ISES Scholarships


Dr. Kathleen Beard Nelson CSEP, CMP Scholarship

Kathy Nelson, Ph.D., CSEP, CMP specializes in teaching entertainment and special events management courses at the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), under the direction of her mentor, Patti Shock, CPCE. She holds both Bachelor and Master's degrees in Hotel Administration from UNLV, and earned her Doctorate in Sociology, where she researched Decision Making Factors that Influenced Career Choices of those who enter the Special Events Industry.

Kathy is co-author of the International Dictionary of Event Management, along with Dr. Joe Goldblatt, CSEP, and author of Special Events Management in Introduction to the Hospitality Industry, Walker, J.R. (2nd ed.), and co-author of Entertainment Management in Introduction to the Hospitality Industry, Walker, J. R. (2nd ed.) along with Pat Merl, CSEP. Kathy has recently completed authoring Special Events Management in Hotel Operations Management, Hayes and Ninemeir. She currently serves as the editor of Campus Event Professionals, where she is also a contributing writer.

As co-owner of Dan Nelson Productions, she has over 25 years of business ownership in the entertainment and special events industry. Kathy is a recipient of the distinguished Sam and Mary Boyd Award for Outstanding Service from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She has also been received ISES Esprit Award, ISES Robert Graves Pioneer Award and ISES Western Region Legacy Award. Kathy continues to remain active in the International Special Events Society (ISES) in the areas of certification and education, where she previously served as ISES Certification Committee Chair and a commissioner on the ISES Certification Commission. Kathy is a charter member of the International EMBOK (Event Management Body of Knowledge) Executive.

 Download Scholarship Instructions here (PDF)

 Download Scholarship Application here (PDF)


ISES Las Vegas maintains a strong commitment to educating our future Special Event Industry members. To facilitate this goal, ISES Las Vegas has established the Dr. Kathy Nelson Scholarship. Dr. Nelson has been a pioneer in the establishment of the Las Vegas Special Event community. With the founding of this scholarship, ISES Las Vegas hopes to continue Dr. Nelson’s vision of a thriving special events community. This scholarship is available to assist both students and industry members in meeting their financial needs to pursue high education in the special events field.

For inquiries please email
scholarships@iseslv.com