Our Next Gathering:
TWIG 2026:
• 5/19 @ Edgewood | Speaker: Annie Lee 10am-2pm
• 6/16 @ Kirkwood | Speaker: Ryan O’Neil | 10am–2pm | MEMBER RSVP | Non-Member Tickets
• 7/16 @ Sugar Bowl Lodge I James Beard Culinary Experience 11am-1:30pm | RSVP
• 7/21 @ Tannenbaum | Speaker: Loni Peterson | 10am–2pm | Member RSVP | Non-Member Tickets
• 8/5 @ Aspen Grove | Speaker: Fausto Pifferre | 10am–2pm | Member RSVP | Non-Member Tickets
• 8/12 @ North Tahoe Events Center | Industry Day 10am-12pm | Info | RSVP
• 10/1 @ Olympic Valley Stables I TWIG Celebration Bash 5pm-8pm
TWIG members, RSVP
To purchase non-member tickets for this TWIG meeting
For more information about membership in TWIG, click here.
Previous Gathering’s:
Wednesday, August 5th, 2026
- Aspen Grove
- 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Fausto Pifferrer
About Fausto:
Co-founder of Blue Elephant Events and Catering, Maine Venue Partners, and Co-owner of Real Maine Weddings magazine, Fausto began his career in catering and event planning 40 years ago in Philadelphia. He has an eye for detail and production and is passionate about creating high-quality, memorable events for his wedding and corporate clients. Fausto is a member of the Leading Caterers of America, sits on the board of directors of the International Caterers Association and Seeds of Hope Community Center, and is a past President of the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club. He recently published his first book: Temporary Friends: A Caterer’s Guide to the Perfect Day.
Topic: Preferred Professional Currency is the idea of using strong professional relationships as a kind of goodwill currency. In this session, Fausto will share this concept that turns good professional relationships into a kind of collaborative currency you can draw on when needed. This exciting session will teach you how to turn your professional network into a resource that benefits everyone.
SUMMARY:
Learning Objectives: What knowledge, skills, or tools will attendees gain?
1. How to identify your own PPC network.
2. How to leverage your PPC network.
3. Take a bird’s eye look at PPC and understand that we all are equal in this equation.
4. Learn how to leverage your PPC network into a network of trusted industry partners.
EVENT RESOURCES
Photo Gallery: HERE
Professional photography provided by Amanda Kluesner Photography. Members are welcome to use and share images with proper photo credit to @amanda_kluesner_photography.
Videography: HERE
Professional videography provided by Dax Victorino Films. Members are welcome to use and share footage with proper credit to @daxvicctorinofilms.
Full Audio Recording: HERE
Incase you couldn’t make the speaker presentation, members may enjoy the benefits of hearing our featured guest teaching audio on their own free time.
Tuesday, July 21st, 2026
- Tannenbaum
- 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Loni Peterson
About Loni:
Ready to turn your vision into reality? In this engaging and interactive session, CU Boulder professor Loni introduces the powerful GOST framework—Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Tactics—to help you create a clear path forward. Through guided exercises and real-world examples, you’ll leave with your own personalized roadmap and actionable steps to achieve your next big goals. https://www.lonipeterson.com/
Topic:
Turn vision into action using GOST framework-Goals, Objectives, Strategies & Tactics-to create a clear roadmap & achieve meaningful results.
SUMMARY:
Ready to step into your next chapter with clarity and purpose? This interactive session will guide you through the art of setting meaningful Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Tactics (GOST)—a powerful framework for turning vision into reality.
Led by CU Boulder professor Loni, this engaging talk blends inspiration with hands-on practice. Together, we’ll explore strategic thinking, measurable outcomes, and practical planning—then craft your own personalized GOST roadmap.
What you’ll gain:
• A clear understanding of the GOST framework
• Tools to think and plan strategically
• Methods to measure progress and success
• A practical roadmap to achieve your goals while avoiding scope creep
EVENT RESOURCES
Photo Gallery: HERE | Password: Tannenbaum
Professional event photography was provided by Keoma Zec Weddings. Members are welcome to use and share images with proper photo credit to @keomazecweddingphotography.
Videography: HERE | Professional event photography was provided by Dax Victorino Films Members are welcome to use and share images with proper photo credit to @daxvictorinofilms
Presentation Resources
📄 Loni Peterson Presentation Slides: HERE
🎧 Audio Recording of the Full Presentation: HERE
Tuesday, June 16th, 2026
- Kirkwood
- 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Ryan O’Neil
About Ryan:
Ryan O’Neil, is a thought leader in the special events industry, known for helping event professionals understand and apply technology and AI in practical, business-ready ways.
Ryan and his wife, Rachael, founded Twisted Willow Design in St. Louis, Missouri, where they experienced firsthand the operational challenges common to event businesses. That experience led Ryan to create Curate, a software platform that modernizes and automates the traditional event folder by connecting sales, proposals, and operations into a single system. He is also the creator of Prompy.app, a tool designed to help teams capture and reuse AI prompts at scale.
Having worked directly with thousands of event professionals, Ryan brings a candid, experience-driven perspective. His sessions focus on where the industry is headed, how AI is changing daily workflows, and what owners can do now to build stronger, more resilient event businesses.
Topic:
Topic: “From Inquiry to 5-Star Review — AI at Every Step”
Summary:
What if AI could make every stage of the client experience smoother, faster, and more personal? In this session, we’ll walk through the entire client journey — from first inquiry to final review — and show you exactly where AI can do the heavy lifting. Whether you’re a planner, coordinator, venue, or vendor, you’ll walk away with a practical roadmap for weaving AI into your workflow without losing the human touch that makes your business special.
“Tie the Knot in Tahoe.”
What started as a fun collaborative exercise quickly became an anthem celebrating the creativity, innovation, and friendships that make our industry so special.
It was a reminder that when talented people come together, amazing things happen.
We’d love if you use our new Tahoe Anthem for IG, Tic Tock and more! You can use it on Instagram or on Tic Tock HERE
EVENT RECOURSES
Photo Gallery HERE I Password: Kirkwood
Professional event photography was provided by Keoma Zec Weddings. Members are welcome to use and share images with proper photo credit to Keoma Zec Weddings or @keomazecweddingphotography.
Presentation Resources:
💻 Ryan O’Neil Presentation Slides HERE
🎧 Audio Recording of the whole presentation HERE
Tuesday, May 19th, 2026
Guest Speaker
Annie Lee
Principal Planner of Daughter of Design
About Annie:
Annie Lee, principal planner of Daughter of Design, author of Learn to Speak Wedding: Flashcards for Beginners, and founder of PLANNIE which is a global network of event planners that can be hired on an hourly basis. Annie Lee has been recognized in The 100 Most Influential Wedding Professionals index and named a top planner by The Knot, Harper’s Bazaar, Martha Stewart, Brides, and PartySlate.
With 20 years of experience in the wedding industry, Annie is a passionate entrepreneur and problem-solver, driven to not only grow her businesses but also to transform the event industry. A champion of education and innovation, she strives to improve the industry’s landscape through creative business practices and empowering the community.
Annie, aka Annie Plannie, has earned the title of “The Wedding Doctor” by Refinery29, “The Party Planner” by New York Magazine, and has been recognized as a celebrity entertaining expert by People Magazine. She was also named “Woman in Action – Entertaining Expert” by Shape Magazine and featured in Modern Luxury Miami’s “Women of Style.” Her expertise has been highlighted in Vogue and on The Today Show.
According to her social media algorithms, Annie is a lover of K-dramas, history, life hacks, cats, home renovations, human rights, and eating food.
Annie is originally from Los Angeles and has since lived in New York City, Miami, and San Francisco.
Follow and get to know Annie before we meet!
IG: @PLANNIEevents @daughterofdesign
Website: www.daughterofdesign.com
Topic:
The Customer Is Not Always Right: Modern Customer Communication and 3 Contract Edits Every Hospitality Business Needs
Summary:
The hospitality industry is facing a major shift in customer expectations, communication norms, and workforce dynamics. As demand for events is projected to grow by 18%, businesses can no longer rely on outdated “customer is always right” philosophies that strain teams and erode long-term sustainability.
This talk examines how customer service has evolved, where common policies are breaking down, and how unclear boundaries impact team morale, retention, and operational success. Attendees will learn how to balance exceptional client experiences with protecting their business and staff—and will walk away with three practical contract edits they can implement immediately to set healthier expectations, manage client relationships, and build a resilient workforce.
EVENT COVERAGE:
FULL PHOTO GALLERY HERE
Professional event photography by Amanda Kluesner Photography. You are welcome to use the images for personal or professional sharing with proper photo credit to Amanda Kluesner Photography or @amanda_kluesner_photography. Please log in as a guest to access the gallery.
FULL AUDIO RECORDING HERE
Members-only access to Annie Lee’s full presentation recording.
ANNIE LEE PRESENTATION SLIDES HERE
Video coverage from Honey I Do Videography will be shared soon on our social channels: @Tahoe.Engaged
PLANNIE + PARTNER RESOURCES
JOIN THE PLANNIE APP HERE
Join as a planner or day-of producer.
FREE PARTNER DIRECTORY + PERKS HERE
Follow: @PLANNIEevents
Wednesday, October 1st, 2025
Guest Speaker
Meghan Ely
OFD Consulting
About Meghan:
Tuesday, August 19th, 2025
Guest Speaker
Brian Green
Bespoke Weddings
About Brian:
