Itinerary
Meet the Planners
Bucket List Photo Challenge
FAM Partners

Fam Trip Partner Hub

Learn how you and your team can mix with vetted meeting and event planners we've brought from far and wide to host in Rancho Cordova for our familiarization trip weekend!

Register by June 10

Itinerary

Friday, June 12 (Invite Only)

  • Kick-off at Hampton Inn: check in, site visit and welcome
  • Site Visit: Rancho Cordova City Hall
  • Site Visit: Rancho Cordova Community Food Hub
  • Site Visit: Frequency Coworking & Events
  • Site Visit: Homewood Suites
  • 8th Annual Members Show: The MACC
  • Dinner with the Host Hotel Team: Shangri-la

Saturday, June 13

Brunch and Market at Soil Born Farms

8:30 am - 10:30 am

Breakfast included

Free time to mosey around the farm and market

RSVP Now

Site Visit and Guided Paddle at Sac State Aquatic Center

10:45 am - 12:45 pm

Aquatic Center rentals included

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Venue Showcase and Lunch

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Show off what your organization has to offer in a <10min presentation

Lunch included

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Meet the Planners

Gilles de Bordeaux | Meeting Sales | Smart Bumper Sticker Inc.

Based: Belmont, CA | Sourced: All Things Meetings San Francisco 2026

Hobbies: flying small airplanes, horseback riding

F&B Preferences: orange juice, champagne, Mediterranean cuisine

Hotel Brand Preferences:

Industry News Sources: AI

Meeting Must-Haves: location and accessibility, amenities, food, cost

Excited to See: amenities, environment, services

Food Allergies: N/A

Anne Findlay-Gomes | Independent Planner

Based: Ontario, Canada | Sourced: Smart Meetings 3-Day Extraordinary Experience, Monterey, 2023

Hobbies: walking, reading, travel

F&B Preferences: still water, margaritas, skinny pop, Asian fusion

Hotel Brand Preferences: varies

Industry News Sources: newsletters, industry publications

Meeting Must-Haves: flight access, hotel selection, things to do

Excited to See: destination opportunities, hotels, venues, activities

Food Allergies: N/A

Wendy Harms | Manager, Global Accounts | HelmsBriscoe

Based: Topeka, KS | Sourced: HelmsBriscoe ABC 2026

Hobbies: running, crafting, pool

F&B Preferences: water, wine, granola bars, Mexican

Hotel Brand Preferences: Hilton, Marriott

Industry News Sources: email alerts

Meeting Must-Haves: transportation

Excited to See: the area

Food Allergies: N/A

Andrea Johnson | Owner/Event Designer | East Bay Soiree

Based: Alameda, CA | Sourced: All Things Meetings, San Francisco, 2026

Hobbies: travel, shopping, spa

F&B Preferences: water, coke, bourbon, white wine, chocolate, chips, ice cream, Japanese, Italian

Hotel Brand Preferences: N/A

Industry News Sources: Smart Meetings, LinkedIn

Meeting Must-Haves: price, airports, ease of travel

Excited to See: venues that work with my events

Food Allergies: Mushrooms

Denize Maldonado | Director of Membership Engagement | Associations West

Based: Sacramento, CA | Sourced: Associations West, 2022

Hobbies: shopping, spin class, yoga, thrifting

F&B Preferences: coke zero, diet coke, paloma, riesling, almond joys, regular pringles, nacho cheese doritos, white powdered mini donuts, Thai, Chinese, Mexican

Hotel Brand Preferences: Marriott

Industry News Sources: Associations Now, Smart Meetings

Meeting Must-Haves: venue capabilities, location and accessibility, CVB partnerships

Excited to See: local favs, unique activities, KP International Market

Food Allergies: N/A

Michelle Presswood | CEO | Presswood Enterprises

Based: Stone Mountain, GA | Sourced: Northstar Small & Boutique Meetings, Park City, 2025

Hobbies: traveling, movie critic, event planning, trying new recipes

F&B Preferences: coke zero, sauvignon blanc, cheetos, cheese crackers, really cheese anything, seafood

Hotel Brand Preferences: none

Industry News Sources: Travel Weekly, Meetings Today

Meeting Must-Haves: cost effective, culture immersion, easy to get around

Excited to See: the entire area to see if it would be a good fit for any of my programs

Food Allergies: Lobster

Sonya Robinson | Meeting Planner | NCCDPHP

Based: Fairburn, GA | Sourced: Planner Referral

Hobbies: shopping at thrift stores, reading at libraries

F&B Preferences: sprite, pineapple juice, non-alcoholic, dove promises milk chocolate, soul food

Hotel Brand Preferences: variety

Industry News Sources: variety

Meeting Must-Haves: event spaces, detail versus the big picture, smell of local cuisine, warmth of the people, broader knowledge of offerings, geographic preferences, amenities, services, recreation that fit those that are physically challenged, criteria fit, budget, availability, best rates and terms

Excited to See: local food and hotel scene, exploring the unique blend of outdoor adventure and local flavor that Rancho Cordova is known for!

Food Allergies: N/A

Tonja Taylor | CEO/Owner | Tonja Taylor Event Solutions

Based: Platte City, MO | Sourced: Connect West, 2023

Hobbies: hiking, horseback riding, water sports, beaching

F&B Preferences: sparkling water, gin & tonic, cabernet, charcuterie, caramel, all cuisine

Hotel Brand Preferences: Hyatt, Hilton, boutique brands

Industry News Sources: Northstar Meetings

Meeting Must-Haves: hotel, airport distance, room rates, concessions

Excited to See: the area. I am not familiar with the area and logistics

Food Allergies: N/A

Sabrina Terrazas | Director of Meetings & Events | Sacramento Association of Realtors

Based: Sacramento, CA | Sourced: Associations West ELEVATE, 2026

Hobbies: paddleboarding, walking, hiking, camping, fishing, cooking

F&B Preferences: polar seltzers, beer, wine, cocktails, fresh fruit, chips, trail mix, chomps, sushi, Thai, Indian, Italian

Hotel Brand Preferences: no preference

Industry News Sources: IAEE, Associations West, BKN Daily

Meeting Must-Haves: accessibility, flexibility/accommodating, aesthetics

Excited to See: diversity on the things to do and new event spaces to bring to the table

Food Allergies: N/A

Join Visit Rancho Cordova's Summer of Shenanigans Bucket List Photo Challenge

1. Join the Challenge & Save to Your Phone

It’s easy and FREE! Use the sign up widget to join with your name and email. Save the page that pops up as a “shortcut” on your phone or save a bookmark page on your desktop computer.

2. Choose Adventures That Sound Fun & Submit Photos of Your Experience

Explore Rancho Cordova’s attractions and support small businesses at your own pace. Pick your favorites or try something new! Check-in to as many as you want by submitting photos and collect cool digital “badges” for crossing items off the list.

3. Earn Points & Giveaways by Trying As Many Activities As You Want

Get rewarded for having fun with your family! Each time you “check in” to an activity with geolocation and a photo, you’ll earn points to be entered into Rancho Cordova experience and prize raffles! Winners will be chosen at the end of the summer.

Thank you to our FAM Partners! (in itinerary order)