We can create a new meeting or event, collaborate to re-imagine an existing event, execute a pre-determined vision or... all of the above.
Our services are scalable, we can take on complete projects, a portion of an event, or work in tandem with an existing in-house planning team.
About Us
Meet The Team
It takes a village. A posh, well-dressed village.
Cindy Nachman-Senders
President,
CNS Consulting Group
Hanna Empen
Vice President,
Meetings and Events
Margo Farley
Specialist,
On-Site Logistics
Tina Hamlin
Senior Vice President
Connie Nkosi
Senior Director,
Event Technology and Production
JP Smith
Senior Director,
Logistics
Melissa Smith
Senior Director,
Operations
Victoria Smith
Vice President,
Meetings and Events
Cindy Nachman-Senders
Cindy Nachman-Senders has a 25-year proven track record as an award winning and highly respected meeting & event producer. In addition to her expert level knowledge of contract negotiation, budget management and project coordination, she has extensive expertise in the areas of audio-visual production, staging, hotel operations, marketing, creative design, virtual events, technology and customer experience. Cindy’s solution-driven approach, unique skill set, attention to detail, and creative abilities are key differentiators in the professional planner space.
As a leader in her field, she sits on the advisory board of Marriott International Luxury Brands, the University of Richmond Customer Experience Program and Imagine An Answer to Kid’s Brain Cancer (IAA). Her diverse portfolio of clients include the U.S. Federal Government, trade associations, non-profits, Fortune 500 companies, and technology start-ups.
Cindy has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a minor in Public Health from the University of Maryland. When not immersed in her craft, she enjoys spending time with her family, husband John, son’s Sam and Zach and rescue dog Finley. She and John will be spending weekends in the Spring traversing the great state of Virginia to attend their son’s collegiate baseball games. Cindy is also passionate about entertaining, decorating, reading, leisure travel and her guilty pleasure, Netflix… accompanied by some good wine or an interesting cocktail.
Tina Hamlin
Tina is a veteran meetings executive who has proven success with C-level meetings and events, while enhancing customer relationships, experiences and profitability. She has extensive knowledge of database and meetings management, contract negotiations, marketing, virtual production, creative design, business development and corporate partnerships (sponsorship).
Tina has developed and implemented numerous financial investment symposia in the U.S. and abroad, ranging in size from 80-1,800 delegates. These hybrid events incorporated live webinars, formal presentations and over 500 one-on-one meetings at any given time for more than 150 publicly traded companies. She also has executed highly visible events with the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq OMX, Toronto Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange to enhance the deliverables to her clients. Hamlin’s talents also extend to her deep experience planning and organizing executive level retreats, board meetings and national conferences.
Tina is known best for her genuine personality and as a highly respected partner who looks to provide value to all involved. A life-long connector, she believes in finding opportunities to strengthen connections to ensure a rewarding and lasting relationship. Her proven customer relationship skills are a welcomed asset to any team. Tina’s industry knowledge and insight has been sought by many corporations, having served on several advisory boards, including Marriott International Luxury Brands, Sea Island, Leading Authorities Speakers Bureau, and Associated Luxury Hotels.
Hamlin earned a B.S. in Merchandising and Buying Operations from Louisiana State University. She balances work life by spending quality time with her husband Jim,
Hanna Empen
Hanna Empen has been a member of the CNS Consulting Group team since 2013. Hanna’s extensive experience managing the planning, logistics, and execution of meetings and events of all sizes is an asset to her clients, and our group. Hanna excels at project management, and her creative problem-solving skills means that events and meetings are expertly managed from concept to completion. She is a strong multi-tasker, and has unique and extensive hands on experience with the planning and execution of wine and spirits competitions.
With a keen understanding of technical matters, she is skilled at navigating new and complex systems, and is an expert working with all Microsoft Suite products. Combining analytical and creative thinking, she deeply cares about consistently delivering exceptional results. With her “have fun while you work hard” management style she is beloved by her team and clients.
During her tenure at Bacara Resort & Spa, she earned Team Member of the Year for her contributions managing their F&B and Spa. Hanna has been called “one of those treasures that surface only rarely and her many positive contributions to our business will last well beyond her departure.”
Hanna strives for constant improvement and growth in her skills, education and capabilities. Hanna earned a Master’s Degree from Norwich University with a concentration in Project Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, with a minor in Psychology. When not working, Hanna enjoys traveling the world with her husband Josh and their adorable daughter Madison.
Connie Nkosi
Connie joined CNS Consulting Group in May 2020, and is the newest member of our team. Connie’s expertise is in technical production, including knowledge in photography, film, videography, editing, and various virtual event platforms. Prior to joining CNS Consulting Group, Connie was a live events operator at Verizon Media and a monitoring operator at Verizon’s Networking Operating Center where she was responsible for conducting network surveillance, initiating and resolving incident management tickets, and examining physical layer and logical problems. Prior to Verizon, Connie was a Lead A/V Technician for PSAV, where she was responsible for strategy and planning, set design, and the utilization of technology solutions to create inspiring events of all types and sizes.
Connie was accepted into the National Association of Broadcaster (NAB) Technical Apprenticeship program, were she attended the NAB Show in Las Vegas to learn about the latest technology in broadcasting, and was selected to travel to California to train on-site with engineers at Microsoft. At the completion of both trainings, she received a coveted certification with the International Association of Broadcasters and Media (IABM). Concurrent to her NAB apprenticeship, Connie interned for NBC Universal as a media specialist.
Connie’s ability to intrinsically weave her artistic and creative sides with her technical abilities have made her a valuable addition to the CNS team.
In her free time, Connie has worked for many years as a freelance content creator for the Southern African embassies in Washington DC. Outside of work Connie enjoys advancing her skills in Adobe creative suite, working out, and hanging out with friends.
Paul “JP” Smith
Paul or “JP” as we call him, has been a member of the CNS Consulting Group team since 2005. He is a logistics expert with the ability to seamless manage complex projects and tasks in often high-pressure environments. Paul brings his positivity and dedication to every project and is frequently requested by clients. You will see him working registration, loading transportation, managing signage and organizing the many moving parts and fine details of an event before doors open. He is a master of multi-tasking and doing it all with a palpable sense of joy.
As a former team leader and merchandiser for Target, Paul’s customer service skills and eye for making all that he touches visually fabulous is truly legendary.
JP is also a trained chef, and when not working he likes to show off his creative skills in the kitchen. JP is also a successful podcaster and he and his husband Andy love to travel and spend time with their adorable dog Cooper.
Melissa Smith
Melissa has been a valued member of the CNS team since 2004. With over 25 years’ experience in the hospitality and convention industry, she brings a plethora of skills to every event. Melissa has held a variety of leadership positions in the hotel industry and her knowledge makes her role a pivotal part of the logistics and execution of each event. Her expertise is in the areas of contract negotiation, reservation and registration management, attendee arrival experience, on-site registration, and overall management of the attendee stay experience. As a hospitality industry leader Melissa has won many hotel awards and has received numerous accolades from Marriott International. Along with her strong leadership experience background, Melissa is also a strategic communicator, and excels at managing challenges by looking for the win-win.
Melissa’s passion for her family, travel, and for hospitality is evident when you meet her. She enjoys visiting new places, meeting new people, and finding unique experiences through her travels.
