The Event Planners Association is designed to assist members of the Event Planning, Catering, Inflatable, Game Rental, Entertainment and Haunted Attractions communities operate and prosper in an efficient and cost-effective manner through the services we provide. We are the only Association of our kind in the United States.
Our goal is to offer the very best services available coupled with excellent customer service making membership an invaluable tool to our members.
2010 ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD
Kristopher P. Badame, Esq. - President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board of Directors
Mr. Badame is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the Event Planners Association’s strategies as well as managing the overall operations and resources of the Company. Mr. Badame also serves as the main point of communication between the Board of Directors and the Association’s corporate operations.
Mr. Badame received his Bachelors of Science Degree in 1996 from the State University of New York, College at Geneseo. In 2000, he received his Juris Doctor Degree from the Chapman University School of Law, where he served as Vice-President and member of the Chapman University School of Law National Trial Team, where he successfully competed in numerous National Trial competitions. While in law school, Kristopher received numerous Awards for Academic Excellence in Evidence, Trial Practice, and Trial Advocacy. In addition, Mr. Badame was the recipient of the Chapman University School of Law 2000 Dean's Award, which is presented annually to the graduating senior for their leadership and service to the law school, as voted on by the faculty and administration. Mr. Badame also was selected as the Class of 2000 American Board of Trial Advocates Fellowship representative from the Chapman University School of Law.
In addition to his role with the Event Planners Association, Mr. Badame is the principle and lead trial counsel for the law firm of Badame & Associates, APC. Badame & Associates, APC, serves as the in-house legal counsel to the Event Planners Association.
Paul J. Buckenroth - Senior Vice-President & Chief Operations Officer
Mr. Buckenroth is responsible for overseeing all of the day to day operations of the Association. As such, he is entrusted with the task of implementing and maintaining the Association’s policies and procedures related to insurance, production, personnel and Association membership. Mr. Buckenroth serves as the direct contact to the Association’s Chief Executive Officer. In addition to his role in the day to day activities of the Association, Paul sits on the Association’s Board of Directors.
Mr. Buckenroth has over twenty years experience in the corporate management and insurance industries. Prior to accepting a position with the Event Planners Association, Paul served as an Operations Manager for a publically traded company where he was responsible for all of the day to day activities, as well as the corporation’s government contract integration and implementation. Mr. Buckenroth currently holds regulatory and insurance licensure in over forty states. In addition to his role in the workplace, Mr. Buckenroth is a graduate of the United States Army Military Police Academy.
Kim S. Sullivan - Senior Vice-President & Chief Marketing Officer
Ms. Sullivan serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for the Event Planners Association. Ms. Sullivan is responsible for creating, integrating, and implementing all aspects of the marketing plan for the Association. Kim oversees all of the day to day operations of the Association’s marketing department. Due to the nature of the industry, Ms. Sullivan also oversees the Association’s membership department to ensure that the Company’s marketing objectives are realized through membership retention and continued growth. Kim also serves on the Association’s Board of Directors.
Ms. Sullivan received her Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton (B.A. Cum Laude, 1988) and immediately began a career in advertising, specializing in the technology and travel industries. After several years on the agency side, Ms. Sullivan created a successful home-based marketing business which she owned and operated for 10 years. A strategic move to the music management, literary and worldwide event coordination fields led to her position with the Event Planners Association.
Thomas J. Sullivan, CPA – Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Sullivan, in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer, oversees all of the financial operations of the Association. Mr. Sullivan is responsible for the day to day handling of all finance related issues and tasks. Mr. Sullivan reports directly to the Association’s President/Chief Executive Officer and directly assists the Association’s Chief Operations Officer on all strategic and tactical matters as they relate to budget management, cost benefit analysis, forecasting needs and the securing of new funding. In addition, Mr. Sullivan is responsible for performing all tasks necessary to achieve the Association’s mission and help execute staff succession and growth plans. Mr. Sullivan oversees the production of monthly reports including reconciliations, financial statements and cash flow projections for use by Executive management, as well as the Audit/Finance Committee and Board of Directors.
Mr. Sullivan is a Registered Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Accounting from Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana. Mr. Sullivan has extensive experience in both the public and private accounting/financial sectors. Prior to accepting the Chief financial Officer position with the Association, Mr. Sullivan served as the Controller for a Fortune 500 publicly traded company wherein he was responsible for all financial reporting including SEC compliance, general accounting, reconciliations, and Company forecasting and budgeting.
