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.
From Creation to Ideation: How to Design for Success with Operations in Mind
Speakers: Sophia Lin Kanno (Access DMC), Thomas Whelan (Access DMC), Kristen Francis (Access DMC)
Location: 411TH
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Event Mgmt & Production, TSE-Event Planning
What's Your 911? Smart Strategies & Practices for a Safer Event
Speakers: Charles Moore (MOORE), JoAnn Moore (JoAnn Moore Weddings and Events)
Location: 308AB
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Event Planning, TSE-Event Mgmt & Production
Associations & Accreditations: ABC
Demystifying Museum & Unique Venue Spaces for Events
Speakers: Holly Gray (Anything But Gray Events), Kari Al Edelbi (My Beautiful City (London Based)), Sophie Westacott (Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County)
Location: 411TH
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Event Mgmt & Production, TSE-Event Planning
Associations & Accreditations: WIPA
Behind the Scenes: What to Look for During an Event Site Visit
Speakers: Cara Weiss (SAVE The DATE, LLC EVENTS), Christine Ash (SAVE The DATE, LLC Events), Glynis Keith (Seasons Catering)
Location: 411TH
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Event Mgmt & Production, TSE-Event Planning
Lights, Camera, Clients!!! How Short Films Turn Event Stories into Bookings
Speakers: Paul Buchanan (Primal Alchemy), Dana Buchanan (Primal Alchemy)
Location: 308AB
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Business, Financials & Operations, TSE-Event Planning
From Stakes to Stunning: Everything You Need to Know About Tented Events
Speaker: Jennifer Ball (Knot Your Average Events (& Travel))
Location: 306AB
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Trends, Events & Design, TSE-Event Planning
Associations & Accreditations: ABC
Winning Plays: Women Leaders Driving Sports & Hospitality Forward
Moderator: Mandy Bianchi (LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games/Bianchi Productions)
Panelists: Brandy Thigpen (FIFA World Cup), Brittany Bertalotto (Dodgers365), Adeja Spain (Hollywood Park (SoFi Stadium, YouTube Theater, American Airlines Plaza))
Location: 411TH
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Leadership & Professional Development, TSE-Event Planning
Fast Chat: A Planner & a Caterer Walk into a Wedding...(and Actually Like Each Other Afterward!)
Speakers: David Porto (Blue Plate Catering, Inc.), Jaffe Wojcik (Graceful Events)
Location: 408AB
Pass Type: All Access, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, TSE Conference Pass
Track: TSE-Event Planning
Associations & Accreditations: LCA
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
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