Speakers 2027
The education opportunities at Cater+Event feature presentations from more than 100 industry luminaries who have been there, done that, and are armed with content that’s trendy, thought-provoking, and always influential.
Valerie McKinney, Director, Hospitality Services, Kennesaw State University
Valerie McKinney is the Director of Hospitality Services at Kennesaw State University, where she leads a comprehensive hospitality operation serving one of Georgia's largest public universities. Her portfolio includes catering and event services, executive and presidential functions, retail operations, contract and vendor oversight, and strategic operational planning, overseeing experiences that range from intimate executive gatherings to campus-wide events serving thousands of guests. In addition to leading daily hospitality operations, Valerie oversees catering contracts, procurement initiatives, vendor partnerships, compliance standards, and operational policies that support a diverse campus community. She has successfully led complex contract management initiatives, developed operational standards, and collaborated with cross-functional stakeholders to strengthen service delivery, financial accountability, and long-term strategic partnerships. With more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning hospitality, foodservice, operations, and organizational development, Valerie is recognized for building scalable systems, improving operational efficiency, strengthening financial performance, and developing high-performing teams. Her expertise lies at the intersection of hospitality excellence and business strategy, helping organizations deliver exceptional guest experiences while maintaining operational discipline and sustainable growth. Valerie holds a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership Development and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership, where her research focuses on leadership preparedness in complex organizational environments. She is passionate about translating lessons learned from higher education hospitality into practical strategies that caterers, event professionals, and hospitality leaders can immediately apply within their own organizations. As a speaker, Valerie combines executive leadership experience with an engaging, solutions-focused approach, equipping audiences with actionable strategies for scaling operations, strengthening partnerships, improving financial and contract performance, and creating exceptional hospitality experiences in complex service environments.