Christi Ruddy, CMP, Department Manager
As Manager of the Covington Meetings & Events division, Christi works with each team member to match event requests from companies and non-profit organizations with available resources.
Christi enjoys keeping abreast of trends and new technologies in the industry and finding new ways to enhance services to CME customers. With over 25 years of experience, she has worked with groups of all sizes, ranging from small meetings to large conferences. No matter the group size, planning meetings requires the flexibility and creativity of a team for a successful event.
“We create experiences for groups that can’t arrange events on their own, or just want professional assistance. They might be anything from blending your own wine or sipping cocktails at a James Bond 007 theme party to riding ATVs in the desert in full bloom. Incentive travel is very popular, and fulfilling dreams is what reward travel is all about.”
In 1994, Christi earned her Certified Meeting Professional designation, which requires a rigorous recertification process every five years. She is also an active member and past president of Meeting Professionals International – Virginia Chapter.
The perpetual learner, Christi recently took a photography class. She loves to cook, well really, to eat! She says the highlight of her upcoming trip to Italy will be a cooking lesson in the villa she rented in Tuscany.
Dee Dee White, Meeting & Event Planner
Dee Dee has earned the Professional Meeting and Event Planner specialty and has over thirty-five years of travel industry experience. Planning incentive trips and corporate events has taken her to destinations such as Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Central America, and across North America.
During a trip to Ireland, Dee Dee was left stranded with 24 travelers due to a volcanic ash cloud. As a planner to the core, she successfully scheduled another week of activities for her travelers and brought them home – safe and sound.
Since 2015, Dee Dee has been a member of the Associated Luxury Hotels International’s Industry Executive Council, where she fosters important relationships with worldwide hospitality industry leaders and looks for solutions to the challenges our industry faces in an ever-changing business environment.
Dee Dee’s motto is “Have passport, will travel!” As a true people person, she enjoys learning about new destinations, different cultures, and history. She can usually find common ground with strangers in different parts of the world and build lasting relationships.
Lauren Moore, Meeting & Event Planner
Lauren graduated from the University of Colorado’s School of Journalism with a degree in Advertising. After a successful stint in real estate sales, she found her niche in meeting and event planning. For nine years, she was the event planner for the Virginia Society of CPAs, arranging everything from executive board meetings to 600-participant educational conventions. Now with Covington Travel, she particularly enjoys building client relationships and providing them with an elevated and unique meeting experience.
Lauren is a mother of three and an avid yoga practitioner.
Holly Grove, Meeting & Event Planner
Holly is a hospitality graduate from James Madison University; GO DUKES! Her background includes eight years in hotel operations, meetings, and events for both Marriott and Hilton properties. Post-graduation, Holly started as an event liaison but was quickly promoted within the company thanks to her dedication and go-getter attitude. She achieved the level of Senior Event Manager which bodes experience including room blocks of all sizes, at least 20 Indian weddings, over five large corporate holiday parties, the 2015 UCI Road World Championship bike race, and everything in between. Holly is also certified in Event Management by Cvent, the leading event technology provider.
Holly brings with her attention to detail, passion, and creativity for meetings and events as well as a love of travel. Her favorite excursion, by far, was her time spent island hopping in Greece. This top destination on her bucket list did not disappoint. She states, “The culture, history, architecture, and food were amazing. Greece is something everyone should experience for themselves!” In her free time, Holly enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids, and three dogs, relaxing…or at least trying to. She likes anything DIY, enjoys puzzles, and cuddling up with a good book.
Jessie Jones, Meeting & Event Planner
Jessie graduated from Christopher Newport University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. She spent the next 12 years working as a Meeting & Event Planner in the Travel Department at Ferguson Enterprises. There, she planned and executed everything from small local meetings to large-scale customer incentive trips. Her travels have taken her all over the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Canada. She loves creating unique and memorable experiences and building lasting positive relationships with her clients. She is also certified in Cvent Event Management, the leading event technology provider.
Jessie enjoys spending her free time with her husband, daughter, and dog, playing outside or relaxing on the couch watching a movie. She loves all things food, wine, and sunshine!
Anastasia Sharova, Event Management Analyst
Anastasia holds a master’s degree in Sociology from Saint Petersburg State University, bringing over 15 years of experience in customer service and operations. She leads the design and management of online registration websites, creates promotional materials and client-facing documents, and supports planners with various events. She is also certified in Cvent Event Management, the leading event technology provider.
Anastasia is a passionate traveler: she finds inspiration in exploring new destinations, especially Madeira Island, often called the “European Hawaii,” for its natural beauty and vibrant culture. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, and biking the Capital Trail, embracing an active lifestyle that reflects her love for wellness, discovery, and meaningful connections.
