Outsourcing

Carolyn Pund, CMP CMM Senior Manager, Global Strategic Meetings Management, Cisco System Inc.

Carolyn is the Senior Global Strategic Meetings Manager at Cisco Systems, Inc. In this role, her primary focus is the development and implementation of a Global Strategic Meetings Management Program (SMMP)with responsibilitiesfor Cisco’s group hotel partnerships, as well as internal partner organizations within Cisco. Carolyn’s teams manage and plan both internal and external meetings in all geographic regions of Cisco -Europe/Emerging Markets /Russia, India, Asia Pacific/Greater China, and North America. She also leads Cisco’s Corporate Speakers Bureau – a team dedicated to the placement of the company’s senior executives in targeted, global industry shows and thought leadership conferences.

In her career, she has worked at several high tech telecom/networking companies (UB Networks/Tandem/Newbridge Networks, Synoptics/Bay Networks/Nortel) in Silicon Valley with roles in Corporate Events, Travel, Procurement, Finance and Event Marketing.  Additional experience spans a broad range of industries including, event technology companies, economic development organizations, major hotel chains, cause-based charities, meeting management companies and client advisory boards.

Carolyn was recently named a “2011 Changemaker of the Year” by industry peers.   Several years ago, she co-founded a corporate best practices organization (MCAF-Meetings Competitive Advantage Forum) which is today, recognized as an influential industry-leading voice.

Nesrene O'Connell, Event & Campaign Strategy Marketing Manager, Cisco Systems Inc.

Nesrene O'Connell is the Events & Campaign Strategy Marketing Manager for Cisco in Australia and New Zealand. Nesrene previously worked in the Cisco European team before moving to Australia four years ago. At Cisco, her main responsiblities include the overall vision, strategy and program management for events, digital, social media and demand gen for Australia and New Zealand's event portfolio. She has been involved in Cisco's largest global sponsorships, most recently, the Shanghai World Expo that attracted 73 million visitors. She enjoys focusing on delegate experience and journey.

Sherrif Karamat, CAE
Chief Operating Officer, PCMA

Sherrif Karamat, CAE, MBA, joined Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) in 2003 as Vice President of Sales and Sponsorship and was appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) in April 2008. In his role as COO, Karamat is a key member of the executive team of PCMA and oversees all of PCMA's major revenue streams including strategic partnerships, Convene and PCMA's print and digital media products. Karamat also oversees PCMA's global business development and is an integral part of PCMA's strategic planning, financial reporting and education developmnent and delivery.

Paula Nolan, Head of Events, Commonwealth Bank of Australia

An experienced event professional with agency and corporate expertise, specialising in the creation and management of corporate event strategies to business goal alignment. Driven in developing exceptional and memorable event campaigns that distinguish, define and enhance the Brand. A team leader who is passionate about the industry and nurturing those working in it.

Specialty areas: strategic planning, client relationship management, supplier management and negotiation, leadership and mentoring, marketing and communication, sponsorship alignment to company goals, identifying and implementing performance and efficiences, and developing strong event teams.