NHS GLOBAL EVENTS - Key Persons


Alexis Aldridge

Job Titles:
  • Consultant, Senior Registration Manager
  • Manager, Sourcing
Alexis brings a wealth of experience to the NHS Global Events team, having spent over 10 years immersed in the dynamic landscape of the hospitality industry. Prior to joining us, she served as an Event Sales Manager at Strategic Hospitality, where she demonstrated her exceptional talent by overseeing the successful execution of more than 300 events annually. Alexis's dedication to her craft and her ability to navigate the complexities of event management have made her a valuable asset to our team. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Corporate Management from Lipscomb University, where she completed her degree in an impressive three years. One of Alexis's greatest assets is her versatility. She can easily navigate any situation or topic of conversation. She is always up for a challenge and willing to help wherever needed. Passionate about people and different personalities, Alexis loves getting to know people and seeing what makes them tick. She is a great communicator and can talk with anyone and make them feel at ease and bring a smile to their face. In her personal life, Alexis has a wide array of interests. She has the most fun in the kitchen either trying a new recipe or meal prepping for the week. You might also find her relaxing with a book or engaging in sporty outdoor activities with her family. Most importantly, she loves grabbing a bite with a friend and just catching up!

Alice Romano

Job Titles:
  • Account Manager, Meeting Operations
  • Consultant, Senior Registration Manager
Alice joined NHS Global Events soon after leaving her position as an Account Manager with an association management company over 10 years ago. She is passionate about being the best she can be at any endeavor she undertakes-a passion that clearly shows in her work. Alice knows that clients gain so much more when working with NHS Global Events, due to the seamless wealth of talent and knowledge of the industry that the team possesses. When Alice is not hard at work, she is dedicated to her husband and three children.

Allison Hines - CEO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Account Manager, Meeting Operations
A graduate of Bowling Green State University where she studied marketing and international business, Allison discovered her love of travel while visiting 19 countries during her semester abroad in France, and now strives to visit a different country every year. Allison cherishes her ability to connect with others and loves to listen and get to know everyone she interacts with. Outgoing and positive, Allison brings her love of people to her role at NHS Global Events and is a testament that our clients aren't getting just one person to work with when they partner with us, but a whole team of passionate people.

Bill Lynch - CEO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Member of the Board
  • Specialist, Business Services
Bill started NHS Global Events with the idea that the meeting services industry would expand to an organization built on the premise of uncompromising service to each individual client, coupled with utilizing the power of relationship. As the year 2000 dawned, Bill felt the industry lacked a single source to satisfy corporations and associations multiple needs. He wanted NHS Global Events to be that go-to "meeting service" that the industry would notice. Bill brings his leadership, extensive travel expertise, and a highly trained group of meeting professionals to the table, which has made NHS Global Events an industry leader. Today, Bill serves as a board member with three organizations and does his best to be a productive member of the Chicago community. Bill is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and resides in Chicago with his wife, Julie.

Brittany Pizzo

Job Titles:
  • Specialist, Business Services
  • Strategic Account Manager, Sourcing
Brittany joins NHS Global Events with over eight years of valuable experience in the events and meeting industry. Her passion for the world of events was ignited after witnessing her first conference come to life, after all the behind-the-scenes planning. Known for her boundless energy, infectious enthusiasm, and unwavering passion for her work and the people she surrounds herself with, Brittany has emerged as a reliable go-to person. At the core of Brittany lies creativity and adept problem-solving skills. Her ability to think outside the box and find innovative solutions to challenges has been a hallmark of her career. Outside of work, Brittany values the simple pleasures of life. This includes immersing herself in nature and her art. Whether surrounding herself with blank canvas or trees while hiking and camping, Brittany loves to slow down and enjoy her downtime with her husband Vincent and two cats Bugsy and Snowball. She also cherishes her time with family and friends, whether it be a night out on the town or a cozy night in.

Bryan Ganek

Job Titles:
  • Account Manager, Meeting Operations
  • Strategic Account Manager, Sourcing
Bryan is a laidback and approachable person who puts everyone at ease. He loves great conversation and has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Concordia University Chicago. Backed by over a decade of industry experience, Bryan is a highly skilled event and project manager who is adept at problem-solving and multi-tasking. He loves challenging himself and overcoming the obstacles that stand in his way. This is evident by two of his proudest accomplishments: completing both a marathon and a 70.3 Half Ironman. Bryan has a passion for learning new things and lives by his motto of "live, love, laugh, and learn every day". In his free time, Bryan enjoys being with his wife, who owns a successful makeup and hair business, and their two sons, Walker (Born in 2017) and Caden (Born in 2021). He also enjoys golfing, watching Chicago sports and walking the family dog.

Camille Turley

Job Titles:
  • Account Manager, Meeting Operations
  • Account Manager, Sourcing
With 5 years of experience in meeting planning and Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Marketing, Camille is a strong asset to NHS Global Events. Originally hailing from Alabama, Camille joined NHS Global Events after spending years in the hospitality industry honing her meeting planning skills in such positions as Lead Wedding Planner with Wedicity, Event Coordinator with Envestnet, and Event Coordinator with The Seminar Group Assistant. Camille is extremely adaptable, which allows her to excel in any situation and serve each client in whichever way suits them best. Camille is a hardworking professional and always puts her best foot forward. Passionate about experiencing new things and seeing new places, Camille is a lifelong learner and sees the best in everyone she meets and every situation she encounters. On a personal level, Camille is easy going and loves to add humor in almost any situation. Outside of work, she likes to read, travel, go out with friends, pet her cat, go to coffee shops, and explore the outdoors.

Carly Raines

Job Titles:
  • Account Manager, Sourcing
  • Consultant, Meeting Manager
Carly, with over nine years of industry experience, stands as an invaluable addition to the NHS Global Events team. In her most recent role as a Marketplace Account Manager, Carly excelled in managing accounts and cultivating strong client relationships. Prior to this, she dedicated seven years in a variety of Group Sales roles, and most recently serving as the Assistant Director of Sales at theWit Chicago, a testament to her unwavering dedication and expertise in the hospitality field, paving the way for her remarkable professional journey. Carly is known for her unwavering ambition and reliability. She consistently goes above and beyond to deliver exceptional results, placing the needs of clients and colleagues at the forefront. Carly's extraordinary negotiation skills and unparalleled work ethic allow her to excel in her role at NHS Global Events. With her caring and supportive nature, Carly always strives for win-win outcomes in every situation and positively impacts all parties involved. Carly's passions include travel and continuous learning. Exploring new destinations, immersing herself in diverse cultures, and savoring culinary experiences from around the world bring her immense joy. Carly also has a profound interest in history and enjoys unraveling the mysteries of how things work, demonstrating her commitment to lifelong learning. During her leisure time, she relishes trying new restaurants, enjoying drinks with friends on sunny patios, and hosting entertaining game nights.

Debbie Cooke

Job Titles:
  • Account Manager, Sourcing
  • Consultant, Meeting Manager
Debbie is a 30 year veteran in the meeting industry. Her university degree, Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, is the basis for her keen ability to streamline processes and procedures and to manage all logistical aspects of a program: the more moving parts, the more opportunities for improvement. Debbie achieved her CMP designation during her time with the Marriott Corporation where she gathered 18 years of hotel experience in areas such as catering, convention services, and destination management. As a meeting management consultant, she has advanced expertise in all areas with specific emphasis on convention, housing, and registration. She loves meeting people from all walks of life with different causes and different passions and gets a great sense of accomplishment from completing successful meetings that surpass client expectations. Family is very important in her personal life and in her free time Debbie enjoys staying active in the outdoors and being on the water.

Grace McCann

Job Titles:
  • Account Manager, Meeting Operations
  • Account Manager, Sourcing
Grace brings a wealth of experience to her role at NHS Global Events, having made significant contributions to the industry over the past two years. Her creative thinking and willingness to lend a helping hand have been instrumental in delivering exceptional outcomes and she consistently rises to new challenges with unwavering enthusiasm. Grace's ability to forge genuine connections with individuals and her commitment to continuous learning remain at the core of her professional journey. A distinguished graduate of Spring Hill College, where she excelled as a student-athlete while studying Management/Marketing, Grace's adeptness at multitasking and finding effective solutions has solidified her reputation as a reliable and trusted professional. Outside of work, Grace maintains an active lifestyle. She enjoys going on runs with her loyal companion, Sully, and exploring different parts of the world to broaden her horizons.

Hannah Thompson

Job Titles:
  • Account Manager, Meeting Operations
  • Senior Director of Global Accounts
Hannah has over six years of experience in the meetings and events industry. Before joining NHS Global Events, Hannah honed her exceptional skills as an account manager for a local destination management company in Atlanta, where she lives. Hannah has been planning events since high school and loves the combination of creativity and organization that goes into planning events. Hannah is passionate about bringing people together through shared experiences and loves her job of creating spaces for that happen. An expert listener and communicator, she prides herself on being able to really hear and understand a client's needs and translate them to the planning and execution of their meetings and events. She is dedicated to always doing her best, and going the extra step to make sure it's done with excellence. Outside of the office, Hannah loves cooking and trying new restaurants with friends. She loves being outdoors and embraces such activities as hiking, kayaking, and camping. When traveling, Hannah loves to explore the city she is visiting and all it has to offer. She is always open to trying or experiencing something new!

Jennifer Herring

Job Titles:
  • Accountant
  • Senior Director of Global Accounts
Jennifer has spent over 25 years in the hospitality industry working with leading brands such as Hilton, Wyndham and Hyatt. She spent 6 years as Director of Sales at Bally's/Paris/Flamingo hotels overseeing over 9,000 hotel rooms and over 300,000 square feet of meeting space. Jennifer was the first employee building the team that opened the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, where she spent 6 years as Director of Sales. She has spent the last 12 years with NHS Global Events as Senior Director of Global Accounts. Her expertise includes managing sales and marketing budgets, forecasts, marketing, business plans, sales and most importantly customer experiences. This broad scope of responsibilities allowed Jennifer to hone an already formidable skill set. When she's not connecting with new potential partners, she's devoting her time to the Las Vegas community as vice president of strategic planning for the Las Vegas Hospitality Association Foundation, and dedicates her time to coaching Girls on the Run and feeding homeless through Las Vegas Catholic Worker.

Joe Barrett

Job Titles:
  • Accountant
  • Manager, Meeting Operations
Joe is back at the office, meticulously handling the finances and bookkeeping, ensuring everything is on track. Joe's greatest passion is people-he cares about everyone around him and wants them to know it. Complacency is never acceptable to him-he goes above and beyond in every situation and provides the best possible service. In his personal life, Joe is most proud of his relationship with his wife Dawn and their three beautiful and smart daughters. He also loves to play paddle tennis and happens to be a champion in this sport.

Lindsay Miller

Job Titles:
  • Account Manager, Sourcing
  • Corporate Events Specialist
  • Manager, Meeting Operations
Lindsay is a seasoned corporate events specialist with over 20 years of hospitality experience. With a strong background in staff management, account management, and program implementation, Lindsay brings a wealth of expertise to her role at NHS Global Events. Previously serving as Operations Manager, Program Implementation Manager, and Director of Account Operations, Lindsay has a proven track record in delivering exceptional client relations. Known for her outgoing and inviting nature, Lindsay possesses a unique ability to connect and relate with individuals from all walks of life, making her a valuable asset in providing outstanding client service. A skilled communicator, she actively engages with people, offering her undivided attention and genuinely listening to understand their needs. Lindsay's meticulous and systematic approach enables her to excel in analyzing and optimizing systems and processes. Beyond her professional pursuits, Lindsay's passion extends to her relationships with friends, family, and loved ones. She believes in the power of kindness and consistently strives to treat others with warmth and compassion. During her downtime, she enjoys hosting delightful dinners and social gatherings for her loved ones.

Liz Parisi

Job Titles:
  • Account Manager, Sourcing
  • Accounting Coordinator, Business Services
With over a decade of experience in the meeting and event industry, Liz has a storied background and is well-rounded in her skillset and what she brings to NHS Global Events. Liz began her hospitality career on the hotel side of things, in operations as a banquet manager, and then moved into meetings and events and lastly, sales. She has worked for Hyatt, Starwood, Marriott, and most recently, Loews. Liz loves people and is passionate about relationships. She thrives on building and fostering relationships with clients, and remains a constant resource that our clients can always turn to. Liz prides herself on making any situation positive. Her mindset is that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and she will find it! When she isn't busy putting in her all at work for our clients, you can find Liz spending time with her husband, Tony, and their two kids, Stella (10) and Dominic (6). Liz loves cooking with her family, baking, reading, and solving sudoku and crossword puzzles.

Lupe Alvarado

Job Titles:
  • Account Coordinator, Meeting Operations
  • Accounting Coordinator, Business Services
Lupe joined NHS Global Events after working at a financial institution for 5 years, where she finely tuned her management skills and strengthened her business savvy. She graduated from Northeastern Illinois University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Business Management. Lupe started her career and management experience in retail before moving to the banking industry. Lupe is highly motivated, experienced, and goal oriented. She is always searching for new knowledge and experiences. Lupe is passionate about others and never hesitates to lend a helping hand. When she's not working, Lupe loves nothing more than spending time with her partner, Cesar, and her 18-month-old son, Zayne. They do everything together, from playing and watching TV to reading and taking long walks to the park. In her alone time, Lupe likes to read, search for new recipes, or attend a kickboxing class.

Mary Kucharski

Job Titles:
  • Account Coordinator, Meeting Operations
  • Coordinator, Business Services
Mary is the consummate professional: she enjoys working work and getting things done, but also knows when it's time to close the laptop for the day and relax and have fun. With her ability to get along with all types of people and her love for collaborating with others, Mary is a great team player and a huge asset to the team. She is a very adaptable person who can think quickly on her feet, and she always tries to not sweat the small stuff! Coming from a large family, Mary is enthusiastic about people and being with others. She is especially passionate about her friends and family, who helped shape her into the person she is today. With her positive attitude, Mary tries to squeeze as much joy out of life and to say yes to things as much as possible. When she is not hard at work, Mary enjoys spending time with her loved ones and traveling.

Matt Brolley

Job Titles:
  • Consultant, Meeting Manager

Melissa Friedman

Job Titles:
  • Account Manager, Sourcing
  • Consultant, Meeting Manager
Melissa is one of NHS Global Events longest tenured employees, starting as an intern in 2009. She now manages conferences for our largest clients with tremendous success. Utilizing laser-like focus on her ever-growing to-do list, she delivers results. From contracting, travel management, hotel logistics and on-site coordination (just to name a few), Melissa is known as a force to be reckoned with. Internally, she works to ensure her colleagues have the tools and skills to succeed in their roles. Her activity within the industry has never been limited to the office. She is an active member of Meeting Professionals International - Chicago Area Chapter (MPI-CAC) where she was named one of Tomorrow's Leaders and given the Service Committee of the Year award for Sponsorship. Melissa also served three years on the chapter's Board of Directors. In recognition for her work on behalf of the industry, Connect Corporate recognized Melissa as one of the "40 under 40" in 2019. Melissa caught the travel bug early with family trips to places like Hawaii and London. This love of travel manifests itself in an ongoing goal; to receive a new passport stamp every year. When she's not on the road, she loves living in Chicago, exploring the neighborhoods and sampling local brews. She has an adorable pup named Penny, but you should only ask about her if you're prepared to spend a long time looking through photos.

Melvin Burns

Job Titles:
  • Account Manager, Sourcing
  • Manager, Business Services
Melvin brings over 10 years of industry experience to his position with NHS Global Events. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Melvin's first foray into the industry was as a Travel Sales Specialist at AAA Vacations. This starting point of his career helped to inspire Melvin's insatiable wanderlust and encouraged him to journey to 15 countries across three continents. Following that position, Melvin worked on the hotel side of things in a variety of important roles, most recently as Catering & Conference Services Manager with the Four Seasons Chicago. With his strong ambition and passion for learning, Melvin excels in any endeavor he takes on. He is passionate about people and easily forms connections with everyone he meets, allowing him the knowledge, empathy, and trust that our clients can rely on. Melvin's love of learning extends to his personal life, and he constantly seeks out new learning opportunities. His passions also include travel, history, food, and interior design. Outside of work, Melvin loves spending time with friends, film festivals, beach days, cooking, comedy shows, and street festivals.

Michelle Koszuta

Job Titles:
  • Account Executive
  • Manager, Business Services
You won't see Michelle on-site managing meeting operations, but rest assured, her behind-the-scenes oversight of our day-to-day business flow and special projects is what keeps us all on track. Her former experience as supervisor of a litigation process department makes Michelle a master of project management, and with her keen eye on the details, she's the quality control that turns great work into excellent work. The next time your project is in our hands, Michelle will be working to keep everyone on task and ensuring that deadlines are met. When she's not focused on work, you'll find Michelle spending time with her husband and their son, with whom she enjoys a life of love and laughter.

Natalie Rivera

Job Titles:
  • Account Executive
  • Director of Global Accounts
Natalie has a passion for planning meetings and events, fueled by her love for seeing all the pieces come together. Her zest for a good challenge allows her to be positive in every situation and find the best solution to an issue. She takes great pride in managing multiple programs while travelling and ensuring a successful meeting/event. Friendly, organized, and hard-working, she has all the attributes of a truly excellent meeting planner. With 8 years of experience working in the industry with both corporate and association clients and a Bachelors in Business Management, Natalie is able to bring expert project management, registration, and planning to the different clientele NHS Global Events has to offer. Natalie is always looking for the next adventure and subscribes to the idea of trying things at least once. She loves being outside, doing everything from kayaking and camping to embracing the views Chicago rooftops have to offer.

Peter Schmidt

Job Titles:
  • Account Manager, Meeting Operations
  • Director of Global Accounts
With over 15 years of experience in the convention industry throughout the US and Europe, Peter is the firm's Director of Global Accounts. Making connections is the cornerstone of Peter's philosophy and he is dedicated to maintaining and nurturing relationships with his accounts and ensuring their complete satisfaction. Peter stays connected to the community and the industry through memberships in Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA). Fluent in English and German, Peter came to the United States in March of 2000 and worked at luxury hotels such as the Drake Hotel in Chicago and the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. His commitment to the highest level of customer service is what quickly fostered a strong bond with NHS Global Events throughout his career. His ability and commitment to provide 360 degrees of service to his customers keeps Peter motivated and inspired every day. The fact that Peter grew up in Germany makes him a confident and experienced resource for any international meeting and conference. He is a regular attendee at IMEX in Frankfurt and maintains a comprehensive network of supplier and vendor contacts throughout the global market place.

Ramon Rochester - President

Job Titles:
  • President
  • Account Manager, Meeting Operations
With nearly a decade of experience in events to his name, Ramon is perfectly suited in his role with NHS Global Events. Ramon garnered much of that experience working at different non-profit unique venues and in corporate events, which allowed him to work with a wide array of different clients. Before embarking on the path of his hospitality career, Ramon's interest in events was sparked during his 2012 internship at the Philadelphia Zoo. In addition to being an adroit meeting planner, Ramon is remarkably skilled in interpersonal communications. A talented relationship-builder, Ramon finds it easy to connect with and relate to everyone he meets. This allows him to fully understand our clients and their individual needs, making him an invaluable resource that our clients can rely on. Outside of work, Ramon is passionate about singing, studying and performing it throughout high school and college, and enjoys TV, video games, and any time spent with his good friends.

Sean Lynch - President

Job Titles:
  • Consultant
  • President
Sean's business career has provided a wealth of experience including 20 years of corporate management and 20 years of entrepreneurship. As a preeminent sales leader to company leadership, Sean has produced at all levels. In his current role as President, NHS Global Events, Sean works with the firm's management team while having a laser focus on team development and client success. Sean enjoys the variety of business opportunities as NHS Global Events works with clients on important business meetings, very large user conferences, incentive trips occurring throughout the world, and events that feature innovative galas to team building and community outreach. Beginning with a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia in business administration and a major in finance and minors in marketing and management, Sean then excelled in the financial services industry before joining the leadership team of NHS Global Events. It's the diversity of experiences and his continued learning that has made him one of the true "go-to guys in the industry." Sean is active in several industry associations and doing his part. He served on the Meeting Professional International-Chicago Chapter board of directors, and as the organization's President. He remains active with MPI, and you will see him at industry events, where we can bet he will be smiling with his high energy and desire to assist others. In addition to the pride of NHS Global Events and his other industry contributions, Sean is most proud of his family: Mari, his wife, and their children, Chris, Natalie, and Ryan.

Susan Nicoletti

Job Titles:
  • Consultant
Ask any of our clients about Susan, and there's one consistent theme that develops: great ideas flow, programs go smoother, and getting things done is just easier. While meetings and events can be filled with last-minute unforeseen hurdles, Susan has a knack for keeping everything under control. Her best kept secret, "Ask a lot of good questions to unlock opportunities for creative ideas and solid tactics." Susan's resume reads like an instruction manual on how to be an expert meetings and events consultant. Before joining NHS Global Events in 2004, she enjoyed a successful career at 5-star resorts specializing in convention services, food and beverage, and special events; a background that serves our clients well. She's directed the development and operations of over a dozen in-house destination services departments for resorts under the Hilton, Fairmont, Marriott and Starwood flags, and operated her own DMC and meeting planning company in the meetings hotbed of Scottsdale, Arizona. When she needs a break from the challenges of the meetings industry, you'll find Susan hiking in the Scottsdale mountains or traveling to destinations unknown.