DiscoverNext: Explore New Possibilities with Event Tech and AI

Muhammad Younas is the CEO at vFairs, an award-winning event management platform. He helps organizations worldwide host incredible virtual, hybrid and in-person events through empowering, customizable event technology.

Younas brings with him over 13 years of experience in the software space. He has conceptualized and grown multiple highly profitable B2B SaaS businesses reaching millions of users around the world.

In her current role at vFairs, she oversees event programming and creative services, ensuring customer’s are achieving continued success and positive outcomes with each virtual, hybrid and in-person event. Her main focus and passion is to establish lifetime trusted partnerships through providing creative opportunities and informative event programming that pushes the envelope. She is also the host for the EpicEvents podcast, where she sits down with event professionals across the world to discuss event tech and event industry trends.

Danika is based in London, UK. She has worked in sales for over 17 years and specifically Event sales for the last 3 years.
Danika will take a deep dive into your event needs and expectations, giving you an overview of what offerings we have at vFairs & then point you in the right direction for your next steps for our award winning Event Management Platform wether that be for your in-person events, virtual events or hybrid!

In her current role at vFairs, she oversees event programming and creative services, ensuring customer’s are achieving continued success and positive outcomes with each virtual, hybrid and in-person event. Her main focus and passion is to establish lifetime trusted partnerships through providing creative opportunities and informative event programming that pushes the envelope. She is also the host for the EpicEvents podcast, where she sits down with event professionals across the world to discuss event tech and event industry trends.

Danika is based in London, UK. She has worked in sales for over 17 years and specifically Event sales for the last 3 years.
Danika will take a deep dive into your event needs and expectations, giving you an overview of what offerings we have at vFairs & then point you in the right direction for your next steps for our award winning Event Management Platform wether that be for your in-person events, virtual events or hybrid!

Katy Simkiss is a senior account executive at vFairs, an award-winning event management platform. She helps organizations worldwide host incredible virtual, hybrid and in-person events through empowering, customizable event technology.

Jonathan Mendoza serves as a recruitment support technician for the California Center on Teaching Careers, housed within Tulare County Office of Education. In the last 3 years Jonathan has had the opportunity to partner with county offices of education throughout the state of California to combat the teacher shortage. Since 2018, The Center has hosted over 50 virtual/hybrid events through the vFairs platform and has connected more than 40,000 education candidates with education agencies in California. Mr. Mendoza graduated from St. Lawrence University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration & Estudios Hispanicos.

Jose Covarrubias serves as a recruitment support technician for the California Center on Teaching Careers, housed within Tulare County Office of Education. In the last 2 years Jose has had the opportunity to partner with county offices of education throughout the state of California to combat the teacher shortage. Since 2018, The Center has hosted over 50 virtual/hybrid events through the vFairs platform and has connected more than 40,000 education candidates with education agencies in California. Mr. Covarrubias graduated from California State University, Fresno with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.

In her current role at vFairs, she oversees event programming and creative services, ensuring customer’s are achieving continued success and positive outcomes with each virtual, hybrid and in-person event. Her main focus and passion is to establish lifetime trusted partnerships through providing creative opportunities and informative event programming that pushes the envelope. She is also the host for the EpicEvents podcast, where she sits down with event professionals across the world to discuss event tech and event industry trends.

Danika is based in London, UK. She has worked in sales for over 17 years and specifically Event sales for the last 3 years.
Danika will take a deep dive into your event needs and expectations, giving you an overview of what offerings we have at vFairs & then point you in the right direction for your next steps for our award winning Event Management Platform wether that be for your in-person events, virtual events or hybrid!

Experienced Sales and Customer Success specialist with 8+ years of experience in successfully managing and coordinating projects focused on SAAS for event management. My current role in vFairs is to help corporations, universities, and non-profit associations to host events successfully and create a trustful long-term relationships.

Eu’nice R. McCoy is a passionate millennial community leader who is committed to

organizations that support the advancement of disadvantaged communities. She

currently works as the Director of Event Marketing for the National Urban League, a

historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization with 92 affiliates serving 300

communities in 36 states and the District of Columbia. As the Director of Events,

Eu’nice is responsible for managing the National Urban League’s signature events and

conferences including its Leadership Summit, NUL Conference, and Whitney M. Young

Jr Urban Leadership Development Conference, among other special events and

activations.

In her current role at vFairs, she oversees event programming and creative services, ensuring customer’s are achieving continued success and positive outcomes with each virtual, hybrid and in-person event. Her main focus and passion is to establish lifetime trusted partnerships through providing creative opportunities and informative event programming that pushes the envelope. She is also the host for the EpicEvents podcast, where she sits down with event professionals across the world to discuss event tech and event industry trends.

Danika is based in London, UK. She has worked in sales for over 17 years and specifically Event sales for the last 3 years.
Danika will take a deep dive into your event needs and expectations, giving you an overview of what offerings we have at vFairs & then point you in the right direction for your next steps for our award winning Event Management Platform wether that be for your in-person events, virtual events or hybrid!

A senior leader with expertise in building, scaling and managing sales, marketing, customer success and client services organizations for both start-up and industry-leading companies.

Specialties include: Building revenue generation models; strategic planning; sales, marketing and business development; P&L accountability; recruitment; sales team leadership, training, motivation and development; executive negotiations and presentations; full sales cycle management; needs assessment; process improvement; vendor relations; operations management

Dedra N. Tate is a music industry veteran and television/film/event producer who has been a thriving contributor to the entertainment industry for over thirty-five years. A proud graduate of Howard University, Tate started her career at MTV with subsequent tenures in promotions at Uni Records and MCA Records. She left MCA Records with her mentor, Jheryl Busby, and held executive positions at Motown Records and BIV 10 Records, before becoming president and general manager of Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit Entertainment. Tate successfully leveraged her years of experience and contacts with her company Unlimited Contacts, Inc. (UCI). Under the UCI banner, she wears many hats: television and film producer, event planning and production, talent management, marketing and branding consultation. 

Tate serves as the Executive Producer & Director of Event Production for Black Health Matters - the leading health, wellness and chronic disease interactive digital platform dedicated to improving health outcomes among African Americans. In addition, she is an Advisory Board member of the Universal Hip Hop Museum - scheduled to open in the South Bronx in 2024 -  and also pens a lifestyle and entertainment column, in the New York Beacon newspaper, titled #HotOffThePress.

Mackenzie Crabtree, Events Manager at Innovatis Group, an Association Management Company, has 9 years of event experience.  Mackenzie started out planning fundraising events in the charity sector before moving into conference management for associations.  Currently, she manages conferences, virtual events, and VIP experiences for major technology brands and their user communities. Elevating the attendee experience while also finding ways to help a program become more efficient are two of her passions.  Her team has enjoyed working with clients to increase brand loyalty and sentiment year over year. Mackenzie’s ability to get consensus among clients, volunteers, and consumers has become her strength in the event space. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family. 

As the Senior Vice President of Human Resources at the National Urban League, Wanda leads the strategic direction and execution of HR initiatives that support the mission and vision of the largest civil rights and urban advocacy organization in the nation. With over 20 years of experience in HR, she has a passion for cultivating a diverse, inclusive, and empowering culture that enables our employees and affiliates to thrive and make a positive difference in the communities NUL serves.

Some of Wanda’s key accomplishments include designing and launching the nationwide Urban League Leadership Development Program, the Urban League Jobs Network, and the Urban League Honors Compensation Bonus Program, which have enhanced the talent pipeline, revenue generation, and recognition of our organization. Wanda also spearheaded the groundbreaking diversity study Diversity Practices That Work: The American Worker Speaks, which provided valuable insights and best practices for advancing equity and inclusion in the workplace. Additionally, she has leveraged my skills in performance management, employee relations, benefits administration, and training and development to foster a high-performing and engaged workforce that delivers on NUL’s strategic goals and objectives.