.... but professionally - speaking...

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Principal Consultant of Engaging Inspiration Kerry Lee Doehr boasts a distinguished career as a former CEO and Founder of Santa Barbara Wine Country Events. With roots in a family of Santa Barbara restaurateurs, Kerry Lee started her hospitality journey at age 3.

 

A third-generation Santa Barbaran, she has left an indelible mark on the local and national events community. Kerry Lee excels in inspiring legacies aligned with core values, fostering imagination, and driving innovation through custom solutions for staff engagement and customer loyalty. Her expertise spans communications, public relations, event strategy, leadership, and customer experience education and her clientele for events & communication projects ranges from White House staff, luxury hospitality organizations to a Disney CEO.

 

Starting her professional journey with Nordstrom's public relations and special events department, Kerry Lee later served as a Director of Catering and Special Events in the hospitality industry before founding her own company. For over 20 years, she planned 2,000+ events and trained event professionals worldwide, co-founding a special event certification training program that trained industry experts from brands such as Hyatt, Ritz Carlton and more.

 

As a featured speaker for organizations like ILEA, NACE, HSMAI and The ACCP, Kerry Lee addressed diverse audiences, including the international ARA Conference in Las Vegas with 14,000 in attendance as well as a Crowne Plaza General Manager's Retreat. She served as an on-retainer corporate event director for the original horse whisperer himself, Monty Roberts, who worked for years with HRH Queen Elizabeth I. 

 

Kerry Lee’s love of writing and her expertise and observations on the special event & hospitality industry earned a regular feature in Special Events Magazine, with several of her articles achieving top 4 of Google News.

 

Innovative ventures include executing and securing copyright for a pioneering event: The Mobile Bridal Faire (Mobile Wedding Planning Experience). This achievement earned her an exclusive feature in Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine, media coverage, a television interview, and caught the interest of the Texas Board of Tourism, who contemplated adopting Kerry Lee's concept to enhance their state's destination wedding offerings.

 

A standout in her portfolio is the Fireside Chat Series, a program providing a unique approach to learning and networking with fellow industry professionals.

 

With a BA in Mass Communication, Kerry Lee stays updated on event and communication trends and is a recent addition to Stanford University's Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program. Her consultancy, Engaging Inspiration, serves a diverse clientele, including a Ty Warner-owned property, Four Diamond inns, resorts, caterers, chocolatiers, a national fitness brand, and an IT company. She recently completed a dream career segue to the Walt Disney Company.

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Follow "KLD" on Instagram for insights into her journey.

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.....personal trivia...

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Because it's so much more fun to get to know someone beyond their professional accomplishments... click here for some fun conversation starters with Kerry Lee the next time you run into her.

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