President

Mia Monroe
Norris Conference Centers - Houston Westchase
(713) 775-5797
president@iseshouston.org

Mia Monroe, CSEP has been in the events industry for 10 years, planning events in North Carolina, New York and Texas. In that period, she earned both a Masters in Tourism Administration and a Professional Certificate in Event Management from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from Winston-Salem State University. Mia has had the wonderful experience of working with and learning from some of the top names in the industry and earned an ISES ESPRIT Award in 2005. Since 2004, she has been very active in ISES, currently serving as President of the Houston Chapter. She also sits on the Editorial Advisory Board for Texas Meetings and Events Magazine and has recently received the Certified Special Event Professional designation. Mia is now the General Manager of the Norris Conference Centers- Houston Westchase.

Heather Hamilton-Sims founded Simply Jubilee Events after many years of experience planning corporate and social events. A native Houstonian, planning social events for friends and family was a hobby that she later turned into a career as a corporate event planner.  Her previous experience includes sales and marketing positions at Sprint where she planned, designed and executed a myriad of corporate events, meetings and parties for employees and customers in seven (7) states. Heather’s attention to detail, unbridled passion, professionalism and customer-focused service has earned her a reputation as a stellar corporate and social event planner and the go-to person for spectacular events in Texas, Louisiana’s Gulf Coast and Georgia.

Tiffany obtained her degree from Sam Houston State University and was actively involved with the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) where I served as President for three years.  Currently, she works for the Grand Finale Catering as the Marketing and Events Coordinator.  She has been actively involved with the International Special Events Society (ISES) since 2006.  She has served on various committees including Education and Programs to further learn about the event planning industry and all it encompasses.

Haley Hughes-Doyle joined the event world right after college. Starting in non-profits with Austin Parks and Recreation, she soon moved to Houston where she switched to social events as a Director of Catering.  From there she founded En Vogue Events. Haley also worked as the Event Planner for The Knot magazine and has also taught and certified future wedding planners for The Wedding Planning Institute, at the university level. She has been featured on The Knot, Houston Chronicle, Houston Press, FOX 26 News, and People Magazine among others.

Apriel Westmoreland
communications@iseshouston.org

Apriel Westmoreland is a native Houstonian, with 8+ years experience in handling special events in the catering business, non-profit sector, and at an institution of higher education. She began her experience in event management while serving as chairperson of Marketing and Promotions of the Prairie View A&M University Campus Activities Board, where she planned, developed, and implemented programs that provided opportunities for students to grow through educational, cultural, social, and recreational experiences. She has managed events for 30 to more than 3000 attendees. Currently, she works in Development and Public Relations for Covenant House Texas, a shelter for homeless youth, where she plans the annual spring gala, donor receptions, and other special events/fundraisers. Whether you are looking to have a chic soiree, an extravagant grand celebration, a bold intimate affair, or simply need advice, she is here to help - and WILL transform your ordinary event into an extraordinary occasion.

Immediate Past President      

Deborah Elias, CSEP, CMP
Elias Events
(713) 334-1800
debbie@eliasevents.com

Deborah Elias, CSEP, CMP has been planning exceptional events in the greater Houston area for over ten years.  In that time, she has won numerous awards for events that she has planned, including an Esprit award. She is the only event planner in the Greater Houston area who has achieved both prestigious event planning certifications, Certified Special Event Professional and Certified Meeting Planner.  She currently sits on the board of the Houston Chapter of ISES and the national SEARCH Foundation.  She has taught special events courses at the University of Houston, Hilton College of Restaurant Management and the Art Institute of Houston.  She is very knowledgeable in the area of special event planning and has written articles for H Magazine, Special Events Magazine and the Houston Business Journal.

Director

Angela Eaton
Avalon Music
713-529-2672

Bio coming soon.

Veronika Millstid – Levine has been an active member of the Houston Chapter of ISES since 2002.After serving on several committees she became VP of Membership, President Elect, and 2004-2005 served as President, and most recently Past President. She was born and educated in Germany. After more than 20 years in international and domestic sales and marketing in the Hospitality Industry, she decided it was time to pursue her dream and passion, and in 1997 Bailey Connor Catering deputed. Celebrating 10 years of success and annual revenue growth, the company has received many awards most recently “the Knot best of weddings” award by the national know wedding magazine “The Knot”.

Director

Linda White
Independent Event Consultant

Linda F. White studied Hospitality Management at the renowned Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston.  She began her hospitality career with Marriott Hotels and Resorts where she started as Room Service Coordinator at the Renaissance Houston Hotel and advanced to Director of Sales at the Courtyard by Marriott -  Brookhollow also in Houston. After spending ten years with Marriott, working both in Houston and Chicago at the Marriott O’Hare property, she decided to explore another area of hospitality – special event planning where she worked as Senior Event Planner at the George Ranch Historical Park in Richmond, Texas. Linda, a native of Chicago, has extensive experience in planning corporate, non-profit and association events as well as social and international events of all types.  Linda is currently the Director of Corporate Events at Joystix Classic Games and Pinballs in downtown Houston.  She exemplifies Marriott’s philosophy of “the spirit to serve” by building genuine relationships with her clients and having a passion for the hospitality industry.  Linda is also taking classes to prepare her for the CSEP certification, studying under ISES-Houston Chapter President, Mia Monroe, CSEP.

Director

Craig R. Howard 
Corporate Incentive Travel, Inc.
(713) 320-7234 

Craig started in the event business in 1979 and was a founding member of ISES. During this time Craig assisted Special Event Magazine organize there annual trade show and convention for 12 years. After leaving Special Events Magazine Craig assisted Event Solutions Magazine launch there annual trade show and convention. Craig has been a speaker a various industry events and continues to showcase his talents in sales for the event industry. Currently Craig is the exclusive USA sales representative for Cirque du Soleil events and the Director of National Sales for Corporate Incentive Travel a 23 year old full service incentive company based in Alexandria, Virginia.

Director

Matthew Finnan
Hilton Americas- Houston
(713) 577-6054 

Matthew Finnan, Assistant Director of Catering for the Hilton Americas-Houston, has been an ISES member since 2004.  He was recently named as a 2007 Hilton Hotels Corporation Circle of Excellence Winner.  Finnan joined the Hilton Americas-Houston team in February 2004, as Senior Catering Manager and was quickly promoted to Assistant Director of Catering later the same year, handling large local corporate and social groups and events. With over 20 years experience in the catering business, he was also part of the opening team for Enron Field (now Minute Maid Park) as the Premium Services Division Manager for ARAMARK. Prior to his arrival in Houston, Finnan worked in New Orleans for the Louisiana Superdome and multiple hotel properties.

Adrienne Wagenheim founded Ideal Gifts in 1990 and Adrienne began creating made-to-order gift baskets for an array of clients. The company gradually grew and evolved and, in 1992, changed its name to Ideal Party Decorators. Over the last eight years, Ideal Party Decorators has grown to levels never expected by Adrienne when she started off hand assembling her products from her living room. Driven by Adrienne's charisma and Roy's dedication, Ideal Party Decorators is the preeminent company for all things decorations. Specializing in events ranging from corporate galas and grand openings to birthday parties and bar/bat-mitzvahs, Adrienne and Roy have created a legion of satisfied customers and fans.