Why You Should Attend
Your next meeting deserves a destination that sparks creativity and connection—and Sonoma, California, delivers. Far beyond traditional conference spaces, this Northern California destination blends scenic beauty with relaxed sophistication, creating an atmosphere where business feels natural and experiences feel genuine. From intimate boutique hotels to vineyard resort–style venues, Sonoma is ideal for retreats, incentives and gatherings designed to make a lasting impact.
This event in Sonoma invites planners to explore the destination through a thoughtfully curated, hands-on experience. Attendees will connect with trusted local partners, tour stunning venues and take part in immersive moments that showcase Sonoma’s renowned cuisine, outdoor lifestyle and extraordinary scenery. This hosted buyer event offers a true sense of what the destination can deliver.
Meetings Today LIVE! West brings planners into the heart of Sonoma, offering an authentic look at a destination designed to inspire collaboration, creativity and connection—long after the event ends.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Victoria DeSilvio at:
victoria.desilvio@tradepress.com or 954-707-9821.
Your next meeting deserves a destination that sparks creativity and connection—and Sonoma, California, delivers. Far beyond traditional conference spaces, this Northern California destination blends scenic beauty with relaxed sophistication, creating an atmosphere where business feels natural and experiences feel genuine. From intimate boutique hotels to vineyard resort–style venues, Sonoma is ideal for retreats, incentives and gatherings designed to make a lasting impact.
This event in Sonoma invites planners to explore the destination through a thoughtfully curated, hands-on experience. Attendees will connect with trusted local partners, tour stunning venues and take part in immersive moments that showcase Sonoma’s renowned cuisine, outdoor lifestyle and extraordinary scenery. This hosted buyer event offers a true sense of what the destination can deliver.
Meetings Today LIVE! West brings planners into the heart of Sonoma, offering an authentic look at a destination designed to inspire collaboration, creativity and connection—long after the event ends.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Victoria DeSilvio at:
victoria.desilvio@tradepress.com or 954-707-9821.
The venue
Sonoma | Vinarosa Resort and Spa
A special thank you to our host hotel and sponsor.
Agenda
Speaker
Deborah Gardner, CMP, CVP
President & CEO
DG International, LLC
Oh, whoa! Meet Deborah Gardner: the ultimate “Triple Threat in a Skirt!” A dynamic entrepreneur, Deborah is a global keynote speaker, seven-time bestselling author, and certified meeting and event expert who masters logistics like nobody else.
As a former NBC and CBS Sports broadcaster and pro athlete, Deborah doesn’t just talk the talk, she ambitiously swims the swim—Olympic trials, no less. Crowned Mrs. Arizona and Mrs. America, she is a business royalty with a mic, blending ambition, action, and a splash of fun to motivate audiences around the globe to shake up the status quo, supercharge their dreams, and dominate the fast lane.
Deborah has partnered with industry giants like Walmart, American Express, Success Women, Marriott, and Siemens, helping them prioritize their people and achieve legendary results. Her laugh-out-loud, high-energy presentations are like a Red Bull and double espresso for the soul—guaranteed to get people out of their seats and into action.
Her magnetic presence has recently earned accolades like Top 30 Global Gurus in Hospitality, Best of the Stage Speaker, and features in USA Today, Success Magazine, Fabulous Arizona People, and Meetings Today. She’s also the creator and host of Hospitality Today Live, a worldwide broadcast sensation.
When she’s not lighting up the stage, you’ll find Deborah soaking up the Arizona sunshine, swimming, or hiking with her husband, Jerry, and their rambunctious furry 4-legged lover boy, Bear.
Jessie States, CMP, CMM
Vice President, Consulting
Meeting Professionals International
Jessie States, CMP, CMM, is the Vice President of the MPI Academy for Meeting Professionals International, where she leads and advances MPI’s professional development strategy, developing and managing MPI’s portfolio of educational products, including live and digital events, educational experiences, professional certificate programs and educational partnerships. Jessie has received the Pacesetter Award from the Events Industry Council, an honor that recognizes emerging leaders and industry supporters. She has also earned spots on the lists of 25 Most Influential People in Meetings and Events (Successful Meetings magazine) and Trendsetters (Meetings Today magazine).
