Meetings and Events Initiative Members
Initiative Chair
David T. Stevens, PMED, WITT-AP, Lifestyle Medicine and Wellness Coach, Co-founder, Olympian Meeting, United States
David T. Stevens, PMED, WITT-AP is a Harvard-certified Lifestyle Medicine and Wellness Coach and Co-founder of Olympian Meeting. With more than 20 years of experience in meetings, events, and experiential design, he works at the intersection of wellness, performance, and event strategy. David serves on the WITT Standards Advisory Council and is President of the PCMA Northern California Chapter, where his leadership reflects a strong commitment to advancing standards, education, and industry progress. His work focuses on helping organizations apply evidence-based wellness practices to create meetings and events that better support wellbeing, belonging, and measurable outcomes.
Vice-Chair
Reina Herschdorfer, CED, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Caesars Entertainment’s, United States
Reina Herschdorfer, CED is Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Caesars Entertainment’s Meetings & Events division, where she oversees marketing and communications strategy across more than 50 destinations in the United States. With over 20 years of international experience in hospitality, sales, and brand marketing, she brings deep expertise in meetings and events, strategic communications, and large-scale industry engagement. Reina serves as board member and Co-Chair for Hotel Sales and Marketing Association International Las Vegas (HSMAI) and led the launch of Wellness for Meetings & Events for Caesars Entertainment, helping establish wellness as a strategic consideration in attendee experience and program design. A Certified Event Designer and respected industry leader, she brings a global perspective and a strong record of innovation to the Meeting and Events Initiative.
Rachel Benedick
Chief Revenue Officer, Meeting Professionals International
Rachel Benedick is the Chief Revenue Officer at Meeting Professionals International (MPI), a renowned global association dedicated to the education of the meeting and event industry. In her role, she oversees the Academy, Sales/Client Success, Hosted Buyer, MPI Consulting, Events and the MPI Foundation, contributing significantly to MPI's mission. Prior to her role at MPI, Rachel had an impressive career at VISIT DENVER, where she served as the Executive Vice President, Sales & Services. Joining VISIT DENVER in 1998, she steadily climbed the ranks, becoming Vice President in 2008 and Executive Vice President in January 2020. She managed the convention department and its 34 team members during her tenure. Rachel's educational background includes a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology & Counselor Education from the University of Colorado – Denver and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Michigan State University. She humorously notes that she uses her psychology degrees daily in her work. Outside of her professional life, Rachel enjoys spending time with her Weimaraner, Rezak, staying active, spending time with friends and family and enjoying great red wine.
Tahira Endean, MSc, CITP, CMP, CED
Head of Program, IMEX
Tahira is a curious event designer, curator of education for the MICE industry and change facilitator. Passionate about wellness, global travel and practicing intentional event design to deliver optimal human experiences, she has been putting ideas to work for decades. Change is inevitable and in 2023 Tahira used her passion for life-long learning to earn an MSc in Creativity and Change Leadership, building upon her industry certifications, Adult Instructors Diploma, Event Management Diploma and Bachelor of Hospitality Management. Tahira continues to educate the next generation, teaching Event Strategy and Design at BCIT and SDSU. Stay curious, integrate work and play, and always say yes to anything with bubbles!
Stephanie Harris
President, Incentive Research Foundation
Stephanie Harris is President of the Incentive Research Foundation. Prior to joining the IRF, Harris was part of the American Express Meetings & Events leadership team and was VP of Brand Marketing & Strategy at Maritz. She is currently serving as the Chair of the Events Industry Council board. Harris is a frequent speaker on incentive research and trends, and has been honored by Smart Meetings, American Express, Eventex, and NorthStar for her contributions to the industry.
