Speakers 2026
The education opportunities at Catersource + The Special Event feature presentations from more than 100 industry luminaries who have been there, done that, and are armed with content that’s trendy, thought-provoking, and always influential.
Jennifer Ball, owner, Knot Your Average Events (& Travel)
Jennifer Lloyd Ball, owner of Knot Your Average Events (+Travel) is best described as the coordinating ninja and the wedding whisperer — a powerhouse of creativity, precision, and heart. As one of only 56 Master Wedding Planners in the world, she’s built a reputation for transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences. From turning an airplane hangar into a breathtaking celebration of life (complete with a flyover!) to packing a dance floor at a milestone birthday bash, Jennifer’s events are known for one thing — magic in every detail.
A CRC Sandals Platinum Level Travel Agent and SWS Certified Destination Wedding Planner, Jennifer also serves as the North Carolina State Manager for the Association of Bridal Consultants, where she mentors and connects professionals across the state. Her work has graced the pages of national and local wedding magazines and blogs, and she’s been featured on FOX8’s Roy’s Folks and as a co-author in the book Planners Unplugged.
For over a decade, Jennifer shared her expertise as an adjunct professor at UNC, Alamance Community College, and High Point University before shifting her focus full-time to destination weddings and speaking engagements. (And yes — when the owners of Kleinfeld Bridal trust you to plan their family wedding, you know you’re doing something right.)
When she’s not orchestrating dream weddings or mentoring future planners, you’ll find Jennifer fishing by the lake, scuba diving with stingrays and sharks in the Caribbean, or cuddled up with her six-pound “office manager” watching a good movie. She lives by her mantra: balance isn’t a goal — it’s a lifestyle.