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.
Earn CMP credits!
ALL education sessions at this year's conference are approved by The Events Industry Council to count toward your CMP certification. Keep your professional status up-to-date while enjoying and learning from this incredible lineup of speakers.
The 5 Ps of Venue Sales: Elevate Your Strategy & Sell with Intention
Speaker: Margaret Brower (Rainmaker Sales & Marketing Group)
Location: 304ABC
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Sales, CS-Marketing
Associations & Accreditations: ICA
The Middle Seat: How to Lead Powerfully in a Company You Don't Own
Speakers: Amanda Trackey (Curora Studio), Deanna Wunsch (2Shea Catering)
Location: 404AB
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development, CS-Business, Financials & Operations
The Power of Collaboration: When Creatives Collide
Moderator: Cecilia Lavin (Evessio)
Panelists: Steve Moore (Fox Theatre), India Rhodes (Wilkinson Rhodes), Robert Vega (VEGAs Event Group), Christian Seidenstuecker (JOKE Event AG)
Location: 406AB
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Event Planning, TSE-Event Mgmt & Production
Associations & Accreditations: ILEA
The Power of Precision: Transforming Events with Thoughtful Touches
Moderator: Clint Upchurch (Contemporary Catering)
Panelists: Darrin Roberts (The Walt Disney Company), Matthew Regan, MMH (Emerson College), Kristin Banta (Kristin Banta Events Inc), Whitney Cohen (Capital Group)
Location: 411TH
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Event Planning, TSE-Event Mgmt & Production
The WOW Factor: Leveraging Technology and Trends to Create Spectacular Events
Speaker: Deborah Elias (Elias Events)
Location: 408AB
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Event Planning, TSE-Trends & Design
Brand You: Building a Personal Brand That Elevates Your Career in Catering
Speaker: Melissa Tibben (Total Party Planner)
Location: 404AB
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development
Associations & Accreditations: ICA
Bridging the Generation Gap with Mental Health: The Boss & the Leader
Speakers: Jeffrey Schlissel (The Bacon Kartel), Mary Davidson (The Rendezvous)
Location: 306AB
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development, CS-Sustainability
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
Content That Converts: Social Media Strategies from LA's Elite Event Pros
Moderator: Margaux Fraise (Harmony Creative Studio425)
Panelists: Chris J. Evans (Chris Evans), Shafonne Myers (Aisle Society)
Location: 411TH
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Sales & Marketing, TSE-Trends & Design
Five Senses of Creating a Memorable Wedding Show Booth
Speaker: Jennifer Ball (Knot Your Average Events (& Travel))
Location: 408AB
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Sales & Marketing, TSE-Business, Financials & Operations
Associations & Accreditations: ABC
Speaker: Adriel Sims (SMU HOSPITALITY)
Location: 304ABC
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Trends, Events & Design, CS-Culinary Arts
More Than a Moment: Designing a Wedding That Tells Their Story
Speaker: Dee Lee (Dee Lee Designs)
Location: 406AB
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Weddings & Social Events, TSE-Event Planning
Associations & Accreditations: WIPA
Planner 5.0 How to Use AI to Personalize, Plan, & Elevate Unforgettable Weddings
Speakers: Valeria Morillo (The Planners Co./Wedding Concierge), Brenda Melgar (Love Guatamala)
Location: 308AB
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Weddings & Social Events, TSE-Event Mgmt & Production
The Inquiry Goldmine: The Art & Science of Converting More Leads Into Bookings
Speaker: Elizabeth Sheils (Rock Paper Coin)
Location: 409AB
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Sales & Marketing, TSE-Leadership & Professional Development
Transforming Event Catering with 3-D Printing
Speaker: Houston Loper (HL Catering Company)
Location: 403A
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Trends, Events & Design, CS-Culinary Arts
Associations & Accreditations: ICA
Pass Type: Ticketed Event
Location: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, 90007
Pass Type: All Access, Ticketed Event