About Us
Erin Abel, CMP - Owner & Chief Experience Officer
Based out of Raleigh, NC
Erin has eight years of experience planning meetings and events in various locations across the United States. After completing many internships and graduating from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Erin moved to Austin, Texas to be the Convention Coordinator for Texas Bankers Association where she managed the annual convention and assisted with other professional development for the nation’s largest bankers association. After two years in Austin, Erin’s now husband convinced her to move back to Michigan. In June of 2015, Erin became the Programs Coordinator for The Charter Schools Office at Grand Valley State University where she coordinated meeting and events for educators across the state of Michigan. In addition to organizing 100+ training workshops and conferences a year, she produced programming for 3,500 students at ArtPrize, golf outings for 150, Detroit Tiger’s outing for 350, and many other special events. Now she is beyond excited to begin working on her own and offering her event coordinating and meeting planning services to others.
Erin has a passion for sustainability and cutting back waste and resources as much as possible through her meetings and events. She also strives to offer diverse events that are available to all. To assist with that, she graduated with a minor is Spanish and tends to travel to Spanish speaking countries, but admits she needs to incorporate more in to her career.
To continue her education, she is an active member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), including serving on the MPI Women’s Advisory Board from 2019-2021. She received her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certificate in January 2018.
When Erin is not working, she also enjoys cooking, gardening, traveling, watching and playing sports, and spending time with her husband, Ryan, and dog, Jeter.
Courtney Geurink - Meeting Planner
Based out of Grand Haven, MI
Courtney has over 12 years of experience, focused in the nonprofit field, five of those years were in a fundraising capacity. She holds degrees in Hospitality and Tourism Management with an emphasis in Meeting and Event Planning as well as Travel and Tourism, and a Professional Master of Arts in Social Innovation. Courtney worked for seven years for a local Chamber of Commerce, planning community events and workshops ranging from art festivals and rowing regattas to farmers markets and school field trips. She then transitioned into higher education, coordinating opportunities for alumni to engage with their alma mater, support students, network with other alumni, and continue their educational opportunities.
Personally, she loves to cook, trying new recipes out on her husband, Todd. Thankfully, he is a great support and will give anything a try once. Courtney also enjoys golfing and travel – her goal is to visit all the National Parks.
Alanna Klomp, CMM, CMP - Meeting & Event Planner
Based out of Grand Rapids, MI
Alanna has more than 25 years in the sports, meeting and events industry. A native of Grand Rapids, Alanna graduated from Valparaiso University (IN) with a degree in Sports Administration including an emphasis in business and coaching. She began her career as Group Sales Manager for the Van Andel Arena and Grand Center (now DeVos Place) and spent the bulk of her career with the West Michigan Whitecaps Baseball Club where she planned and coordinated non-baseball events such as concerts, charity run/walks, business meetings, team building activities, wedding receptions, Christmas parties, golf outings, fundraising galas and company picnics, all ranging from 20 to 10,000 people.
In 2013 Alanna earned her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation, and in 2019 Alanna went on to earn her Certificate in Meeting Management (CMM) designation focusing on the strategic side of meetings and events.
Alanna loves to volunteer and give back to the community. She has served as President of the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) – Michigan Chapter and currently serves as Mission and Outreach Liaison on the Zero Collective’s Leadership Team. Alanna has led global mission trips to Argentina, volunteered with the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Committee, Hand2Hand, Kids Food Basket, Habitat for Humanity, Girl Scouts and several other local non profits.
Alanna enjoys spending time with her husband, Rich, and two children, Izzy and Nathan. When not adventure-seeking and traveling the world, you can find them enjoying family game night or outdoors kayaking, camping or skiing.
Juliet Bato - Meeting & Event Planner
Based out of Anaheim, CA
Juliet is a recent college graduate with a passion for creating experiences. While receiving a degree in Entertainment & Hospitality Management, she was active on campus as part of the Event Planning Committee for the EHM department. Juliet proudly led as the Director of Events in her student organization, where she won various awards over the years for the events she coordinated alongside her committee. She is an eager new addition to the team and is looking forward to expanding her industry knowledge and experience to provide excellent service to our clients and their attendees.
In her personal life, Juliet enjoys thrifting, discovering new ways of joyful movement, and enjoying live events with her friends and family!
Julia Endean - Meeting & Event Planner
Based out of Victoria, B.C.
Julia is a recent graduate, earning a degree in Recreation and Health Education from the University of Victoria, with an emphasis on community engagement, management, and inclusion. She is a young professional breaking into the world of events, taking after her mother, who has established a lifelong career in the events and hospitality industry.
She is well-integrated into her community on Vancouver Island, working in a diverse range of roles and fields, allowing her to explore different interests in an effort of maximizing skill-set growth. Julia has a passion for collaboration and a love for working with others to achieve ambitious goals and projects. She is committed to serving her community, and is a long-standing and committed volunteer with Together Against Poverty Society, helping to support folks impacted by disability.
Having grown up in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, she loves everything to do with the outdoors, from sea to sky. Julia fills her free time with playing soccer, backpacking, and traveling the world.