DECA is excited to welcome over 900 members to the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference in Orlando on February 2-6, 2022.
Known as one of the world’s premier locations for family entertainment and home to world-class professional and college sports, Orlando provides the perfect backdrop for this dynamic conference experience. Industry professionals from top entertainment venues and sports teams will share their backgrounds and experiences, industry trends, and tips for career success.
Check out the impressive lineup of #DECASEM speakers coming to this year's event.
Chris D’Orso
Orlando Magic, Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations
Chris D’Orso enters his 33rd season with the Orlando Magic. He was promoted to senior vice president of sales and operations in July 2012, and his responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day operations of sales for the Amway Center including season, premium, suites, hospitality, partial, group and tourism sales as well as retail, and ticket operations for both the Orlando Magic and Amway Center. A mainstay in the organization since the team’s inception, D’Orso joined the Magic in 1989 as the promotions/publicity coordinator and steadily worked his way up through the organization. D’Orso graduated in 1988 from Fairfield University with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He actively works with the Dr. Phillips and Central Florida YMCA and the Make a Wish Foundation.
Shalisa Griffin
Greater Orlando Sports Commission Senior Director of Business Development & Events
Originally from Newark, New Jersey, Shalisa Griffin is the Senior Director of Business Development & Events at the Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports). Griffin and her team strategically solicit professional, collegiate and youth sports events that generate economic impact in the Greater Orlando area. She is also responsible for managing large-scale youth tournaments, high school state championships and NCAA national championships. Griffin graduated from Delaware State University with a bachelor’s degree in sport management, and minor in hospitality and tourism management. She then went to the University of Central Florida and graduated from the DeVos Sport Business Management Program with dual master’s degrees in business administration and sport business management. After graduating, Griffin went on to complete the NCAA Postgraduate Internship Program which led her to the sports commission.
Stephen Kubiak
Universal Orlando Resort, Manager of Social Strategy & Content
Stephen Kubiak is the Manager of Social Strategy and Content for Universal Parks & Resorts. He’s a combat Veteran, Eagle Scout, father of three, and he remembers when CityWalk was just a parking lot.
Eric Marshall
Universal Orlando Resort, Senior Vice President of Destination Sales
Eric Marshall is the Senior Vice President of Destination Sales for Universal Parks and Resorts. He has been part of the Universal team since 1998 and began his career as part of the Domestic Sales team in Orlando. Eric has held a variety of positions over the last 22 years while continuing to take on more responsibility along the way. In his current role, he leads the Sales and Trade Marketing teams for Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. His team includes team members based around the world including Orlando, Hollywood, New York, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and the UK.
Chris Martin
Universal Orlando Resort, Senior Director of Marketing and Revenue Management
Proud father of two awesome teenage humans, Chris is an aspiring triathlete aiming to complete his first IRONMAN this November. Receiving his MBA from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College, 23 years ago, he has been with Universal ever since. He has held positions in numerous divisions from strategic planning, to brand management, to sales leadership.
RaeLynn McAfee
Full Sail University, Sports Marketing & Media Program Director
RaeLynn McAfee is the Program Director of the Sports Marketing & Media Bachelor of Science degree at Full Sail University. She has a passion for the sports industry, evidenced by her 10 years of experience working in both collegiate and professional sports, followed by 10 years of bringing the industry to life for college students. During her tenure in the sports industry, RaeLynn oversaw the marketing and promotional activities for multiple sports, coordinated advertising campaigns, and managed organizational brands and images for teams such as UCF, Virginia Tech, and the Arena Football League. RaeLynn received a Master of Science degree in Education from Virginia Tech in 2007. She is also a former letter winner in women’s basketball from the University of Dayton, where she graduated in 2001 Magna cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications.
Jen Rother
Universal Orlando Resort, Vice President of Segment Strategy
Jen Rother is the Vice President of Segment Strategy at Universal Orlando Resort. In her current role, her primary responsibility is to establish strategy and drive performance to both the Orlando and Hollywood parks from Domestic and International tourists. Before joining the Universal Orlando team, she previously worked in marketing at The Walt Disney Company, Movado Group, General Mills and Ray-Ban. Jen holds a certificate in Business Analytics from Harvard University, an MBA from Duke University and a BS in Communications from Rochester Institute of Technology. She enjoys training, competing, and traveling with her dogs, Mayhem & Chaos.
Carlyn Tribble
Florida Citrus Sports, Director of Events
Carlyn Tribble is the Director of Events for Florida Citrus Sports. In that role, she manages the organization’s major public events, including programs for the Florida Cup international soccer tournament, the HBCU Florida Classic and two major college football postseason games, the Cheez-It Bowl and the Vrbo Citrus Bowl. Prior to FCS, Carlyn managed events for the Orange Bowl in Miami, including a BCS National Championship Game, as well as UCF and Wyndham Destinations. She is a South Florida native and Florida Gator with almost 15 years of experience in event planning and management.
