Experienced. Accountable. Built to Support Your Program.
Behind every successful meeting or event is a team that understands both the details and the stakes.
Covington’s meetings and events professionals bring deep experience across planning, sourcing, travel coordination, and on-site execution. Every program is supported by individuals who know how to deliver consistently, not just occasionally.
What You Can Expect From Our Team
- Clear ownership and communication at every stage
- Proactive problem-solving before issues escalate
- Consistent execution across meetings and locations
- Attention to both logistical detail and attendee experience
Depth of Experience
- Corporate meetings and executive programs
- Incentive travel and recognition events
- Conferences and multi-day programs
- Domestic and international coordination
Christi Ruddy, CMP, Department Manager
Focus: Program leadership, team oversight, strategic planning, and execution standards
Experience: 25+ years managing meetings and events of all sizes
As Department Manager of Covington’s Meetings & Events division, Christi Ruddy leads the team responsible for delivering meeting and event programs across corporate and non-profit organizations. She aligns each client request with the right expertise and resources, ensuring every program is structured, staffed, and executed with consistency.
With more than 25 years of industry experience, Christi has overseen programs ranging from small executive meetings to large-scale conferences. Her leadership approach emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and clear accountability, recognizing that successful events require both disciplined planning and the ability to adapt in real time.
Christi maintains an active focus on industry trends and emerging technologies, continuously refining how the team delivers value to clients. This forward-looking perspective allows Covington to enhance efficiency, improve attendee experiences, and stay ahead of evolving expectations in meetings and events.
She earned her Certified Meeting Professional designation in 1994, a credential that reflects both expertise and an ongoing commitment to professional development. Christi is also a past president of the Meeting Professionals International Virginia Chapter, further reinforcing her leadership within the industry.
At the program level, Christi understands that meetings and incentive experiences should serve a purpose beyond execution. Whether designing a recognition event or supporting a complex conference, her goal is to ensure each program is both operationally sound and aligned with client objectives.
Dee Dee White, Meeting & Event Planner
Focus: Incentive travel, corporate event planning, global program coordination
Experience: 35+ years in the travel and meetings industry
Dee Dee White brings decades of experience managing incentive programs and corporate events across global destinations, including Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Central America, and throughout North America. Her work is defined by careful planning, strong supplier relationships, and the ability to adapt quickly when conditions change.
One example reflects that approach clearly. When a volcanic ash cloud disrupted travel during a program in Ireland, Dee Dee restructured the entire itinerary for 24 travelers, coordinating an additional week of accommodations, activities, and logistics, and ensuring everyone returned home safely. Situations like this are where experience matters most.
Since 2015, Dee Dee has served on the Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) Industry Executive Council, where she collaborates with global hospitality leaders and stays closely aligned with changes in the meetings and events landscape. This access strengthens her ability to secure the right fit for each program and navigate complex sourcing decisions.
Known for building strong relationships with both clients and partners, Dee Dee approaches every program with a practical, solutions-oriented mindset. Her goal is simple: deliver well-executed experiences that run smoothly, even when the unexpected occurs.
Lauren Moore, Meeting & Event Planner
Focus: Corporate meetings, conference planning, client relationship management
Experience: Nearly a decade managing association events and large-scale programs
Lauren Moore brings a strong foundation in meeting and event planning, with experience managing programs ranging from executive board meetings to large educational conferences with up to 600 participants. Her background includes nearly a decade with the Virginia Society of CPAs, where she oversaw planning and execution across a wide range of event formats and audience sizes.
With a degree in Advertising from the University of Colorado’s School of Journalism, Lauren combines strategic communication skills with practical event execution. Her transition from real estate into meetings and events reflects a natural strength in building relationships, understanding client needs, and delivering experiences that feel both seamless and thoughtfully designed.
At Covington, Lauren focuses on developing strong client partnerships and ensuring each program reflects the goals and expectations behind it. Her approach balances organization, creativity, and responsiveness, contributing to meetings and events that feel elevated without losing operational discipline.
Holly Grove, Meeting & Event Planner
Focus: Venue coordination, large-scale events, complex program logistics
Experience: 8+ years in hotel-based meetings and event management
Holly Grove brings a strong hospitality foundation to her role, with extensive experience managing meetings and events within major hotel environments. A graduate of James Madison University’s hospitality program, Holly spent eight years working across Marriott and Hilton properties, where she progressed from event liaison to Senior Event Manager.
Her background on the hotel side provides a valuable perspective on venue operations, contract dynamics, and on-site execution. Holly has managed a wide range of programs, including complex room blocks, multi-day corporate events, large-scale holiday parties, international weddings, and high-profile events such as the 2015 UCI Road World Championship.
Certified in Cvent Event Management, Holly combines her operational expertise with event technology to support efficient planning and seamless attendee experiences. She brings a practical, solutions-oriented approach to every program, ensuring details are managed effectively while maintaining alignment with client objectives.
At Covington, Holly applies both her venue-side experience and planning expertise to deliver well-executed meetings and events that run smoothly from coordination through completion.
Anastasia Sharova, Event Management Analyst
Focus: Event technology, registration systems, reporting, and planning support
Experience: 15+ years in customer service and operations
Anastasia Sharova plays a central role in the operational and technical execution of Covington’s meetings and events programs. She leads the design and management of event registration platforms, ensuring a seamless experience for both clients and attendees from initial sign-up through post-event reporting.
With a master’s degree in Sociology from Saint Petersburg State University and more than 15 years of experience in customer service and operations, Anastasia brings a structured, detail-oriented approach to every program. Her work supports planners across multiple projects, helping maintain consistency, accuracy, and efficiency throughout the planning process.
Certified in Cvent Event Management, Anastasia specializes in leveraging event technology to streamline communication, improve data visibility, and enhance the overall attendee experience. Her ability to translate complex program requirements into user-friendly systems is a key component of successful event delivery.
At Covington, Anastasia focuses on ensuring that the behind-the-scenes infrastructure of each meeting or event is reliable, intuitive, and aligned with the broader goals of the program.
How This Team Supports Your Meetings
Each program is supported by a coordinated team structure that ensures every detail is covered.
Depending on your needs, your program team may include:
- A lead advisor for strategy and oversight
- A planner for logistics and coordination
- A travel specialist for attendee experience
- A technical specialist for registration and reporting
Ready to Work With a Team You Can Rely On?
The success of your meeting or event depends on the people behind it. With Covington, you gain a team that brings structure, experience, and accountability to every program.
