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.
Kristin Banta, Creative Director, Kristin Banta Events Inc
Kristin is the creative visionary behind Kristin Banta Events’ acclaimed experiential and transportive design work, an inspired team leader, and consummate collaborator, who always wins the trust and respect of colleagues and clients. The maestro of executing ambitious—and often unconventional—concepts through the realities of production, her work reflects a bold, can-do attitude, where bringing a client’s vision to life is not only possible but paramount. Kristin is a leading authority in today’s world of luxury event planning, consulting with individuals and corporations on client service, experience, and conceptual design. She is also a contributing writer to numerous lifestyle publications, and a sought-after keynote speaker and expert panelist.
Kristin credits a background across multiple disciplines as key to her creativity, production savvy, and innate flexibility. After graduating from Pepperdine University, she worked in publishing, catering, interior and set design, film production, and eventually music marketing—as a graduate of UCLA’s Music Business Program, before launching Kristin Banta Events. Her enthusiasm and ease in front of the camera has also made her a television favorite. She appeared as weekly wedding expert for Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family; host of the Style Network’s Keep The Party Moving; featured designer on the Mark Burnett/DreamWorks series for TNT—Wedding Day; host and designer for Syfy’s My Big Fat Geek Wedding; guest judge on the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars; guest on Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen; and in her own Bravo special—The Ringleader—which re-aired for an encore presentation as The Wedding Party.