the team
kristie vento, publisher/creative director
freshmeet was founded by Kristie Vento, President of award winning The Venue Marketing Group, a full service marketing and pr agency that offers branding, interactive marketing, public relations and event marketing to the lifestyle, event and hospitality industries.
Kristie possesses a BS in Marketing and experience in all facets of events and branding. Event blood runs through Kristie’s veins, as she started her career more than 17 years ago as a Catering Manager and has been involved in events ever since. Before launching the agency in 2006, Kristie served in national sales roles for Hilton Hotels Corporation, served as Brand Marketing Manager for Small Luxury Hotels of the World and other prominent luxury brands. She even had a part in production and launch of a full color luxury travel magazine. Kristie truly has her finger on the pulse of trending event and lifestyle topics, as she holds leadership roles in many event and marketing associations. She serves the current term as VP Communications for ISES Dallas, has served as PR Chair for Meeting Professionals International, and she is an active member of NACE, IAPP, IABC, e-Marketing Association, American Marketing Association and more.
She launched freshmeet with the vision of bringing something fresh to the events industry, an interactive resource guide to celebrate events as a whole and how they bring lifestyle, fashion, brands, companies and visions to life, while giving beginning planners and even seasoned pros a resource guide of fresh ideas and planning resources. Combining all of these resources with a way to take company messages and ideas to market is the proverbial icing on the cake.
christian vento, vice president operations & interactive
laura long, art director/account director
ashley holder, fashion/lifestyle contributor