2026 Scholarship Recipients

Kerrie Blankenship

ZooTampa

Kerrie Blankenship serves as the Private Events Manager at ZooTampa, where she oversees the planning and execution of private events ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations. Managing every stage of the event process—from client relations and vendor coordination to staffing and on-site operations—Kerrie is passionate about creating memorable guest experiences. She is committed to expanding her expertise across a variety of event types while continuing to develop her leadership and creative event management skills.

Cressa Bronson

Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce

Cressa Bronson coordinates a diverse portfolio of events for the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, including networking programs, festivals, sporting events, and community celebrations. With experience in logistics, event design, guest experience, and on-site operations, she is dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for people to connect. Cressa is passionate about the power of events to strengthen communities and foster lasting relationships, and she is eager to continue growing as a leader in the industry.

Destiny Kerce

South Florida Fair

As Digital & Social Media Strategist for Palm Beach County Expositions, Inc., Destiny Kerce leads the digital presence for iconic brands including the South Florida Fair, Yesteryear Village, Fright Nights, and the South Florida Fairgrounds & Expo Center. She specializes in storytelling, audience engagement, and creating digital experiences that enhance live events before, during, and after they occur. Destiny is focused on advancing innovative strategies that help events build stronger connections with audiences and extend their impact beyond the event itself.

Gabriel Osorio

City of Orlando

Gabriel Osorio supports the planning and execution of public and private events for the City of Orlando, assisting with logistics, permitting, vendor coordination, and on-site operations. Currently pursuing his degree, Gabriel is passionate about being part of the collaborative teams that bring memorable experiences to life. His goal is to deepen his understanding of event operations while contributing creative ideas and solutions that help deliver exceptional events for the community.

Meg Shivraman

South Lake Chamber of Commerce

Meg Shivraman serves as Office Manager for the South Lake Chamber of Commerce, where she supports organizational operations while playing an active role in coordinating and executing community and member events. Her passion for the industry began while working in Parks and Recreation for the City of Clermont, where she discovered a love for the fast-paced and rewarding nature of event planning. Meg is dedicated to growing her event management expertise and helping create experiences that bring people together and strengthen local communities.

Allysa Weaver

Seaside Arts & Entertainment

Allysa Weaver leads the planning and execution of large-scale community events for Seaside Arts & Entertainment, overseeing logistics, production timelines, vendor partnerships, and guest experience initiatives. Inspired by a lifelong connection to Seaside and the memories created through shared experiences, Allysa is passionate about producing events that leave lasting impressions on attendees. She is committed to elevating community events through thoughtful planning, creative vision, and exceptional execution.