Michelle Metter is the CEO of Fast Forward Event Productions with a dynamic portfolio of b2b and b2c tradeshows, conferences, festivals and digital media brands servicing the wine, beer, spirits, food and hospitality industries including the award-winning San Diego Food + Wine Festival and industry conference SommCon. Michelle has 25 years’ experience in business leadership as an owner/entrepreneur and also working within and for large national media companies (Peterson / EMAP) and trade association shows (Diving Equipment and Marketing Association). Throughout the course of her career, Michelle has touched all aspects of strategic event production from concept to launch, business development, sales, marketing, digital media, and long term growth of communities and events that service their professional needs and passions. Michelle serves on IAEE and SISO Board of Directors, on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Tourism Authority and is a member of Women in Exhibitions Network. Michelle co-founded Fast Forward Futures, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for the advancement of professionals in hospitality through scholarships and grants awarded in the pursuit of continued education in line with an individual's career objectives.