How to Get Your Share of Group Business

Aug 21, 2025 Los Angeles, CA

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When

Thursday, Aug 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM PDT

Where

E-Central Downtown Los Angeles, 1020 So Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90015, United States. Map

Who

HSMAI Los Angeles, Inc.Organizer Detail

About the How to Get Your Share of Group Business

Looking to capture more group business? Join experts from Cvent, HPN Global, HelmsBriscoe, Conference Direct and LA Tourism as they share insider tips on what drives booking decisions, how to make your venue stand out in the sourcing process, and ways to build stronger relationships with planners. You'll walk away with practical strategies to attract, win, and retain group business in today’s competitive market.

 

Key Take Aways:

  1. Understand What Influences Booking Decisions
  2. Optimize Your Presence on Sourcing Platforms
  3. Build Stronger Relationships with Planners
  4. Leverage Destination Marketing Support
  5. Actionable Strategies to Stand Out and Close More Deals

Speakers

Cory Abke Calara

National Director, Hotels Sales

LA Tourism

Represents Los Angeles as a destination for future conferences, meetings and conventions for over twenty years. Main territory focus includes business coming from TX, TN, OK, AL, MS, LA, AK, MidAtlantic, areas of Southern California and the country of Canada.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-abke-calara-b67a372/

About Cory Abke Calara

National Director, Hotels Sales
LA Tourism

Nikki Hathaway Wilmore

Senior Regional Director

Cvent

Top producing Senior Regional Account Director at Cvent, the world’s largest meetings management software company. Cvent offers web-based software for meeting site selection, virtual and hybrid meetings, online registration, meetings management, marketing and web surveys.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkihathaway/

About Nikki Hathaway Wilmore

Senior Regional Director
Cvent

Julie Shkolnik

Vice President, Global Accounts

HPN Global

Serves as a strategic partner for clients seeking optimal meeting venues, offering comprehensive sourcing and contracting services that save time and maximize value.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieshkolnik/

About Julie Shkolnik

Vice President, Global Accounts
HPN Global

Jessica Botticella

Global Account Executive

Conference Direct

Jessica Botticella has built a distinguished 14-year career with ConferenceDirect. She began as a Global Project Manager, supporting John Botticella with key responsibilities including site itineraries, RFPs, CRFs, and site selection. Four years ago, she was promoted to Global Account Executive, where she now leads site selection and contract negotiations for three major clients.

Prior to joining ConferenceDirect, Jessica demonstrated a strong commitment to her community by founding TEEF, a nonprofit foundation supporting the Glendale Unified School District. Under her leadership, the organization raised over $100,000 in support of the district’s Spanish FLAG program.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and remains actively engaged in community service. She serves on the Board of Governors for the Los Angeles Athletic Club and is a member of the Athena’s Choir. In her personal time, she enjoys playing tennis, practicing yoga, and singing with the choir.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-botticella-7391618/

About Jessica Botticella

Global Account Executive
Conference Direct

Margaret Mallari

Senior Director, Global Accounts

HelmsBriscoe

Hotel site selection and contract negotiations specialist. Trusted consultant to corporate clients and large associations for their groups meeting and room blocks needs.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-mallari-3504338/

About Margaret Mallari

Senior Director, Global Accounts
HelmsBriscoe

Sponsors

About HSMAI Los Angeles

https://www.hsmailosangeles.org