Maureen Ryan Baringer
President, Baringer & Associates, LLC and Upstate NY Events
Cortland, NY

Maureen Ryan Baringer has over twenty five years experience planning and promoting special events, and a stellar reputation for her management, promotional, and organizational skills. She originates from Upstate New York, having grown up in the Adirondack Region of New York State.   Maureen attended the State University College at Cortland where she received a bachelors degree in Recreation Management.  She worked for a city recreation department planning events for several years. In her previous role as Executive Director of her local Chamber of Commerce, she worked to promote many corporations and businesses.  Maureen, combined the knowledge and experience gained from those positions, and opened Baringer & Associates, LLC in 1995, fulfilling her vision to manage her own corporate events planning company.  She has planned corporate events, conferences, and trade shows throughout New York State for the past twelve years, coordinating with clients from across the United States and several international locations.   She is a respected authority on the events planning industry and has spoken to many groups on topics related to the field.  Baringer has also consulted with businesses and organizations throughout New York State who seek her expertise on how to better plan and promote their special events. Maureen also believes in mentoring the next generation. She teaches an Events Planning course at Ithaca College where she plans a major special event with her students each semester.  She has served as a member of the Homer Central School District Board of Education and the SUNY Cortland College Council.

Ally Mead Williams
Associate
Skaneateles, NY

Ally Mead Williams is an organized and energetic Meeting and Events Planning professional with over twelve years of industry experience.  She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel and Resort management from the Rochester Institute of Technology.   Williams has worked as an event manager for Universal Meeting Management, Bank of America, GlaxcoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals and the Lodge at Welch Allyn. In this role, she has managed corporate meetings, special events, product launches, web conferences, and advisory panels.  Ally also served as a Leadership Consultant for Zeta Tau Alpha Chapters at over forty college campuses across the United States. On the local level, she volunteers for the RIT Hospitality Society, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity, Skaneateles PTC, Skaneateles Nursery School and the Skaneateles Community Center.

Ariana Blossom
Associate
Ithaca, NY

Ariana Blossom came to the events industry via employment with Cornell University.  She thrived on the fast pace and multitasking that the profession demands and gained an excellent reputation for her efficiency and interpersonal skills.  Ariana has a Bachelors Degree from Wells College where she was a Dean’s list student.  She served as the Events Coordinator for the College of Veterinary Medicine Leadership Program at Cornell.   In that capacity she was responsible for events and travel planning, workshop and module planning, and national event registration and orientation.   She was also the liaison between international students and the administration, as well as the alumni reunion contact.    Ariana has served her country, having spent four years in the United State Army.  Ariana is also a licensed massage therapist and has traveled extensively.

Robin Pinto
Associate
Albany, NY

        

Robin Pinto has been an event planner in the Capital District of New York State for 15 years, most recently as Director of Special Event Sales and Marketing for the numerous properties of Mallozzi’s in Schenectady, NY. During her career she has been an education coordinator and meeting planner for a large trade association, run a 600 seat restaurant and large event venue and has coordinated over one thousand weddings and special events.   She received an Award of Excellence from National Multiple Sclerosis Society in 2005 for her work in her field.  She consults for several event management companies and writes for numerous industry magazines.  She has coached and developed some of the areas most skilled event planners and believes in teaching relationship building as the predominant trait for success.  She is the Chair for the Director of Sales Committee for the Chamber of Schenectady County. Robin was born and raised in beautiful Santa Barbara, California and she brings the calmness of that lifestyle to her event management.  She is a mentor in the industry and highly regarded as one of the Capital Districts brightest event professionals.          

Amy Lalla Gutchess
Associate
Homer, NY

Amy Lalla Gutchess is an extremely artistic person who has a flair for creating simple elegance at her events. She holds a degree in Advertising and Design from Cazenovia College. She was employed for many years as a Graphic Artist at Marietta Corporation. Her event planning experience includes, designing invitations and media packages, to planning an entire wedding from start to finish.  Amy has developed the concepts and art work for many themed events with Baringer & Associates, LLC.   She also created and designed the new logo and web page for their new Upstate NY Events division.  Amy is an award winning artist who is known throughout New York State for her design work.