Cher L. Przelomski - CSEP, CRTA — CEO
Susan Simmons, CRTA - Director - Social Events
Kate Van Graafeiland, CMP - Meetings and Experience Manager
Lindsay Barnett- Senior Planner, Experience Design & Production
Dana Cross - Experience Planner
Ed Przelomski - Art Director
Antonio M. Byrd - Operations & Fulfillment Supervisor
Liz Cherson, CMP - Meeting Architect
Kristina Kollock - Team Concierge
Cher L. Przelomski, CSEP, CRTA — CEO
Certified Special Events Professional
Email: cher@planningfactory.com
Cher oversees the company while focusing on marketing & business development. Her 28 years in event design and production as well as in-depth knowledge of marketing, emerging business practices and sponsorship development has made her a recognized leader, speaker and industry pro.
Cher’s love of the industry is exhibited through her commitment to ISES, the International Special Events Society. Cher was a founding member of ISES at its inception in 1986, served in various board capacities and as international VP of Education and as President of the Foundation. Cher was instrumental in developing the industry’s first Certification Program; today, ‘CSEP’ is the highest recognition of one's expertise in the industry.
Cher enjoys the opportunities and challenges presented by clients and the industry at large. She is known as a proven, trusted leader with a direct, common sense approach to problem solving--and for creating events that WOW! audiences from every business marketplace.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION:
2010 - Speaker, The Special Event, New Orleans, LA
2009 - Nominee, TSE Gala Award for Bacardi International's 146th Long Service Awards
2008 – Nominee, Jefferson Award for The Pedro Project
2008, 2005, 2004 - TSE International Tabletop Design Competition - First Place
2006 – HIV Consortium Volunteer of the Year
2005 – World Trade Center – Design Leader for World Trade Center Memorial
2004 – ISES Spirit Award
2003 – Nominated for Esprit Award, ISES, Australia
2002 – Delaware Junior Achievement Award
2000 – Patent for applying artwork on chocolate
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Susan Simmons, CRTA — Director - Social Events
Email: susan@planningfactory.com
Susan has over 24 years' experience in the Special Events industry and a dua
l degree in Education and English from Queens College in New York, her home state. As Director - Social Events, Susan is the Lead event designer, working closely with clients as their initial design and production contact for event programs worldwide.
Expertise in creative proposal development based on identified goals, budget negotiations, vendor liaison and on-site management are just some of the strengths Susan brings to each project. Susan pulls from her previous career background in Education, Retail and Human Resources as inspiration and insight for PFI designs.
Participating in ongoing education at The Special Event, Eventworld and industry trade shows is what Susan does to keep on the cutting edge of the industry, while continuously studying design trends in fashion and home décor to translate into signature event environments.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION:
2008 – Nominee, Jefferson Award for The Pedro Project
First Place International Tablescape Gallery Design Competition at The Special Event: 2004, 2005 (2 categories) & 2008; Also Nominated in 2006 and 2010
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Kate Van Graafeiland, CMP – Meetings & Experience Manager
Email: kate@planningfactory.com
Kate has 7 years’ experience as a Meetings and Experience Manager for Planning Factory International and is the lead on the national Big Brothers Big Sisters of America meeting account. With a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Sociology from the University of Delaware, she's constantly asked how she ended up in the Special Event & Meeting Industry, to which she replies - "It was meant to be!"
Continuing education is extremely important to Kate, who regularly attends industry conferences and trade shows, networking functions, classes and seminars to stay abreast of the event and business communities. In 2008, Kate received her certificate in Meeting Planning from Temple University, and in 2009 she earned her CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) designation from the Convention Industry Council.
Kate is a member of MPI, Meeting Professionals International, and enjoys volunteering on the Community Outreach and CMP Study Group Committees. Twice a year Kate facilitates study sessions for candidates sitting for the exam through the PAMPI chapter of MPI and absolutely loves it!
In her spare time, Kate loves to travel – anywhere and everywhere!
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Lindsay Barnett– Senior Planner, Experience Design & Production
Email: lindsay@planningfactory.com
With a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources and a minor in Italian from Drexel University, 
Lindsay draws on her education in the industry, the diverse, stylish influences of city life as well as ongoing travel to develop event designs. Lindsay’s thoughtful designs reflect the appreciation for the personal style of each client’s event, while incorporating cutting edge ideas in aspects of planning that range from cuisine to creating perfect mood enhancing event details. Lindsay is also proficient at Vivien, a 3-D CAD layout program that mimics all elements of a venue.
Lindsay has had the opportunity to manage the design and production of a variety of destination events for Planning Factory Bermuda. She finds it rewarding to work with clients to get the most out of their budget, negotiate finances, design and production to meet specific event goals.
A self-proclaimed world traveler, Lindsay was married in a Maasai Village while on Safari in Africa, she has gotten henna tattooed in Morocco, seen farvella’s in Brazil and drank Ice Wine in the Czech Republic; all of which helps Lindsay to bring real experience to Planning Factory International’s experience event design and productions.
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Ed Przelomski, BFA– Art Director
A graduate of West Chester University with a BFA, Ed has studied in many different parts of the country and works in a variety of mediums.
Invaluable to the PFI experience is Ed’s ability to imaginatively conceptualize PFI designs as two or three-dimensional presentations. PFI staff calls on Ed for many types of creative approaches, including sketching story boards, illustrating design ideas, painting custom backdrops and even figuring out how to make some of our most unique and unusual concepts work in the real world. Ed is our very own MacGyver!
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Antonio M. Byrd – Operations & Fulfillment Supervisor
Email: antonio@planningfactory.com
Antonio Byrd has been in charge of Operations and Fulfillment for Planning Factory International since 2006. Antonio's responsibilities include staging events, production, warehouse management and inventory control, as well as monitoring receipt and shipping for all events and meetings, including Planning Factory Bermuda.
Formerly Antonio was an Artist in Residence, teaching adjudicated youth for the Red Clay School District.
An artist in his own right, Antonio produced "The Pedro Project" video, available for viewing at www.pedroproject.org. The Pedro Project was a PFI inititative in which the company spearheaded the renovation of Pedro Toala's home after becoming a parapalegic due to an act of violence.
Antonio's interests include partnership in an Entertainment Company whose specialty is film and music production.
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Liz Cherson, CMP – Meeting Architect
Email: liz@planningfactory.com
Liz is Planning Factory International's resident "Jersey Girl." She is a creative, highly motivated, energetic meetings professional with experience in many aspects of successful event/program planning, development and management. Liz excels in managing multiple projects concurrently with strong attention to detail, problem solving and follow-through. She also brings to PFI her expertise in negotiating contracts, extreme budget management and is PFI's in-house Excel guru.
Supplementing her Bryn Mawr College degree with professional education is near and dear to Liz's heart. She is an active member of the Philadelphia Area Chapter of Meeting Professionals International as a CMP Study Group instructor and is also a member of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals. In maintaining her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation, Liz attends seminars, networking events, classes and many other education opportunities. She considers herself very fortunate to be guided by exceptional mentors both at Planning Factory International and from past positions.
In her spare time, Liz is a volunteer at a local animal shelter and teaches volleyball to middle schoolers. She likes to be active, and to that end plays in competitive volleyball leagues, kayaks, snowboards and loves to travel. Liz also likes to consider herself a budding wine connoisseur and enjoys touring the local vineyards and sampling their vintages during her travels.
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Kristina Kollock – Team Concierge
Email: kristina@planningfactory.com
Kristina, intern for Planning Factory International, began her interest in Event Planning during high school. She has since then continued her education at University of Delaware in the Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management program, in which she will be graduating in May 2009. Kristina enjoys learning about every asset of the industry and plans on continuing her career in the events industry upon graduation. She is currently President of University of Delaware’s Student Chapter of Professional Convention Management Association and is working towards obtaining her Certificate of Business Fundamentals.
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