Kevin graduated from Colorado State University in 1984 with a degree in Business Information Systems. He served five years in the U.S. Air Force, during which time he was promoted to Captain. He joined the staff of MP Associates in 1990 and currently is Co-President. Kevin’s responsibilities include overall management of all conference functions including registration, publications, event logistics, and other administrative and financial duties for MPA. He is the Conference Manager for the Design Automation Conference (DAC), which includes working with the Executive Committee to plan a successful event for the 8,000 attendees, exhibitors, and guests. Kevin is a member of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and has served on advisory boards for the Denver Convention Center and the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Goals are growth and development of MP Associates, providing services for a diversified group of conferences and trade shows.

Lee has been with MP Associates for twenty one years, serving in a variety of capacities including Co-President for the past eleven years. His primary responsibilities include overall strategic planning, exhibition management and developing and implementing event marketing programs. He has served on advisory boards for the Denver Metro CVB, GES Exposition Services and the Anaheim/Orange County CVB. He is currently serving on the board of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and has been featured in the EXPO Magazine’s “Best Practices” section. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in International Business from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Kathy Embler has been with MP Associates for eleven years. She has an extensive background in hospitality management, having worked for many years at Hyatt Hotels as a Catering/Convention Services Manager. She has a Bachelors of Science in Business, with an emphasis in Marketing from Western State College. Kathy manages the Operations Department and is extremely knowledgeable in all areas of conference management. This includes: budgets, timelines, sponsorship sales, coordination of outside vendors.  Once on site, Kathy manages all of the conference meeting room functions, including Technical Sessions, Tutorials, Workshops, and Poster Sessions for the conference to ensure that all rooms are set according to the required specifications. She also coordinates the hotel room blocks and makes certain that all VIP guests, exhibitors and attendees have a great experience at the conference location.

Kathy occupies a seat on the Executive Committees for the International Conference on Computer-Aided Design (ICCAD) and the Design and Verification Conference (DVCon). Kathy works directly with the Executive Committee members to ensure their short and long term goals are met. Kathy has been a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) since 1997.  She earned her Certified Learning Specialist certification from Hyatt Hotels.  This certification focused on specialized training on various techniques in room set-up, audio visual and food and beverage selection that enhance the adult learning experience.

Susie has worked for MP Associates for twenty three years. As Director of Exhibit Operations she is responsible for all aspects of client exhibitions including sales, service, floor layouts, and working closely with all exhibit personnel and allocating and monitoring on-site meeting space for private meetings. Susie has developed a remarkable rapport working with customers who are decision makers in purchasing exhibition space and has developed personal, friendly relationships that have been instrumental in leading to consistent exhibit sales. Susie is a key contact person for all DAC Executive Committee members for any questions relating to the DAC exhibition. Susie also interacts with all exhibitors making their experience one of the best ever, by providing everything they need to set up their booth and market their participation to all of their customers. Susie has the help and support of the entire exhibit team at MPA to work with all of the exhibitors, ensuring everyone receives answers to their questions immediately or within one business day.

Lisa started with MP Associates in 2010 and is the Operations Assistant/Food and Beverage Coordinator. She has been involved with various events in the hospitality industry for over four years. Lisa graduated from Colorado State University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Restaurant and Resort Management with a Minor in Business Administration. She is in charge of planning and creating all food and beverage menus, arranging vendor logistics for all MPA events, on-site logistics, and assists the Director of Operations with all conference assignments.

Candi graduated from Parks College, Thornton, Colorado in 1993 with a degree in Business Administration. Candi has been with MP Associates since 2003 and is one of the Exhibit Coordinators, working closely with the exhibitors, maintaining the floor plans, exhibit programs, reference letters and works closely with the Director of Exhibit Operations.

Stacy joined the MP Associates, Inc. team in 2009 and volunteered for the Design Automation Conference for three years prior.  Stacy recently graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management.  As an Exhibit Coordinator, Stacy works diligently alongside hundreds of company's representatives and provides excellent customer service.   This ensures MP Associates, Inc.'s success in this trade show world.

Richard comes to MPA with thirteen year of sales experience, including eight in the EDA market as an independent manufacturer’s representative. In that time, he brought products to market for a number of start-up companies including Micro Magic, GoldenGate Technology and Q Design Automation. His focus is on expanding the exhibitor base and helping increase the exhibitors’ ROI through the use of promotions. Richard works closely with the exhibits group to ensure the sales and implementation of exhibit space and promotions are smooth and well-coordinated.

Anne graduated from Mount St. Mary’s College in 1986 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science Nursing. She has her RN and PHN in the state of California. She recently joined the MP Associates Exhibits Team as an Assistant. Customer Service and helping each client succeed in their exhibit is very important to her. Anne works closely with the exhibits team and the Director of Exhibit Operations to ensure that the exhibitors’ experience will be the best in the trade show industry.

Sandy Owens has been in the event industry for over nineteen years and has been with MP Associates for four years. She worked in the Operations department, as a Conference Coordinator, working closely with the Director of Operations in all phases of logistical conference planning. In 2010, Sandy accepted the position as the Senior Publications Coordinator. In this position, she is responsible for the day-to-day production of all print and electronic publications including client communications, deadline management, database management, and proofing. Her experience with conferences, expositions, sporting events, concerts and festivals has given her a unique and broad perspective, offering a comprehensive blend of marketing, organization and communication skills. She was in charge of the show office for six annual consumer shows for over eight years.  She then spent five years managing and organizing three annual trade shows for a trade association. Sandy’s ability to streamline and generate effective and efficient methods made the process for exhibitors more user-friendly, and thus increased their continued participation in the exposition. Sandy was the Assistant Executive Director for two trade associations for over eight years. Working with trade associations gave her a better understanding of how important trade conferences are to the continued success of an industry. Her constant goal has been to provide an environment conducive for attendees to learn, and to share new and innovative functions in their industry. Sandy graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1988 with a degree in Business Administration.

Lindsy Bentz joined MP Associates in the early spring of 2011, for the opportunity to combine many unique talents and experiences into a career in trade show and event management. As the Publications Coordinator, she uses both her imaginative ability and professional experiences to create various types of print and electronic media. Communication is one of the key responsibilities in Publications. Therefore, it is imperative to disseminate the information across the appropriate media channels to the target audience in a clear and timely manner. Lindsy brings over 6 years of industry experience to MPA which she has successfully leveraged to bring new and innovative ideas to the organization in both the publications department and while on-site. The trade show/event planning industry allows the organizational skills she has gathered along the way to be put to use in order to help others with challenging tasks. Lindsy holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia.

Nannette graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. In addition, she has a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Colorado State University. Nannette is the Registration Manager for MP Associates. She handles all aspects of conference registration, from coordinating the online registration system to on-site registration and also handles vast correspondence with presenters. She is highly motivated, creative, and a versatile project manager.

Prior to becoming a full time employee of MP Associates, Jackie had been a volunteer for the Design Automation Conference since 2001. In 2009, Jackie graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics. As a Registration Coordinator, she serves as an asset to the Registration Department. Jackie works closely with conference attendees and organizers to make sure their trade show experience is the best it can possibly be. In addition to online and on-site registration services, Jackie works alongside committee members and conference volunteers on various projects striving to meet, and exceed, the event goals and expectations.

Paul Comtois has over fourteen years of enterprise-level application development experience. He specializes in C#, SQL, ADO.NET, ASP.NET web development, IIS, JavaScript, Web Services, and XML. Starting his career as a Lotus Notes programmer, he handled various responsibilities of the entire Software Development Life Cycle. Paul worked for Internoded for eight years (1997-2004) as a consultant, developing and managing software projects for MPA Associates, Wachovia, Gillette, Dunkin Donuts, Kansas Anthem, and numerous other companies. The experience of working with various firms helped him understand the strict quality adherence expected by clients. Paul came on board with MPA in 2004 as the Senior Developer in charge of migrating existing software to more robust ASP.NET applications. His first project was the successful design and implementation of the conference registration system. Paul has undergone intensive Visual Studio 2005, and SQL training from certified Microsoft partners and has managed development of applications using .Net 2.0 frameworks. Paul’s technical experience includes: OOP, .Net 2.0 and 3.5 Programming, C#, ADO.Net, XML, Web Services, SQL Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008, Web Design, Web Development, Java, HTML, DHTML, SQL, and Lotus Notes.

Phil Hinton has fifteen years of experience in network administration, technical support, internet technologies (including web design and implementation), internet security, data integrity technologies, and peripheral installation and maintenance. Phil thrives on working in a fast-paced environment where deadlines are a priority and handling multiple tasks is the norm. Phil has the gift of patience and has outstanding attention to detail that allows him to solve problems and debug code and server set ups efficiently to ensure little or no down time.  Some additional skills that Phil has mastered are relational databases, TCP/IP networking, VPN installation and maintenance, configuration and troubleshooting of remote systems, and Adobe Photoshop CS3.

Ruth joined MP Associates in September 2005, and provides Accounting support for the Design Automation Conference, the International Microwave Symposium, and the P.O. Pistilli Scholarship Fund.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management and Communications from Regis University and has extensive business experience.  Prior to joining MP Associates, Ruth worked for Fortune 500 manufacturing companies, including Ball Corporation, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Rockwell International, and John Deere in the areas of Human Resources, Finance and Accounting, and Management Systems and Audits. She has also provided Human Resources consulting services for companies in the Denver metropolitan area. Ruth stays current with business and professional trends through ongoing training and memberships in professional organizations.

Heath has been a technology expert and web enthusiast for well over a decade. His passion stems from an enjoyment of both art and functionality. Prior to working for MP Associates, Heath did several freelance and contract positions ranging from graphic and web design, content management, web development, and server administration. Over the years Heath has integrated himself willingly in both Windows and Linux environments, with his preference heavily being based on a solid solution stack of free, open source software, originally coined from the first letters of Linux (operating system), Apache HTTP Server, MySQL (database software) and Perl/PHP/Python, (LAMP environment/stack). It was a natural evolution from a simple designer to a full-fledged one man army of web and server management. Though he prefers to work in collaborative team environments, Heath has the ability to design a concept, convert it into valid web languages (HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, PHP, and Actionscript 3), and configure the LAMP environment to execute his written code with as little latency as possible all the while ensuring that the code and servers are secure from exploits. Heath is constantly striving to learn more and implement his newly acquired knowledge in current and future projects.

Jessica is the newest recruit to the MP team. She brings a lifelong passion and deep experience in graphic design, marketing and the importance of excellent customer service. Jessica graduated from Westwood College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Communications and an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design and Multimedia. At MP you will find her working in the publications team making sure branding stays consistent from start to finish. As importantly, Jessica’s web capabilities allow MP to keep our client’s websites fresh, user friendly and updated in real time.