IAEE CTC

Say hello to Tony Rodriguez, our Director of Arrangements and the planner behind events at Shell Energy Stadium and Houston Sports Park. As the Director of Events, Tony facilitates and executes everything from MLS and NWSL matches to major stadium happenings, keeping every detail sharp, smooth, and game day ready.

His productivity hack? Tequila… followed by a very up to date calendar and priority task list. (In that order, according to Tony.)

His advice for new event pros is equally iconic: Tequila — and lean into your professional associations. The mentors you meet along the way will shape your career more than you know.

Just for fun: Tea or coffee? Tea… as in TEA quila. Early bird or night owl? These days, definitely an early bird.

Tony brings humor, heart, and serious event day expertise to everything he touches — and we’re lucky to have him.

Meet Mary Altemus, CMM, CMP, CEM — The Strategist Behind Seamless Conferences

When you picture a flawlessly executed conference or exhibition — the kind where every room turn is smooth, every vendor is aligned, and every detail feels intentional — there’s a good chance someone like Mary Altemus is behind it. As our Director of Membership and a seasoned Conference Logistics & Exhibition Manager, Mary oversees the full end to end experience for large scale events. She’s the one connecting stakeholders, vendors, and venues into a single, well orchestrated machine that drives revenue and delivers impact.

Mary doesn’t just manage logistics — she masters them. Her secret weapon is Airtable, her single source of truth for tracking exhibitors, sponsorships, and every moving piece that makes an event tick. And when she’s not deep in dashboards, she’s tapping into IAEE resources and peer networks, because she knows the best insights often come from real world experience shared by fellow pros.

Her advice for newcomers is pure gold: Don’t just do the task — understand the “why” behind it. Why room turns are timed the way they are. Why F&B minimums matter. Why loading docks run like clockwork. That’s how you grow from executor → manager → strategist. And Mary is living proof of that evolution.

And just for fun: She’s a coffee loving early bird who dreams of wandering the charming streets of Salzburg — a destination as elegant and thoughtfully composed as the events she brings to life.

Mary brings clarity, strategy, and a whole lot of heart to our community — and we’re lucky to have her shaping the future of our membership.

Meet Owais M. Shaikh — Co Director of Social Events

Say hello to Owais M. Shaikh, serving his first year as our Co Director of Social Events and bringing more than 20 years of trade show expertise to the table. As a Senior National Sales Manager at Shepard, Owais is known for driving strategic account growth, building long term client partnerships, and leading high performing sales initiatives that deliver real results across the event industry.

His go to productivity tool? He keeps it classic — pen and paper. Simple, effective, and always reliable.

Owais’ advice for anyone entering the events world is as solid as it gets: Control what you can control. The rest will fall into place.

And when he’s off the clock, you’ll find him enjoying family time, travel, golf, pickleball, and basketball. His dream getaway? Anywhere remote, warm, and peaceful — a small village or an island where life slows down.

We’re thrilled to have Owais bringing his experience and steady leadership to our community.

If you’ve spent more than five minutes with Andrea Bean, you already know she’s the kind of leader who blends strategy, creativity, and pure Austin charm into everything she touches. And now she’s bringing that magic to IAEE as one our newest members!

Director of Sales, Visit Austin: With 20 years in the events and exhibitions world, Andrea leads the team responsible for driving group business and matching planners with the perfect hotels, venues, and Austin experiences. If your event belongs in the Live Music Capital of the World, Andrea is the one who helps make it happen.

What fuels her love for events? Andrea is obsessed—in the best way—with the intersection of strategy and human experience. She loves the psychology behind connection, engagement, and those unforgettable moments that make an event stick. For her, events aren’t just logistics… they’re living, breathing experiences that shape how people feel, think, and remember.

Proudest accomplishment: Leading sales at Visit Austin during a transformative moment for the destination. She’s helping reimagine how the city attracts high impact group business—bringing together strategy, creativity, and the entire hospitality community. Big vision, big collaboration, big results.

Why IAEE: Andrea joined to plug into a powerhouse network of exhibitions and events pros. Staying sharp, informed, and connected matters—and IAEE is the perfect place to grow, learn, and bring even more value to her clients.

Favorite Central Texas escape: Barton Springs with a blanket, a good book, her husband, and a few refreshing dips on a warm afternoon. Andrea prefers Coffee to start the day and Chamomile to wind it down; she is an early bird all the way, and her dream vacation is Hawaii — still on the list, but not for long!

If you’ve ever wondered who helps bring major conventions to Austin—the kind that energize the city, fill hotels, and create meaningful economic impact—meet Tina Travers, IAEE CTC Director of Charity & Community Service, now proudly serving her second year on the board.

By day, Tina is a Senior Sales Manager at the Austin Convention Center, where she plays a key role in attracting major events from across the country. She’s the connector, collaborator, and strategic thinker helping position Austin as a destination for truly unforgettable experiences.

At the heart of Tina’s work is relationship building. She excels at creating trust, nurturing partnerships, and ensuring every client feels confident choosing Austin. Along the way, she works closely with organizations across the city to highlight what makes the destination special—always keeping her focus on the bigger picture and the community she loves.

In a fast-moving industry, Tina’s favorite tool is Copilot. Whether she’s crafting a nuanced email or sparking fresh ideas, it’s her go-to for navigating those familiar “how do I say this?” moments with clarity and confidence.

Her advice for anyone entering the events world is both simple and spot-on: you’ll learn something new every single day. The industry moves fast and changes even faster—but that’s part of the excitement. Stay curious, stay adaptable, and enjoy the ride.

Tina is an iced-coffee-all-year kind of person, a proud night owl, and dreams of crossing Bora Bora off her bucket list—turquoise water, overwater bungalows, and all the serenity a night owl could ask for.
With hustle, heart, and a deep love for community, Tina brings her best to everything she does.

Austin and IAEE CTC are better for it.

If you’ve spent any time in the convention and trade show world, you already know the name Tod Stehling. With more than 35 years in the industry and a reputation for turning big ideas into seamless, unforgettable experiences, Tod is the person planners call when they want their event to not just work—but work beautifully.

As National Sales Director at AEX Convention Services and Co‑Director of Communications and Co‑Sponsorship Chair, Tod is the steady hand, strategic thinker, and trusted relationship builder who makes even the most complex events feel effortless.

Tod’s superpower goes beyond execution—he elevates everything he touches. He listens first, collaborates fully, and brings visions to life with calm confidence earned through decades of experience, passion for the craft, and a deep understanding that events are about people. Smooth, impactful, unforgettable—that’s the Tod signature.

His advice for rising event professionals reflects that same grounded wisdom: think big, align yourself with organizations whose missions truly inspire you, and plan not just for tomorrow, but for the next five and ten years. And in a world increasingly driven by digital tools, Tod is a powerful reminder that real growth still happens face to face. Handshakes, conversations, and genuine connections will always matter.

Outside the convention center, Tod is living his dream Yacht Life. Picture turquoise water, sunshine, white‑sand beaches, and long walks with his wife Angelica, surrounded by kids, grandkids, family, and friends—no phone in sight. Ask Tod about his dream vacation and he’ll tell you without hesitation: luxury yacht life. “Once you do it, nothing compares. Anchors away.”

He’s a coffee‑powered early bird (up at 5:45 a.m. by choice), a relationship‑driven leader, and one of those rare professionals who instantly makes you think, I want to work with that guy.

And honestly? You do.

Meet Jake LaMagdeleine, the newest spark joining our IAEE Central Texas Chapter. Jake is a marketer, creator, night owl, and all around good vibes machine.

As the Marketing Coordinator for the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society (VECCS), he’s the behind the scenes force shaping membership emails, conference communications, social media, and web content. In just three years in the events world, he’s already known for being hands on, thoughtful, and tuned into how the little things shape the big picture.

Jake’s proudest work? His tourism themed email campaigns for VECCS’ spring conferences: attendee inspired mini adventures that brought each host city to life.

He joined IAEE to connect with the broader events community and is excited to learn, grow, and collaborate. If you see him at an event, say hi—he’s one of those people who make community feel easy.

A few fun facts:
• Favorite Central Texas spot: The River Walk
• Certified night owl
• Dream trips: Greece or Australia

We’re thrilled to welcome Jake to the IAEE CTC family — here’s to fresh ideas, new connections, and plenty of creativity ahead.

If you’ve ever wondered how a blank floor plan transforms into a full-blown, show-stopping event, meet the woman behind the magic: Taylor Buck, IAEE CTC Director of Communications since 2024 and Client Solutions Manager at Freeman.

Taylor is the ultimate liaison—the steady bridge between vision and reality. She guides clients from their very first layout sketch to the final graphic that brings their brand to life, ensuring every detail feels intentional, polished, and impactful.

While the industry is packed with apps and digital platforms, Taylor swears by something refreshingly simple: pen and paper. She loves the clarity of writing things down, the satisfaction of crossing tasks off a list, and yes—the joy of selecting new pens and fun notebooks. In an industry that never slows down, those small rituals keep her grounded, focused, and organized.

Her advice to those entering the convention industry is deeply rooted in experience: find a mentor you trust and absorb everything you can. Taylor credits her own mentor with helping her navigate early career uncertainty, encouraging her to take a chance on a role she wasn’t sure about, and ultimately shaping the professional she is today. That leap of faith didn’t just build her confidence—it set her on the path to the career she loves and the clients she proudly serves.

And just for fun: Taylor is a coffee-first, early-bird kind of human who dreams of escaping to the breathtaking beauty of Banff, Canada—where crisp mountain air and peaceful views offer the perfect recharge for an event pro.

Taylor brings creativity, hustle, and a constant smile to everything she touches—and our community is better because of her.

IAEE CTC Celebrates National Travel & Tourism Week!

IAEE CTC is proud to join the nationwide celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), May 3–9, 2026, spotlighting the travel industry’s essential role in powering our economy and elevating communities across the country.

This year hits differently. With the World Cup just weeks away and America’s 250th birthday on the horizon, the U.S. is gearing up for a decade of global attention. As the U.S. Travel Association shared, the impact is undeniable: $3 trillion in economic activity and 15 million jobs supported by this industry.

The 2026 theme, “Postmarked: Essential,” is a perfect reminder that travel leaves a lasting mark—fueling growth, shaping culture, and strengthening every community it touches.

Here in Texas, we feel that momentum every day. “The energy and growth in Texas are only made possible by our thriving travel industry,” said John Gonzalez, President of IAEE CTC. “Participating in National Travel and Tourism Week allows us to celebrate the businesses and individuals who make our community a competitive, world class destination for domestic and international visitors alike for years to come.”

This week, we honor the people, partners, and innovators who keep our region moving forward. Travel is essential—and so are the people who make it happen.

Say hello to Hayley Savage, CEM—our Year 3 Director of Education. Hayley isn’t just an event professional who can turn a conference floor plan into magic; she’s the one who sees opportunity where others see chaos. Hand her a blank layout, a tight timeline, and a dozen moving parts, and she’ll transform them into an experience that feels effortless, intentional, and unforgettable.

Her true superpower is translating behind-the-scenes hustle into meaningful moments attendees remember long after the lights go down.

As an Event Manager at Association Management Inc. (AMI), Hayley helps associations bring their biggest moments to life. From annual conferences to dynamic trade shows, she’s the steady force ensuring members connect, industries shine, and every attendee leaves with an experience worth talking about.

Her secret weapon? monday.com timelines—because when you’re balancing countless details, color-coded clarity makes all the difference.

Hayley’s advice for anyone entering the events industry is simple and wise: expect the unexpected, stay calm under pressure, and build strong relationships. The best event professionals don’t just manage chaos—they transform it.

She starts her day the same way she approaches her work: bright-eyed, energized, and fueled by a strong cup of coffee. A true early bird, Hayley loves getting ahead of the day. And when it’s time to dream of time off, she imagines white sand, crystal-blue water, and sunshine that slows everything down.

Hayley brings heart, talent, and a whole lot of sunshine to our community—and we’re incredibly lucky to have her.