Chapter Leadership



President: Sara Bentley
Sales Manager, Cameron Mitchell Premiere Events

MY ILEA WHY:
ILEA is truly best network of industry professionals on a local and national level. I love the lifelong relationships that I have built through ILEA.


President Elect: Tracie Zody, CTA
Owner, Account Executive, Design Exchange

MY ILEA WHY:
I most enjoy the facilitated networking events and educational opportunities with local event industry professionals, especially since we've been so disconnected due to COVID. ILEA has been the best way to rediscover our industry peers and work to build new connections. Also, our ILEA International partners continue to provide exceptional virtual and in-person education and networking events.
Immediate Past President, ILEA Columbus

Immediate Past President: Katie Suty Baker, CMP, DES, CTA
Senior Manager, Community and Customer Engagement, Experience Columbus

MY ILEA WHY:
ILEA has helped me make so many connections not only across the city, but across the nation. I love being connected with so many professionals from different parts of the industry


VP of Marketing and Communications: Tracy Moran, CSEP, CTA
Senior VP, Events & Operations, Bell Tree Productions

MY ILEA WHY:
For me it’s always been the people, the local and global community of like-minded event people who have not only become resources and partners, but friends. In my decades (yes, decades) in ILEA, the value of those relationships cannot begin to be measured.


VP of Programs: Katie Laux, MPAL, CTA
Manager, Volunteerism & EE Campaigns

My ILEA Why:
The people, the friends, and the relationships are at the heart of my ILEA. Without the people there is no event industry. The people I have met through my membership have enriched my professional and personal life.
VP of Membership, ILEA Columbus


VP of Membership: Amy Huggins, CMP, CTA
Director of Culture & Training

MY ILEA WHY:
My favorite part of ILEA is being able to collaborate, and commiserate with other people who really “get you” and understand all of the challenges and opportunities that our industry presents. Being involved allows me to share my knowledge with the next group of future leaders.
Board of Directors





Jason Abady, CTA
Events Manager, Client Services
Greater Columbus Sports Commission

My ILEA Why:
The Greater Columbus Sports Commission is tasked with bringing sporting events to our city, in order to make us an elite sports town and trusted tourist destination. In order to put on top-notch events, I joined ILEA so that I could meet others in the field that are doing the job at a high level, share knowledge, and hire vendors that contribute to the local economy.


Peter Bell 
Founder & Owner, Bell Tree Productions

MY ILEA WHY:
I have always enjoyed the opportunity to find wisdom and insight from others. Joining ILEA has allowed me to talk with people in our field, share ideas and concepts in a mutually beneficial way, and to explore the other opportunities that I may otherwise not have been aware were even a possibility.


Megan Chalfant
Events Manager, Wexner Center for the Arts

MY ILEA WHY:
I love ILEA and the community that comes along with it. I am looking forward to getting to know additional colleagues and friends in the events community and producing amazing events in our post-pandemic world.
ILEA Columbus, Marketing and Communications, Board of Directors

Kiki Koerner
Marketing Coordinator, Cameron Mitchell Premier Events

My ILEA Why:
Passion. Community. Connection. Being able to connect with people who love Columbus and have a passion for bringing people together… it’s a dream. I am glad to be here and grow in the live event space and within the greater Columbus community.


Cynthia Laux
Senior Director, Signature and Institutional Events

MY ILEA WHY:
I am looking forward to collaborating and learning from such a great group of event professionals.


Drew Murray
Owner, Drew Murray Inc.

My ILEA Why:
My passion is bringing people together in meaningful ways. I'm grateful to be a part of ILEA with other event professionals who also strive to make each moment matter!


Alexis Perrone
Event Management Specialist, WOSU Public Media

MY ILEA WHY:
There is a magic that happens in spaces where people gather to experience something together.
I love being a part of the team that makes that happen. ILEA connects me to other professionals in my community and around the country that love to make the same kind of magic.