Eliana Benevento, University of Central Florida

Senior, Event Management

Eliana Benevento is entering her senior year at the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management as she pursues a degree in Event Management. She has earned a place on the President’s Honor Roll every semester, all while being extremely involved in UCF’s campus life. Eliana currently serves as UCF Homecoming’s Executive Director, where she leads a board of 11 students that plan the entire week’s festivities for the 65,000 student body. Last year, she was able to create a brand new Homecoming tradition, Knights Got Talent, that was incredibly well received by the campus community. She also serves her University as a member of the President’s Leadership Council. Next semester, she plans on studying abroad in Bournemouth, England.

Elizabeth Marie Cardaman, Florida Gulf Coast University

Sophomore, Resort & Hospitality Management, Event Management, Spa Services

Elizabeth Marie Cardaman is entering her sophomore year at Florida Golf Coast University pursuing a degree in Resort and Hospitality Management with a double concentration in event management and spa services. Originally from West Palm Beach Florida, she intends on staying in the state of Florida throughout her career in the hospitality field. When she is not focusing on her studies, you can find her volunteering at an animal shelter, working with kids who have disabilities, or spending time at home with family. After graduation, Elizabeth hopes I own her own event planning business. Beginning this fall, she will be working with the camps Programming Board to organize events on campus and student involvement.

Zoey Crichlow, Florida Gulf Coast University

Junior, Resort & Hospitality Management

Zoey Crichlow is currently a student at Florida Gulf Coast University studying  a B.S. degree in Resort and Hospitality Management planning to graduate December of 2018.  She recently completed her first internship at the Naples Grande Beach Resort as a Front Office Intern and will soon be moving into a supervisory position.  My ultimate career goals is to work in the sales, marketing and events department of a first class resort.

Christopher Gero Pardo, Florida Gulf Coast University

Senior, Resort & Hospitality Management, Event Planning

Christopher Gero Prado is a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University, where he studies Resort and Hospitality Management with a concentration in Event Planning. After his graduation in December, he will test to earn his Certified Meeting Professional certification. This will help to jumpstart his career with HelmsBriscoe, where he helps a myriad of planners procure meeting and event space, and hotel accommodations for their company programs. When he is not working, or engaged in academic pursuits, he enjoys spending time with his family where he lives in Naples, Fl.  Chris and his wife, Jacquelyn, are expecting their first child late this August; he cites this as being a key source of his drive and motivation to succeed, and is looking forward to the journey of parenthood with his loving wife.

Moira Larkin. Florida Gulf Coast University

Senior, Resort & Hospitality Manager, Event Management, Spa Management

Moira Larkin is a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University majoring in Resort and Hospitality Management with concentrations in Event Management and Spa Management. Originally from New Jersey, Moira moved to Southwest Florida to attend FGCU and is expecting to graduate in fall 2017. She was previously an Events Marketing intern for the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau where she played an integral role in the production and execution of the ten day Island Hopper Songwriter Festival as well as other events held by the VCB. Moira also held the position of Sisterhood Development Chair for the Theta Nu Chapter of Phi Mu Fraternity and was tasked with planning all sisterhood events and retreats from fall 2015 to spring 2017. She is a Certified Guest Service Professional and a Certified Crowd Manager.

Cassandra Lovett, Florida State University

Junior, Recreation, Tourism and Events, minor in Hospitality

Cassandra Lovett is a Recreation, Tourism and Events major, with a minor in Hospitality, at the Florida State University Panama City.  Born in Phoenix, and raised in Florida, Cassandra has worked in the Hospitality Industry for over 18 years. She realized her passion was working in event management and went back to college to pursue her Bachelor’s degree. Cassandra is on the President’s List and serves as Programs and Events Coordinator for the Recreation Club Florida State University Panama City. Over the last year, Cassandra has volunteered at many community service events directly related to her major. After graduation, Cassandra looks forward to joining a company working in event management.

Giovana Perez-Oliveras, University of Florida

Senior, Tourism, Event & Recreation Management, Studio Art

Giovana Perez-Oliveras was born in the island of Puerto Rico and later moved to Kissimmee, FL, where she currently resides. She is entering her senior year as a student at the University of Florida in Gainesville majoring in Tourism, Event and Recreation Management and minoring in Studio Art. Her  passions lie in using the arts as a tool for programs and events to engage communities and youth. She has been fortunate enough to put her passion into practice through her involvement as Vice President of the UF Event Marketing Student Association, Ambassador of her college, Public Programs intern at the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, and Recreation Counselor at St. Cloud’s Parks and Recreation Department, just to name a few.

Peter Rand, Florida Atlantic University

Junior, Communications, Hospitality Management

Peter K. Rand is a Junior attending Florida Atlantic University (FAU).  He is currently majoring in Communications with a minor in Hospitality Management. Peter garnered a fair amount of experience in the areas of event planning and management.  He recently successfully completed an internship with Winterfest, Inc. in Fort Lauderdale.  Working with Winterfest “The World’s Most Watched Boat Parade” Peter assisted in coordinating many prestigious events. Peter’s ultimate career goals are to work in the fields of marketing and event management.

Tiah Romano, Florida State University

Junior, Recreation, Tourism and Events

Tiah Romano is a full-time mother of three and student at Florida State University, Panama City Campus.  She is a veteran and served in the United States Army for three years, which is what led her to go back to school.  After exiting the Army, she decided to pursue a Culinary Management degree, while also completing the remainder credits to obtain an Associate of Arts degree.  Upon graduation from Gulf Coast State College she realized her passion for the hospitality side of culinary management and decided to continue her education at Florida State University, Panama City campus.  She will receive her Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Recreation, Tourism and Events in May 2018.  Upon graduation, she hopes to have a professional career as an event planner.  She is very excited to see what the future has in store for her. She has come a long way in such a short period of time. She strives every day to do her best and always tells herself that she can do anything that she puts her mind to.

Laura Salinas Duran, University of Florida

Junior, Tourism, Recreation and Events Management

Laura Salinas is a third-year student at the University of Florida. Originally, she was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, she has recently decided to add Hotel and Tourism to her academic pursuits.  Laura is interested in incentive travel and event management for resorts. She was born in Colombia and prior to moving to the states she only spoke Spanish, now she has proficiency in both English and Spanish. During her free time, Laura enjoys backpacking, learning about nutrition and sustainability, and much more. She is also a natural leader, the past year she was the president of Alpha Kappa Delta - the International Sociology Club. 

Joy Truex, University of Florida

Freshman, Tourism, Recreation and Events Management, Nonprofit Organizational Leadership

Joy Truex is a fourth year student from Davie, Florida majoring in Tourism, Recreation, and Event Management at the University of Florida. She is also studying to earn minors in Business Administration and Nonprofit Organizational Leadership.  Joy works at the J. Wayne Reitz Student Union as the Floor Tech Manager of the Audio Visual Services Department. She also is currently interning for a start-up event company in Gainesville. After graduation, Joy hopes to pursue a career in event management either for a small business or a non-profit organization.

Allison Vives-Vietri, Florida Gulf Coast University

Senior, Resort & Hospitality Management

Allison Vives-Vietri is a recent graduate from the Resort and Hospitality Management Program at Florida Gulf Coast University. She was born and raised in Cape Coral, Florida and is now working with the City’s Special Events department to continue to gain experience with events. When she is not working you can find her surfing or playing tennis. Her passion for outdoor activities is what makes her want to be an outdoor event planner.

Olivia Wade, University of Florida

Junior, Tourism, Events and Recreation Management

Olivia Wade is a junior at the University of Florida where she is studying Tourism, Events, and Recreation Management. She plans to graduate in May of 2019. Olivia is involved heavily in the Reitz Union Board of Entertainment organization at the university after having recently discovered her passion for event planning. In the future, she hopes to possibly pursue a career in event management with non-profit animal organizations.