Our USA Staff
Cher L. Przelomski, CSEP, CRTA — CEO
Susan Simmons, CRTA — Vice President, Experience Design & Production
Kate Van Graafeiland – Meetings & Experience Manager
Lindsay Mastromatteo – Senior Planner, Experience Design & Production
Dana Cross – Experience Planner
Ed Przelomski – Art Director
Antonio M. Byrd – Operations & Fulfillment Supervisor
David J. Calhoun – Administrative Specialist
Marie Giovino – Meetings Experience Professional
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 25 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:
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 — Vice President, Experience Design & Production
Email: susan@planningfactory.com
Susan has over 21 years' experience in the Special Events industry and a dual degree in Education and English from Queens College in New York, her home state. As Vice President, Experience Design & Production, 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.
Susan demonstrates her dedication to the community by holding various Executive and Community Relations positions on the Board of Directors of Westside Family Healthcare. 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 (2) categories in 2006
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Kate Van Graafeiland – Meetings & Experience Manager
Email: kate@planningfactory.com
Kate is a native of Rochester, New York. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Sociology from the University of Delaware, and is constantly asked how she ended up in the Events Industry, to which she replies - “It was meant to be!”
Kate has 5+ years’ experience as a Meetings and Events Manager for Planning Factory International. Kate enjoys using and enhancing her special event and meeting planning skills by providing knowledge and superior service to clients locally, regionally, and internationally. Her unique visions are the product of her own natural creativity, as well as her youthful energy, enthusiasm and perspective. Kate prides herself on staying on top of up-and-coming trends and items in the marketplace.
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. Kate is also a member of ISES, the International Special Events Society.
In her spare time, Kate loves to travel – anywhere and everywhere! She is also a transient member of Nothing But Treble, a regional female a cappella group.
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Lindsay Mastromatteo – Senior Planner, Experience Design & Production
Email: lindsay@planningfactory.com
After relocating to downtown Philadelphia from Wilmington, DE in order to earn her Bachelor of Science in Human Resources and a minor in Italian at Drexel University, Lindsay began to draw on the diverse, stylish influences of city life in her career. 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.
Dedicated to Event Design and Production, Lindsay has had the opportunity to manage the design and production of a variety of destination events for our International office’s Bermuda branch over the past two years. She finds it rewarding to work with clients to get the most out of their budget, negotiate finances, design and produce to meet specific event goals.
A self-proclaimed world traveler, Lindsay speaks Italian with a Florentine accent, 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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Dana Cross – Experience Planner
Email: dana@planningfactory.com
Dana, the newest member of Planning Factory International’s staff, is an intern turned full-time employee. Completing her Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Delaware in Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management, a minor in Leadership and a Certificate of Business Fundamentals, Dana is a valuable asset representing the ‘Y’ Generation. Dana plans to continue her education and obtain a Certificate in Events Management.
Dana began her career when she designed, developed and implemented her own party planning business while only a sophomore in high school. As a co-owner of “Twinkle Twinkle You’re A Star Cheerleading Birthday Parties,” Dana takes pride in this achievement as it has taught her a lot about entering the special events industry.
Dana maintains professional affiliations with Meeting Professionals International, Professional Convention Management Association and Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. She enjoys learning new and innovative trends and how to translate these into Planning Factory International events and meetings.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION:
2007 – IMEX- MPI Future Leader’s Forum
Harry's Savoy Grill Hospitality Scholarship 2006, 2007
Greater Philadelphia Student Chapter of PCMA Treasurer 2007
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Ed Przelomski, BFA– Art Director
A West Chester University graduate, 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 kinds 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 all goods for PFI events and meetings.
Formerly Antonio was an Artist in Residence, teaching adjudicated youth for the Red Clay School District.
Antonio's interests include partnership in an Entertainment Company whose specialty is film and music production.
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David Calhoun – Administrative Specialist
Email: admin@planningfactory.com
David J. Calhoun is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. As a Captain in the U.S. Army, Dave spent 14 years serving on assignments on three continents. After his service in the military, Dave graduated from Kent State University School of Journalism with degrees in Advertising and Public Relations.
Dave has worked in corporate marketing for a number of major companies including ALCOA, PPG Industries, Kaiser Aluminum, and Atlantic Aviation, after which he founded his own full-service agency, Greyhound Marketing. He most recently served as senior webmaster and adjunct instructor for Computer Learning Network adult education institutions in Pennsylvania.
Dave’s strong background in marketing, advertising and the computer field makes Dave a real asset to PFI. He is responsible for handling a broad range of office details as well as all customs transactions and oversees shipments of goods for PFI events outside the U.S.
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Marie Giovino – Meetings Professional
Email: marie@planningfactory.com
Marie Giovino, a meetings specialist for Planning Factory International, brings twenty plus years of Meeting/Event Planning experience to the company. Prior to joining PFI, Marie was employed by Citi Smith Barney’s Consulting Group Division, Wilmington. Marie was Vice President/Administrative Manager, responsible for Human Resources and meeting planning. She was also employed for thirteen years at Wilmington Savings Fund Society as Assistant Treasurer in the Executive Management Division, reporting directly to the President. Marie attended Henagar’s College, Salt Lake City, Utah and has completed educational programs while employed at WSFS at the University of Massachusetts and numerous professional development courses while at Citi/Smith Barney.
Marie is a volunteer at the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau. She also volunteers time and services through Immaculate Heart of Mary’s Outreach program.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION:
Chair of the Delaware Group National Association of Bank Women
Co-chair of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference
Co-founder of the Delaware Alliance of Professional Women (DAPW)
Chair of the Second Annual DAPW dinner and presentation of the DAPW Trailblazer Award
In recognition of her commitment to the Smith Barney Consulting Group Analysts, the “Marie Giovino Award” was implemented at the Analyst’s Annual Meeting in 2007 and she was the first recipient. The award will be presented annually.
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