Our Talented and Experienced Team

With more than 160 years of combined meetings industry experience, our sales and service staffers are skilled at every aspect of the trade. They can assist you with venue selection, hotel accommodations, off-site events, vendor sourcing, logistics and more. They work closely with meeting partners and area businesses to ensure the groups that meet here have all the support they need to host their attendees.

Their relentless focus on customer service earned Experience Grand Rapids “Best Midwest DMO” honors in the 2024 Northstar Stella Awards, and Smart Meetings Platinum Choice Awards in 2024 and 2025. Let our team make your job easier and ensure a successful event!

Meet the Team

Mary Manier, Vice President of Sales & Services

Mary has worked for Experience Grand Rapids for 40+ years, so she knows every nook and cranny of the region – and she knows how to utilize every local resource to benefit our meeting planner clients. In 2019, she was named to the inaugural class of Connect Association’s 15 over 50, which salutes leaders who’ve moved the industry forward. Contact her at MManier@ExperienceGR.com or (877) 847-4847 ext. 3554.

Kelsey Helstowski, Director of Sales

Market Focus: Trade/Commercial, Religious

Kelsey’s experience working with a broad cross-section of group types makes her adept at zeroing in on just how Grand Rapids can support the unique goals of these market segments. She began her career with us as a volunteer, learning the ins and outs of the industry from all perspectives. Contact her at KHelstowski@ExperienceGR.com or (877) 847-4847 ext. 3546.

Leslie Hastings, CHSP, CASE, Senior National Sales Manager

Market Focus: Washington, D.C.

Leslie is based in the America’s capital city, where she promotes Grand Rapids to national clients through events, trade shows and personal events. She came to Experience Grand Rapids in 2015 with a wealth of experience representing city and hotel destinations. Contact Leslie at LHastings@ExperienceGR.com or (703) 407-4134.

Laura Greiner, Senior Sales Manager

Market Focus: Michigan

Laura taps into her sales and event management experience to tout the benefits of meeting in Grand Rapids to Michigan-based clients, excluding government and corporate groups. She’s also adept at helping clients leverage the area’s unique strengths to create a memorable event. Laura would love to connect with you at LGreiner@ExperienceGR.com or (877) 847-4847 ext. 3547.

Jessica Sobie Henderhan, National Sales Manager

Market Focus: Agriculture, Culture/Fine Art/Libraries, Environment, Fraternal, Hobby/Collectibles, Large Military Reunions

Armed with a culinary degree, a wine sommelier certificate, and both hotel and restaurant experience, Jessica knows what it takes to stage a successful event – and she’s passionate in her belief that Grand Rapids is a first-class destination for meeting and convention events. She’ll be happy to tell you exactly why when you reach out to her at JHenderhan@ExperienceGR.com or (877) 847-4847 ext. 3549.

Sulema Kiekintveld, National Sales Manager

Market Focus: Education, Health/Medical/Scientific, Engineering, Tech/Computer User Groups

Combining a culinary management degree with abundant sales experience, Sulema brings her analytic and communication skills to bear for groups in these specialized industries. She spreads the word about Grand Rapids’ leadership  in these fields to meeting planners and industry professionals across the U.S. Contact Sulema at SKiekintveld@ExperienceGR.com or (877) 847-4847 ext. 3569.

Haleigh Gerwig, Convention Sales Manager

Market Focus: Corporate, Government, Amway IBOs

A Grand Rapids native with deep ties to the city, Haleigh connects corporate and government planners with local people and places to ensure every event showcases the best of the city -- and she's passionate about sharing her favorite hometown spots. She loves sharing Grand Rapids far and wide. Reach out to her at HGerwig@ExperienceGR.com or (877) 847-4847 ext. 3563.

Lilly Baker, Specialty Sales Manager

Market Focus: Group Tours, Weddings, Family Reunions, Smaller Military Reunions

Lilly boosts awareness and bookings of Grand Rapids/Kent County as a convenient, fun and memorable destination for touring groups and various special occasions. She earned dual degrees in Marketing and Hospitality & Tourism Management and completed customer service training through the Disney College Program. Contact Lilly at LBaker@ExperienceGR.com or (616) 258-7388 ext. 3562.

Marlene Bushouse, Senior Sales Administrator

Marlene has been working alongside our sales team since 1998, assisting her colleagues with all manner of administrative tasks. Among other things, she ensures that our responses to clients are timely, accurate and complete. Marlene can be reached at MBushouse@ExperienceGR.com or (616) 258-7388.

Anahi Villeda, Sales Research Specialist

Anahi works to uncover new opportunities for our sales team to pursue in addition to handling a wide variety of administrative functions that keep the department running smoothly. Her marketing and social media experience bring an invaluable perspective to the sales team. You can reach Anahi at Avilleda@ExperienceGR.com or (877) 847-4847 ext. 3662.

Brandy Martin, Director of Convention Services

Market Focus: National No-bid Repeat Groups

Brandy helps Michigan-based groups plan and execute their meetings and conventions in Grand Rapids. Brandy is a Grand Rapids native and uses her knowledge and enthusiasm of the area to help planners build attendance for their event and then provides exemplary service once they’re here. You can contact Brandy at BMartin@ExperienceGR.com or (877) 847-4847 ext. 3545.

Savannah Christiansen, Convention Services Manager

Market Focus: Michigan No-bid Repeat Groups

Savannah helps groups make the most of their time in Grand Rapids, sharing critical information connecting planners to local vendors, suggesting offsite venues, and more. Her experience as a sales manager for local hotels, hospitality management education, and love of Grand Rapids makes her an invaluable resource. Contact her at SChristiansen@ExperienceGR.com or (877) 847-4847 ext. 3556.

Lauren Zaloga, Convention Services Manager

Lauren’s focus includes helping Michigan-based groups access essential resources, connect to local vendors and identify offsite meeting venues. Her background in event planning at Purdue University and leadership in conferencing and event services at Aquinas College gives her a deep understanding of the details that make meetings successful. Contact her at LZaloga@ExperienceGR.com or (877) 847-4847 Ext. 3579.

Theresa Danneffel, Guest Experience Manager

Theresa leads our team of Airport Ambassadors on-site at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, where they greet visitors with a friendly smile and helpful information at the Visitor Information Desk and throughout the terminal. Connect with Theresa at TDanneffel@ExperienceGR.com or (616) 258-7388 ext. 3575.

Kahlisha Mosley, Convention Services Specialist

Kahlisha makes sure that meeting organizers and attendees get all the information and support they need to enjoy a successful event in Grand Rapids – including, if necessary, the assistance of a volunteer staff she supervises. You can reach out to Kahlisha at KMosley@ExperienceGR.com or (877) 847-4847 ext. 3564.

Andie Newcomer, CMP, GMS, Director of Events

Andie is often the first Experience Grand Rapids point of contact for meeting planners, as she’s responsible for our award-winning trade show presence as well as FAM trips, sales mission trips and client events. She’s held various client-facing positions here, and she’s a CMP, great sounding board, brainstormer, coach and cheerleader for planners. Contact Andie at ANewcomer@ExperienceGR.com or (877) 847-4847 ext. 3559.

Patty Delaney, CMP, Events Manager

Patty plans, promotes and executes a series of events Experience Grand Rapids hosts throughout the year to bring together our clients and partners for fun, fellowship and business networking. She also manages our team of customer-facing Airport Ambassadors at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. You can reach Patty at PDelaney@ExperienceGR.com and (877) 847-4847 ext. 3578.

Jessica Briggs, Events Manager

Jessica plans, promotes, and executes our State, National, and Group Tour events, which facilitate personal contact with clients around the country and bring people to Grand Rapids to experience all the region has to offer. She holds a degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management. You can contact Jessica at JBriggs@ExperienceGR.com or (877) 847-4847 ext. 3573. 

About Grand Rapids

LinkedIn’s #1 U.S. City on the Rise in 2025, Grand Rapids offers the amenities of a big city with warmth of small town. Our downtown convention center features a 162,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall, 40,000 sq. ft. ballroom and 26 breakout rooms, all connected via climate-controlled skywalk to three excellent hotels with 1,200+ rooms. An additional 10 hotels (1,200+ rooms) are within a 10-minute walk of the convention center and 300+ restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. See how else Grand Rapids is Crafted for Meetings.