Board of Directors
Christine Brower, Chapter President
C. Brower & Co Creative Events christine@cbrowerandco.com | www.cbrowerandco.com | 917-667-3207
Christine is the President and Lead Designer at C. Brower & Co Creative Events, a twelve time award winning Event Design & Production Company that specializes in unique and imaginative custom designed event decor for corporate and social events. In addition, Christine is also one of the Senior Partners at The Bling Event, a luxury Bridal Showcase Production Company in which she serves as the Vice President of Marketing & Communications. Christine has a talent for easily developing solid relationships with her clients, colleagues and vendors. This ability allows her to relate to her clients needs, and have a greater understanding of their vision, goals, and objectives for their event. Often accused of being a perfectionist, Christine directs her passion for perfection into everything she does from event logistics to design. She is obsessed with details and believes that the details are what set apart ordinary events from extraordinary events. Her company recently celebrated its fourth year in business with great successes. Christine has been Featured in Celebrity Parents Magazine as “One to Watch”, was named a nominee for Designer of the Year by Event Solutions & BizBash Magazine, and a conference speaker at the ISES Northeast Regional Education Conference. To top the year off, C. Brower & Co Creative Events won big at ISES NJ North’s Garden State Gala taking home three awards for Best Design & Decor and Best ISES NJ North Member Collaboration. Christine has been an ISES member since 2006, has previousl served as Vice President of Communications in both New Jersey & New York Metro and Director of Student Affairs. She has served on numerous committees over the years and has won multiple awards for her leadership and service to ISES. This year Christine proudly serves as 2011-2012 ISES New Jersey North Chapter President.
Jacqueline Marko, Immediate Past President
After obtaining a bachelors degree in Psychology from Rutgers University in 2004, Jackie realized that she could no longer deny what her true calling was – event planning. After an internship with her aunt, Rhonda Marko, CMP, CMM, DMCP, President of Destination Nashville, an award-winning destination management company based in Nashville, Tennessee, and a second internship with Empire Force Events in New York, Jackie successfully managed to cultivate her knowledge of the event industry and solidify her future. Jackie joined the Pines Manor, based in Edison, New Jersey, in 2004. It was there that Jackie booked and planned over 200 weddings, one of which was featured on the hit reality television show, “Bridezillas.” After over five years of service at the Pines Manor, Jackie joined the sales team at the Crowne Plaza Somerset-Bridgewater as their Conference Sales Manager, where she hosted associations and businesses with over 11,000 square feet of newly-renovated banquet space and over 400 sleeping rooms. In 2011, Jackie saw her professional dreams become reality with the launch of her event planning and experiential bridal showcase production company, The Bling Event, with partners Christine Brower and Karissa Wysocki. As The Bling Event’s VP of Sales, Jackie is using her 9 years of experience and contacts in the event industry to help create unforgettable events throughout New Jersey and New York. Jackie believes that networking and education are paramount to long-lasting success, and so became a member of the New Jersey North chapter of ISES in 2004, and a member of the chapter’s Board of Directors in 2006, serving terms as secretary, Director-at-Large, President-Elect, President, and now Immediate Past President.
Corrine Statia, President-Elect
After relocating to the United States from England, Corrine Statia became a Corporate Executive with two well known corporations. In one of those roles, Corrine worked with a team that helped manage, plan, and execute more then 600 meetings, conferences and special events in one year. It was brought to her attention that she was helping organize more events in a single year then most event planners do in their entire career. After this realization and her love for putting together “Fantastic” events, she stepped out on her own and founded Absolute Events by Corrine. She knew she had the experience to create fantastic events for her clients, so when “other” event planners started contacting Corrine to help organize their events she knew she had made the right decision, and became known as: Corrine Statia “The Event Planners – Event Planner”. Since then she has helped organize Corporate Events for KPMG, BD, Novartis, Maersk Sealand, Victoria Secret Beauty, National Hispanic Business Group and NJEDge.Net. Corrine’s company also organizes and produces destination events, weddings as well as other social events and fundraising Galas.
Damon Dietz, Vice President of Membership
Damon Dietz’s passion for filmmaking began at the early age of 16 when he attended his first cinematography course in high school. Ten years later, his dream of become an award-winning cinematographer and owning his own company came to fruition when he co-founded Absolute Media Productions, with his creative and inspiring wife, Denise. Damon has set Absolute Media Productions apart from its competition by combining paramount storytelling abilities and distinctive editing styles in his award-winning “short-form” luxury wedding films. Utilizing editing techniques that emulate those found in major motion pictures, this unique approach has helped to fuel a flock of videographers around the country to adapt a similar “short-form” style. Damon is also a speaker and presenter, giving seminars and sharing expertise in the areas of marketing and SEO for wedding professionals. He is a member of local & national associations such as the NJVA (New Jersey Videographers Association), ISES (International Special Events Society), ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants), Toastmasters International, and currently serves on the board of directors as the V.P. of Membership for the ISES North NJ chapter. Damon is a valued contributor to our industry. He is always willing to help, yet is humble enough to ask for help when needed.
Amy Vecchione, Vice President of Programs & Education
Amy is founder & president of Aventina Events, a full-service meeting and event planning company. She enjoys adding her creativity, attention to detail and personal touches to all types of events including weddings, galas, business conferences, team building programs, marketing promotions and epicurean adventures. Amy also owns Aventina, LLC, which provides sales support and consulting to special events venues and tourism companies. With offices in NYC and NJ, she is busy with projects on both sides of the river for clients including the Tony’s NY Productions at the Empire State Building Observatory, Frungillo Caterers at the Oakeside Mansion, Great Places Publishing’s National Venue Directory – and a new venue to be announced soon! Amy never thought she could be busier than in her prior career running marketing, sales & operations divisions at Amazon.com, NY Waterway, Lifetime Television and General Electric. But she has found that running her own businesses in this industry consumes every single waking minute – and she couldn’t be happier because she is doing what she loves! Named ISES NJ North “2011 Member-of-the-Year”, Amy previously served on the programs committee and co-chaired “Say Yes to the Best”, a bridal showcase, which was a joint production of ISES NJ North and the NJ Chapter of the Association of Bridal Consultants. She is proud that a very special event she planned, “Celebrate the Miracle: Miracle-on-the-Hudson First Anniversary”, was recognized this year by the ISES community, earning her an ISES NJ North Gala Award, an ISES NY Metro Big Apple Award, andan International ISES Esprit Award. She could never have produced an event of this magnitude without the help of many colleagues that she met through ISES. Amy also serves on the boards of the Girl Scout Council Heart of New Jersey, the Harvard Business School Club of New York and as Chair of the Board of the Harvard Business School Women’s Association of Greater New York.
Karina Alvela, Vice President of Communications
Karina Alvela is a Public Relations, Marketing and Event Management executive for Neptune Communications, with offices in New Jersey and South Florida. Through Neptune Communications, Karina produces expos and large corporate events for the food/dining, tourism/hospitality and health/wellness industries as well as placing clients in notable publications and media outlets such as the New York Times, Miami Herald, AOL, EveryDay with Rachael Ray Magazine, BRIDES, The Knot and hundreds more. Karina also serves as the Managing Partner of The EPIC Group, which is a full service communications firm – specializing in social media, public relations, marketing, event production and business consulting for small to mid-sized businesses, particularly those owned by women. Karina helps businesses in the hospitality and lifestyle industries communicate their brands and services through the media and press. Karina is also the Chief Marketing & PR Officer of Northern New Jersey Wedding and Event Professionals and PR Committee member for Wish Upon a Wedding New Jersey and the Public Relations Society of America New Jersey. In addition to her professional affiliations and philanthropic work, Karina and business partner Marni Gold present events, seminars and workshops about public relations, social media, marketing, branding and small business.
Roy Evon, Director of Membership
Mr. Evon is Director of Sales and Marketing for Innhil Hospitality LTD. Innhil Hospitality Ltd. is the corporate operation, management company for the following companies: (The Skylands at Randolph Catering Facility, Hotel 304 West of Springfield and Pelican Beach Properties, St Thomas VI.) Mr. Evon came to Innhil Hospitality bringing a vast amount of Catering and Sales experience with his 26 years in the Hospitality field. Mr. Evon’s prior positions were: 12 years at the Pines Manor Catering Facility in Edison, New Jersey; and 5 years at the Twin Brooks Country Club in Watchung, New Jersey. Mr. Evon also holds a Certificate of Completion for the Anthony Robbins Sales Mastery Course. During his first year at the Skylands at Randolph, Mr. Evon’s hard work, focus and attention to details created a seventy-three percent (73%) increase in sales for the company. This, along with his natural confidence and professionalism, stood out and is what secured his position as Worldwide Director of Sales and Marketing for Innhil Hospitality. To help promote the business belonging to the Innhil Hospitality family, Mr. Evon has been committed to becoming actively involved with different networking organizations. To name a few: Morris County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC), Randolph Chamber of Commerce (RCC), International Special Events Society (ISES), Commerce & Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ), Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), Meeting Professional International (MPI). In addition to all of the above, Mr. Evon also was featured in an article written in the Daily Record on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 where again he was recognized for his hard work and contribution to the Innhil Hospitality and the Skylands at Randolph. The following year, Mr. Evon was voted “Business Man of the Year” in Morris County.
Alexandra Garvey, Director of Communications
Alexandra Garvey, affectionately known as Alexa, has extensive experience in the hospitality industry, where she’s applied her vast knowledge of food, wine and spirits during special events and projects. Alexa has received a certificate in Special Events, Meetings and Conference Management from New York University in 2010. Since her studies, Alexa has become a member of ISES New Jersey North, volunteered for an ISES committee, become a freelance production assistant for a special events company and accepted a position with ISES New Jersey North as Director of Communications. Alexa looks forward to embracing the next five years of education and experience, with the goal of becoming CSEP certified.
Brinda Merhai, Director of Administrative History/Secretary
Brinda Merhai discovered her passion for event planning while organizing a speed dating event for singles in her community. Her love of connecting people through events sparked her interest of becoming an event professional and shortly thereafter she enrolled in New York University’s program for Meetings, Conferences and Special Events Management. It was at NYU, Brinda was introduced to ISES by Professor Dianne DeVitt. Brinda joined as a student member in 2008 and immersed herself in learning from her peers and building her network of event professionals. As an independent event planner, Brinda has worked with organizations such as St. Luke’s Alumni, West End Intergenerational and World Care Center in the production of fundraising and celebrity events as well as social events for private clients. Brinda won the 2010 ISES New Jersey North Garden State Gala Award for Best Corporate Event for the West End Intergenerational “True Colors” fundraiser. Brinda has served on numerous committees in ISES including the New York Metro Twin Chapter Committee and Communications Committee, the ISES New Jersey North Communications Committee and Gala Committee. Her most current role in ISES New Jersey North is serving as the Director of Administrative History.
Gina Capozzi, Director of Programs
Gina Capozzi has always had an incredible passion for design. Whether it is through personal artwork, fashion ideas or interior decorating, there is an excitement within her when immersed in thoughts, ideas and creations of a specific canvas. She strongly feels that design is an incredible outlet to express individuality, emotion and style. As a part of her artistic background, Gina has displayed work in the village gallery of Montone, Italy during her six weeks of study there. She was also part of a three person project in which the work was displayed in the Norman Rockwell Museum in Massachusetts. Gina went to school at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. While going to school, she always continued to work in the hospitality industry. Throughout her time in school, Gina had worked for an assistant to a belt designer and also interned for a well-known public relations firm. After school, she worked as an outside sales executive in New York City for a Fortune 500 company. Now, three years later, Gina is the District Account Executive with Cort Event Furnishings, serving the entire state of New Jersey. Cort Events is a Berkshire Hathaway company that provides rental furniture for the meetings and events industry nationwide. She plays a key role in providing design support and consultation that makes every event special and unforgettable. Gina is thrilled to be a part of the events industry. After all, as she says, “design is a huge part of my life. It always was, and it forever will be.”
Ari Starkman, Director of Finance
Ari Starkman brings his fresh and creative catering and restaurant experience to The Elan. He began his career in the food and events industry while attending the Berklee School of Music and later the graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, the country’s top culinary school. Since graduating, he has developed his culinary skills while working under some of today’s most renowned chefs, including Steven Starr (Buddakhan) and Rocco D’Spirito (Union Pacific). Most recently, Ari was the General Manager at Sterling Affair, a high-end New York City off-premise catering company which boasts such clients as the Rockefeller family and Columbia and Fordham Universities. There he further developed his management and event planning skills, bringing his distinctive style and stellar service to each and every event he planned and managed. He provided clients with his superior attention to detail and dedicated personal service from event conception to completion, ensuring each and every detail from cuisine to decor and staffing was perfected. Under Ari’s ownership and management, The Elan is poised to serve and satisfy its clientele.
Anthony Gerardi, Director of Education
Anthony Gerardi has been in the entertainment industry for 21 years. He started as a hobby and eventually became a business owner. In 1990 he opened Partners In Sound Productions and over the years the company grew so much that Anthony, along with his partners started The Partners In Sound Entertainment Group. The company is made up of 6 divisions and each company specializes in different aspects of the industry. Platinum Entertainment performs exclusively at Wedding celebrations, High Energy Mitzvah Events, entertains for Bar / Bat Mitzvah Celebrations, Partners In Sound Productions handles social, corporate and A/V production, The Voto Booth Corp rents out state of the art Photo / Voto Booths, Merge Management is a talent and booking agency and his newest venture is Magical Enterprise. This handles all carnival, amusements, tables, chairs, tents and lounge décor. As an owner of one of the most successful entertainment companies serving the tri-state area, Anthony is looking forward to giving back by working with the programs & education committee of the board to provide interesting programs for the members of the ISES NJ North Chapter.
Anthony has a double major in Finance and Economics from the College of Staten Island. He is on the board of directors for Bikers for Babies “March of Dimes” and A.P.F.E.D. Anthony resides in Staten Island and enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife Nicole and his amazing little boy Anthony Jr. Anthony and Nicole are expecting their second child in March 2012. He is an avid N.Y. Yankees fan and loves all types of music. His goal is to one day open up his own catering facility.