Kelly Wright, CMP

Assistant Director of Sales

Industry Member: Rocky Mountain Chapter of Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)

Kelly has 18 years experience working in the events industry. Kelly is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, with a concentration in Travel and Tourism. During her senior year, Kelly completed a five month resort management internship in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Upon return to California, Kelly began a five year career as a catering manager in the restaurant industry, where she specialized in weddings, holiday parties, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.

Kelly joined the SMG team at the Colorado Convention Center in 2001, and was part of the opening team of the $340 million dollar expansion in 2004. Along with the Director of Sales and Marketing, Rich Carollo, Kelly oversees sales and booking of all events at the Colorado Convention Center, where the Sales Team successfully writes, negotiates and executes nearly 400 event agreements a year.

Kelly was awarded the Manager of the Year Award at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in 1998, and served as an active committee member, officer and executive board member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) for over six years. Kelly was Chair of the Community Services Committee for Rocky Mountain PCMA during the year the committee won the National Spirit Award, and was awarded the Deb West Memorial Award for community service for two years.
 

Heather Hartland, CMP

Senior Sales Manager

Industry Member: Meeting Professionals International (MPI)

Heather came to the Colorado Convention Center with an entertainment and events background through Kodak, Disney Entertainment, and Disney Event Production. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and currently specializes in citywide corporate meetings and events. Active in the Meeting Professionals International Rocky Mountain Chapter, she has served as the Director of Leadership Development, Director of Monthly Programs Vice President of Education, and is currently the chapter President.
 

Jason Strauss

Senior Sales Manager

Industry Member: National Association of Consumer Shows (NACS)

Jason is currently the Senior Sales Manager at the Colorado Convention Center specializing in public/consumer shows. In additional to his time spent at the Colorado Convention Center, Jason’s professional experience consists of managing game time entertainment for the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche, stadium relocation for the Denver Broncos, and management of all state events for the Special Olympics Colorado.
 

Nikki Haddad, CMP

Sales Manager/ Theatre Booking Manager

Industry Member: International Special Events Society (ISES)

Nikki Haddad is an upcoming marketing and sales oriented individual with a passion, drive and determination for the events industry. Starting her career path as an intern for the Denver Broncos, she was offered a position in Miami, Florida for the Miami Heat. Working in the Special Events Department for the Miami Heat, she helped in executing all events in the arena, including the VIP parties for the Rolling Stones, U2 and Paul McCartney. She took leadership roles as an innovator in not only executing successful events, but creating ways to make them better. After graduating #1 in her class from Johnson and Wales University with a bachelor’s degree in Sports/ Entertainment/ Event Management and an associate’s degree in Marketing Management, she was hired on as a Program Coordinator for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Denver. Nikki has been with the Colorado Convention Center since 2008.  She currentlyt sits on the ISES board as a Director at Large for Student Membership.
 

Victoria Medina, CMP

Sales Manager

Victoria Medina began working at the Colorado Convention Center in 2005. She was hired on as a Sales Assistant and has recently been promoted to Sales Coordinator. She  works on a wide variety of markets but specializes on SMERF accounts. Her other specialties are negotiating City agreements, booking filming contracts, booking photo shoots and partnering with Visit Denver to retain repeat annual conventions. This year she will be pursuing the goal of CMP certification and completing her Masters Degree from Regis University. Her creative eye is always of great assistance when laying out space for a new function and she is always a friendly face that aims to make your experience a memorable one!

Becky Capolungo

Sales Coordinator

Industry Member: Meeting Professionals International (MPI)

Becky graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver in 2010 with a degree in Hospitality and a concentration in Event Planning and Tourism.  During her last semester of college she spent four months in Barcelona, Spain studying International Marketing and Business.  She spent two years on the Board of Directors for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of USA Dance combining two of her greatest passions: event planning and ballroom dancing.  She is still an active volunteer within the organization and is currently working towards her goal of becoming a Certified Meeting Professional. 

Jessica Meeker

Marketing Coordinator

Jessica graduated from Johnson & Wales University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing.  She was hired on at the Convention Center while still on her internship with them, helping them drive the growth of their marketing efforts. She is a very passionate and hard working individual who is looking forward to bringing marketing opportunities to the events industry at the Colorado Convention Center with SMG.