Official Bochure The Signature CEO Conference 2016

OCTOBER 31 NOVEMBER 1

2016

WELCOME The Signature CEO Conference 2016 www.thesignatureceo.com | #thesignatureceo

I AM SO EXCITED THAT YOU ARE HERE!

WELCOME From the Founder I am delighted to welcome you to The Signature C.E.O Conference which brings together a diverse group of creative professionals in the wedding and event planning industry.

The conference program is rich with dynamic speakers who are leaders within their own professions, and are breaking barriers as successful business owners.

This 2­day event is an opportunity for you to experience a hands­on instructional conference developed to challenge and empower YOU! The most remarkable characteristic of the conference is that it was designed with care to focus on the skill­set of entrepreneurs and businesses within the wedding and event planning industry. The conference will concentrate and stimulate best practices, unconventional learning, sharing, and how to improve your overall business acumen. This very spirit is the driving force behind The Signature C.E.O Conference, and this spirit is what has prompted the organization of the conference; a friendly, invaluable and inspiring community event that helps us all become better at what we do!

The event planning industry is an exciting and an ever­changing market, and The Signature C.E.O Conference strives to meet and bring inspiring people together in forums like this, to ensure that you and your business remains at the cutting edge and conquer SUCCESS! Creating successful Chief Event Officers…Business Intelligence for the Savvy Wedding and Event Professional!

I hope that you will find the conference both invaluable and enjoyable!

Cheerfully, Tara Melvin, Chief Event Officer Perfect Planning Events | The Signature C.E.O Conference www.perfectplanningbytara.com | www.thesignatureceo.com

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A BRAND IS WORTHLESS IF IT DOESN'T CONNECT WITH THE RIGHT AUDIENCE IN A RELEVANT WAY!

BE SOCIAL! Why use Social Media?

Marketing is no longer about the stuff you make, but about the stories you tell. (Seth Godin)

#thesignatureceo | #thesignatureceo16 #perfectplanningevents

signatureceo | perfectplanning

thesignatureceo | perfectplanin2

thesignatureceo | perfectplanningeventsdc

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DAY ONE, MONDAY, OCTOBER 31ST

AGENDA 7:30 am ­ 8:00 am R3egistration | Continental Breakfast Vendor Booths Open 8:00 am Open Remarks | Tara Melvin 8:15 am Keynote Speaker | Jocelyn Delk Adams "Defining my Road Map­ From Passion to Platform" 9:15 am Speaker | Myleik Teele "Taking Your Business to the Next Level with Social Media" 10:15 am BREAK Vendor Booths Open 10:30 am Keynote Speaker | Funlayo Alabi "How to Dare to Be Different" 11:30 am

B y J o ySpeaker | Dominique Broadway ce Wright Photographs by Mark Halberg "Managing Your Money & Making More as an Entrepreneur" 12:30 pm LUNCH Vendor Booths Open

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

1:30 pm Speaker | Tiffany Chalk "Optimizing the Pricing Strategy …Charging Your Worth (Pricing to Win/Pricing to Perform)" 2:30 pm Speaker | Sandy Hammer "The Technology Toolkit…Business Apps to Help You Be More Efficient and Save You Money" 3:30 pm BREAK Vendor Booths Open 4:00 pm Speaker | Meryl Snow "Prospecting & Closing the Deal" 5:00 pm Speaker | Brian Wendroff "Managing Your Business with QuickBooks" 6:00 pm Closing Remarks | Tara Melvin 6:15 pm Cocktail Reception Vendor Booths Open 7:00 pm Formal Dinner

N O M A D I C P A| G 2E 4 | 2

DAY TWO, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

AGENDA 7:30am ­ 8:00 am Registration | Continental Breakfast Vendor Booths Open

1:30 pm Speaker | Myrna P. Daramy "Marketing Your Brand in the Digital Era"

8:00 am Open Remarks | Tara Melvin

2:30 pm Speaker | Dr. Antwain Goode "Bet the Farm...Be More Prepared Today to Reach Your Dreams! Unleash the Productivity within You"

8:15 am Speaker | Maya Warburton Holihan "Leading Through Crisis, Change, and Growth" 9:15 am FEATURED Keynote Speakers | Ginger Johnson & Liz Pickett "TBD" 10:15 am BREAK Vendor Booths Open 10:30 am Speaker | Stephen Marshall "Drawing the Line…Contractor vs. Employee"

3:30 pm BREAK Vendor Booths Open 4:00 pm Speaker | Chef Dana Eugene Herbert "6 Things Every Business Owner Must Have in Place" 5:00 pm Closing Remarks | Tara Melvin 5:15 pm THE END

11:30 am

B y J oKeynote Speaker | Marilyn Crouther yce Wright Photographs by Mark Halberg "How to Become a Person of Influence within Your Industry" 12:30 pm LUNCH Vendor Booths Open

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

N O M A D I C P A| G 2E 4 | 3

Ginger Johnson & Liz Pickett Jocelyn Delk Adams

THE SIGNATURE CEO CONFERENCE '16

Funlayo Alabi Marilyn Crouther Myleik Teele

THE SPEAKERS

Meryl Snow Maya Warburton Holihan Chef Dana Eugene Herbert Sandy Hammer Dominique Broadway Stephen Marshall Myrna Plaisir Daramy Tiffany Chalk Brian Wendroff

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Dr. Antwain Goode

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JOCELYN DELK-ADAMS GRANDBABY CAKES GRANDBABYCAKES

MY CAREER

DEFINING MY ROADMAP...

FROM PASSION TO PLATFORM

Jocelyn Delk Adams is the author of the award winning and Amazon best selling cookbook Grandbaby Cakes and the founder of Grandbaby Cakes, a food blog which gives her family’s, particularly her grandmother’s, cherished generational recipes her modern spin while preserving the most important ingredient- tradition. Jocelyn is a brand ambassador and writer for top brands Coca-Cola, Pillsbury, McCormick, Safest Choice Eggs, and KitchenAid. In the short span of 3 years, Grandbaby Cakes has been featured on the TODAY Show, The Rachael Ray Show, ABC World News Now, Hallmark Channel, Better Homes and Gardens, O (The Oprah) Magazine, The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS, Essence Magazine, Southern Living Magazine, The New York Times Online, and many, many more.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: How it all began: Following my curiosity to find purpose Creating my business plan Creating Intent, Niche and Developing your audience/customer Developing Growth and Engagement

Jocelyn's first cookbook Grandbaby Cakes was released in September 2015 and was featured as a top fall cookbook by People Magazine, Vanity Fair, Yahoo! and Epicurious.

It also won the Gourmand World Award 2016 for Best Blogger Cookbook USA and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award 2016- Outstanding Literary Instructional Work.

She is the founder of A Charitable Confection, an anti-violence dessert fundraiser featuring the top bakeries in Chicago. Jocelyn hopes Grandbaby Cakes will continue to deliver inspired recipes shaped by the past but reinvented for the present which will encourage new generations of dessert enthusiasts to learn how to bake and create new family memories for years to come.

The Big Risk (and Payoff) Setting quarterly/yearly goals Marketing and branding your business The amazing growth of Grandbaby Cakes Diversifying your reach

National and Local Television Appearances: TODAY Show

Awards & Recognitions:

The Rachael Ray Show

Gourmand World Cookbook Award- Best

ABC World News Now

Blogger Cookbook 2016

CBS Thanksgiving Day Parade

NAACP Image Award Nomination-

Hallmark Channel- Home and Family

Outstanding Literary Instructional 2016

Fox News Chicago

The Kitchn Homies - Best Recipe Blog

WGN Chicago

Nominee 2013

CBS Chicago

Black Weblog Awards 2013 Best Food Blog

WCIU Chicago

Nominee

Morning Blend Milwaukee

Yahoo! Shine Club Best Holiday Recipes Winner Article - 2012

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MYLEIK TEELE CURLBOX

&

MYTAUGHTYOU.COM

MYTAUGHTYOU MYLEIK

MY CAREER

TAKING YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

California-bred innovator, Myleik Teele, has revolutionized the way women address their curly hair needs. As the founder of curlBOX, an exclusive monthly subscription box full of amazing products, the stylish entrepreneur has garnered partnerships with Procter & Gamble, Carol’s Daughter, Walmart, Target, SheaMoisture and OGX. Before creating curlBOX, the San Francisco State University graduate honed her talents for a decade in public relations, working with brands such as Calvin Klein Cosmetics, The Grammy Awards, American Idol and Nike, as well as music artists Prince, Linkin Park and Travis Barker. In 2010, she launched her own agency, Arts of Facts Public Relations, and quickly became one of the top agencies in Atlanta.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: • Explanation of the platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Snapchat, Vine, Slack • Choosing the right platform for your business • Set goals for your business + use it to: Increase company credibility

Naturally, Teele’s zeal for building brands would lead her to create the premier hair

Drive lead generation or e-commerce purchases

sampling box that’s developed a cult following of savvy women. The brand has amassed

Increase traffic to website

over 300k Instagram followers and created the popular web series, curlBOX TV, that gives

Demonstrate corporate identity & culture

viewers a behind-the-scenes look at their favorite hair care brands. Teele also led the charge in 2014 for a massive St. Jude Children’s Hospital fundraiser in cities all over the nation.

The 5k walk has become an annual curlBOX tradition, which brings together hundreds of multi-cultural women. To date, the brand has raised over $40,000.

Increase feedback from customers Add an additional avenue for customer service interactions • Focus on desired outcomes first • Incorporating brand personality and voice

Teele’s influence remains ever-strong in her personal brand and website, MyTaughtYou,

• Identifying influencers

with over 80k Instagram followers and a thriving podcast series, which garners millions of

• Creating action plans

downloads. Teele has fashioned herself the millennial girl’s big sister, dishing out spot-on entrepreneurial advice, as evidenced by the success of her two journals Learn More to Earn More and This Is My Year. She’s been featured in ESSENCE Magazine’s 2016 Power Issue and #BlackGirlMagic digital interview series, and was a featured speaker at Starbucks’ 100,000 Opportunities Initiative.

• Embracing the visual • Headlines matter

– content creation – IMAGES MATTER

– Creating better titles

• Sharing at the right time • Don’t be afraid to post MULTIPLE TIMES • Ask Questions

Teele has, almost effortlessly, delivered the blueprint for marketing both your talent and

• When Should I Pay to Play?

persona. Her scores of young female supporters stay hungry for her insightful anecdotes and

• Social Media Laws: Listening, Focus, Quality, Reciprocity

tips, and absolutely won’t be going anywhere any time soon.

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FUNLAYO ALABI SHEA RADIANCE SHEARADIANCE

MY CAREER

HOW TO DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

Funlayo Alabi, the co-founder and CEO of Shea Radiance, believes that a jar of cream can change the world. Her business was born while trying to find a natural solution to her son's dry and eczema prone skin. She re-discovered Shea Butter; a natural healing balm sourced from the Shea fields of West Africa. Soon, her interest in the efficacy and sustainability of Shea Butter would lead her back to West Africa. In West Africa, Shea Butter is called

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

"Women's Gold,” because women use the proceeds to feed, clothe and educate their children. After realizing the impact Shea Butter could have on alleviating poverty for 16 million Women Shea Producers and their communities, the focus of her business shifted.

TBD

Shea Radiance has since championed the cause of Women’s Gold.

Funlayo holds a BA in International Business from Howard University and an MBA from Regent University. Her speaking and training engagements have included: USAID/West Africa Trade Hub

– Shea Financing Seminar, USAID/Global Shea Alliance Conference

(Abuja, Nigeria), HBA Global Educational series NY 2013 and the Global Shea Alliance Inaugural Event in NYC. Her company, Shea Radiance, has been featured by notable press including: Inc.com, Essence Magazine, Organic Spa magazine, Massage and Body Work, New Hope magazine, The Baltimore Sun, and Beauty Packaging Magazine.

Passionate and committed to poverty alleviation among rural West African communities, Funlayo supports economic empowerment through trade as the key to uplifting women and their families. And that is why she believes a jar of cream can change the world!

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DOMINIQUE BROADWAY FINANCES DE•MYS•TI•FIED MSFINANCECOACH DOMINIQUEBROADWAY

MY CAREER

MANAGING YOUR MONEY & MAKING MORE AS AN ENTREPRENEUR

Funlayo Alabi, the co-founder and CEO of Shea Radiance, believes that a jar of cream can change the world. Her business was born while trying to find a natural solution to her son's dry and eczema prone skin. She re-discovered Shea Butter; a natural healing balm sourced from the Shea fields of West Africa. Soon, her interest in the efficacy and sustainability of

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Shea Butter would lead her back to West Africa. In West Africa, Shea Butter is called "Women's Gold,” because women use the proceeds to feed, clothe and educate their children. After realizing the impact Shea Butter could have on alleviating poverty for 16

How to create a step-by-step plan to set and reach your

million Women Shea Producers and their communities, the focus of her business shifted.

revenue goals

Shea Radiance has since championed the cause of Women’s Gold.

Best ways to separate business and personal finances

Funlayo holds a BA in International Business from Howard University and an MBA from

How to handle taxes as an entrepreneur

Regent University. Her speaking and training engagements have included: USAID/West

Budgeting with inconsistent income

Africa Trade Hub

How to create your own retirement plan

– Shea Financing Seminar, USAID/Global Shea Alliance Conference

(Abuja, Nigeria), HBA Global Educational series NY 2013 and the Global Shea Alliance Inaugural Event in NYC.

Pay off debt and improve your credit score How your business actually builds credit

Her company, Shea Radiance, has been featured by notable press including: Inc.com, Essence Magazine, Organic Spa magazine, Massage and Body Work, New Hope magazine, The Baltimore Sun, and Beauty Packaging Magazine.

Passionate and committed to poverty alleviation among rural West African communities, Funlayo supports economic empowerment through trade as the key to uplifting women and their families. And that is why she believes a jar of cream can change the world!

The answers to your burning entrepreneurial business questions

This interactive (dare I say Fun!!) session will show you how to improve and manage your business and personal finances with easy techniques that will help keep your finances in shape and allow you to focus on growing and making more money in your business. Expect to leave with clarity on how taxes works as a entrepreneur, free tools that can help you pay down debt quickly and improve and keep that credit sexy and how to get capital for your business now.

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TIFFANY CHALK TIFFANY CHALK EVENTS TIFFANYCHALKEVENTS

MY CAREER Tiffany Chalk is a sought after event planner and event design specialist. Dedicated to her craft, Tiffany stays abreast of what she calls

“T3”™ (the latest techniques, technology and

OPTIMIZING THE PRICING STRATEGY...

CHARGING YOUR WORTH (PRICING TO WIN, PRICING TO PERFORM

talent boosters), by learning from the best in her industry; Preston Bailey and Stacie Francombe. Tiffany made the decision to follow her passion of event planning in 2007.

Tiffany has become one of the Tri-State area’s most sought-after

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

event planners and speaker, earning the awards, TV appearances and accolades across the region. Tiffany sets herself apart from her contemporaries with her distinctive ability to go beyond her clients’ expectations without compromising style and sophistication, even with

One of the hardest things that creative entrepreneurs deal with is pricing

the most modest of budgets. Her savvy business acumen proves to be an asset in vendor

to win. Not knowing your value and being unsure of the market you

contract negotiations and, her charismatic demeanor ensures that her clients have an

serve will leave you feeling overworked and underpaid. Enough of the

enjoyable experience throughout each step of the planning process In addition to being an

“Price is Right” mentality learn how to charge your worth and GET

entrepreneur, Tiffany is a loving wife, mother and fashionista with a penchant for designer

PAID!

handbags. She is currently an instructor at Delaware Technical Community College where she teaches the wedding and event planning certificate course.

Deliverables: • Clarify who your ideal client • Learn the value of your time

ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Creating win-win packages

SoughtAfter Wedding & Event Planner • Instructor Delaware Technical Community

• Selling your service not your price

College • Featured, Preston Bailey Blog • Featured in Munaluchi Bridal • Speaker, Inspire Smart Success 2016-2015 • Speaker, CaterSource Event Solutions 2016-2015 • The Special Event Show 2016, 2014 • Speaker, Wedding MBA 2015 • Association of Bridal Consultants regional 2016 • Speaker, Two Bright Lights • Featured, DelmarvaLife • Featured, Bridal Guide • Featured, The Knot • Appearance, FOX Good day Philadephia • Appearance, FOX21 Delmarva • Women in Weddings 2013 • and MUCH MORE!!

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SANDY HAMMER ALLSEATED ALLSEATED

MY CAREER

Sandy comes with her own entrepreneurial experience of having started two businesses, and has over twenty years of Marketing/Business Development experience in the publishing, art,

THE TECHNOLOGY TOOLKIT...

BUSINESS APPS TO HELP YOU BE MORE EFFICIENT & SAVE YOU MONEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

and high-tech industries. Sandy founded conferenceART a company that produces corporate conferences, seminars, forums and brokerage events around the world for customers such as Orange Global, Telefonica, and O2 UK, as well as many startups in Israel and the UK.

Understanding inspiration and turning it into innovation allows technology to flow through your business. Technology is not about being afraid or saying I don’t have time

AllSeated is the first online collaboration platform built specifically for the events industry by industry professionals themselves. They know that planning an event, whether it’s a wedding, a charity function, or a corporate meeting, requires constant attention to detail and ongoing coordination between venues, event planners, vendors, and event hosts. Those details can be difficult to manage, and coordination between all the required parties can be

– understanding what

software can do for you and your company is probably one of the most important parts of running your company! Companies today cannot run efficiently without using tools to help! Don’t be behind, be the forward thinker!

nearly impossible. That’s why their platform was designed for ease of use and hosted in the cloud, with a centralized and secured website.

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MERYL SNOW MERYL SNOW CONSULTANTS SNOWCONSULTANT MERYLSNOW

PROSPECTING & CLOSING THE DEAL

MY CAREER Meryl Snow has been a mainstay in the special events & catering industry for the last twenty-eight years as cofounder of Feastivities Events, along with its subsidiaries OffShoots Decor and Philadelphia's Picnic Company.

Her philosophies have proved successful for not only her own business, but also many other companies, trade organizations, and universities have benefited from her training and advice. As a Senior Consultant for Catersource, the largest trade organization for caterers in

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: When the value of your product/service EXCEEDS the value of their Money!!!

the world, Meryl has worked throughout the US. Her particular areas of focus are sales and marketing, as well as in design and branding. She provides consulting, coaching, and

Learn the 5 Easy to Follow Rules to Closing the Sale

training services for a wide range of clients.

1. Treat Closing as a Process Meryl has three how-to Style DVDs currently on the market. This collection focuses on hands on design, innovation and inspiration.

Her innovative leadership has earned prestigious accolades for Feastivities locally, nationally and internationally. She has undoubtedly helped many other companies get on

2. Set an appropriate closing objective 3. Let close emerge from conversation 4. Wait for the right moment 5. Celebrate your success

their own path to success and recognition through her keen insight and an effervescent approach to teaching methods of success.

Combining knowledge from her decades of hospitality experience with humor, she creates informative and interactive presentations. These range from small internal company meetings to large-scale conferences. She speaks with groups from the heart with warmth and knowledge, and covers the funny side of life and business.

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BRIAN WENDROFF WENDROFF

&

ASSOCIATES

WENDROFFCPA

MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS WITH QUICKBOOKS

MY CAREER Brian is the managing partner and founder of Wendroff & Associates, CPA. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who specializes in CFO consulting, small business and nonprofit accounting, startup companies, and tax planning for individuals and businesses.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Brian serves as the firm’s small business and franchisee specialist, working closely with

A business owner has a lot of hats to fill when running a business. One of the

entrepreneurs to help them develop strategic accounting systems to make more informed

responsibilities of a business owner is to have an accounting process. This will allow

business decisions to grow their organizations effectively. He is also a Service Disabled

the owner to understand how the company makes revenue, track expenses, and see

Veteran, and he works with government contractors to develop strategic cost cutting

how the company is doing financially. Not having a good accounting process could

systems and multistate tax strategies. Brian is currently working on an EBook detailing

make or break a business. QuickBooks is the number one accounting software for

various QuickBooks Online strategies for small business owners. He is a graduate of George

small business owners. It allows you to send invoices to customers and pay bills as

Mason University, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Brian serves on Intuit’s QuickBooks Online Advisory Board and in 2009 was nominated as an SBA Financial Services Champion of the Year and selected as one of the 100 most insightful people to follow on Twitter. He is a member of the Virginia Society of CPAs Northern Chapter and is currently serving as the Chair of the Nonprofit committee. He is also an active member of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.

well as provide financial reports to help business owners make more informed decisions. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what QuickBooks can do. It can help you get paid faster, manage who owes you and who you owe, and budget and forecast to help reach goals of the business. It will also be useful to prepare the company’s tax return, and for tax planning.

In this seminar, will present on: 1) Why do you need an accounting system to help grow your business? a. Foundation for everything else relating to finances b. Helps get paid, and pay people

Brian’s favorite part of being a CPA is working with business owners to help them reach

c. Helps to monitor cash flow and budget

their organizational goals and create opportunities. Ask him why, and he will tell you,

d. Helps for tax preparation and planning

“Entrepreneurs solve problems, that’s what they do. And to be part of their team, to help them create solutions, that’s the most rewarding part of the job.” Since its founding, Wendroff & Associates has grown in size each year and Brian has continued to upgrade the firm’s business advisory services to include outsourced CFO services, budgeting and forecasting models and free monthly accounting and tax strategy webinars. As Brian is fond of saying, A CPA firm needs to think of its clients throughout the year, not just at tax time.

e. Can be used to assist with the sale of the business 2) How QuickBooks can help you run and grow your business a. Double sided accounting to provide profit and loss and balance sheet b. Keeping track of revenue and expenses c. Keeps track of accounts receivable and payable d. Keeps track of historical data e. Customizable 3) Cost and overall analysis of QuickBooks. a. Cost and overview of different types of QuickBooks

Achievements:

b. Stats

Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants • Chair of the

c. Other accounting software out there

NotForProfit Committee for the Northern Chapter of the Virginia Society of Certified Public

4) Top 10 features of using QuickBooks Online in the Wedding Industry.

Accountants • Member of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce • Intuit QuickBooks Online

5) Case studies.

Advisory Board Member • Arlington Small Business CEO Roundtable • Public Relations Officer for a Local Toastmaster Group • Named

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of Washington SmartCEO Magazine

“SmartCPA” by Readers

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MAYA HOLIHAN HOUSE OF MAYA BRIDAL HOUSEOFMAYABRIDAL

LEADING THROUGH CRISIS, CHANGE & GROWTH

MY CAREER Maya has been in the fashion industry for over 20 years. Her career in the bridal industry began with Vera Wang, at her flagship store in New York City. In 2003, Maya moved to Hampton Roads and purchased Tiffany’s Bridal in Norfolk in October 2004. After a few years making it her own she changed the name to Maya Couture in 2007.

In January 2014, her 10th year of business, she expanded the company with the opening of a second location in Suffolk, Virginia, called Maya Couture on Main. She expanded Maya Couture on Main in 2015 to offer prom and social occasion wear. In February 2015, Maya acquired Virginia Beach bridal salons Pure English Couture Bridal and Silk Bridal Studio.

She also bought a franchise of The Bridal Dish, a complimentary wedding planning company for couples, and renamed it The Bridal Dish by House of Maya. She acquired a fifth bridal salon, Privee Bride of Ghent in July 2015.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Types of Crisis: Personnel Environmental, Political, Social Management of Crisis: Characteristics of a Successful Crisis Leader How to Lead with Integrity to Make a Difference

With a commitment to her employees, her clients, and her community, coupled with her passion for the wedding industry, Maya has changed the way bridal salons operate in Hampton Roads, by providing the very best in service and products.

Known for her spirit of community, Maya supports organizations such as Brides Across America, Fairy Godmothers of Virginia, the YWCA South Hampton Roads, Susan G. Komen, and her newly launched "Maya Loves" fundraising campaign. She sits on the board of directors for Retail Alliance and YWCA South Hampton Roads.

In 2015 Maya won the Entreprenuer of the Year Award from ACHI Magazine and was recognized as one of Inside Business’s Top 15 Women in Business.

Maya and her

company were profiled as the Retail Standout in the industry publication, VOWS Magazine, 2015 market issue. She will be featured as Entrepreneur of the week on an upcoming segment of the TV show

“Hampton Roads Business Weekly”, and will be featured in the

May issue of Distinction Magazine. She is launching her first wedding and lifestyle event, MayaPalooza in March 2016.

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GINGER JOHNSON & LIZ PICKETT GINGER + LIZ COLOUR COLLECTION GINGERANDLIZ

MY CAREER

HOW TO BUILD A PRODUCT/SERVICE THAT YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE WILL LOVE

Ginger + Liz Colour Collection™ is the popular brand of vegan friendly and toxin-free nail lacquer with a devoted base of style setting customers and celebrity fans. The collection was created in 2010 by Ginger Johnson and Liz Pickett, friends that bonded over all things beauty with a particular love for nail lacquer. The ladies also made a strong connection over

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

their personal journeys to becoming vegan and vegetarian.

• TBD Liz and Ginger had an aha moment one afternoon in 2009 while chatting about the lack of opaque cremes, vivid brights and cool nudes with the nail polishes they used. They also discovered that they both had adverse reactions to the harsh chemicals in nail polishes as young adults. That very day the concept of their vegan-friendly and toxin free nail lacquer line was born and nearly one year later, Ginger+ Liz Colour Collection was launched.

The ladies set out to create a line that is not only hypoallergenic, toxin free, and vegan friendly but one that is influenced by arts, travel, entertainment and the lifestyles of the Classic Chic, Modern Luxe, Pretty Prepster, Bohemian Hipster, and Rock Glam style

è

setters. With vibrant opaque cr me pigments, foil like metallics, and a new take on those old, boring nudes, there is something for everyone in the Ginger + Liz Colour Collection.

Ginger and Liz use the safest ingredients available on the market to create their non-toxic and 5-FREE formulas while ensuring that G+L nail colours are tastefully on trend, rich with pigment, and long lasting. Ginger + Liz Colour Collection nail lacquer formulas are free of harsh chemicals and carcinogens like toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, and DBP. Ginger + Liz nail lacquers prove to be a brand that is health conscious without sacrificing style; a line that will have both classic and on trend shades along with a rich, long lasting, non-toxic formula. Ginger + Liz...the necessary accessory!™ About the Ginger + Liz Colour Collection: All Ginger + Liz nail lacquers and nail treatments are vegan friendly, non-toxic, 5 FREE, and made in USA. The G+L formula is fast drying, long lasting, chip resistant, and highly pigmented. Every bottle has a supreme quality 398 strand flat brush and double ball bearing mixer for smooth application.

Availability: Full collection on gingerandliz.com; Select lacquers at Ulta Beauty nationwide

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and on ulta.com.

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STEPHEN MARSHALL FRANKLIN

&

PROKOPIK, P.C.

FRANKLINANDPROKOPIK

MY CAREER

DRAWING THE LINE...

CONTRACTOR VS. EMPLOYEE

Steve Marshall is a trial attorney with the law firm of Franklin & Prokopik, P.C., a regional law firm that represents clients in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia. Steve advises and represents small and large businesses in commercial and contractual disputes and defending lawsuits involving personal injury.

Steve graduated law school from the West Virginia University College of Law with the honor of Order of the Barristers. During law school, Steve served as a law clerk for the United States International Trade Commission. Prior to law school, Steve received a one

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Understand the differences between an independent contractor and an employee.

year fellowship to work in London as a researcher for two members of the British House of

Under the risks for your business based on the actions of

Commons. He is a member of DRI: The Voice of the Defense Bar, where he serves as the

independent contractors and employees.

Chair of Webcasts for the Product’s Liability Committee.

Understand what proactive steps you can take to protect your business from the actions of independent contractors.

Steve has represented clients in the District, Circuit, and Appellate Courts in the State of Maryland, the United States District Court of Maryland, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

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MARILYN CROUTHER HEWLETT PACKARD USPS

MY CAREER

HOW TO BECOME A PERSON OF INFLUENCE WITHIN YOUR INDUSTRY

Marilyn C. Crouther is Senior Vice President and General Manager of HP Enterprise Services U.S. Public Sector (USPS). Under her leadership, thousands of USPS professionals with deep industry knowledge and technical expertise bring together the applied power of HP to deliver outcomes that matter for clients in the defense, homeland security, healthcare,

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

intelligence, civilian, state and local markets across the United States.

If you looked at your role as a leader from your clients’ or your Marilyn has extensive experience leading large, complex IT projects and implementations that deliver cost-effective, innovative solutions to help clients achieve their business, mission and policy objectives. To solve today’s business challenges and help clients transform their enterprises, Marilyn fosters a true partnership experience. Leveraging a clear understanding of the client’s mission and IT environment, coupled with the depth and

employees’ viewpoint, how would you see yourself? Would you see yourself as inspirational, influential, or an advocator? Today leaders must be visionary, passionate and authentic. You must be able to strategize, set priorities and build relationships while making things

breadth of HP’s solutions portfolio, HP’s Enterprise Services team achieves winning

happen. While a position gives you the authority to get the job done,

outcomes for the client.

your conduct earns the respect of your clients and colleagues. The keys

A graduate of the Mississippi State University, Marilyn holds a bachelor’s degree in professional accountancy and is a Texas licensed certified public accountant. She holds a graduate certificate from Southern Methodist University where she completed the finance executive professional program. She also attended the Thunderbird International

to influential leadership are the behaviors you exhibit and the actions you execute.

This presentation will cover:

Consortium II at the prestigious Garvin School of International Management. She is a

• Understanding the Importance of Influence

member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Beyond her business

• The Power of Vision and Action

contributions, Marilyn has been recognized by both regional and national organizations

• Merging Passion and Authenticity

within the government IT industry.

Some of her recognitions include: DC’s Top 50 Women in Tech 2015 • In 2015, she joined President Obama to discuss HP’s

Carbon Footprint • GovCon Exec’s Washington 100 2016 • Federal Computer Week’s 2014 Fed 100 • She serves on the Boards of Directors for both the Northern Virginia Technology Council and TechAmerica’s Public Sector • ExecutiveBiz named her one of 2010’s Top 10 Chief Financial Officers to Watch • Northern Virginia Technology Council recognized her as Group/Division Chief Financial Officer of the Year in 2010 • The national Women of Color organization honored her with its Professional Achievement Award in 2007.

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MYRNA P. DARAMY MEZZOHEAD MEDIA GROUP NEWLYBRIDE

&

MEZZOHEAD NEWLYBRIDE1 NEWLYBRIDE

MARKETING YOUR BRAND IN THE DIGITAL ERA

MY CAREER Myrna Plaisir Daramy is a technically savvy digital analyst who embodies the mind of a creative designer. With over 12 years of experience, her natural ability to clarify the blurred lines between technology application and spontaneous creativity is what makes her one of the most insightful digital marketing strategists today. With a Bachelors of Science degree

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

in Architecture, and an MBA focused in Information Technology, Myrna has always had a keen eye for aligning style aesthetics with sound engineering principals.

The evolution of a the marketing funnel The evolution of the website and what is means to establish a digital

In her earlier years, Myrna worked as a Senior Project Manager in the world of construction,

brand

where she juggled hundreds of project deliverables and maintained an impressive ontime

SEO - a small lesson on what it is, and what key terms every

completion ratio. Myrna sustained a pattern of success by creating innovative business processes to streamline her workflow and business processes, which in turn guaranteed product quality.

While obtaining her MBA, Myrna recognized the paradigm shift where digital and social

business owner should know, and the top SEO factors to look out for in 2017 -The art of being found and attracting your ideal customer -Analytics tools to help you gage your website performance

media were becoming mainstream and intuitively concluded that her skillsets

What every business needs in order to have a successful website and

would be best utilized by turning her focus towards Information Technology. This shift in

online presence (5 things)

her attention, and professional growth, lead her into the world of digital analytics by catering to known luxury brands like Mark Ingram Atelier, Say Yes To The Dress star Randy Fenoli, and fashion designer Anne Barge. She takes pride in knowing, believing in,

What You Will Walk Away With:

and helping her clients to peel back the layers of their brand, tinker with the technology, and return to them an optimized site and digital strategy that performs better than ever before.

A deeper understanding of Marketing (before) and Digital Marketing (now)

In her new capacity as Cofounder and CEO of Mezzohead Media Corporation, she has

A fresh new insight of what having a website and web presence

assembled a team of like-minded individuals who are also as creative as the are analytical.

really

Myrna’s reputation as a Mezzohead, urged her colleagues to collaborate with her on projects like Your Style Army, SpitfireGirl, and Your Digital Stylists (YDS) where she is known as their notsosecret SEO weapon. This CEO is leading the charge by catering to the digital marketing needs of any business that recognizes the importance of its online presence.

A solid grasp of SEO is and how to use it to leverage your online visibility A feeling of empowerment knowing that you are equipped with tools to make better decisions for the growth of your business online

In her words, Myrna takes pride in knowing, believing in, and helping clients peel back the

A pumped-up attitude ready to make moves

layers of their brand, re-engineer their technology platform, and produce an optimized marketing machine that is technically sound and quantifies every marketing dollar.

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DR. ANTWAIN GOODE TATE CONSULTING TATECONSULTINGFIRM DRANTWAIN1 DRANTWAINTATE

MY CAREER Antwain Tate Goode, PhD, is a native of Richmond, Va. and holds a doctorate of philosophy in the field of Organization and Management with a specialization in Leadership from Capella University. The specialization helped to refine his current manufacturing skill sets and to develop leadership concepts, which can be applied to dynamic global settings. To

BET THE FARM! BE MORE PREPARED TODAY TO REACH YOUR DREAMS LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

compliment his PhD, Antwain holds a High Point University MBA and has served as an adjunct professor of sales and marketing. During his studies, he was able to travel abroad to

The goal is to help Individuals develop dynamic personal development

strengthen his business acumen for international markets. Visiting the Volvo manufacturing

plans:

plant in Gothenburg Sweden, Lloyds of London, Rome, Florence, Madrid, and Barcelona

1. Purpose

provided strong opportunities to examine global supply chain solutions, diverse financial environments, strategic management, managerial ethics, diverse organizational behavior, and executive leadership creativity.

Goode’s considerable experience includes a record of achievement for developing customer

2. Positioning 3. Attracting Mentors 4. True North 5. Reflection and Next Steps

first solutions for many Fortune 500 manufacturing organizations, such as Philip Morris USA in Richmond, VA., Allied Signal Honeywell in Chester, VA., BMW Manufacturing Plant in Greenville, SC, GE Turbine Facility in Greenville, SC., RJR Tobacco in Winston Salem, NC, and Krispy Kreme Corporate Office in WinstonSalem, NC. to name a few. In addition, Goode has also served on the board of directors for the Milton Rhodes Center of the Arts and member of the 7690 Rotary Club of Clemmons.

Dr. Antwain Goode's Areas of Expertise: Leadership Research • Leadership Analysis • Systems Thinking • Organizational Development • Talent Management Analysis • Contract Planning • Community Liaison Strategist • High Impact Presenter • Cross Functional Leadership Training • Information Technology • Innovative Presenter and Trainer • Executive Summary Planning • Customer Relationship Management • Change Management • Project Management

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CHEF DANA EUGENE HERBERT DESSERTS BY DANA DESSERTSBYDANA

MY CAREER

6 THINGS EVERY BUSINESS OWNER MUST HAVE IN PLACE

Dana Herbert, owner of Desserts by Dana, resides in Bear, Delaware. Chef Herbert lives and breathes in the sweet and artistic world of pastry art, where flavor and color come to life in his wonderful wedding cakes, sugar sculptures, custom cakes, and tasty miniature desserts for all occasions. Dana is an expert sugar artist with a number of nicknames. He’s best

“The Sugar Daddy” because of his work with pulled and blown sugar, but is also known as Delaware’s “King of Cakes.”

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

known as

TBD

Chef Herbert has garnered a lot of attention for his big win on Cake Boss: The Next Great Baker, a hit show on TLC, which premiered in December 2010. After watching him excel in both design and taste in each episode, he took home the gold (and a new car!) in the finale.

All of Delaware’s residents have supported the Sugar Daddy throughout the exciting show’s season. He also was invited to work in Hoboken with Buddy Valastro and can be seen on some of the awesome episodes of Cake Boss.

After Dana’s historic win on Cake Boss: Next Great Baker, the nation has seen Chef in a number of other media outlets nationally and internationally including multiple shows of Deals with Kat Cosley (ABC), and throughout NBC, WHYY, FOX, CN8 and more. Chef Herbert’s features and recipes have been seen in numerous magazines including Essence, Fitness Magazine, Catering Magazine, and the Huffington Post, Chef Magazine, Delaware Today and many more. Dana also graced the cover of Dessert Professional in 2012. Chef Herbert has also been featured on WEtv for Wedding Cake Wars, TLC’s Ultimate Cake Off, and many local television magazine programs.

When it comes to burning in the kitchen Dana is an expert. Dana is trained in both Culinary and Pastry which makes him a double threat in any kitchen. He loves to blend his sweet and savory style together. This caught the eye of James Beard and they asked Dana to be a part of the James Beard Celebrity Chef Tour which has been running for approximately 10 years.

Organizers of the tour loved his work so much that they announced that Dana’s course was Top Ten All-Time Desserts on tour. Dana has authored a book called the Sweet and Savory Union as a result of his love for blurring the lines between sweet and savory. Chef also tours the country with Novo Nordisk educating people with Diabetes on how they can make their culinary creations delicious, nutritious, and sensible for a sugar free diet. Dana feels as though the key to living a long life starts with everything in moderation, and balance.

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FOUNDER Perfect Planning Events GOLD SPONSORS Edge Floral Event Designers • Caribbean Caterers

THE SIGNATURE CEO CONFERENCE '16

THE SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS AllSeated • Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center Cold Front Music BRONZE SPONSORS Memories of Bliss Photography • Big Dreams Media Group TRINKET SPONSORS Couture Cakes by Sabrina • Famous Dave's Catering Fingers in Ink • CV Linens • A­list Photo Booths COMMUNITY PARTNERS Tierra Floral Event Design • Fluffness DC Sweet Potato Cake • Norman's Popcorn Sugar Shack Donuts • Sweet Pearlz Cheesecakes 5­12 Desserts • Ten23Designs • Papered Wonders DOOR PRIZE SPONSORS The Day Designer • Virtue Feed & Grain • Ruth Chris Steakhouse • Lebanese Taverna • Blackwall Hitch Marriott Westfield's Washington Dulles The Lara Casey Shop SWAG SPONSORS Tracy's Gourmet • Aisle Always Love • Grey Ghost Bakery Calligraphete & Co.

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www.caribbeancaterers.com

Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center www.riggs.umd.edu (301) 405­9756

DIRECTORY LISTING

SPONSORS FOUNDER Perfect Planning Events | www.perfectplanningbytara.com | 571.402.4594 | Instagram: @perfectplanning | Twitter: perfectplannin2 Facebook: perfectplanningeventsdc GOLD SPONSOR Caribbean Caterers | www.caribbeancaterers.com | 301.255.0001 | Instagram: @caribbeancaterers | Facebook: caribbeanfans Edge Floral Event Designers | www.edgeflowers.com | 301.330.5232 | Instagram: @edgefloraleventdesigners | Facebook: edgefloral SILVER SPONSOR AllSeated | www.allseated.com | 212.210.6250 | Instagram: @allseated | Facebook: allseated2016 Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center | www.riggs.umd.edu | 301.405.9756 | Instagram: @riggscenter Tony Craddock & Cold Front Music | www.tonycraddockjr.com | 703.398.6171 BRONZE SPONSOR Memories of Bliss Photography | www.memoriesofbliss.com | 866.858.9333 | Instagram: @memoriesofbliss | Facebook: memories­ of­bliss­photography Big Dreams Media Group | www.bigdreamsmediagroup.com | 757.275.8000 TRINKET SPONSOR A­List Photo Booths | www.AlistPhotoBooths.com | 240­780­8311 | Instagram: @alistphotobooths | Facebook: alistphotobooths | Twitter: @alistbooths Couture Cakes by Sabrina | www.cakesbysabrina.com | Instagram: @couturecakesbysabrina CV Linens | www.cvlinens.com | 512.821.1178 | Instagram: @cvlinens | Facebook: cvlinens

By Joyce Wright Famous Dave's Catering | www.famousdaves.com/catering | 703.342.6134 | Twitter: @famous_daves | Facebook: famousdaves Photographs by Mark Halberg Fingers in Ink | www.fingersinink.com | 703.465.9100 | Instagram: @fingersinink | Facebook: fingersininink | Twitter: @fingersinink COMMUNITY PARTNER 5­12 Dessert Boutique & Lounge, LLC | www.5­12dessert.com | 202.841.4127 | Instagram: @512dessert | Facebook: 512dessert |Twitter: @512dessert DC Sweet Potato Cake | www.dcsweetpotatocake.com | 301.577.7115 | Instagram: @dcsweetpotato | Facebook: dcsweetpotato IN THE SPOTLIGHT NOMADIC | 24

DIRECTORY LISTING (CONT.)

SPONSORS COMMUNITY PARTNER Fluffness | www.fluffness.com | Instagram: @fluff_ness | Facebook: purefluffness Norman's Popcorn | www.normanspopcorn.com | 888.491.2121 | Instagram: @normanspopcorn | Facebook: normanspopcorn Papered Wonders Inc. | www.paperedwonders.com | 678.384.1500 | Instagram: @paperedwonders | Facebook: paperedwonders Sweet Pearlz Cheesecakes | www.sweetpearlzcheesecakes.com | 703­982­0772 | Twitter: @spcheesecakes | Facebook: sweetpearlzcheesecakes Sugar Shack Donuts | www.sugarshackdonuts.com | 703.577.9023 | Instagram: @SugarShackDMV | Twitter: @SugarShackDMV | Facebook: SugarShackSouth Arlington and SugarShackAlexandria Ten23 Designs | www.ten23designs.com | Instagram: @ten23designs | Facebook: ten23designs Tierra Floral Design | www.tierrafloraldesign.com | 240.669.3982 | Facebook: tierrafloraldesign DOOR PRIZE SPONSOR Blackwall Hitch | www.theblackwallhitch.com | 410.263.3454 | Instagram: @blackwallhitchannapolis | Facebook: theblackwallhitch |Twitter: @blackwallhitch Day Designer | www.daydesigner.com | Instagram: @thedaydesigner | Twitter: @thedaydesigner | Facebook: thedaydesigner Lebanese Taverna | www.lebanesetaverna.com | Instagram: @lebanesetaverna | Facebook: lebanesetaverna | Twitter: @lebanesetaverna Marriott Westfield's Washington Dulles | www.westfieldsmarriott.com | Instagram: @mhwestfields | Facebook: westfieldsmarriott Ruth Chris Steakhouse Arlington | www.ruthschris.com | Facebook: ruthchrissteakhousearlington The Lara Casey Shop | www.laracaseyshop.com | Instagram: @laracaseyshop | Facebook: laracasey Virtue Feed & Grain | www.virtuefeedgrain.com | Instagram: @virtuefeedgrain | Twitter: @virtuefeedgrain | Facebook: virtuefeedgrain SWAG BAG SPONSOR Aisle Always Love | www.aislealwayslove.com | Instagram: @aisle_alwayslove | Facebook: aislealwayslove Calligraphette & Co. | www.calligraphetteco.com | Instagram: @calligraphetteco | Facebook: calligraphetteco Grey Ghost Bakery | www.greyghostbakery.com | Instagram: @greyghostbakery | Facebook: greyghostbakery Perfect Planning Events | www.perfectplanningevents | Instagram: @perfectplanning | Twitter: @perfectplannin2 | Facebook: perfectplanningeventsdc Shea Radiance | www.shearadiance.com | Instagram: @shearadiance | Facebook: shearadiance | Twitter: @SheaRadiance Tracy's Gourmet | www.tracysgourmet.com | Instagram: @funsalads | Facebook: TracysGourmetFoods

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THANK YOU! YOUR SUPPORT & COMMITTMENT TO THE EVENT PLANNING INDUSTRY IS INVALUABLE. YOUR EXPERTISE IS THE GREATEST ASSET THAT YOU POSSESS. CONTINUE TO EXPAND YOUR LEARNING BEYOND ALL CAPABILITIES & SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE & LEARNINGS WITH YOUR PEERS. WE BECOME STRONGER TOGETHER!!!

LASTLY, THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN THE VALUE OF THE SIGNATURE CEO CONFERENCE!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN 2017!!!!

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