Leveraging Partnerships

Laura Calderon Rivera

Director of Client Relations

Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel & Convention Center

Building trusted relationships and generating sales is my passion. Providing a valued service that is helpful and needed for companies brings me joy in knowing we are making a positive difference.

At ePlace Solutions, Inc., A Place where Experts provide innovative and comprehensive risk management Solutions, I have the privilege of delivering leading EPL/HR, Data Breach Prevention/Cyber Security, and Directors & Officers risk management services.

Deborah Irwin

VP, Meetings & Conventions

CDA Foundation

Debi Irwin has been with CDA for over 30 years and oversees activities for CDA’s meeting and convention initiatives as well as CDA Foundation.

VP, Meetings and Conventions - Debi leads and provides strategic direction for CDA’s two annual conventions, CDA Presents Anaheim and San Francisco and tactical support for all association meeting and event activities, and member continuing education.

Executive Director, CDA Foundation - Provides strategic direction to and support of the CDA Foundation mission to improve the oral health of all Californians by supporting the dental profession in its efforts to meet community needs. Programs include CDA Cares, Grants and Awards, Disaster Relief and Well Being program.  The CDA Foundation plays a vital role in the member experience and support of dentists’ service to the public and enhancing the image of the profession. 

Ginger Levert

Director of Sales & Marketing

Hilton Sacramento Arden West

Ginger Levert is a Hospitality Sales Leader with over 20 years of experience in the event planning and hospitality industries.  As Director of Sales and Marketing for the Hilton Sacramento Arden West, Ginger provides day-to-day leadership oversight for team of sales and catering professionals with a focus on building long-term, value-based relationships with customers and industry partners alike.

Marykay Lui

National Sales Director | Northern CA

Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

Though the destination I represent is in Southern CA, I am a Nor Cal girl at heart.  Born & raised in the Bay Area, I graduated from UCLA and “fell” into the hospitality industry.  The intent was to graduate with a Poli-Sci degree (which I still did) and become a lawyer… but got bit by the ‘event industry’ bug and started planning on-campus events. This path continued as I started planning fundraising & special events for a non-profit, then moved over to Hotels.

Prior to moving back to Nor Cal, I worked & lived in Long Beach for 4 years.  At that time, I recall questioning why my Hotel GM and DOSM would have lunch a few times a month with our competing Hotels.  I would then see my ‘competitor’ colleagues at CVB networking events, became good friends with them, and started having lunches with them just the same.  It dawned on me that all of us who worked in Long Beach shared the sentiment that we all wanted what was best for our City, and working cohesively was an integral part in making that happen. 

When I was given the opportunity to represent Long Beach, I was ecstatic, for it was this sense of community that I wanted to share with all my professional colleagues.  Continuing in my role at the Long Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau for almost 10 years now, I hope that I have instilled this sense of LB Pride & partnership within you.

Laurel Nava

Director of Education & Events

CA IT in Education (CITE)

Laurel Nava serves CITE as Director of Education & Partnerships. In this role, she oversees all education programs, including the flagship Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Mentor Program. Additionally, Laurel is responsible for the Annual Conference and all other events, along with advocacy efforts and sponsor partnerships.  

Previously, Laurel served as a Program Associate for the California Comprehensive Center at the nonprofit organization WestEd, where she provided the California Department of Education (CDE), State Board of Education (SBE), and local educational agencies with professional development, process improvement/implementation, and evaluation services.  

Since 1999, Laurel has provided organizational development, policy, and event support to public organizations, including TechEd Events, the City of Sacramento, and the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA). Laurel’s additional areas of expertise include financial analysis, quantitative and qualitative research, and project management. She earned a bachelor's degree in Humanities & Religious Studies and a Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) with an emphasis in collaborative governance.