As experienced event professionals, our expertise extends beyond sales to encompass the successful management of events. We are a full-service show management company, serving as a year-round partner and extension of your association.
About Us
We pride ourselves on being a true extension of your team. Dedicated partners who bring passion, expertise, and heart to every event. As a women-led firm, we combine decades of industry experience with a fresh perspective, balancing strategy and creativity to deliver results that matter.
Together, our team brings diverse strengths across sales, marketing, logistics, and strategy, united by a shared commitment to making your events seamless, impactful, and successful.
Allow us to introduce ourselves...
Image from American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Conference
Chris O'Connell
President & Co-Founder
Chris leads Conventus Media with a focus on strategy, revenue growth, and operational excellence. She co-founded the groundbreaking Pri-Med series of meetings, expanding it from 5 annual programs to more than 250 nationwide events, and managed the American Institute of Architects’ conference growth from 5,000 to 22,000 attendees. With decades of leadership at M|C Communications and Reed Exhibitions, Chris brings unmatched expertise in building events that thrive.
Our Team
Patricia Swift
Senior Director of Operations
As a Certified Meeting Planner, Tricia oversees event operations from pre-show planning through post-event evaluation. She spent nine years as Director of Meetings at the American Academy of Physician Assistants, managing contracts, logistics, and registration, before joining Conventus. Over the past decade, she has streamlined exhibit hall management, sponsorship fulfillment, and expense control to ensure every event runs seamlessly and profitably.
Mary Birnie
Director of Exhibits
Mary specializes in exhibitor relations, exhibit floor management, and sponsorship fulfillment. She collaborates with contractors, registration partners, and vendors to deliver excellent service and value, while ensuring companies are well-prepared for success. With extensive experience across large-scale association events, Mary is known for her attention to detail and commitment to exhibitor satisfaction.
Lisa Koch
EVP, Business Development & Sales | Co-Founder
Lisa has three decades of experience building strong relationships in the healthcare sector and creating innovative sales solutions. Prior to co-founding Conventus, she spent eight years at M|C Communications helping establish the Pri-Med brand in key sales roles. Today, she partners with associations to grow revenue, expand opportunities, and mentor the Conventus sales team with her deep industry knowledge.
Kathleen Noonan
Director of Sales
Kathleen is a seasoned sales leader with more than 20 years of experience driving multimillion-dollar growth in competitive markets. Known for her consultative style, she focuses on cultivating exhibitor relationships, attracting new partners, and developing year-round revenue opportunities. Her background in healthcare and media solutions adds valuable perspective to association sales strategy.
Grace Bagala
Senior Manager of Exhibit Operations and Marketing
Grace leads marketing strategy, communications, and sales support for Conventus. She develops campaigns, social media, and sales materials including presentations and sponsor reports. With a creative eye and detail-oriented approach, Grace ensures associations and sponsors receive compelling deliverables that highlight event impact and strengthen engagement.