[Member at Large]

Hi Friends! I am Lacey Kishter, and I have been with Otakon since 2015. Most recently, I served as the Vice Convention Chair in 2022, and I'd like to continue to grow and move forward with Otakon on the board for 2023. 

Otakorp Experience:

I have been an Otakon staffer for 8 years, with the majority of my staff time being in a leadership role. In my second year of staff, I became an Artist Alley Department Head, and in my fifth year, I became an Exhibitions Division Director. Last year, I served as the Vice Convention Chair and was an integral part of the RFP process for our new vendors. In addition to my at-con roles, I have been a member of the marketing and outreach team year-round since my start in 2015.

Outside Experience:

I have been an Operations and Technology Manager for a third-party events management company that produces over 40 association tradeshow events in the US and internationally per year for four years. In 2019, I received an award for being one of the top 20 people internationally under the age of 30 in this industry. Managing events is what I do day in and day out. Outside of my "real-life" job, I've worked at multiple other non-profit conventions up and down the east coast. My roles have included serving on the board of directors, as well as leadership and non-leadership roles, in departments including exhibitions, safety and security, project management, guest relations, and programming.

Goals:

My goal is to continue to uphold our Organization to industry best practices to help ensure future growth and success. This year, I would like to focus efforts on recruiting qualified staff and working with the CoS to develop internal training for new and existing staff members. In addition, we completed the RFP (request for proposal) process for several of our contracted vendors in 2022, with others still in need of an RFP for 2023. As this is a process I do with multiple organizations in our industry during the year, I would like to assist throughout the process.

Why you?:

To echo Brian, as we continue to re-establish our footing post-pandemic, some continuity in leadership is vital to secure our foundation for the future. That being said, while I did serve in leadership as Vice Chair in 2022, I would be a fresh voice on the board, as this would be my first time serving at Otakon. I have extensive experience and background in conventions and events and a passion and love for Otakon that goes beyond the fandom. I hope to continue to inspire others to bring their passions into new roles.

[Vice President]

Hi Friends! I am Lacey Kishter, and I have been with Otakon since 2015. Most recently, I served as the Vice Convention Chair in 2022, and I'd like to continue to grow and move forward with Otakon as your Vice President for 2023. 

Otakorp Experience:

I have been an Otakon staffer for 8 years, with the majority of my staff time being in a leadership role. In my second year of staff, I became an Artist Alley Department Head, and in my fifth year, I became an Exhibitions Division Director. Last year, I served as the Vice Convention Chair and was an integral part of the RFP process for our new vendors. In addition to my at-con roles, I have been a member of the marketing and outreach team year-round since my start in 2015.

Outside Experience:

I have been an Operations and Technology Manager for a third-party events management company that produces over 40 association tradeshow events in the US and internationally per year for four years. In 2019, I received an award for being one of the top 20 people internationally under the age of 30 in this industry. Managing events is what I do day in and day out. Outside of my "real-life" job, I've worked at multiple other non-profit conventions up and down the east coast. My roles have included serving on the board of directors, as well as leadership and non-leadership roles, in departments including exhibitions, safety and security, project management, guest relations, and programming.

Goals:

My goal is to continue to uphold our Organization to industry best practices to help ensure future growth and success. This year, I would like to focus efforts on recruiting qualified staff and working with the CoS to develop internal training for new and existing staff members. In addition, we completed the RFP (request for proposal) process for several of our contracted vendors in 2022, with others still in need of an RFP for 2023. As this is a process I do with multiple organizations in our industry during the year, I would like to assist throughout the process.

Why you?:

To echo Brian, as we continue to re-establish our footing post-pandemic, some continuity in leadership is vital to secure our foundation for the future. That being said, while I did serve in leadership as Vice Chair in 2022, I would be a fresh voice on the board, as this would be my first time serving at Otakon. I have extensive experience and background in conventions and events and a passion and love for Otakon that goes beyond the fandom. I hope to continue to inspire others to bring their passions into new roles.