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.
Elyse Remigio, Executive Director of Catering, Top Flight Hospitality
Elyse Remigio Executive Director of Catering, Top Flight Hospitality Group Elyse Remigio is a powerhouse in the catering and events industry, with over 24 years of experience transforming venues and visions into unforgettable celebrations. As Executive Director of Catering for Top Flight Hospitality Group, she oversees 9 catering operations across Long Island, leading with precision, creativity, and an unshakable passion for the art of event planning. Throughout her career, she has personally sold, designed, and executed over 2,800 events—ranging from intimate weddings to major corporate productions. Her strategic leadership turned one property's annual sales from $150,000 to over $2 million in just three years, while increasing profit margins by 20% in the last year alone. Elyse has been the driving force behind five consecutive Best of Weddings awards and played a pivotal role in acquiring two new properties in 2025, projected to generate $5–8 million in sales. She reviews, helps write, and presents at all RFPs for new business, while also developing international marketing campaigns—positioning Gatsby on the Ocean as a true destination for global clientele from Switzerland, Australia, Italy, and beyond. Her impressive portfolio includes planning events for iconic names such as Joe Namath's March of Dimes Benefit, Hunter Fieri & Tara Bernstein's Shower (Guy Fieri's children), JAX's Shower and Meet & Greet, the Dolan Family Wedding (Madison Square Garden/Cleveland Indians) and Billy Joel's Awards Dinner. In 2007, she was involved in the collaboration with Donald Trump to create the catering operation for the anticipated Trump on the Ocean project. A true believer in the power of love and inclusivity, Elyse helped make history on July 26th, 2011—just days after same-sex marriage was legalized in New York—by creating and producing a massive, free wedding celebration for dozens of LGBTQ+ couples, offering them a once-in-a-lifetime experience to say "I do" in a meaningful and joyful way. She's also contributed her talents to two U.S. Open Golf Tournaments and the Barclays Cup, and continues to generate upwards of $2.5 million annually in direct sales—peaking at $4.6 million for a single venue. Originally from Long Island, Elyse has lived in both New York and Florida, traveling the world to curate unforgettable experiences. And despite all the accolades and milestones, she still finds herself tearing up at every wedding ceremony—proof that her heart is still fully in every "I do."