About the BIG DEAL Team: Bios

11/19/2024

As a connected collective of experts, Big Deal Company specializes in creativity. With superior organization, marketing experience and original ideas, we pull off amazing events and campaigns!

Big Deal Company makes business personal by bringing JOY to the job in everything we do.

As purveyors of fun with Big Deal Company, we support businesses and individuals in the growth of their ideas, events and marketing strategies. Our creative aptitude allows for unique ideas. Our passion for perfection makes every client a priority!

Christine K Forster

CEO

The CEO of BIG DEAL Company, Christine Kovacs Forster, lives and breathes laughter. Entertaining people and being entertained is what simply moves her. My Big Day (now BIG DEAL) was formed in 2006 after Christine received constant requests to help businesses with their marketing and event planning for her friends' life events. In 2023 she re-branded as BIG DEAL Company.

After 25+ years in media and event planning, today her passion lies in creating events for all to enjoy and campaigns that elevate businesses and non-profits. Christine serves on numerous event and marketing committees and boards for local non-profits. Giving back is a priority both personally and professionally.

BIG DEAL clients recognize Christine as their fearless partner who runs each event with a walkie-talkie, clipboard, and numerous spreadsheets. "Organized" is an understatement. The event business is a relationship business, and Christine is known for being a connector in the community, and ultimately a friend to everyone she meets! She and her team pride themselves on extraordinary service and original events.

Education:
Bachelors in Organizational Communications
Diploma in Learning and Development
Event and Hospitality Management Certification
Event Marketing Certification
Tourism Marketing Certification
Gamification Certification
Online Marketing Certification
Hotel & Catering Management Certification
Mobile Marketing Certification
Wedding Planner Certification
TIPS Certified
Tenderwise Training Complete
Digital Marketing Certification

Carrie Kaufman

CCO

For over ten years, Carrie has been an integral part of the BIG DEAL team. Carrie's experience bridges roles in both event management and marketing. She has had the opportunity to work on a variety of events - from weddings, fundraisers, and parties to large scale conferences, concerts, and community events. Her involvement with planning events from start to finish, and helping Christine with the basics of running a small business, inspired Carrie to continue her education, earning a Masters in Business Administration and Marketing.

Focus on community and building strong relationships are integral parts of our mission and promise to clients, and these values are what drew Carrie to BIG DEAL. Carrie believes that strong and open relationships are the foundation for success - for events, campaigns, and personal goals.

Education:
Bachelors in Music Education/Music Therapy
Masters in Business Administration with Certificate in Marketing Management Cvent Event Management, Virtual Events & Hybrid Events Certification
Certificate in Fundraising Copywriting from the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy
Wedding Planner Certification
Hubspot Social Media Marketing Certification
Digital Marketer Certification: Search Marketing Certification, Content Marketing Mastery
Google Analytics Academy Certification
TIPS Certified

Tiffany Dinsmore

manager,
Head of Community

Tiffany started professionally planning events over 10 years ago. She loves coordinating events, believing that good food, drinks, music and company is the perfect recipe for a spectacular time! She has a degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management with an emphasis in Event Planning and is always striving to make the next event better than the last!

Tiffany has found a career in marketing that is challenging and rewarding! With how quickly things change online she is determined to keep up with it all by taking classes and staying engaged with current trends. She really enjoys working for BIG DEAL Company and is always excited to take on new opportunities to learn and grow!

Education:
Internship with My Big Day
Bachelor of Science, Hospitality and Restaurant Management
Event Marketing Certification
Tourism Marketing Certification
TIPS Certified
Tenderwise Training Complete

Katie Patterson

Director, Community Wizard

Katie has worked with My Big Day since 2015. She moved from Kansas City to Fort Collins where she completed both a Bachelor's and Master's in Communication Studies at Colorado State University. Go Rams! Her work focuses on community engagement and how to help people communicate more effectively in complex contexts. When it comes to the work at BIG DEAL this is a constantly needed skill set. She has a knack for all things planning and organizing to find new, innovative ways to make all of the moving pieces for a project fit together seamlessly.

Her interest in community work and event planning propelled her to join the BIG DEAL team where she has helped coordinate and market a plethora of events and projects ever since. From signature events to non-profit fundraising and the throws of the wedding season she has seen it all. Her focus today is in marketing, organizational outreach, engagement, planning, and fundraising.

Education:
Internship with My Big Day
Bachelors in Communication Studies
Masters in Communications Studies
Event Marketing Certification
TIPS Certified

Sarah Biekert

Manager, Marketing Maven

Sarah became passionate about the event industry after planning her wedding in 2011. She continued to plan and execute weddings and birthday parties, and her work has been featured by Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, Style Me Pretty, 100 Layer Cake, and You & Your Wedding magazine.

In August 2018, Sarah joined the BIG DEAL Company, and has since gained experience executing corporate events, nonprofit fundraisers, political campaigns, event marketing, as well as, BIG DEAL's signature events. Sarah also manages social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest and writes blogs for several nonprofit and small business clients.

When she is not busy with work or her twin girls, she enjoys party planning, time with friends, and binge-watching a great TV show. Sarah is thrilled to be a member of a creative, innovative team of women!

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a minor in Fashion Merchandising
Tourism Marketing Certification
Political Campaign Internship
TIPS Certified
Tenderwise Training Complete
Event Marketing Certification
Cvent Event Management Certification

Lesli Tanski

Director, Creative Ninja

Lesli Tanski’s path has been curvy with lots of U-turns, detours, and construction. Always driven by a sense of curiosity and passion for positivity she has seen success and experienced failure and applies it to her marketing knowledge and skills. She was born and raised in Colorado and went on to receive her film degree in Vancouver, Canada followed by her undergraduate in Liberal Arts from Colorado State University. She worked as a commercial producer for Comcast Spotlight for nearly eleven years before opening a food and spirit specialty shop with her husband in downtown Fort Collins. It was through the business that she fell in love with the connection a business can create with its community whether it’s in person or online. Other notable accomplishments include a master's degree in Library Education and undergraduate studies in media studies and English. Lesli has had the fortune of growing up in a family and community that embraces creativity, love, and the common desire to constantly learn new things.

Lesli’s other passions include being involved in animal advocacy, being an awesome aunt, knitting, and loving her husband and cats. In case it’s not obvious she’s a card-carrying cat lady.

Education:
Masters of Library Education
Bachelor of Arts , Liberal Arts
Film and Film Studies Degree
Google Analytics Academy Certification

Shawna

Coordinator, Marketing & Events Maven

Shawna is an emerging leader in the event and marketing space. She is constantly learning and growing with continued education in the areas of business, marketing and project management. She has immersed herself in the industry and has a broad and valuable skill set!

Education:
Business Certification
Tourism Marketing Certification
Digital Marketing Certification
Social Marketing Certification, Hubspot
TIPS Certified

Cori

Manager, Event Expert

Cori joins BIG DEAL after a lengthy career in education as a high school teacher and administrator. Being in the schools, Cori is used to controlled chaos and knows how to juggle many tasks while working under pressure. She’s excited to apply her organization and communication skills in event management and looks forward to working in a new environment beyond the classroom doors.

Both Cori and her husband are natives of Fort Collins and are proud to raise their 2 daughters here as well. With deep roots in the community and a background in the arts, Cori is passionate about showcasing all that Northern Colorado has to offer. With a knack for finding creative solutions Cori is always looking for an opportunity to learn and grow.

Education:
PhD Educational Leadership
Masters in English
Yoga Alliance Teacher Certification (200h)
Crafted Leadership Certification

Our Amazing Marketing & Events Support Team