Best Practices for Hotel Meeting and Event Planning

• Insights into the planning process of meetings and events directly from hotel directors 

• Background on how IHG Hotels & Resorts aligns with your goals to achieve a successful overall experience 

• Tips on when to start planning your next meeting or event 

• How the local community is involved throughout the planning process 

About our speakers: 

Melody Elrod serves as the Meetings Director at Crowne Plaza, Ventura Beach. She launched her hospitality career in 2011 as a travel agent and tour guide, where she expertly managed group trips, from initial research to planning and booking excursions. Melody’s expertise in culinary-focused travel itineraries has earned her the prestigious Tastemakers in Travel Award from Bon Appétit magazine. After relocating to Bakersfield to be closer to family, Melody transitioned into the hotel industry as a Sales Coordinator for a boutique hotel, quickly advancing to Assistant Director of Sales. Armed with the skills and experience from this role, she returned to her hometown of Ventura, CA, where she now thrives in her current position at a beachfront hotel. 

Stacy Seaborn is a hospitality veteran with over three decades of experience in the San Antonio area and deep ties to the community. As Director of Sales & Marketing for InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk, she will be responsible for the overall strategic direction of the property’s sales and marketing efforts. Seaborn previously worked at the Hotel Valencia Riverwalk, first as Director of Catering and Conference Services and later as Director of Sales and Marketing. She graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts and a Minor in Food Service Management. Her enthusiasm for the hospitality industry comes from her enjoyment of interacting with people and being able to contribute to their experiences. Seaborn also sits on the board for Special Reach, an organization that provides dynamic enrichment programs for children with developmental delays and respite for their families, and volunteers with Dress for Success San Antonio.