PRISM Staff Directory

Dave Bergeson, PhD CAE, Executive Director
dbergeson@prismintl.org 

Role with PRISM
I will be working closely with the PRISM Board of Directors and members to determine and pursue immediate and long-range needs and opportunities. I will also be overseeing the day-to-day management of PRISM, including providing the board of directors with strategic recommendations and leadership in all aspects of operations in accordance with the PRISM vision and mission; evaluating, recommending, and implementing PRISM policies and procedures, budgetary plans, and events and programs; overseeing the teamable goals for PRISM and the staff team; and establishing and fostering productive and mutually respectful relationships with PRISM’s members, leaders, alliance partners, and vendors.

Years of association experience
16 years

What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Spending time with my wife of 20 years and my 5-year-old son

What are you looking forward to accomplishing this year with PRISM?
We have a lot of opportunities for growth, both in terms of membership numbers and the value we bring to our members. PRISM has been blessed to have a terrific executive director and staff team working with them for several years. My first goal will be to ensure a smooth transition and build on the great foundation that has been set by the board of directors and staff.

Patrick Filippelli, National Sales Manager
pfilippelli@prismintl.org 

Role with PRISM
I will be selling exhibit space for PRISM’s conferences, establishing relationships with key industry leaders, and expanding PRISM’s markets to attract additional companies to exhibit. I will also be selling advertising for inFocus magazine. On a daily basis, I will be contacting current and potential exhibitors to exhibit at and sponsor the conferences. I will be analyzing competitor and related conferences and associations to identify new markets for PRISM to expand into. I will also be developing programs to help drive attendees to the exhibit hall to ensure a strong return on investment for exhibitors. I will be developing programs to help first-time exhibitors, increase exhibitor retention, generate additional support opportunities, and increase revenue.

Years of association experience
More than 15 years

What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?  
I love outdoor activities and sports—hiking, fishing, basketball, and bocce.

What are you looking forward to accomplishing this year with PRISM?  
I’m looking forward to growing revenue in exhibits and advertising, learning about the industry, finding new areas for PRISM to grow, expanding markets and revenue streams, and providing PRISM and their members with top-notch customer service. 

Brian Fitzgerald, Senior Manager, Professional Relations
bfitzgerald@prismintl.org 

Role with PRISM
I will be working to establish relationships with key industry leaders through the PRISM Corporate Member Council. I will also be soliciting commercial support and sponsorship sales and overseeing the selling of exhibit space for PRISM conferences and ad sales for inFocus magazine, InFo newsletter, and the conference program guide. I hope to expand PRISM’s markets and revenue-generating products. I will be building relationships with suppliers and working with them to ensure they are maximizing their exposure to our members and achieving their goals.

Years of association experience
More than 17 years

What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
I like to spend time with my family. I also like skiing, hiking, scuba diving, riding bicycles and motorcycles, traveling, listening to music, and fixing almost anything.

What are you looking forward to accomplishing this year with PRISM?
I am looking forward to building relationships and creating new sales and marketing strategies. I want to begin increasing sales revenue across the board.

Rachel Frank, Managing Editor
rfrank@prismintl.org

Role with PRISM
My role with PRISM will be to manage and coordinate the publication of the organization’s printed and online collateral, including marketing and conference materials and member communication pieces, such as inFocus magazine. On any given day, I will be working closely with PRISM members to generate content for the quarterly magazine, coordinating with PRISM staff to gather information about education events to include in conference publications, and working with our design staff to create visually appealing products that will put PRISM at the forefront of the industry.

Years of association experience
More than 6 years

What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
My favorite things to do outside of work are playing soccer, trying out all of the great restaurants Chicago has to offer, and reading.

What are you looking forward to accomplishing this year with PRISM?
I am looking forward to connecting with members and learning as much as I can about the industry. I am also looking forward to providing valuable and useful publications for members.

Kay Granath, CMP CAE, Director of Meetings
kgranath@prismintl.org

Role with PRISM
I handle meeting logistics for our clients that are international in scope. And although it may not be every day, I am always working on future meetings.

Years of association experience
More than 30 years

What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
My favorite things to do are reading mysteries and volunteering in my profession.

What are you looking forward to accomplishing this year with PRISM?
I’m looking forward to learning about PRISM’s meetings, helping them grow where appropriate, and positioning the organization to have successful meetings.

Justin Smith, Member Services Representative
jsmith@prismintl.org  | 847.375.4771

Role with PRISM
My role is to assist members with any inquiries that they may have. On a daily basis, I will answer member and customer inquiries via phone, e-mail, and fax and assist with meeting registration, membership registration, product orders, technical trouble shooting, and problem solving.

Years of association experience
More than 1 year

What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
My favorite things to do in my spare time are cycling and playing softball, hockey, and golf.

What are you looking forward to accomplishing this year with PRISM?
I’m looking forward to getting to know PRISM’s members and learning more about the industry.

Jennifer M. Velazquez, Education Manager
jvelazquez@prismintl.org  

Role with PRISM
My role with PRISM will be education manager. In that role, I will manage, plan, and execute exceptional educational activities and sessions that help serve the membership and improve the industry. On a daily basis I will be assisting members, meeting with committees, and planﾭning educational content.

Years of association experience
4 years

What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Between working with associations and attending graduate school, spare time is scarce. However, I enjoy trying new things during the extra time I do have. My next adventure is obtaining my motorcycle license.

What are you looking forward to accomplishing this year with PRISM?
I look forward to getting to know the committee members I will be working with and getting to know the members and their needs. I look forward to learning as much from them as I possibly can so I can supply them with the necessary tools to thrive in the industry and the association.

Nicole Wallace, Senior Operations Manager
nwallace@prismintl.org  

Role with PRISM

I’m the type of person who loves to be involved in many different challenging and stimulating activities. The role of an operations manager is very similar to my personality because it allows me to have some involvement in just about every function of supporting PRISM—from marketing to education, member services, and meetings. I will work closely with Executive Director Dave Bergeson. In addition, I will also be responsible for the oversight of the general day-to-day operations for PRISM, which includes ensuring our member services team has the resources to answer all inquiries from members; making sure our education, marketing, and sales teams’ activities meet established strategic goals; managing the logistical oversight of the annual conference and education meetings; and supporting volunteers in establishing strategic goals. I will also oversee the daily activities of our administrative staff.

Years of association experience
More than 12 years

What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
My favorite thing to do is keeping up with my 11-month-old daughter. It’s the best exercise routine ever! Being a part of her world is simply amazing because she learns something new every day!

What are you looking forward to accomplishing this year with PRISM?
First and foremost, I am looking forward to a successful transition to AMC and earning member trust! I also look forward to establishing relationships with volunteer leaders and members. I am excited to be a part of the future success and growth of PRISM.

   

Connie French, Administrator
cfrench@prismintl.org  

Role with PRISM
I will be helping Nicole Wallace, PRISM’s senior operations manager, with day-to-day operations. I am a resource for the member services team and I help with payables, serve as a task force and project liaison, and support administrative tasks.

Years of association experience
4 years

What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy going on walks with my husband and our puppy.

What are you looking forward to accomplishing this year with PRISM?
I look forward to growing and strengthening relationships with members and volunteers.

PRISM International Headquarters
4700 W. Lake Ave.
Glenview, IL  60025-1485
+1-847-375-6344
Fax: +1-847-375-6343
info@prismintl.org

PRISM International – EU Office
Avenue Jules Bordet 142
B - 1140 Brussels
Tel. +322 761 16 49
Fax. +322 761 16 99
Prism.eu@kelleneurope.com
Dani Kolb
Raquel Costa
Benedict Lambert