About us
As our name suggests, we’re all about connection at CSN Connects. We develop one-on-one relationships with all of our clients and connect them with representatives from a large network of top-notch venues — each of which we’ve come to know on a personal level. It’s our passion to help find a home for the exceptional learning programs we partner with.
Our mission
Fostering exceptional meeting experiences by matching program managers with the ideal venues for each of their programs.
Our team
The CSN Connects team offers decades of industry experience, connections with venues nationwide and internationally, and unmatched expertise in selecting the best venues for a successful learning and development program.
Chuck Ocheltree
Principal
Chuck founded CSN Connects in 2009 to combine his passion for hospitality and client services. Fast forward to 2021, when both the hospitality and meetings industry are dealing with unprecedented challenges in rebuilding in-person programs. These times of tremendous disruption have brought forth revolutionary ideas, concepts and initiatives in how we come together to learn, share and grow.
Chuck brings 40 years of hospitality experience, holding positions as Vice President Sales & Marketing, General Manager, Director of Sales & Marketing and Chief Development Officer responsible for developing, opening, operating, and marketing award-winning venues — from Manhattan’s first full-service residential conference hotel in Times Square to Alabama’s first high-end conference resort on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. He has chaired committees and held board positions with the International Association of Conference Centers IACC), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and Hospitality Sales & Marketing International (HSAMAI) as well as active roles with Association of Talent Development (ATD).
Chuck holds an undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida, Tampa FL and resides in Montgomery, AL with his wife, Theda, and their four dogs.
Maribeth Grandpre
VP of Global Sales
Maribeth joined the CSN Connects team in February 2011 as Regional Sales Director. Maribeth’s responsibilities focus on developing new business across all vertical markets, domestically and internationally.
As Aramark Harrison Conference Center’s former Director of Sales and Marketing, Maribeth directed the sales efforts at 5 New England centers to include Babson College Conference Center, the Verizon Learning Center and the Bank of America Training Centers. Maintaining strong customer service, consultative selling and owner relations proved to be valuable assets throughout her time with Harrison.
A graduate of Providence College, Maribeth received a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Humanities and French. She resides in Northborough, MA with her husband and 2 children and loves family time spent skiing, cooking and hiking with their pup, Charlie.
Terri Zumatto
Director of Business Development
Terri has been involved in the Meetings Industry for 30 years. She understands both sides of the industry having worked in meeting management and global sales roles with Dolce International Properties and business development roles at both Doral Arrrowwood and The National Conference Center.
She also worked onsite at The Pfizer Learning Center in Westchester, NY as a Meeting Manager contracting and coordinating programs both onsite and offsite. Terri currently resides and works in Yorktown Heights, New York with her husband and two children.
Partnerships
To better serve our clients, we’ve developed strategic partnerships with organizations whose values for authentic relationships and passions for exceptional meetings rival our own.
Châteauform’
Châteauform’ offers a repertoire of unique and enchanting properties across Europe. Each venue is dedicated specifically to meetings and corporate events and offers a one-of-a-kind experience of luxury and comfort. We partner with Châteauform’ to provide these innovative options for our international meetings and programs.
Federal Conference
Federal Conference delivers meetings, conferences, and tradeshows around the world for corporate, association, and government clients. We partner with Federal Conference to offer seamless virtual and hybrid meeting solutions to our clients when fully in-person meetings aren’t an option.
Core values
Integrity
Transparency
Quality
Partnership
A note from our leaders
As training and L&D are reimagined and reengineered, the setting and environment continue to have a profound impact on the success of programs across the globe. We see our role as more than simply selecting a venue. Instead, we guide organizations through the process of finding the ideal home for their learning initiatives.
Chuck Ocheltree
Building rapport and trust with our customers has always been paramount. By guiding them to a true Conference Center, like the IACC venues, we are able to match them with a venue that understands their unique needs and can provide the perfect solution for their training and learning.
Maribeth Grandpre