Patricia Capritta
After a successful management career in the corporate sector of the hospitality industry, Patricia sought to create her own event and consulting business and in 2000 established Capritta and Associates, Inc. She quickly defined herself in the industry as a versatile and creative leader with a diverse portfolio and a strength in producing and executing corporate, non-profit and public conferences and events.
In addition to her meeting and event responsibilities Patricia consults for many hospitality and event organizations in the area of business strategy and development, operational and financial management and auditing, sales and marketing programming, team re-organization, development and training.
As a strong advocate for ongoing education in the industry Patricia has mentored and taught several meeting and event professionals over the course of a 17 year “industry professional” teaching career including the SDSU hospitality degree program, UCSD meetings extension program, and USD event certificate program. As well, she has presented workshops and seminars for industry related conferences.
With a passionate hard driving work ethic that has become the cornerstone of her business Patricia has developed a team of professionals that uphold her philosophy of “Inspiring Passion and Productivity for Peak Performance.”
Mike Almos
Mike has worked in a wide range of Food & Beverage environments, from having national responsibilities as a Regional Executive Chef for a large contract catering company operating in convention centers, stadiums, and arenas, to his own intimate 50-seat restaurant.
Mike has a great deal of experience creating menu concepts and budgets tailored to specific client bases. He believes in the adage “Form Follows Function” and uses his broad experience in his consulting to design workable solutions to operational challenges, thus creating the strongest opportunity for artistic expression and peak productivity.
As a food and beverage planner for meetings and events, Mike brings a vast array of experience and solution-based thinking to strategically plan and execute high volume food and beverage events with a focus on food safety, functionality and positive guest experience.
Ann-Marie Curran
Hospitality, event-planning, and guest satisfaction have been the focus of her passion since Ann-Marie first ventured into the world of work. A Sonoma County native, she grew up surrounded by the people and the influences of the wine country.
With over 25 years of experience in the Meetings, Events and hospitality industry, Ann Marie previously held management positions in hotels, wineries, and catering/rental and production companies before becoming an independent event planner 15 years ago.
As a member of the Capritta, Inc team, Ann Marie acts as project manager for ancillary meetings, events, and additional venue programing. She also specializes in high touch/high volume food, wine, craft, and spirits programming and execution.
Tom Payne
Graduating with a BA in Communications with an emphasis on Technical Media Production and a Master’s in Business Administration, Tom spent many years in Audio Visual Management directing technical teams in hotels, convention centers, and off-site national production teams.
Today as the Technical Project Manager and Budget Project Manager for Capritta, Inc. Tom oversees all technical deliverables for programs and events, and ensures effective and accurate accounting and budgeting for all our clients.
Nancy Changnon
Nancy honed her skills in hotel sales and catering, off premise catering, and Special Event Décor Production, before eventually finding a home at Capritta, Inc. With a passion for the events industry and a strong believe in providing excellent guest service, Nancy is dedicated to the success of each client.
Today as the business operations coordinator, she coordinates all programming, staffing, and deliverables for the team.
Blair Bohler
While attending California State University, Fullerton Blair joined Capritta & Associates in 2013 as an intern. Blair’s excellent organization and leadership skills quickly advanced her to a full time team member. Blair acts as a project manager for ancillary meetings, trade show F&B, exhibitor liaison, and additional venue programing. Creative, responsible and an exceptional work ethic best describes Blair! Her enthusiasm and guest experience skills are a great asset to any team!
Meet a few of our contracting partners
We contract with partners across the country based on the size and scope of the event. We are proud to say that all our partners have been with us for three or more years – and in some cases over 15 years. Many of them work exclusively with our team.
Cindy Bohler
Cindy Bohler, a HelmsBriscoe Associate has partnered on events as a project lead and planner with Capritta & Associates for more than 10 years. She brings with her over 25 years of hospitality management experience. Throughout her career she has gained extensive knowledge in managing all aspects of events from design to implementation. Her experience encompasses hotel and convention center management, site selection, contract negotiations, sales, food & beverage, and event management for events from 10 to 50,000 attendees.
She understands the meeting planners’ expectations, event goals and responsibilities firsthand. Cindy enjoys building personal relationships with her clients and looks forward to exceeding expectations. Her enthusiasm and energy for the hospitality industry are unparalleled and she firmly believes each event teaches us something new and builds upon future successes.
Jane Nipps
Graduating from Emory University in Atlanta, Jane spent many years in hotel sales and catering, Special Event Décor and Production, and eventually found her hospitality home with MGR Food Services, at the time the exclusive caterer for the Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park.
She managed the sales and operational planning for all the mega events in the facilities. With several Super Bowls, the Olympics, The Final Four and the countless trade shows and corporate events she has handled, Jane knows how to plan a successful event.
In 2007, Jane became an independent meeting planner and immediately began contracting with Capritta, Inc. She has been a project manager and lead on many of their corporate and incentive meetings and events.
Nina Harris
Beginning her career in Hotel administration and food and beverage management across the US, Nina eventually landed in client services with a tier one Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. There she brought to bear her attention to detail, organizational skills and passion for the meeting and travel market.
Today as an independent meeting planner Nina specializes in Corporate, Incentive and Executive events with an emphasis on guest satisfaction and high touch service. She has partnered with Capritta, Inc. for over 15 years and been a key lead on many corporate programs.
Rhonda Simmons Whyte
Rhonda Simmons Whyte is a creative and passionate meeting and hospitality professional, with extensive industry experience as a director, meeting planner, and food and beverage consultant. She has held senior leadership roles in marquee hospitality brands such as; Events DC, Hilton, and Lighthouse Shelter. As a meeting planner, Rhonda brings a wealth of experience in event marketing, event logistics, event production and high volume foodservice management to create and execute seamless events for her clients.
Her proven successes in efficient multi-tasking, synthesizing goals, managing operations, and financial management make her an asset to any event team. In addition to serving the business field, Rhonda enjoys giving back to her community in any way that she can. Among many other service projects, Rhonda serves as a volunteer at The Safeway Feast of Sharing, a Thanksgiving feast and community service event that feeds and clothes the surrounding Washington, DC community.