JULIA RUTHERFORD SILVERS, CSEP, is an adjunct faculty member in the Tourism and Convention Administration Department of the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, and has served as curriculum consultant and lecturer for The George Washington University Event Management Program in Washington, D.C. She has authored numerous books, magazine articles, and event management programs. A three-time International Special Events Society Esprit Award winner, she lectures all over the world on professional event management practices and has served on the Board of Governors and the Certification Committee of ISES.