Contributors
Rachel
The EventTalk
Rachel founded The EventTalk with a passion for learning in the event industry. It serves as a platform for event planners across various sectors to come together to learn, connect, create, and share. Rachel curates gatherings featuring expert panelists discussing a wide array of industry topics, hosted at unique venues throughout the greater Phoenix/Scottsdale area.
Rachel’s journey began during her freshman year of college when she immersed herself in sports and community service. Since then, she has dedicated herself to leveraging platforms for positive change. From collegiate and professional sports to weddings, corporate events, non-profits, and retail, Rachel embraces every opportunity to expand her event planning expertise.
A Day to Cherish Weddings & Celebrations
Cara & Stephanie
Cara Morrison — Owner & Principal Planner
Stephanie Poure — Lead Planner
Cara and Stephanie are seasoned professionals with a combined 30+ years’ experience in the event industry; primarily in the wedding sector. Both started with A Day to Cherish as day-of assistants under previous ownership. When the previous owner decided to sell, Cara welcomed the opportunity and took on the role of Principal Planner and Owner. Together they built the company into a trusted boutique wedding planning and coordination firm known for executing couples’ plans seamlessly — allowing them to relax and enjoy the day. The two have planned well over 350 weddings, from the west coast to the midwest, and are strong advocates for a trusted vendor team.
The Maggiore Group
Danielle
Senior Private Dining Events Manager
Danielle has been passionate about planning events and creating memorable experiences since 2011. In 2025, she stepped into her role as Senior Private Dining Events Manager at The Maggiore Group, overseeing private dining and offsite catering for Chef Joey’s concepts: The Italiano, The Mexicano, and The Deli. In 2024 she also launched Charbar AZ, a mobile charcuterie catering cart, and developed a sales training course for the restaurant industry. She serves on the Scottsdale Chamber Ambassador Committee and is Vice Chair of the Lone Mountain Social Committee. Her work has been recognized in the KNOW Phoenixbook and So Scottsdale magazine.
Elite Event Management
Robyn
Founder & Owner
Robyn has owned Elite Event Management since September 2004. Originally from Minnesota and now based in Arizona, she holds a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Since 2010, she has offered free instructional workshops that have helped over 100 non-profits integrate technology into their auctions for increased revenue. Her expertise in event planning, process efficiency, and cost-consciousness — along with her motto “Attitude Equals Success” — has made EEM Arizona a trusted partner for the non-profit community.
A Joyous Event
Joy
Founder & Owner
This year marks Joy’s 23rd year as a business owner. In 2001, she started A Joyous Event Planning & Management, LLC, planning and managing events of all types throughout the Phoenix area. She has produced events for former governor The Late Honorable Jane Dee Hull, NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, recording artist Tamia, and former Arizona Cardinals player Patrick Peterson, among others. To date she has planned nearly 250 events across the country. Joy has received a 2019 Living History Award in “The Art of Entrepreneurship,” a 2022 “Positively Powerful Woman” Award in Transformational Leadership, and was selected as a 2024 “Trendsetter” by Trends Magazine.
Caesars Republic Scottsdale
Hannah
Senior Catering Sales Manager
Hannah has held roles across the hospitality industry for over a decade — from managing a private country club to selling off-premise catering, to most recently selling 100,000+ sq ft of event space at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia. She is now Senior Catering Sales Manager at Caesars Republic Scottsdale, the only non-gaming Caesars property in the world, which opened March 2024 with over 10,000 sq ft of indoor meeting space. She brings deep expertise in the wedding market and has built strong relationships across The Valley.
Liquid Caterers
Kinsey
Owner & Founder
Kinsey founded Liquid Caterers, which serves up everything from specialty bars to custom cocktails throughout the valley. What started in 2010 as “Couple of Bartenders” — sketched on a cocktail napkin — has grown into a full experiential beverage company offering smoke-tasting experiences, creative drink toppers, custom cocktails on tap, mixology classes, and unique bar presentations including a specialty coffee bar and a vintage Tap Truck.