Our Story
In 2021, amidst the global pandemic's impact on our industry, we saw an opportunity. Drawing from a pool of experienced and innovative talent, we curated a team of top-notch professionals. This collective of seasoned experts is poised to cater to every facet of our clients' needs, embodying a commitment to excellence from ideation to execution.
Our Vision and Mission
Vision: At Alleanza, we envision fostering enduring client relationships founded on pillars of communication, diversity, integrity, and innovation.
Mission: Our mission is to assemble a diverse collective of highly skilled and creative industry experts. Together, we are dedicated to the shared goal of achieving excellence in meetings and events, consistently surpassing expectations, and setting new standards of quality and creativity.
We proudly operate as a 100% women-owned small business.
Introducing our three accomplished Co-Founders:
Liane Smith
Liane is a corporate meeting professional with a background in marketing, communications, project and team management. She has a proven track record for creating memorable, impactful events and meetings with a clear focus on client needs and objectives. She has led and mentored teams of meeting planners and vendor partners. Over the past 20 years, she has successfully produced many high-end programs including international incentives and large conferences for Fortune 100 companies in the technology and financial industries. Liane has a BS in Business from USC and is a member of several local meeting planning associations. Liane serves on the board of the Teel Family Foundation and is a member of SITE. She lives in North Carolina with her two daughters.
Maria Mallia
Maria is a Certified Meeting Professional with an extensive background of over 25 years in the Travel and Meeting & Event Management sectors. Demonstrating proactive leadership, she boasts a remarkable track record of overseeing diverse, high-performing global accounts. Her expertise lies in assembling top-tier, award-winning project teams. Maria's leadership approach thrives on collaboration, placing a strong emphasis on delivering exceptional customer service. Her success is attributed to her unique leadership style, deep industry knowledge, and enduring business partnerships. Recognizing the dynamic nature of the events industry, Maria values flexibility and adaptability as crucial attributes. An active member of SITE and MPI, Maria calls Northwestern New York home, where she resides with her husband, Edward.
Merry Burns
Merry is an accomplished event management leader, excelling in virtual, hybrid, and global events. Her strengths lie in relationship management, communication, and project execution. With roles as a supplier enablement manager and senior event planner, she deftly handles complex logistics. Merry's leadership of a global sustainability task force underscores her commitment to eco-conscious practices. Certified in Hybrid and Virtual Events by Cvent, she stays abreast of industry trends. Beyond work, Merry mentors through BetterUp and cherishes family time in New York. Her proven track record in event management showcases a dedicated professional with a passion for excellence. Merry is a member of SITE and Innovations Advisory Council and serves as a mentor with BetterUp.
Together, they form a dynamic leadership team, steering our company toward innovation, excellence, and success.
“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’M POSSIBLE!”
- Audrey Hepburn