Amy Mader - Founder and President
Amy Mader founded and is president of Amy's Platinum Weddings Coordinating and Consulting Firm, NECI and NEAWP in Austin, Texas. She is responsible for instructing the Online and Distance Education Professional Wedding Consultant Training Program classes as well as instructing the 3-Day Weekend Seminars for NECI.

Amy began her career in the wedding industry at the age-15 working in her grandparent’s bridal salon, Charlotte’s Bridal Shop. Mader's wealth of experience spans 16 years with extensive knowledge of the bridal industry, including purchasing, retailing and all aspects relative to the efficient day-to-day management of the largest bridal salon in Southwestern Wisconsin. In addition, she was responsible for wedding day coordination services of multiple weddings in the La Crosse, Wisconsin area.

Mader obtained her high school diploma from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1990. Mader graduated from the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1995. Following graduation, she and her husband relocated to Austin, Texas where Mader managed Adrian's Bridal Salon. After 1 year, she established her own consulting firm in 1997, Amy's Platinum Weddings, which has become a benchmark for consultants in the Central Texas region.

Mader earned her specialized training through Weddings Beautiful in 1997, Wedding Careers Institute, Inc. in 1999, and Nuptial Essentials Curriculum and Instruction in 2005. She is an active member in Weddings Beautiful Worldwide Association and Nuptial Essentials Association of Wedding Professionals.

Mader is also the founder and first president of the Austin Wedding and Event Coordinators (AWEC) in 2000, a professional organization for wedding consultants and vendors. Mader has held the following positions on the AWEC Board of Directors: President 2000, Treasurer 2001 and 2002. She has also served on the following AWEC Committees: Chair of the Ethical Standards Committee 2003 and 2004, Membership Director since 2004.

She has designed and coordinated upscale and celebrity weddings throughout the Austin area since 1997, and has been instrumental in the education and growth of the Austin wedding industry. Mader has been published in the following national publications, Brides, Modern Bride and The Bridal Guide as well as local publications Tribeza and Austin Monthly. Mader has been featured in The Knot magazine and has collaborated on The Lifetime Wedding Planner workbook. Mader had a featured wedding on the Lifetime Televisions series, My Best Friends Wedding, in February 2004. She is an active community leader and has volunteered her time on the board of the Moore-Weiss Children's Center for autistic children.

Kyle Sorenson - Austin Hospitality
Meeting Organizer “Meeting Master”
Kyle has always had a passion to work directly in the hospitality industry. As graduate of Texas State University, he quickly found himself managing a couple hotel properties in the Austin area. His career would soon change by joining Austin Hospitality in October of 2008. Since then he has helped many different types of groups, including hundreds of wedding clients alike. In addition to his job, Kyle has a strong passion for sports and loves attending concerts.

Amanda Dudley
Philanthropy "Donor Diva"
Amanda Dudley began her career as a social event planner for Hyatt Hotels back in 2005. In that time she has become one of Austin's most sought after planners. She began Big Day Event Productions in 2007 after endlessly being called on by friends seeking event tips and wedding planning assistance. She is known for her expertise, experience and knowledge of Austin's wedding venues and vendors. She has a flair for coordinating impressive events full of personal expression and unique experiences. She believes in providing her clients with unsurpassed personal service.

Dustin Meyer
PR Committee "Media Mogul"
Dustin's biography will be available shortly.

Cortney Zieky, PWC - Partner, Event Planner -BZ events LLC
Education Committee "Brain Buddy"
At BZ events my goal is to keep the big day fun for everyone involved! I strive to create a positive and interactive planning experience for my clients & vendor teams. I believe in supplying our clients with creativity and a detailed plan for developing the wedding or event of their dreams. Collaborating with my clients on the production and execution of a personal event is, simply put, the best job in the world.

Prior to joining the Austin event planning industry, I worked for a luxury real estate developer in both the sales & marketing departments. During my time as a REALTOR, I assisted my clients in making one of the most emotional decisions of their lives. It’s an experience that shaped my ability to negotiate and my approach to impeccable customer service.

While working as Marketing Director, I planned and executed countless grand openings & promotional events for commercial & residential projects in Arizona, Texas & Tennessee.

Besides my active role with Nuptial Essentials Association of Wedding Professionals, I also volunteer for Social Thinker, serve on the Kappa Alpha Theta alumni association, travel, & explore Austin with my husband and our friends. I feel very blessed!

Dawn Earley
Financial Committee "Money Master"
More Coming Soon.

Barbara Hearne
Chapter President "Chapter Chick"
I am originally from San Diego, California and my wedding career began in catering. I moved to Austin 16 years ago and began working with brides and vendors in the Austin wedding community. I love seeing how the industry has grown and am excited to see what the future holds. Sharing business ideas and planning tips with others interested in weddings has always been exciting to me. I still love all things weddings. I constantly read wedding blogs and love seeing the latest in photography styles and trends in magazines. I attend seminars and anything else that keeps me current on what’s new in weddings. When not planning fabulous events I keep busy with my two amazing sons, hubby and our 2 Shelties.

Kristi Treadwell
Hospitality Committee "Hospitality Honeys"
I grew up in San Antonio and graduated from St. Mary's University with a degree in International Business. I moved to Austin about 11 year ago and love it! I started my event planning career at the Salt Lick and planned all sorts of events while there including corporate, catering, festivals and of course weddings. Weddings by far were my favorite! I started working with Barbara's Brides in 2007 and have helped Barbara coordinate lots of amazing weddings. I am a Certified Wedding Specialist through Weddings Beautiful Worldwide. I live in South Austin with my husband and two kids.