Katia McKennon

Principal

Fourth generation hospitality professional – Our great-grandfather owned a wonderful little hotel in the Southwest of France where eventually his son, my Apere (our name for grandpa), took over. While he was managing his hotel, across the ocean in Anaheim, CA, my other grandpa was GM of a large hotel. Our French uncle wanted to come to the states and learn about American hospitality so he ended up in Anaheim working for my American grandma. While working at the front desk, this French kid met my dad who was also working at the front desk. The two decided it would be cool for dad to go to France and work for my French grandpa. Bam! American man meets French woman. David and I eventually joined the party and traveled across the US as dad gained experience as a GM. His last post was a the Managing Director of the Wardman Park, DC. I swore hospitality would end with my dad. Alas, no – I joined the luxury hotel business in sales and fell in love with all things hospitality. I eventually landed in Paris working for the InterContinental Paris Le Grand as Director of Sales. Paris is magnificent but family is more important. I traveled back to the states to work with my Dad and David at MMS. Best decision I ever made. Now I get to take my hotel experience and share it with you. Join us on this ride for one of the best industries around!

David McKennon, CMP

Principal

David’s first foray into the hospitality industry was over 25 years ago at a Japanese resort in Guam, where he taught windsurfing & archery, and worked the light & sound board at the nightly Polynesian dinner. Since then, David has worked in every aspect of the management and execution process of the meetings industry — from building registration sites, creating new sponsorship programs, consulting on marketing strategies, even flying in flamingos for a one-of-a-kind closing party. David’s current passion is implementing technological advancements into the execution of an event, creating efficiencies in the pre-event planning phase, and enhancing the attendee journey.

And don’t forget to ask David about his real first name when you meet him.

Toshia Bruster, MTA

Director of Logistics

With more than 22 years of experience planning conferences and large-scale events, Toshia Bruster has built a career on transforming complex challenges into seamless attendee experiences. As Director of Logistics, she leads what she affectionately calls her “A Team,” empowering her staff to take ownership of their programs while providing strategic guidance, mentorship, and hands-on support every step of the way.

Toshia’s strength lies in turning big-picture vision into measurable results. Throughout her career, she has helped grow client relationships into more than $1 million in annual revenue and has cultivated strong partnerships across leading hotel brands and suppliers. Known for her expertise in contract negotiations, she works tirelessly to ensure every agreement, from hotel partnerships to union labor contracts, protects her clients’ interests while maximizing value. A skilled budget strategist, she consistently identifies creative solutions that increase ROI without compromising the attendee experience.

Known for remaining calm under pressure, Toshia brings creativity, resourcefulness, and a touch of fun to every event she leads. From designing memorable experiences (including making a “human bird” fly across a ballroom) to navigating last-minute challenges, she approaches every program with equal parts strategy and heart. Whether working with a former Vice President of the United States, professional athletes, first-time attendees, or members of her own team, she believes everyone deserves the same level of respect, care, and attention.

And while she can handle almost any event crisis with grace, there is one known exception: conversations involving the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Adam Lewis 

Director of Registration

Adam has spent over 15 years in the events industry starting with non-profit fundraising at the D.C. Historical Society where he was featured on the front page of The Washington Post for his work promoting local history online. Since coming to MMS in 2015, Adam has harnessed his knack for technology to help clients use data to guide their event strategy and designs efficient registration processes to create stellar attendee experiences. An aviation and travel enthusiast, he can also be found helping friends and family book incredible (and nearly free!) trips around the world using loyalty points and frequent flier miles.

Rebecca Armely

Director of Customer Service

Known by colleagues and clients as Techy Becky, Rebecca is a seasoned professional whose journey began in 2007 with MMS. She has a strong passion for serving others and providing stellar customer service and is the quintessential example of what it means to encompasses the MMS standard of “White Glove Service” by providing warmth, dedication, and a genuine desire to create lasting impressions with our clients as the Director of  Customer Service.

Drawing on her love for travel and detail-oriented nature, she extends her expertise beyond the professional realm to assist family and friends in crafting unforgettable personal travel experiences. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or an international adventure, Rebecca’s meticulous planning ensures that every detail is thoughtfully considered.

Chantal Freedman

Director of Sponsorships & Exhibits

With over 28 years of planning conferences and events, there is not much Chantal hasn’t faced. She is calm under pressure, endlessly client-first, and always the one to go the extra mile. A proven leader in exhibit operations and sales, she has guided thousands of clients over the course of her career, working hard to ensure their ROI every step of the way. Never star struck, whether she’s working with everyday individuals or financial powerhouses like Steve Forbes, she treats everyone with the same care and respect — clients, attendees, and team alike. For Chantal, the goal is simple: make it easy, make it profitable, and help every client exceed their goals.