Michael K. Krouse, CHME, CASE, is Regional Vice President of Convention Centers West for ASM Global. He is responsible for oversight of twelve (12) convention centers and convention visitor bureaus, one (1) Arena and one (1) California Welcome Center located in the Western United States.

Mr. Krouse is also President and CEO of the Greater Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau (GOCVB), Ontario Convention Center, Toyota Arena, and the California Welcome Center at Ontario Mills where he directs business development, marketing and destination sales for conventions, meetings and events, national and international visitors plus the overall operations at the venues. The GOCVB promotes the Greater Ontario region as a premier destination for meetings, conventions and tourism in Southern California and to ensure the transparency, accountability and effectiveness of the Tourism Marketing District, which was established under his leadership.

Prior to joining ASM Global, Mr. Krouse served as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Client Services for the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board (LATCB), where he was responsible for managing a number of departments including Meetings and Convention Sales, Client Services, Research and Membership. Under his nine years of leadership, LATCB generated substantial annual gains of up to 318 percent in economic impact to Los Angeles, resulting in an overall net gain of $5.8 billion during his term.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Krouse spent more than twenty five (25) years in a variety of senior hotel sales management positions, where he was frequently charged with overseeing more than twenty two (22) hotels and multiple brands simultaneously. His customer service ratings at the time soared consistently above the 95 percentile. Key positions that he held during this time included Interstate Hotels and Resorts Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, and Hilton Hotels Corporation Regional Director of Sales and Marketing (West), for more than thirteen (13) years.

He is a Certified Association Sales Executive (CASE) with the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), and has earned the title of Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive (CHME) from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. In addition was formerly a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) with the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) for years.

He has served as a Board Member of the UCLA Extension Executive Hotel Program and Creativity Advisory Council, and Los Angeles Hotel/ Motel Association. He is also a member of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and the Convention Industry Council (CIC). Currently Mr. Krouse serves on the Executive Committee for Cal Travel as well as a PAC Trustee. He was recently honored to receive the Cal Travel Advocacy Award in 2019.

Los Angeles is hometown for Mr. Krouse. He resides in Orange County with his partner and three children.

With more than 20 years of experience in municipal, private sector, special district, corporate, transportation, commercial development, real estate, international trade, foreign direct investment, and legislative sectors, my efforts are focused on developing and delivering top-level teams which can and have produced quality projects, programs, and services. In our teams, we continue to work to complement these with on-going strategic planning, capital planning, strategic alliances, some of which become additional public-private partnerships.

My entire career has been dedicated to transportation, infrastructure and economic development in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. Over the last 24 years at SBIAA/IVDA, I have been committed to advancing over $290M in public infrastructure projects, resulting in more than $1.7B in private investment, and contributing to a total of over $8.7B in assessed value across a 14,000-acre project area. The Alliance California partnership has attracted major Fortune 50, 100, and 500 firms, just reaching more than 16-million square feet of new development. In December of 2016, we reached 10,786 direct jobs replaced – exceeding the number jobs lost when Norton AFB closed. At more than 14,500 direct jobs by 2020, we now generate more than $3B in economic output for the region. SBD currently serves both UPS and FedEx scheduled air cargo services and the new Amazon Air Regional Air Hub, making it among the fastest growing air cargo airports in the United States for the fourth year in a row.

Previously, I managed managing multi-jurisdictional capital and development projects and programs, including asset management and facility development for BNSF Railway Company and its transportation clients throughout the Southwest working for the Staubach Company, a real estate and corporate services consulting firm. This included the coordination of property acquisition and entitlements for transload, auto dock, intermodal, and main line freight, commuter, intercontinental rail corridor expansions throughout California, as well as related sales and lease transactions.

From Federal grant administration to municipal finance, Foreign Direct Investment programs, business incentive and legislative campaigns to organizational development, environmental planning, permitting, transaction management, and resource alignment – I have been able to work with teams for the successful deployment more than $115M in EB-5 portfolios and over $302M in municipal financings across multiple business lines and enterprise funds.

Dave Allen serves as NASCAR, West Region President overseeing the Speedway in Fontana, Phoenix Raceway, and the Clash at the Coliseum. Allen was hired in 1999 and is currently responsible for all management and operations of the events in the West Region.

Allen has been part of the racing community since early childhood. His business career started with Anheuser Busch then on to Laguna Seca Raceway. After his stop in Monterey, Allen was hired by Penske Motorsports as Marketing Sales Manager for California Speedway where he sold suite inventory, program ads and display space. His success allowed him to grow into roles as Senior Director of Sales and Marketing and Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

In 2008, Allen was instrumental in securing the naming rights partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern California creating Auto Club Speedway. Under his leadership the facility has remained active and has made significant economic impacts in the region. Currently, Allen is focused on the Next Generation of the facility which includes development of the land and creation of a new and exciting racing facility. This project will allow NASCAR Cup Series racing to live in the Inland Empire and SoCal for many years to come. This past February saw Kyle Busch take the checkered flag for The Pala Casino 400 making him the last winner on the famed 2-Mile racetrack.

Allen serves on the board for the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission, Los Angeles Sports Council, West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame, and Scheu Family YMCA of Upland.

Allen grew up in Santa Cruz, CA. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University in Speech Communication and now resides in Upland, Calif., with his wife and three daughters.

Nikki Gatch, PGA, assumed the role of Executive Director/CEO of the Southern California PGA at the start of the 2023 calendar year. Gatch has over 20 years of experience with the Southern California PGA Section and the PGA of America. She becomes the fifth Executive Director/CEO to take the helm at the SCPGA and the first woman to ever serve in this capacity.

Gatch was elected to PGA Membership in 2013 and has been involved in the golf industry her entire career beginning with her father’s role in the development of Wood Ranch Golf Club and many of the Landmark Golf properties. Following her time at Oklahoma State University, Nikki’s career in golf has included roles as an Assistant Golf Professional at Mission Hills Country Club and the Kiawah Island Club; Co-Owner of Emerald Isle Golf Course in Oceanside; several positions with the SCPGA Section, including Junior Golf Director, Foundation Director, and Assistant Executive Director. Gatch also worked for the PGA of America as the Regional League Manager for seven years before her most recent return back to the Section in 2019 as the Assistant Executive Director/COO.

Founded in 1967, the National Football League Alumni Association is the most well-known and well-respected retired player organization. A non-profit organization comprised mainly of retired National Football League players, coaches, professionals, cheerleaders, spouse and associate members. The focus of NFL Alumni is to serve, assist, and inform players in their post-NFL lives. The Association offers a variety of medical, financial, educational, and social programs to keep members and their families healthy, productive and connected.

To learn about membership engagement opportunities with the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce schedule a call with Edward directly at https://calendly.com/edwardornelasjr/meeting

Connect with Edward on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardornelasjr/