Meet Our Panel!

Insurance Guru

Mitchell Busse

Mitchell Busse is the leader and driving force behind EventGuard, the first and only AI-powered event insurance platform in the U.S. With over a decade of specialized experience in wedding and event insurance, Mitchell understands the critical role that risk management plays for clients, venues, vendors, and planners alike. His deep industry knowledge, combined with the cutting-edge technology of EventGuard, empowers wedding professionals and their clients to seamlessly navigate the complexities of event protection—ensuring peace of mind on life’s most important days.

Lawyer Afficianado

Braden Drake

InserBraden is a California licensed attorney and tax professional. His tagline is, "your gay best friend here to help you get your legal and tax shit legit." Braden works primarily with online and creative small business owners through his law firm, Not AVG Law, where he and his team provide 1-on-1 services, memberships, group programs, and courses. Braden is the author of the Unf*ck Your Biz book. When not doing business things, he is a CrossFit and weightlifting enthusiast and home cook.

De-escalation Queen

Tirzah Caffee

Insert Bio HereTirzah Caffee is a 31-year veteran in the wedding industry and a 4th generation wedding pro. Collectively, her family has owned 5 venues across the nation. Tirzah was the CEO and founder of Alexander Homestead, a multiple 7-figure wedding venue, which is one of the most sought-after venues in Charlotte, North Carolina, hosting well over 120 full service/all-inclusive weddings per year. Tirzah and her team have produced events for celebrities ranging from country music star Luke Bryan to members of the White House, and you can even see her venue featured in Season 9 of Married at First Sight.

Our Moderator

Paul Pettie

With an extensive marketing career that includes collaborations with major brands like Capital One, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Walt Disney World, Paul Pettie brings a wealth of corporate experience to the wedding and event industry.

As the Business Development Director, Paul has achieved remarkable success. Under his leadership, Madera Estates has seen its tour-to-close conversion rate double from 20% to 40%. His strategic initiatives and innovative approaches have been integral in helping the venue achieve multiple six-figure revenues over the past four years.

Review Maven

Kate Foster

Kate Foster is a seasoned hospitality professional with extensive venue and hotel operations expertise. She's opened and managed a new-concept event venue, served on the launch teams for two multi-million-dollar hotels on both coasts, and consulted on a historical venue renovation.

Beyond venues & hotels, Kate has planned over 500 weddings and executed corporate events for brands like Ferrari, LA Lakers, and EA. She now specializes in sales training for hospitality teams across North America and the Caribbean.

Panel Session:

“When It Hits the Fan: Handling Difficult Clients with Confidence, Clarity, and Coverage”

No matter how seamless your process is or how beautiful your venue may be, difficult clients will inevitably show up. Whether it's a contract dispute, an emotional meltdown, a miscommunication gone viral, or a scathing review that feels personal—how you respond can make or break your business (and your sanity).

In this candid, solutions-focused panel, we bring together a lawyer, an insurance expert, a marketing expert, and a venue pro skilled in de-escalation to unpack real-world strategies for handling the toughest client situations. You'll walk away empowered with practical tools, protective language, and policies that help you stay calm, stay covered, and stay in business.

Presentation Takeaways:

  • Legal Protections: Clauses your contracts must include (and what to do when clients threaten legal action)

  • Insurance Insights: What types of coverage protect you when things get messy

  • De-Escalation Techniques: How to respond to emotional or angry clients in the moment without pouring fuel on the fire

  • Reputation Management: Proactive steps to avoid bad reviews—and what to do when you get one anyway