Angela Johnston
Principal Event Designer, Owner at Sapphire Celebrations
Conference Ambassador
Angie Johnston has devoured every wedding scene in every movie she has ever seen. Sapphire Celebrations represents the culmination of her lifelong dream to be a Colorado wedding and event coordinator. Angie has twenty years of experience in wedding planning, more than a decade in corporate event planning and a dozen years in planning events for charities and philanthropic organizations in Colorado. With a sense of elegance and style Angie strives to remove the stress from her clients, while planning the Colorado event of their dreams. Angie graduated from the University of Denver with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business with a Marketing emphasis.
Angie currently serves on the Board of the Greater Denver Chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) and is a member of the Colorado chapter of the Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA).
Creative Consultant
My extensive background in the entertainment industry, particularly my role as the General Manager of Elite Entertainment, has equipped me with a comprehensive skill set that makes me a valuable team player when it comes to planning events.
First and foremost, my nearly two decades of experience in the entertainment sector demonstrate a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in planning and executing successful events. This experience has honed my organizational skills, allowing me to manage multiple aspects of an event seamlessly.
As the General Manager of Elite Entertainment for over 10 years, I've not only contributed to the growth of the company but have also cultivated a collaborative and dynamic team environment. My leadership style emphasizes effective communication, cooperation, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional experiences. I believe in harnessing the strengths of each team member to create a cohesive and efficient planning process.
Additionally, my tenure as the Treasurer for the Denver chapter of NACE from 2019 to 2021 has provided me with valuable insights into the collaborative nature of the events industry. Serving in this role required financial acumen, attention to detail, and effective teamwork to ensure the success of NACE events and initiatives.
In essence, my skills and experiences as a seasoned professional in the entertainment industry, coupled with my leadership at Elite Entertainment and involvement in industry associations like NACE, underscore my ability to be a collaborative team player in the planning of events. I bring a wealth of knowledge, a proven track record of successful event management, and a commitment to fostering a positive and cooperative team environment.
Creative Consultant
As a self-proclaimed "hospitality addict", Aimee Palifroni has reached 25 years in the hospitality and events industry!
She learned the importance and grace of hospitality at a young age and it became the backbone of everything she would do afterwards. With a background in English & Creative Writing from Colorado State University, her working career would take her through fine dining, venues, hotels, resorts, and catering, and to realize her passion for designing exceptional weddings.
Aimee has led her planning and design company, Prisma Events since 2009, and has been very active in the community; earning an industry certification as a CPCE, growing to a team of planners, multiple TV and online interviews, and serving on the NACE Denver Chapter board from 2017-2021 as Vice President of Programs. Awards include NACE Denver 2019 Best Wedding & Best Use of Small Budget and 2019 Wedding of the Year - Budget Greater than $100,000 from NACE National.
Aimee's next chapter includes focusing on bespoke luxury LGBTQ+ weddings, coaching for creative businesses, and building an educational speaking career. She lives southeast of Denver with her very supportive husband and two pre-teen kiddos. Her hobbies are many and include roller skating, karaoke, and house plants.
Conference Ambassador
Karen Tucker, CPCE, and her husband, Brett, own Relish Catering & Events. As a full-service caterer, Karen and her talented team provide exceptional food, service, and hospitality to the Denver area. Karen is heavily involved in the events community and has been a member of NACE (National Association for Catering & Events) since 2009, as well as Les Dames de Escoffier, and ILEA (International Live Events Association).
Karen has served on both the local Denver Chapter NACE Board and served for two years on the NACE National Board. In addition to 12 years of combined board service, she also served as the NACE Bylaws Task Force Chair and on the Pathways to Leadership Task Force, NACE Executive Director Task Force, National Business Development Committee, as a CPCE online course trainer, and several other committees throughout her NACE tenure.
Karen received her CPCE certification in 2013, reaffirming her passion for further professional education. She has received numerous industry awards and was honored as the NACE National Member of the Year at the 2017 Experience Conference. She was inducted into the Denver ILEA Chapter Hall of Fame in 2019 and recognized in Special Events Magazine’s 40 under 40 in 2015.
Creative Consultant
Originally a California native, Bonnie joined the Biscuits team in 2014 following her passion for event planning. She loves the ever-changing industry and bringing her clients’ visions to life. Her career has grown with the company as she has taken on roles such as Event Manager, Delivery Sales Coordinator, Social Event Designer, Business Development, and now Director of Sales. Managing a team is a familiar landscape for her and she is thriving in her new role, which allows her to guide them with the knowledge and experience she has gained along the way.
Outside of work, she loves reading, going to concerts, going to Avalanche games, hanging out with her crazy nieces, and taking trips overseas. She also has an obsession with Disneyland and makes sure to visit the Happiest Place on Earth whenever she’s back home in Los Angeles.