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March 2 – 5, 2026
Los Angeles Convention CenterLos Angeles, CA

Catersource + The Special Event Schedule 2026

View, browse, and sort the ever-growing list of sessions by pass type, track, and association.

If you are seeing varied colors of session titles, here is your guide:

  • Primary Blue = Catersource education sessions
  • Dark Blue = TSE education sessions
  • Light Purple = Those sessions or events that can be attended by anyone with a Catersource or TSE pass or requires a separate ticket.

Find your best experience by first choosing the pass type you have purchased. This will weed out all other extraneous sessions.

Note: Sessions fill up and seating is first come, first served.

All Sessions Speakers My Schedule

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Pass Type

Passes & Pricing

Track

Associations & Accreditations

Mar 02 Monday | 7:30 pm

Connect Social

Location: The United Theater, 929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Pass Type: All Access, Ticketed Event

Mar 02 Monday | 8:00 pm

SEARCH Foundation Annual Signature Event

Location: The Palm Court at Alexandria Ballrooms 501 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Pass Type: Ticketed Event

Mar 03 Tuesday | 8:30 am

Clone Yourself: Bottling Brilliance as a Venue Sales Leader

Panelists: Casey Hahn  (Beets Hospitality), Lauren Loya  (Thomas Caterers of Distinction), Yvette Tenorio  (Zilli Hospitality Group), Margaret Brower  (Rainmaker Sales & Marketing Group)

Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass

Track: CS-Sales, CS-Leadership & Professional Development

Associations & Accreditations: LCA

Floral Futures: The Top Trends Transforming Modern Event Design

Speaker: Jenice Stallings  (Styles By Stallings)

Location: 408A

Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass

Track: TSE-Trends & Design

Stadium Seats to Luxury Suites: The Future of Catering at Live Sports & Entertainment Events

Speaker: Mike Pappas  (Proof of the Pudding)

Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass

Track: CS-Trends, Events & Design, CS-On- or Off-Premise Catering

Mar 03 Tuesday | 10:00 am

"Let Them" Experience "Unreasonable Hospitality"; Crafting Events with Generosity, Boundaries, and Wow Moments

Speaker: Kevin Borgic  (Vanderbilt University Catering and Events)

Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass

Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development

David Merrell Presents: Current Trends in the Event Industry

Speakers: David Merrell  (AOO Events, Inc.), Anil Pacheco  (AOO Events, AOO Floral)

Location: 408A

Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass

Track: TSE-Trends & Design, TSE-Event Mgmt & Production

Eventertainment: Turning Dreams into Themes

Speakers: Robin Selden  (Marcia Selden Catering & Events and Naked Fig Catering), Jeffrey Selden  (Marcia Selden Catering & Events and Naked Fig Catering)

Location: 403B

Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass

Track: CS-Trends, Events & Design, CS-On- or Off-Premise Catering

Associations & Accreditations: LCA

Mar 03 Tuesday | 11:30 am

20 Short Plates in 30 Minutes

Speaker: Jason Sutton  (Footers Catering)

Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass

Track: CS-Culinary Arts

Fast Chat - Behind the Clipboard: Real Talk Between Event Profs

Speaker: Tracey Fricke  (Occasion Designed)

Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass

Track: TSE-Leadership & Professional Development

Fast Chat - Booked by the 'Gram: Turning Content into Clients

Speaker: Terrica  (Terrica ™ Inc)

Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass

Track: TSE-Sales & Marketing

Fast Chat - Chaos, Confetti & Comebacks: The Real Talk on Resilience in the Wedding Industry

Speaker: Jaclyn Watson  (Jaclyn Watson Events)

Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass

Track: TSE-Weddings & Social Events, TSE-Leadership & Professional Development

Fast Chat: If These Sheet Pans Could Talk: 10 Years of Hustle, Heart, & Heat—Raw, Real, & Unfiltered

Speaker: Keyon Hammond  (Get Plated Catering)

Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass

Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development, CS-Business, Financials & Operations

Mar 03 Tuesday | 1:00 pm

Beyond the Hashtag: What Real LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Looks Like Behind the Scenes

Speaker: Kirsten Palladino  (Equally Wed + Equally Wed Pro)

Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass

Track: TSE-Weddings & Social Events

Associations & Accreditations: WIPA

Beyond the Rental: Unlocking Profitable Venue Add-Ons

Speaker: Lauren Tankersley  (828 Venue Management Company)

Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass

Track: TSE-Sales & Marketing, TSE-Business, Financials & Operations

Kristin Banta's Design to Impact in 2026

Speaker: Kristin Banta  (Kristin Banta Events Inc)

Location: 408A

Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass

Track: TSE-Trends & Design

Leading with Intention: Unlocking Your Leadership Impact

Speaker: Anthony Lambatos  (Footers Catering and MIBE)

Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass

Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development, TSE-Leadership & Professional Development

Mar 03 Tuesday | 2:30 pm

Opening Keynote: Emotional Intelligence: The Ultimate Success Factor

Location: Keynote & Culinary Stage

Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, Exhibit Hall Only, TSE Conference Pass

Mar 03 Tuesday | 7:00 pm

Opening Night Party

Location: California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037

Pass Type: All Access, Ticketed Event

Mar 04 Wednesday | 9:00 am

Closing Keynote

Location: Keynote & Culinary Stage

Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, Exhibit Hall Only, TSE Conference Pass

The Face Behind the Flavor: Chefs & Your Brand Identity

Speaker: Eric Caron  (Lombardo's Hospitality Group)

Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass

Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development, CS-Culinary Arts

The Perfect Pairing: How Sales & Culinary Work Together

Speakers: Keith Lord  (Strateje Fourteen), Cassandra DeLisle  (Purple Onion Catering)

Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass

Track: CS-Sales, CS-Culinary Arts

Mar 04 Wednesday | 10:15 am

Coast to Coast Flavor Forecast: Regional Trends Shaping the Catering World

Speakers: Elyse Remigio  (Top Flight Hospitality), Zohe Felici  (Premium Wedding + Event Pros | Felici Events | Santa Barbara Wedding)

Location: 403B

Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass

Track: CS-Trends, Events & Design, CS-Sales

Making Your Next Event TV-Ready: Designing Experiences with the Drama, Pacing & Impact of Your Favorite Binge-Worthy TV Show

Speaker: Frank Carlisi  (Bold Catering & Design)

Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass

Track: TSE-Trends & Design, TSE-Event Mgmt & Production

Associations & Accreditations: LCA

Red Flags: Unseen Dangers or Glaring Warnings?

Speaker: Jennifer Trotter  (Lip Service Makeup (Bridal Beauty Team))

Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass

Track: TSE-Leadership & Professional Development, TSE-Business, Financials & Operations

Associations & Accreditations: WIPA