EL PASO HITS THE
GROUND RUNNING
A CITY RICH IN HISTORY, CULTURE AND TRADITION.
THE MAGASCENE
GREETINGS
THE MAGASCENE
Summer’s over, and it’s back to the grind: trade shows, site visits, FAMs, goals, KPIs, and budgets! As I look at the conference calendar, I always ask myself a few critical questions:
• What? What is the ROI? Will I gain new leads, strengthen existing relationships, or get meaningful time with potential partners?
• Why? Why attend this particular event? Is there something unique about it that sets it apart from the many other conferences out there?
THE MAGASCENE
• When? Does the conference timing conflict with other highpriority events or ongoing business?
• Where? A warm, sunny location in the middle of winter never hurts!
At The Express Conferences, we strive to answer all of these questions, so the response is always: I can’t miss it! I like to say, at The Express Conferences, you walk away with relationships, not just business cards.
Roy
STAFF
ROY EDMONDSON CEO
JENN
TOTTEN Director of Business Affairs
TERRY
DYER Director of Diversity Conference
ROB
COGGIN Director of Sports and SMERF Business Development
JENNIFER
ROTHMAN Director of Business Development
DARIN
SCRUGGS Graphic Designer
QUICK FACTS ABOUT FARGO-MOORHEAD
LOCATION
These two cities lie on the North Dakota–Minnesota border, on opposite banks of the Red River of the North THE AREA IS HOME TO A POPULATION OF 233,836 PEOPLE.
LOCAL AIR TRAVEL
Hector International Airport (FAR) services the area.
ALLEGIANT, AMERICAN, DELTA, FRONTIER AND UNITED ALL OFFER NONSTOP FLIGHTS
ACCOMODATIONS
Fargo/Moorhead has the perfect lodging accommodations for you.
THE CITY OFFERS MANY VALUE-BRAND AND BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN THE AREA.
Expect the Unexpected.
Fargo is unexpected. We rarely have visitors who don’t leave pleasantly surprised at the city, the people, and the amount of things to do. From the way we’ve revitalized our downtown to the way we embrace the cool of winter, we just do things differently here.
We’ve been called quirky, bold, transcendent and loads of other fun adjectives. But at the end of the day, it’s the level of service we provide that you’ll appreciate most – comprehensive bids, printed banners, signs and quality name badges, not to mention, onsite assistance during your event! I’m here as your resource to plan and execute from start to finish providing information and guidance to all vendors and venues in town.
Experience an event in one of our 10 convention hotels or our largest meeting facility offering 115,000 square feet of convention space.
Nestled between two major interstates and direct flights to 11 cities via 5 airlines, the greater Fargo region allows your attendees easy access to your event and relaxation in one of our 5,600+ sleeping rooms. A herd of 210,000 people will welcome you.
The city is a hidden gem smack dab in the center of the Midwestern prairie. It’s a community of “North Dakota and Minnesota nice “folks who have a knack for appreciating the arts, loving a good sports competition, and supporting the growth of homegrown businesses all at once.”
Come on up where it’s cooler. Because Fargo’s north. North of normal.
Florida’s Success Is Simply Par For the Course.
Florida’s Sports Industry creates over $57.4 Billion in economic impact for the Sunshine State, providing over 580,000 jobs for its citizens, and attracts over 16 million out of state visitors each year.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT FLORIDA’S SPORTS FOUNDATION STATISTICS
Florida’s Sports Industry creates over $57.4 billion in economic impact for the Sunshine State.
The Florida Sports Foundation, a 501(C) 3 non-profit corporation, is the official sports promotion and development organization for the State of Florida. It is charged with the promotion and development of professional, amateur, recreational sports, and physical fitness opportunities that produce a thriving Florida sports industry and environment.
With a seemingly endless list of sporting ventures and venues, the Florida Sports Foundation strives to promote Florida’s unique sports industry. The Foundation’s staff is dedicated to serving the needs and interests of Florida’s sports community and assists with all questions concerning Florida sporting activities and issues.
THE INDUSTRY PROVIDES OVER 580,000 JOBS FOR ITS CITIZENS.
GRANTS
Provides grants to support sporting events that bring out-of-state visitors to Florida.
FLORIDA REMAINS A LEADER IN PROVIDING FUNDING FOR SPORTS TOURISM
SPRING TRAINING
In 2023, nearly 1.4 million fans flocked to Florida Spring Training locations.
IT LEAD TO AN ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF $687.1 MILLION PER YEAR FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
surpasses with culture, cuisine & convention space.
The Sun City emerges as a premier destination for meetings, conventions, and events. With its state-of-the-art facilities, welcoming hospitality, and stunning desert landscape, the city offers more than just a venue for business gatherings.
El Paso invites visitors to experience its rich culture — where vibrant traditions, flavorful cuisine, and captivating outdoor adventures await. From the historic charm of downtown to the beauty of the Franklin Mountains, El Paso is a destination that ensures every event is memorable both during and after business is done.
The El Paso Convention Center is the city’s largest meeting space, encompassing over 133,100 square feet of total usable space. The center accommodates gatherings from consumer shows and special events to large-scale conventions and conferences. Its flexible event space features 80,000 square feet of exhibit space, 14,900 square feet of additional space, 17 breakout rooms and three halls with ample room for flawless events. It is also conveniently within walking distance of 1,200+ guest rooms, restaurants and attractions in Downtown El Paso.
With more than 10,500 hotel rooms spread across the city, El Paso offers a wide range of accommodations to fit every need. Whether you’re looking for luxury or economy, our hotels provide options that make planning and booking a breeze. Across from the El Paso Convention Center, the Hotel Paso del Norte, Autograph Collection, and The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park are elegant downtown choices, perfect for business travelers and event planners alike. With countless options, visitors can enjoy a comfortable and memorable stay, regardless of their group size or budget. Visit El Paso welcomes meeting planners and industry professionals to discover the Sun City through countless memorable experiences. From offering experiences like dynamic familiarization tours and unique destination services to first-class service and accommodations, Visit El Paso makes every event and function one never to forget. El Paso’s versatile meeting spaces, sophisticated collection of hotel rooms, and wonderful attractions in the Sun City will
QUICK FACTS ABOUT EL PASO
LOCATION
El Paso stands on the Rio Grande across the Mexico–United States border from Ciudad Juárez.
EL PASO IS A FIVETIME ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARD
WINNER
LOCAL AIR TRAVEL
El Paso International Airport is served by 9 major airlines.
ALASKA, ALLEGIANT, AMERICAN, AMERICAN EAGLE, DELTA, FRONTIER, UNITED, AND UNITED EXPRESS.
ACCOMODATIONS
Luxury accommodations charming boutique hotels with unique local flavor, or budget-friendly are all available.
THE AREA BOASTS OVER 10,000 ROOMS.
VALERIE GARCIA
vgarcia@destinationelpaso.com 915.637.6032
Director of Sales, Destination El Paso
have meeting planners leave feeling refreshed and excited to visit again. One of Visit El Paso’s standout attributes is its comprehensive event planning support. We offer a wide range of services that cater to the unique needs of meeting planners. This includes site selection tours, securing venues that match the event’s requirements, and providing logistical support such as transportation and accommodation arrangements. The Destination Services team ensures seamless coordination between various service providers, from audiovisual equipment suppliers to catering services, guaranteeing that every event runs smoothly.
Kicking the Competition Into High Gear
Yolanda Jenkins’ life is dedicated towards being in services to those around her. Whether it be on the battlefield or the field of competition, her dedication is laser-focused.
Yolanda Jenkins is the Founder/CEO of Women Major League Kickball and serves on its board of directors. During her tenure as the Director of Morale, Welfare & Recreation for over 300,000 troops in southern Iraq, she dedicated more than 10 years of her life to providing a sense of joy and camaraderie to the soldiers. She worked tirelessly to organize tournaments and events, collaborating with the USO (United Service Organizations) to create memorable experiences for the troops stationed in Iraq. Yolanda’s commitment to giving back to the community is commendable. She understands
the importance of using her success and influence to make a positive impact on society.
Through her involvement with the USO and her various initiatives in kickball, Yolanda has consistently demonstrated her passion for uplifting others and promoting a sense of unity.
One of Yolanda’s most notable accomplishments is the creation of the Kickball World Games, an international event that brings together teams from all around the globe to compete at the highest level. This prestigious tournament has become a symbol of excellence in kickball, attracting the best
MILITARY
Yolanda served as the Director of Morale, Welfare and Recreation. THIS OFFICE IS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR PROGRAMS AND POLICIES THAT ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY QUALITY-OF-LIFE PROGRAMS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WORLDWIDE.
USO
Since 1941, the USO has been the nation’s leading organization to serve the men and women in the U.S. military, and their families, throughout their time in uniform. USO RELIES ON THE GENEROSITY OF INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS AND CORPORATIONS TO SUPPORT ITS ACTIVITIES, AND IS POWERED BY A FAMILY OF VOLUNTEERS.
players and showcasing the sport’s global reach. Yolanda serves on the Compete Sports Diversity Council Executive Committee. This committee meets to discuss challenges community sports groups have and also discuss best practices and ways to market their events, consider and vet destinations to award their events to and create community and corporate partnerships, collaborate, and partner with professional sports groups, and learn how to promote their events to destinations that offer facilities and community support that celebrates and supports DEI. The executive committee helps drive our work toward our mission to “unite the world through sports.”
YOLANDA JENKINS
yjenkins@womenmajorleaguekickball.com
Founder/CEO
TONJA TAYLOR
LOCATION
Tonja is located in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. WITH A POPULATION OF MORE THAN 2.2 MILLION PEOPLE, IT IS THE SECOND-LARGEST METROPOLITAN AREA CENTERED IN MISSOURI
CUSTOMER BASE
Tona’s client base is comprised of mostly large corporations in the financial sector.
TONJA HAS WORKED IN EVENT COORDINATION SINCE 1998 AND HAS CVENT EVENT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS.
GOALS
Creating and maintaining long-term relationships with her clients, planners, and supplier partners. THIS IS TANTAMOUNT TO HER SUCCESS.
Planning to Make Everyone Shine.
Backed by 30 years experience in the planning field, Tonja Taylor has seen mostly everything and finds ways to create satisfied customers each and every time.
I own and operate Tonja Taylor Event Solutions, a full-service planning company. With 30 years experience, I have extensive social capital due to my “knows no stranger” disposition and diverse experience and industry background. My client base is comprised of mostly large corporations in the financial sector. My ability to get the job done is a testament to my organizational skills and my tenacity to see things through to the end. My diverse experience and ability to go above and beyond to meet my clients’ needs are a valuable asset while planning events of all sizes and types. No program is perfect, but they can be flawless.
A flawless program is always our goal. Through the years, there is nothing I haven’t come across giving me confidence and an advantage to protect and serve my clients. From negotiating client protected contracts all the way to final billing, I support my clients every step of the way.
As an experienced event planner, the ability to anticipate potential challenges and find solutions creates successful events which lead to satisfied clients. I pride myself in executing flawless events that make the organizers shine. At the end of the day, everyone involved walks away feeling accomplished and ready to celebrate another success on the books. This formula is at the root of Tonja Taylor Event Solutions success.
Our client portfolio includes financial institutions and we’re growing. Besides booking our clients’ corporate events and conferences, we also handle their client events, incentives, and executive experiences, like cruises, wine tours, and ski trips. Although I have worked mostly in North America, my business is expanding globally.
I also work with True Story Travels, a luxury FIT travel curating company.
