Alan Kleinfeld is a seasoned and highly-sought after speaker, consultant and educator. And the Education Director at SGMP. With years in meeting management, his expertise runs the gamut from A to Z. However, it was his time as a law enforcement officer that gives him a unique viewpoint into conference safety and security.

Tyra Warner, PhD, JD, CMP is the Chair of the Department of Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Arts at the College of Coastal Georgia.  Her practice and research expertise are in the legal, safety, and security issues that affect meetings and events. If her name sounds familiar to you, you may have seen her interviewed in a meetings industry article on contracts, heard her speak at an industry conference, or you may have her confused with Tyra Banks. Actively involved with meetings industry associations for years, in 2022, Tyra was named one of the 50 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry by Meeting Professionals International. Tyra is one of only two people in the world who has a law degree, a PhD in Hospitality, and has earned the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation. 

Kathleen Ryan, CGMP, is a Boeing Customer Engagement Team Lead.  She's a retired Air Force Officer and former Chief of Protocol for the Department of the Air Force and was Aide-de-Camp to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As a business owner, she was an Associate of the Protocol School of Washington where she collaborated on the development of their Protocol Officer Training Course and with Harlan Lee & Associates, she conducted protocol training for the Missile Defense and Defense Intelligence Agencies.  She is a Certified Government Meeting Professional and was selected the 2020 Sam Gilmer "Planner of the Year."

Linda Hampton Norris, CMP - CEO, Norris Conference Centers.  Started in Austin, Texas in 1990, with venues now in Dallas, San Antonio, Katy and 2 in Houston.   Linda has a BS in Education – Baylor; MBA - Texas State University; Masters in Human Resources/Leadership Development – University of Texas.   Since 2012 Linda has presented “Meetings Are A SNAP” workshops for State & National Associations and numerous private organizations. Linda has been involved in various non-profit organizations.  Most recent responsibilities include 2023 Chairman of the Board for the Houston West Chamber of Commerce, Past President of Meeting Professionals International – Houston Area Chapter.

Danielle Rivenbark, CGMP, works for the NC Department of Public Instruction as the Professional Development Manager for Career and Technical Education, where she manages a team that plans and executes 70+ courses and conferences each year both virtually and in person. She also homeschools her five children in rural Eastern North Carolina. She earned her Master’s Degree from Temple University in Tourism and Hospitality Management and her CGMP in 2013. Danielle has been a member of SGMP since 2011 and has served two terms as the NC Chapter President. She currently serves as a GILMER Trustee for Education.

Alan Kleinfeld is a seasoned and highly-sought after speaker, consultant and educator. And the Education Director at SGMP. With years in meeting management, his expertise runs the gamut from A to Z. However, it was his time as a law enforcement officer that gives him a unique viewpoint into conference safety and security.

As vice president of membership and partnerships at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Amanda is focused on collaboration and innovative ways to optimize member experience and grow partnerships. She is known for her endless positive, solution-minded energy. Prior to joining the Chamber in 2020, Amanda served over a decade in other nonprofit management roles. A Michigan State University alum [Go Green!] from The School of Hospitality Business, she began her career at Hyatt and Westin Hotels in Detroit and Chicago. A certified meeting professional (CMP) and professional speaker, Amanda is focused on meaningful engagement and empowering others to achieve results by embracing their unique gifts. She also serves on numerous volunteer boards and is active in her church community. Amanda, along with her husband and five children, embrace and celebrate Pure Michigan, enjoying many state parks, golf courses and freshwater coastline throughout both pleasant peninsulas. 

Debra's passion for learning, transformation and travel have taken her across the United States working with busy professionals like you.  For more than two decades, she has helped thousands blast through life's big and little work/life obstacles.  Her programs--including Winner's Track and Write Path--have been shared with millions throughout the United States, Canada, Guam and Puerto Rico.  

PHYLLIS MIKOLAITIS is Adjunct Professor at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and owns an event planning company. As Program Manager for Xerox Corporation, she managed events and training worldwide for more than twenty years.

Dr. Tyrone A. Holmes is a professional speaker and consultant who has spent more than two decades teaching thousands of people to build powerful relationships in diverse settings. He received his bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Education and master’s degree in Counselor Education from Penn State University. Dr. Holmes received a second master’s degree in Business Management from the State University of New York, before earning a perfect 4.0 GPA in his Counselor Education doctoral program at Penn State.

As the owner of T.A.H. Performance Consultants, he has facilitated more than 1,500 keynotes, training seminars and virtual workshops that have taught participants to connect with others despite their differences, to effectively articulate their messages, to connect with diverse audiences and groups, and to reduce the negative impact of unconscious bias. Dr. Holmes served as a full-time faculty member at Eastern Michigan University in the Department of Leadership and Counseling, and at Wayne State University in the Department of Theoretical and Behavioral Foundations.

He is also a Past President of the Arizona Chapter of the National Speakers Association. Dr. Holmes was awarded the designation of eSpeakers Certified Virtual Presenter, Certified Virtual Host and most recently, Certified Virtual Master Presenter. He loves to facilitate fun, interactive sessions that provide useful tools and techniques for participants!