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.
Cara Weiss, Founder and Senior Director, SAVE The DATE, LLC EVENTS
Cara Weiss is an event planner, educator, and business owner with more than 30 years of real-world experience in the events and hospitality industry. She founded Save The Date, LLC Events in 1994, building it into a respected, award winning, locally grown event planning company serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Save The Date specializes in weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, corporate events, and large-scale community celebrations. The company was built on Cara’s belief that clients deserve professional guidance without losing control of their own events. This is an approach she often describes as “DIY With Our Help.” This philosophy allows clients to stay involved while benefiting from clear structure, trusted resources, and calm leadership on event day.
Cara earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and holds a Professional Certification in Event Management from The George Washington University School of Business. Her early background in fashion, hotels, marketing, and public relations helped shape her practical, creative approach to event planning; one that balances vision with attention to detail.
In addition to her planning work, Cara is the founder of Rockin’ 4a Cause, a semi-annual live music fundraiser now moving into its 9th year that supports multiple nonprofit organizations. She oversees all aspects of the event, using it as a real-world example of how thoughtful planning can drive both community engagement and fundraising success.
As a speaker and instructor, Cara brings honesty, experience, and practicality to the classroom. She focuses on what actually happens behind the scenes as far as logistics, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making; giving attendees tools they can use immediately in their own events and businesses.