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.
Melissa Tibben, TPP Pay Success Manager, Total Party Planner
Melissa Tibben has spent the past 27 years building a career rooted in connection, creativity, and leadership within the catering and hospitality industry. She fell in love with catering so deeply that she left college to pursue it full-time, working her way up from pastry chef to sales, director of operations, and eventually becoming co-owner of a successful off-premise catering company in Omaha, NE.
After relocating to Florida, she served as Catering Director at MacDill Air Force Base. Today, as the TPP Pay Success Manager at Total Party Planner and a former board member of the International Caterers Association, Melissa is known for her ability to build meaningful relationships and help others grow. She combines humor, honesty, and practical insights to empower individuals to own their brand, strengthen their confidence, and create lasting impact within their teams and companies. Melissa has shared her expertise as a speaker at conferences across the country and is passionate about elevating the catering community. When she isn't strategizing with caterers or mentoring peers, you'll find her cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs or enjoying good food with great people – the relationships that matter most.