The NY metropolitan area is host to the most events, the most high-profile events, and the most event industry professionals of any city in the world. Our ILEA Metro chapter, founded in 1988, has supported the local members, and the industry at large, through cutting-edge educational programs, dynamic networking events, partnerships with tangential associations, and a peer-to-peer support system that helps our members grow their businesses and their careers. Our Year-end Big Apple Celebration acknowledges the outstanding volunteer work of the Committees and Chapter Members. The Hall of Legends honors the most senior level event professional who has made a significant contribution to the industry. We invite you to join us as our chapter expands in new areas, in lock-step with the expansion of the NY metro area’s outstanding and diverse events.
Letter from the President - Sabrina Shore
My exceptional and loving colleagues, I am deeply moved and inspired by the appreciation, encouragement, and congratulations from all of you. Thank you for putting such great confidence in me. I am humbled to accept the position of President of ILEA, NY Metro Chapter.
For those that don’t know, I own and run Influence Digital Solutions, a digital marketing agency that caters to the events industry. I am blessed to have clients that are some of the most talented and award winning, event professionals our amazing industry has to offer. My clients know that I work incredibly hard to make sure that they get great results, and I am excited to have the opportunity to bring the same passion, drive, and entrepreneurial spirit into my new role as President of ILEA NY Metro.
When I moved to New York 6 years ago, I had no idea that I would be a part of an amazing organization such as ILEA. My friend and colleague Matt Saravay recommended me to join the board 2 years ago and, since then, I have met some of the most amazing professionals and human beings that our world has to offer. ILEA has truly felt like a community to me, and especially after the trying year we’ve been through, it feels more crucial than ever that we celebrate and rebuild our community at-large.
In the past 15 months, we had to pivot into a virtual, and now hybrid world, that has helped our industry persevere, and it looks like hybrid is here to stay. I mention this because, right now, I am sharing this exciting moment with all of you here in-person while my family watches from Argentina and friends watch from all over the world. I am so grateful to share this experience with everyone important to me, and this same sense of community describes what I want this organization to be.
In this next year, let us begin to revitalize our industry and our world, with all of our goals tied to each other’s successes. Let us all leverage the connections we have and be open to helping our peers and neighbors build connections that will benefit everyone. As a proud Latina woman, I am honored to be leading this organization, and I want us to focus on creating a meaningful and inclusive environment for our audiences, our vendors, our speakers, and our colleagues. This is the direction our world and our industry are asking us to go, and with the help and support of all of you, that is where I plan on leading our organization.
Thank you to Matt Bonavita and Jaclyn Zendrian for the amazing example you have set. Thank you to my amazing husband Greg Shore for your never-ending support (and becoming an advocate for ILEA yourself), and thank you all for this amazing opportunity. Here’s to a brighter future ahead for our industry, our organizations, our city, and our world. I look forward to an amazing year ahead. Muchas Gracias!
Sincerely,
Sabrina Shore
President, ILEA NY Metro Chapter
CEO & Founder of Influence Digital Solutions
sabrina@influenceds.com
ILEA International
International Live Events Association is the new name for the International Special Events Society. We represent and support more than 5,000 members globally – live event professionals who do business together, share knowledge, nurture talent and progress our industry.
ILEA has grown to involve nearly 7,200 members active in 49 chapters throughout the world. Membership brings together professionals from a variety of special events disciplines including caterers, meeting planners, decorators, event planners, audio-visual technicians, party and convention coordinators, educators, journalists, hotel sales managers and many more. The solid peer network ILEA provides helps special events professionals produce outstanding results for clients while establishing positive working relationships with other event colleagues.
For more information about ILEA International, visit www.ileahub.com.
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