5th Annual Meeting Planner Workshop

Oct. 10, 2019

Stephen O'Connor

CEO

O'Design Productions & Consulting

Stephen O’Connor is Owner and CEO of O'Design Productions and Consulting, a breakthrough company that provides Audio Visual productions, consulting, and training to meeting professionals, companies and Associations. A former Disney employee, Hollywood Video Producer and VP of Sales and Marketing for various AV and event companies, Stephen approaches conference AV in a completely different way – from a creative soul and a meeting planner’s heart. The result is an efficient process that removes the headache and hassle normally associated with conference AV, and replaces it with the free mind space needed to create a heightened conference experience - regardless of budget. In addition to speaking around the country, Stephen offers AV Bootcamps to meeting planners looking to improve their understanding of AV basics, terminology, and contract negotiations.

Joanne Dennison, MSEd, CMP

The Guidance Counselor for Grown Ups

The Ordinary Success Project LLC

Joanne has owned her own business for more than 25 years which originally focused on the planning of meetings and events. Returning to her roots as an educator, she now spends more of her time in the front of the meeting room. Her speaking takes her into two different worlds.

Through The MeetGuide, she is best known for being an expert educator in the event and meeting planning field, having presented throughout the US in addition to Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, China and Thailand. She has taught preparation classes for the CMP exam, since 2000. People find the education taught by Joanne for the exam to be applicable to their job, and so engaging and high energy she has been told the time passes quickly.

Joanne expanded to include personal and professional development topics and has been affectionately tagged “The Guidance Counselor for Grown Ups" where she works with individuals and organizations to answer “What’s Next?”

Jaya Dillard

Sales & Services Manager

St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau

Jaya is responsible for attracting group business to the destination, prospecting to all markets (social, military, educational, reunion, fraternal, corporate and weddings/ special events as well as sports and recreational.

Dillard started her hospitality career as a front desk and night-auditor agent at a Holiday Inn hotel in Daytona Beach. She later joined Celebrity Resorts as the Owner Services Manager overseeing owner accounts. By 2005 Dillard had joined the sales team at Hammock Beach Resort as the Sales Administrator also in Palm Coast. Prior to joining the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra VCB in 2009, Dillard served as the Tourism Coordinator for Flagler County Chamber of Commerce – Tourism Branch where she supported the growth and awareness of Palm Coast and the Beaches tourism efforts. During Jaya’s tenure at Flagler Chamber through 2006-2009 Palm Coast was recognized as one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S.

Currently Dillard holds a Certified Diversity Meeting Professional accreditation and a Certified Government Meeting Professional accreditation, representing knowledge and respect in working with both diverse and government markets of all realms. With over 20 years in the hospitality industry, Dillard’s hunger for growth continues to excel. Receiving her Bachelor of Science from the Historical Flagler College in St. Augustine and a Master’s in Public Administration from Barry University, she is currently pursuing an Educational Doctorate at Nova Southeastern University. Dillard brings a proactive approach in providing a unique, memorable and most importantly a fun experience for her group attendees.

Barbara Bennett

Director of Personnel and Financial Services

Universityof Florida Teaching and Technology 

Barbara Bennett, Director of Personnel and Financial Services within the Office of Teaching and Technology has been with the University of Florida for 20 years.  The office is responsible for the 143 fund activity for the institution ensuring compliance with relevant Federal, State, and University rules and regulations.

Wilcley Lima

Associate Director for Auxillary Services

University of Florida 

Wilcley Lima is Associate Director for Auxiliary Services at the University of Florida, where he oversees the Gator 1 Card services, the department’s IT, and management of contracts including vending, food service, the bookstore. He oversees the Approved Caterer program, coordinating with about 100 local businesses who deliver food to campus for University functions. Wilcley also leads sustainability efforts for UF Business Services by working with partners to reduce energy use and improve waste diversion. Wilcley started working for UF Business Services in 2012 and has led projects in collaboration with departments across the University, developing technologies and systems that simplify processes for students, faculty, staff, family members, and alumni.

Tiffany Schmidt

Assistant Vice President & Director

Contracts & Grants Accounting 

Tiffany has worked in various financial services roles for the University of Florida since 1998. Prior to joining the University of Florida Tiffany worked in the banking industry.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1997 from the Florida Institute of Technology. 

As Assistant Vice President and Director, Tiffany is charged with the leadership and management of the Division of Contracts & Grants Accounting whose mission is to oversee and support all post-award financial functions for sponsored and related projects.

Nicola Heredia

Director

Procurement Services