TSE Featured Speakers: Rob Barber, Robin Selden & More

Rob Barber, Vice President, Modular Systems R&D, ATOMIC 

Since joining ATOMIC in 2010, Rob Barber, Vice President of Modular Systems R&D, has been instrumental in leading ATOMIC’s product development efforts and propelling ATOMIC to be an industry leader in modular scenic stage products. He and his team have introduced over 100 new products and several patented product lines and celebrate 13 industry-related design awards and multiple patents. Clients include an extensive list of entertainment and media brands such as iHeartRadio, MTV, FOX Sports, NBC, Warner Bros. Discovery, Hulu, The Talk, and Ellen, and tours for artists like Madonna, Usher, Elton John, Miranda Lambert and Mötley Crüe. Additionally, Rob has spoken both nationally and internationally throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia on a variety of topics including leadership and creativity. Rob serves nationally on the Advisory Board of the Parnelli Awards, which recognizes high-level achievement in the Concert Touring and Live Event industries. On a local level, he actively serves on the board of the Lancaster County Community Foundation, channeling philanthropy and managing endowments that help shape Lancaster County. His recent endeavors include contributing an essay to the book, “Lights on Lancaster” (John R. Gerdy) and receiving both the Medal of Honor from the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design and The Special Event Gala Lifetime Achievement Award. These prestigious awards honor those who have made significant achievements in the fields of design and creativity. 

From Napkin Sketch to Show Day: What 14 Years, 12 Product Lines, 110 Products & 28,802 Shows Have Taught Me 
2:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 14 

Join us as we unpack some invaluable tips, tricks, and lessons learned from over a decade of crafting product lines, killer products, and over 28K electrifying shows. With game-changers and a touch of storytelling that'll revolutionize your workflow, this session promises to reshape your perspective in ways you never saw coming. Don't miss out! 

Robin Selden, Executive Chef & Managing Partner, Marcia Selden Catering 

Robin Selden is the Managing Partner & Executive Chef of Marcia Selden Catering and Naked Fig Catering, where she oversees the culinary and marketing operations for her family’s multimillion-dollar company. The first catering company ever inducted into the CT Restaurant Association’s Hall of Fame. Along with her brother, Jeffrey, the “Dynamic Sibling Duo” were named two of the “100 Most Inspiring People” in the Wedding industry by The Knot. In October of 2019, Robin was honored to be named to the BizBash1000 celebrating the top 1,000 event professionals in the USA in 2019 and to the BizBash 500 celebrating the top 500 event professionals in 2020 in the United States. With matriarch Marcia at the helm, the company orchestrates over 850 events a year. Winner of the coveted Catie Award for Caterer of the Year, MSC has been considered the “It” caterer of Connecticut for over 40 years. They also have offices in New York City and launched Naked Fig Catering in 2019; a luxury plant-based catering love child of celebrity chef Matthew Kenney and team MSC. Selden is in the President’s Council as a past President of the International Caterers Association and won their Chef of the Year award. She’s a past Innovative Chef of the Year and a current Ambassador Chef for the Greenwich Wine & Food Festival. She sits on three non-for-profit boards including The American Cancer Society and on the Advisory Board of two National Magazines. In 2013, Selden helped to found the first Women’s Wellness event, for the American Cancer Society; Women Leading the Way to Wellness. Her passion for giving back has led her, and brother Jeffrey, to teach a Catering Class at Cornell University’s School of Hospitality for the last 6 years as well as a Special Events class at the Boston University School of Hospitality. 

Jeffrey Selden, Managing Partner, Marcia Selden Catering 

Jeffrey Selden leverages his 29-year-long party history in his role as Managing Partner of Marcia Selden Catering. With an extensive background in luxury event planning, honed at some of the country's most exclusive hotels, including The St. Regis, The Pierre and The New York Palace, he holds an industry-wide reputation as a power event-builder with a unique, creative vision and flawless results. Selden currently runs the operations and sales for his family’s multimillion-dollar company. The first catering company ever inducted into the Restaurant Association’s Hall of Fame, Marcia Selden Catering was also named to The Knot Weddings Hall of Fame, and Best Caterer & Best of the Gold Coast by Moffly Media. Along with his sister, Robin, the “Dynamic Sibling Duo” were named two of the “100 Most Inspiring People” in the Wedding industry by The Knot. With matriarch Marcia at the helm, the company orchestrates over 850 events a year. Winner of the coveted Internationally recognized Catie Award for Caterer of the Year, Marcia Selden Catering has been considered the “It” caterer of Connecticut for over 40 years. They also have offices in New York City. Jeffrey is the current President of the International Caterers Association, the founding President of the NYC Chapter of the Wedding Industry Professionals Association (WIPA) and sits on the board of many non-profit organizations. He has also taught at Cornell’s famed Hospitality School for the last 6 years and Boston University’s Hotel & Restaurant Management programs for 3 teaching the special events and catering classes. Known for his colorful collection of eyeglasses, a passion that began when he was a personal butler for Elton John, he resides in Weston, Connecticut with his wife Debbie, their two sons, and Havanese dogs, Taco and Bella. 

Elizabeth Meyer, Former Head of Events & Programming for Bridgewater Associacates, EAM Experience Solutions, LLC

Beth recently decided to join the amazing world of entrepreneurship by taking the leap to starting her own business. EAM Experience Solutions, LLC was formed to bring the 13 year knowledge gained from her time at Bridgewater Associates to support those who are responsible for Events & Community at their respective companies. Beth Meyer began her career at Bridgewater Associates in 2010 and spent the last 5 years of her career as the Head of Events and Programming. Reporting to the Head of Corporate Engagement, Beth oversaw the firm's social, business and enrichment events and programming operations. Beth began her career at Bridgewater building out the support structure for the Trading Analytics team and later took on a key role in Executive Support for the Head of Client Services, partnering heavily across community, people and executive function. Before joining Bridgewater, Beth was a Client Services Coordinator for top financial service teams and the Executive Assistant to the Head of The Greenwich, CT Morgan Stanley Smith Barney branch. Beth's passions lie in the areas of adoption and children advocacy. With two adoptive sons ages 2 and 1, Beth has recently begun mentoring adoptive couples through their journeys through support and resources as well as looking for freelance opportunities to advocate for children in the system. 

Michael Cerbelli, President, Cerbelli Creative 

Michael Cerbelli began his journey into the events industry at just 13-years-old as a DJ in Brooklyn, New York. With his quick-wit, natural charisma, and fierce determination, Cerbelli has cultivated his passion for the extraordinary into making his client’s dreams a reality for over 47 years. He strives to create memorable experiences for his clients and to share his knowledge with the events community as an established industry leader. In 2019, Michael was inducted into the event industry Hall of Fame by BizBash for his decades of experience working in event design and production, meetings, hospitality, and more. He has recently been honored as this year’s recipient of The Special Events Gala Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Catersource The Special Event 2023. 

Michael is the CEO & president of Cerbelli Creative, an industry-leading events and entertainment company headquartered in New York City. The Cerbelli Creative team of planners, designers and entertainment specialists produces social, non-profit and corporate events world-wide. Michael’s passion is giving back to the industry. One way he does so is through The Hot List™, peeling back the curtain and revealing his most trusted and favorite vendors and entertainers, sharing the wealth among event professionals. Michael Cerbelli’s: The Hot List™ is an annual show held at Catersource The Special Event for thousands of event professionals. Michael also travels across North America with The Hot List™ in-hand, speaking to local chapters and industry associations. 

Feasts & Fetes: A Savvy Guide to Mastering Corporate Event Planning & Catering Collaborations 
8:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 13 

Are you ready to elevate your corporate event planning skills to the next level? Join our rockstar panel of Michael Cerbelli, Robin and Jeffrey Selden, and Elizabeth Meyer for their lively discussion on corporate event planning and discover the key strategies for successful collaborations with caterers. Whether you're a seasoned event planner or just starting in the industry, this course will provide valuable insights and practical tips to ensure your corporate events leave a lasting impression. You will learn: the art of collaboration between planner and caterer; an understanding of the corporate event landscape; logistics and budgeting; creating memorable culinary experiences, and more! 

You can see Rob, Robin, Jeffrey, Elizabeth, and Michael LIVE at Catersource The Special Event in Austin from Feb 12-15.