Chris Breshears is the General Manager of Boulder Falls Inn, a role he has held since 2021. He began his career with the Inn as the Rooms Division Manager on April 1, 2015, and has grown alongside the property, contributing to its success through steady leadership and a people-first approach.

Chris strongly believes that a business thrives when it is deeply connected to its community. He is committed to being actively involved locally and to giving back whenever and wherever possible, viewing community partnerships and civic engagement as essential to long-term success.

This commitment is reflected in his active community leadership. Chris currently serves as President of the Lebanon, Oregon Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the Lebanon Legacy Club, and sits on the boards of the Lebanon Downtown Association and the Lebanon 4th of July Celebration. Through these roles, he works to support local businesses, preserve community traditions, and contribute to initiatives that strengthen the city of Lebanon.

Equally important to Chris is creating a positive, supportive workplace culture that promotes employee engagement and long-term retention. He focuses on building an environment where team members feel valued, heard, and empowered to grow. By investing in people, encouraging open communication, and leading with integrity, Chris strives to cultivate a culture of respect and pride—one where employees are motivated to stay, develop their careers, and deliver exceptional service.

Jacob Espinoza is a business coach, media entrepreneur, and community builder based in Salem, Oregon. He founded What’s Happening Salem, a local media platform reaching 40,000 people with a weekly newsletter, Instagram feed, and Friday morning podcast. Through this work, Jacob fosters community-centered conversations and strives to uplift local voices.

In addition to media endeavors, Jacob coaches business owners, helps organizations develop leadership strategies, and hosts retreats and team-building activities. His new book “How Parties Will Save The World: Building Strong Communities” hit #1 bestseller on Amazon in multiple categories.

Tim and Pam Fahndrich are lifelong entrepreneurs and the co-founders of WhirLocal Media Group (pronounced "We're Local"), a community-based media and marketing company. For more than 17 years, they have helped small businesses, nonprofits, and local organizations grow through better marketing and smart technology.

Tim and Pam are active volunteers in their community and believe that local businesses, nonprofits, and events are the heart of what makes a place feel connected and alive.

Together they bring a practical and encouraging approach to navigating new technology and modern marketing, helping local leaders strengthen their impact in the communities they serve.

Mike Goff has been a dedicated leader in Oregon’s event industry since 1996, bringing nearly three decades of hands-on experience in large-scale event operations, security management, and guest-experience strategy. A graduate of the prestigious Disney Institute, Mike blends world-class service principles with practical, real-world operational expertise.

Since 2001, he has served as CEO of Event Pros Northwest and its affiliated companies, guiding teams that support hundreds of events annually across the Pacific Northwest. Under his leadership, the organization has grown into one of the region’s most trusted providers of event staffing, security services, crowd management, admissions, parking operations, and guest services.

Mike’s portfolio includes some of the most high-profile events in the region—from the U.S. Olympic Trials and major state fairs to community festivals, county fairs, concerts, sporting events, and destination celebrations. His teams have helped shape safe, welcoming environments for events ranging from a few dozen attendees to over half a million.

Known for his practical, systems-driven approach, Mike specializes in translating complex security concepts into clear, actionable strategies that event organizers can implement immediately. His philosophy centers on proactive safety planning, team training, and creating positive guest interactions while maintaining strong operational control.

With a career built on service, safety, and creating memorable experiences, Mike is passionate about elevating industry standards and helping event producers of all sizes run safer, smoother, and more successful events.

Jill Ingalls has worked with nonprofit organizations in various capacities for over 30 years. She has served as a volunteer, served on volunteer boards, and managed various volunteer programs along the way.

Currently she is the contracted Executive Director for the Oregon Festivals & Events Association, Association manager for Willamette Valley Agriculture Association and the Marion County Farm Bureau. She and her husband Scott own 360 Events NW an event production, marketing, sponsorship, and consulting arm of Ingalls & Associates.

For the last 30 years, Scott has owned a promotions firm that provides marketing, media management, event consulting, production, and sponsor acquisition to a variety of events and fairs. He has owned or managed over 150 events, festivals, and expos. Scott has also spoken on these topics to organizations throughout the Western United States and Canada.

His company produces several events each year including the largest Agriculture Expo in the Pacific Northwest and First Taste Oregon. His passion for the industry shines through in his ongoing commitment to give back to the Oregon Festivals & Events Association, chairing several committees and working as this conference’s emcee.

Royle Johnson oversees client services, strategy, and technology at Royle Media. With more than 30 years of marketing and technology experience, he brings deep knowledge of digital advertising, strategic planning, and emerging marketing tools. Royle began his career in software marketing, working with major clients such as Microsoft, Intel, and Aldus (now Adobe).

In 1998, he launched Pin Point Marketing in Seattle, providing early website development, email marketing, and SEO services, and was among the first adopters of Google AdWords. He later served as Corporate Director of Digital Sales for Entercom Radio, managing digital platforms and advertising revenue across 21 markets and 122 radio stations.

In 2013, Royle founded Royle Media with his wife, Shani, combining their extensive experience to support clients through innovative, results-driven marketing. When he’s not developing strategies or testing the latest ad technologies, Royle enjoys fishing, coaching rugby, and walking his pet goats, Hugo and Percy, around Eastmoreland.

Michael Jonas, JD, MBA is a licensed attorney, community advocate, and champion for equitable economic and social systems. Throughout his career, he has focused on strengthening small businesses, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations through accessible legal education, strategic guidance, and values-aligned support. Following his 2024 congressional run, Michael continued his work empowering community organizations by providing consulting, training, and legal-adjacent education rooted in clarity, practicality, and community care.

Cindy is the CEO and Lead Designer at Gateway Imprints, Inc., renowned for her strategic acumen and deep-rooted passion for community and events. With over 25 years of expertise in management and leadership, Cindy excels in identifying and overcoming the challenges businesses and events face while striving for growth and success.

A pillar of the Lebanon community for more than two decades, Cindy’s commitment extends across numerous roles including President of the Lebanon Strawberry Festival Association. Additionally, Cindy plays a key role on the Holidays in the Park and Lebanon Parks, Trees, and Trails Committees, and holds leadership positions as Vice President for both the Lebanon area New Business Generations and the Lebanon 4th of July Event.

Residing in Lebanon, Oregon with her husband Matthew, Cindy enjoys quality time with her grandchildren and tends to her garden in her spare moments. Her unwavering dedication to both her professional and community roles exemplifies her commitment to fostering growth and connection in every facet of her life.

Ryan Kintz is the founder of Afton Tickets & Afton Shows. Ryan has been in the live event industry for over 20 years with experience in producing concerts, booking artists, working with numerous venue owners, event organizers, and festivals - he is a leading expert in everything related to ticketing and optimizing an event’s success. Afton Tickets has helped fairs, festivals, concerts, and event organizers gain more control over their admissions, enhance customer experience, and capture more revenues.

Courtney Latham, also known as DJ Flip Flops, founded Flip Flop Sounds in 2009 with just a couple of speakers and a mixer. Since then, he has grown his business into Bend’s premier sound and lighting company, known for delivering exceptional experiences at events of all sizes. From intimate weddings to large-scale festivals, Courtney's expertise and passion for music and entertainment have made Flip Flop Sounds a trusted name in the industry.

As an experienced DJ and event professional, Courtney is dedicated to creating unforgettable moments through high-quality sound, lighting, and entertainment. His commitment to customer satisfaction, combined with his technical skills and innovative approach, has earned him a loyal following in Central Oregon and beyond.

He remains passionate about helping his clients bring their visions to life, and his dedication to the craft continues to elevate the standard of event production in the region.

Carissa White is a Compliance Investigator with the Private Professional Certification & Licensing Program of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST). She is responsible for educating, assisting, and ensuring compliance with Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules throughout the state.

Carissa began her career working for the state of Oregon in 1996 and has held a variety of positions that required her to utilize both Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules. She has been with DPSST since 2013, where she uses her straightforward approach to conduct investigations along with her extensive knowledge of interpreting and applying Oregon Administrative Rules and Statutes to assist constituents in obtaining compliance and to promote excellence in public safety.

On a personal level, she enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends.