Danica Tormohlen

Award-Winning Journalist | Content Creator | Omnichannel Media Pro

Danica Tormohlen has covered the trade show industry since 1994. Since July 2020, she has worked on assignment for a number of leading trade show and convention industry organizations, including SISO (Society of Independent Show Organizers), UFI: The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association), Go LIVE Together and XLIVE by Questex. In spring 2021, she launched Hybrid Hour, a weekly Clubhouse discussion in partnership with Juno. Season 1 included 13 episodes with leading trade show executives from Web Summit, South by Southwest and the Toy Association to name a few.

Previously, she served as editor at large at Trade Show Executive for 10 years, and as Editor-In-Chief and Publisher of EXPO magazine, where she worked for 16 years. In 2020, Danica earned three journalism awards for editorial excellence from the American Society of Business Publication Editors. 

In her role at Trade Show Executive, Tormohlen wrote and produced content, including news, features, case studies and profiles for the monthly magazine, weekly e-newsletter, social media channels and the web site. She is passionate about educating readers by offering analysis of trends, insight into technology and presenting new ideas and tips to help them do their jobs better. 

She also served as Editor-In-Chief and Publisher of EXPO magazine, where she worked from 1994 to 2010. Tormohlen has won numerous awards for outstanding editorial and design, including the Folio: Eddie Award for Editorial Excellence in the travel and hospitality category and the Gold, Silver and Bronze Azbee Awards for Editorial Excellence in business-to-business journalism. 

She is active in the trade show and publishing industries. Danica currently serves as Co-Chair of the Education & Events Committee for the Women In Exhibitions Network North American Chapter. Previously, she served on the education committee for the International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE). She has spoken at a variety of industry events including IAEE, SISO, Large Show Roundtable, American Business Media, ASBPE, Trade Show Executive Gold 100 Summit, Trade Show Executive Fastest 50 Summit, SMG Annual Sales Meeting, Orange County Convention Center Client Advisory Board Meeting and Convention Sales Professionals International. 

Dan Cormany, PhD

Lead, Events and Entertainment Management Program, Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management,
Florida International University

Dan Cormany rejoined the faculty of Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management in 2018 after teaching at FIU for five years, and serving as founding instructor for their bachelor’s degree in Event Management.  Prior to that, he taught for five years at the Harrah Hotel College at UNLV, Las Vegas, where he also earned his second masters and a doctoral degree in Hotel Administration. 

From 2016 to 2018 he has taught in Silicon Valley, at San Jose State University, focusing on his areas of expertise – special event, festivals, trade show and convention management – and establishing an events major for the department.

Prior to his time at UNLV, he worked for 17 years as Dean of Students and a senior officer at universities in Ohio, Florida and Hawaii, before embarking on a career change to tourism. Much of this collegiate work was in event production.  His hotel work includes management positions for Loews Hotels, Hyatt Regency and Wynn Las Vegas. He holds a Master of Arts in College Administration from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and a Bachelor of Arts, Summa cum laude, from the University of Akron in Communication.  His event management background includes work on 7 of the 10 largest trade shows held in the United States, production of Renaissance and Native American festivals, fundraisers, cultural and popular concerts, and many conferences and conventions.

Shawn Flynn

Host of the award winning Podcast The Silicon Valley Podcast

Shawn has interviewed some of the biggest names in Tech including: Melanie Perkins Co-Founder of Canva, Jim McKelvey Co-Founder of Square, Avram Miller Co-Founder of Intel Capital. and many more.  When he is not interviewing the stars of Silicon Valley, he is a Principal at a middle market investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and valuation.

Rick Adams

Previous faculty at San Jose State University; co-owner of MelitaTrips LLC

Rick Adams Graduated Oklahoma State University with a BS Degree in Communications, and an emphasis in Public Relations.

 He has worked aboard 6 cruise lines as a Cruise Director, helped start 3 cruise lines and then settled into sales for 30 years.  During this time, he has personally chartered several ships to accommodate business meetings for tax write-offs.  He has had the pleasure of being on over 200 cruises, traveled through 87 countries and all 50 states and still traveling!

 After trying to retire from travel, I was hired in 2016 to teach Cruise Operations and Management at San Jose State University in their Hospitality, Tourism & Event Management Department.  He was also hired by a very dear friend in 2017 to manage and escort her tours all over the world for Total Eclipse trips and Northern Lights!  She sold the company 3 years ago to a man who passed away 1 year ago.  He was uneasy to think a 35-year-old tour operator would close their doors, so last January bought the company.  He is now the proud co-owner of MelitaTrips LLC.  www.MelitaTrips.com