Peggy Sweeney-McDonald, President - A professional event & meeting planner, specializing in creative meeting and event themes with over 14 years of experience in event and meeting management. Prior to creating SSE-LA, Peggy was the Manager of Meetings & Events for Oakwood Worldwide. Her responsibilities included event concept development, strategy and execution for conferences and annual high energy sales summits, as well as the President's Incentive Trip. Peggy, the "Theme Queen" has designed and developed event programs such as “Taking the Lead for Sales Success”, a triumphant strategy for a sales meeting theme which took advantage of the current pop culture fascination with professional ballroom dancing. She has also designed “Stepping Up to the Plate”, a baseball themed event which was fun, approachable and educational. Peggy has an amazing ability to seamlessly meld her theatrical background with her event management skills, ultimately creating unique custom interactive programs that consistently delight and engage our clients and their guests.
An active member of Meeting Professional International, Peggy created and led the very popular workshop, “Discovering and Executing Creative Meeting Themes” for both the MPI Southern California Chapter Annual Trade Show and the annual Educational Summit. Peggy was voted Shining Star of the Month for November 2005 and nominated for Rising Star of the Year for 2006 and Shining Star for 2007. Peggy has a B.S in Speech & Theatre from LSU and for years worked in theatre, commercials, film and TV. She is the creator/producer of "Meanwhile, Back at Cafe Du Monde...", the festive and unique live food monologue event produced in Louisiana, California and Mississippi. Clients include Aquatech, Kidsave, Premiere Oncology, America's Wetland Foundation and the Louisiana Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.
Peggy - Cell: (310) 709-2851 or Email: peggy@superstareventsla.com
Dian Lusher, Vice President - Based in New Orleans, Dian is a conference planner, meeting facilitator, keynote speaker and training and development specialist. She has worked with corporations developing their conference programs from the concept, program and beyond. She is the recipient of the 2012 St. Tamany Professional Woman of the Year. Clients include: AT&T, LA State and local Medical Managers Conferences, Professional Women and Business Women Conferences, Chambers throughout southern region, LA Hotel/Motel Association & St Tammany Tourism Commission.
Diane - Cell (985)264-7967 email: dynalinc@gmail.com
Missy Crews, Event Producer - A Baton Rouge native and LSU graduate, Missy Crews is thrilled to be back in Louisiana. As a former Miss Louisiana, Missy also performed with the Miss America USO tour before moving to NYC where she worked in tv, film & print. Moving ot Charlotte, NC, Missy was on staff with the Children's Theatre of Charlotte serving as a writer, performer and director and continued her passion for youth development by serving as Director for the National program, "Best Friends - Best Men" in the Charlotte Mecklenburg school system. Missy served as Marketing Director for the private music club, "Music With Friends" with concerts produced with Tony Bennett, Gladys Knight, Sheryl Crown and more. She recently has worked with the Manship Theatre in BR as Special Projects Director.
Missy - Cell - 225-931-9325 - email: crewsms@aol.com
Jay Basist, Event Producer - Jay is happy to join the SSE-LA Team as Event Producer in Baton Rouge, LA. After 20 years working in interior design, event management and theatre production in Palm Beach, Florida, Jay is happy to return to Baton Rouge where he graduated from LSU after growing up in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Jay's impeccable taste and exquisite design skills are the perfect match our client's events. From concept to the event, Jay will work with your vision in creating a unique and memorable event from site selection, floral design, menu, decor, entertainment and more. Jay co-produced "Meanwhile, Back At Cafe Du Monde..." events in Louisiana and Mississippi and was on the meeting management team for the America's Wetland Foundation's 2010 World Delta Dialogues conference in New Orleans.
Jay - Cell: 561-339-3971, email: JayBasist@yahoo.com
Claudia Wong, Event Manager - Began her career working in special events in 2002, with YSBD, cultivating her appreciation for, and knowledge of, special event production and logistics, sales and the culinary arts. With a focus on customer service, client development, menu planning and event design, Claudia developed the diversity of skills and experience that her clients find invaluable in creating cohesive and fluid events. Claudia has always enjoyed the many challenges tied to developing, coordinating and managing corporate and social events of all sizes and levels of complexity.
Claudia - Cell: (818) 929-0939 or Email: claudia@superstareventsla.com