Key Players

President/Owner
valerie@thekeyeventgroup.com

Valerie is one of the co-founders of the company. She's a big picture person who provides vision and direction for the company. She loves to build relationships with people and cares passionately about this business thus having served in numerous industry leadership positions. Valerie has worked in special events and destination management since 1992. Prior to starting the company, she worked in special events for Macy's Department Stores in New York City and as Director of Gaylord Opryland Hotel Resort & Convention Center's Special Events Department.

Vice President of Meeting Services/Owner
mears@thekeyeventgroup.com

Mears is one of the co-founders of The Key Event Group. She's our logistical guru. She loves the challenge of making the logistics of an event, which seems impossible, possible. She oversees the daily operation of the company and ensures the company's standards for excellence in service, value, integrity and creativity are met for all our clients. Mears has been working in the destination management industry since 1993. Prior to starting the company she worked for Gaylord Opryland's Hotel Resort & Convention Center's Special Events Department.

Executive Vice President
helen@thekeyeventgroup.com

As Executive Vice President of The Key Event Group, Helen provides valuable input into all areas of the company. Helen is well known in the hospitality industry due to her long-standing relationships but also from her numerous leadership positions with many industry organizations. Helen has been a professional meeting planner since 1976. She has received some of the industry's highest awards including, MPI's Lifetime Achievement Award. She was one of the first in the country to earn The Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) designation. She was named one of the 25 most influential people in the hospitality industry.

Senior Director of Sales & Marketing
nyla@thekeyeventgroup.com

Nyla is our Senior Director of Sales & Marketing. Nyla offers a wealth of information when it comes to producing events. Her responsibilities include marketing the company's services in addition to creating new and unique programs for clients based on their needs. She knows the ins and outs of this business and she creates the wow factor for her clients' events. Our clients love Nyla! Her personal goal is to exceed her clients' expectations. Nyla, who has worked for three of the leading DMC's in the country, is the recipient of three Special Event Gala Awards, which are commonly referred to as the "Oscars of the meeting industry." Nyla has been working in special events and destination management since 1990.

Senior Sales Manager
jamie@thekeyeventgroup.com

Jamie, as a sales manager, is responsible for selling our services to associations, incentive and corporate markets, generating leads and client retention. Jamie is a great relationship builder. Clients find Jamie's broad array of destination management experience, commitment to customer service and passion for event planning brings creativity and organization to her work. Jamie has worked in special events and destination management for La Quinta Resort and Club, PGI and for an off-site event facility.

Executive Sales
lee@thekeyeventgroup.com

As a Sales Executive, Lee works with clients and the sales team to provide personalized attention and cost effective, quality programs. Lee's vast experience in event planning and her extensive knowledge of Nashville make her a wonderful asset to our team. Lee's first job out of college was with this company in 1990.

Director of Creative Services
eunice@thekeyeventgroup.com

Eunice is a Production Manager and is responsible for creating proposals and executing her events to their fullest potential. Eunice is very creative and an out of the box thinker. She contributes all of her creativity, efforts, dedication and professionalism to creating successful and memorable experiences for our clients and their guests in every project she manages. She brings with her a wealth of experience having worked as a meeting planner, interior designer and in sales and marketing for The Ritz Carlton Hotels.

Production Manager
heather@thekeyeventgroup.com

As a Production Manager, Heather is responsible for creating proposals and providing perfect event execution. Heather is great at working on event logistics, power point presentations and audiovisual. She has high event standards and she is extremely dependable, honest and hard working. Prior to joining the company, she worked at Kennedy Space Center as a meeting planner, supporting meetings.

Production Manager
michelle@thekeyeventgroup.com

Michelle works on a daily basis with suppliers ensuring that our company's high standards are met and each of our clients receives the best possible service and value. She is extremely detailed, organized, flexible and professional. Prior to joining our team she completed an Advanced Internship with the Walt Disney Company. In addition, Michelle gained valuable event planning experience through her experiences planning philanthropic events and banquets as a member of Pi Beta Phi while serving as Chapter President, Philanthropy Chair and Social Chair.