Angelika Bazarnik is a Ph.D. student in hospitality administration and a part-time instructor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where she also earned her Master of Science in Hotel Administration. She holds a bachelor’s degree in management & business from National Louis University and is a Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE).

With more than 20 years of experience in luxury and high-volume event operations, Angelika has planned and managed more than 6,000 events throughout her career. Her professional background includes leadership roles at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, Wynn and Encore Las Vegas, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, SLS Las Vegas, The Westin Las Vegas, and the Anaheim Convention Center. She is also the founder of BanquetConsulting.com, a venue-sourcing and event-planning consultancy, and EVENT-IT, a technology platform designed to improve communication, space planning, and operational efficiency in events.

Angelika’s doctoral research examines occupational stress, operational inefficiencies, venue practices, and technology adoption within the event industry. Her work focuses on identifying organizational and operational solutions that can reduce unnecessary stress and improve the well-being of event professionals. She has presented her research at academic and industry conferences in the United States, Europe, and Asia and has discussed planner stress and operational wellness through industry platforms such as PCMA Convene.

Angelika is actively involved in the events and hospitality community through organizations including Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE), and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). Her industry recognition includes being named a 2026 Smart Women in Meetings Award recipient, a 2025 Smart Meetings Professional of the Year, a Zero Labs Innovation Launchpad Game Changer (2025), and a Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association Shark Tank winner (2022). She is committed to mentoring future hospitality professionals and advancing research, education, technology, and operational excellence within the events industry.