills, Farzin leverages his unique academic background, extensive travel experience, and experiential knowledge to provide deep, thought-provoking local and global approaches to DEI work. In addition to DEI training and education programs, Farzin is a seasoned DEI project manager with expertise in strategies that build equitable workplace environments, equitable government services, as well as Employee Resource Group events and programs.
Critical Equity Consulting, LLC, was developed with the goal of centering equity and justice in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). We are a boutique Virginia-based consultancy that uses a systems-oriented approach to probe deeply and critically into daily operations in order to bring about revolutionary progress to your organization. Our focus is on taking a deep look at foundation, values, and structure, and helping you rebuild into an institution that focuses on equitable outcomes for your workforce and the clients you serve. With the right framework and training, creating dynamic and inclusive working environments can blossom organically, allowing you to catalyze a more healthy and psychologically safe workplace. Once this solidarity is achieved in your workforce, a mission-driven organization that centers employee well-being naturally translates to an institution that delivers the best outcomes for the people you serve. At Critical Equity Consulting, we believe that developing a reputation for being an equitable and inclusive organization is the best tool for your diversity recruitment efforts.
“If you don't have a diversity strategy, you don’t have a growth strategy.” - Bonnie Ott-Smith
Bonnie is an established expert in the marketing and media industry with a unique combination of 18+ years experience as a brand and agency marketer. She has been recognized as a revenue-driving, brand-building and results-oriented marketing professional and strategic partner. Her superpower is connecting Fortune 50 brands with the world’s most powerful consumer: women—with an unsurpassed expertise on women of color. Bonnie is an expert in connecting brands and media outlets with the demographic of the greatest untapped potential and largest projected growth, and is recognized for coining the term “unique and vivid,” evolving the descriptor of the demographic of underrepresented women, giving dimension and depth to this multi-dimensional, valuable and savvy consumer.
She is known for developing some of red carpet season’s most high profile events for Entertainment Weekly, ESSENCE and PEOPLE en Español, including The Sundance Film Festival, the Pre-Emmy Party, and the Island Def Jam Grammy Party. Activations and experiences include brands such as COVERGIRL, P&G’s My Black is Beautiful, Always, Kraft, Bank of America, L’Oreal Paris, Pampers and more. Top media clients include Showtime Networks, NBC Sports Group, FOX Empire, ESSENCE and Midwest Living. Her expertise was featured in Adweek’s D&I spotlight on Black-owned agency leaders, NBC New York’s African Americans and Advertising segment and Forbes CMO Next 2019.
She was also named a Crain’s Chicago Notable Entrepreneur and one of Biz Bash’s Most Innovative People in Events. Industry-leading awards include the 25th ESSENCE Festival Editor’s Choice, Lifestyle Legend Award for Always Discreet, the 2019 ANA Multicultural Excellence Award and 2019 Ex Award for P&G’s My Black is Beautiful ESSENCE Festival campaign. Bonnie’s creative experience agency, Studio B, designs and produces diverse events and experiences authentically and effectively connecting brands to consumers by celebrating the lives of unique and vivid women.
Studio B is proud to be nationally certified by the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council. Bonnie’s love of culture runs deep, and is evidenced by the time she took an internship at a radio station for access to free concert tickets and rode a last-minute Greyhound to see Madonna perform. Her love of reading diverse titles was cultivated by working in a bookstore and using her minimum wage pay to purchase books she was charged with re-shelving. Her passions include chocolate, Italy, her family and making opportunities equitable and accessible for all.
Bonnie has a B.A. in Speech Communications from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a degree in Art History, Italian Language and Culture from L’Universita Per Stranieri, Siena, Italy and a certificate from The Executive Leadership Council: The Institute for Leadership & Development. She is also a proud member of the WINGS Metro Leadership Council. Bonnie wishes she was a black belt in karate (current title is green.)