Design Concepts

MEET THE EXPERTS

team

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We are a team of perfectionists who go above and beyond to deliver the ultimate client experience

Linda Nessim

Founder

Design Concepts was founded in 2006 by Linda Nessim, Co-Founder of Living in Digital Times and former Executive Vice President of Communications and Branding for The Princeton Review. 

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Joel Rubin

CFO

Joel E. Rubin joined Design Concepts in 2008 after spending 23 years with The Princeton Review, a company with a world-renown brand in educational services. His last position was as Senior Vice President and COO …
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Chona Freedman

Creative Digital Marketing

Chona Freedman has been a team member of Design Concepts since its inception in 2006. Her design skills and web development experience allow for a knockout “brand” experience at every event organized at Design Concepts.
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Kerry Goldstein

Special Projects Manager
Kerry Goldstein, a long-time Texan, is passionate about bringing people together. Kerry joined Design Concepts in 2013 to manage special corporate or private events with large numbers of attendees and multiple activities or agenda tracks.
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Sara Cox

Operations Manager

Sara has been on the Design Concepts team for over 8 years. A career marketing and operations professional, Sara has deep experience in project management, communications, and team building.

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Jeff Sproehnle

Operations Manager

Jeff began his career as an account executive with Freeman Companies. After years of successful convention and event production, he transferred his expertise to the event management sector where he managed business development

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Karen Simon

Creative Manager

When you think of sparkle, you think of Karen Simon. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Art History from Arizona State University Karen’s career took her from gallery management and museum work in NYC to founding Bling Bling by Karen… 

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Abigail Cox

Operations Associate
Abi has been on the team for four years, and she’s a force of nature. Her experience in TV production and event management has taken her across the country and allows her to professionally and creatively help with events of all sizes.
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Let’s Start Planning!

Contact Linda Nessim at lindan@dcdmc.com
Telephone: 646-872-3032

Chona Freeman has been a team member of Design Concepts since its inception in 2006. Her design skills and web development experience allow for a knockout “brand” experience at every event organized at Design Concepts. From website creation to registration systems, from blog management to high-impact signage and creative design, Chona is a virtual Renaissance Woman with an eye for design and a knack for digital integration for high-impact results. Chona received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree major Advertising in Manila and studied computer programming in New York.
Chona Freedman

Creative /Digital Marketing, Design Concepts

The Kerry Goldstein, a long-time Texan, is passionate about bringing people together. Kerry joined Design Concepts in 2013 to manage special corporate or private events with large numbers of attendees and multiple activities or agenda tracks. Whether it’s a corporate or educational conference, Kerry excels at curating engaging and informative content and securing speakers who are relevant and in-demand. She is responsible for creating the unique identity of events and conferences through content and event flow. She brings more than 20 years of strategic marketing, product, and promotion experience to her role including working for a number of education companies including Cambium, The Princeton Review and others.

Kerry Goldstein

Special Projects Manager, Design Concepts

Jeff began his career as an account executive with Freeman Companies. After years of successful convention and event production, he transferred his expertise to the event management sector where he managed business development and event logistics for both non-profit and for-profit organizations. In 2018, he began freelancing as a sales and logistics expert specializing in trade shows and corporate events and was quickly hired by Living in Digital Times as Operations Manager. During his spare time, Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife Martha and daughter Olivia, coaching and playing a variety of sports, the outdoors, and simply being a good neighbor and friend. He is also a devoted fan of all Philly sports, especially the Eagles. Go Birds!
Jeff Sproehnle

Operations Manager, Design Concepts

When you think of sparkle, you think of Karen Simon. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Art History from Arizona State University Karen’s career took her from gallery management and museum work in NYC to founding Bling Bling by Karen, a custom consumer goods design shop which takes the ordinary to extraordinary with crystal applique. Karen joined Design Concepts in 2010 and lends her unique and on-trend creative vision to events by adding an extra edge and oomph to décor, lighting, and an overall event experience. She puts the fun in fundraising events and helps make private parties something everyone is talking about.
Karen Simon

Creative Manager , Design Concepts

Joel E. Rubin joined Design Concepts in 2008 after spending 23 years with The Princeton Review, a company with a world-renown brand in educational services. His last position was as Senior Vice President and COO of the Test Preparation Division, where he oversaw all business operations for the network of 54 field offices in the US and Canada. Now at Design Concepts, Joel helps ensure our projects are delivered on-time and on-budget serving as CFO while overseeing all logistics for the firm’s event management team.

Joel received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Washington University in St. Louis. Joel lives in New Jersey, where he serves as a publicly elected member of the Norwood Board of Education and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Lincoln College of New England.

Joel E. Rubin

C F O, Design Concepts

Design Concepts was founded in 2006 by Linda Nessim, Co-Founder of Living in Digital Times and former Executive Vice President of Communications and Branding for The Princeton Review.

In her role at The Princeton Review, Linda was responsible for overseeing all public relations, market research, marketing communication efforts and Human Resources for the company. However, Linda’s remarkable specialty was her creation of the amazing and mind-blowing corporate meeting for over 500 employees each year. For over 18 years Linda brought these employees together to global destinations and delivered unique and fun-filled experiences.

As the Co-Founder of Living in Digital Times (LIDT), Linda built an unrivaled immersive technology conference production company most famously known for a decade-long partnership with the Consumer Technology Association. During this partnership Linda and her team managed more than a dozen conferences and exhibit zones at CES, CTA’s Consumer Electronics Show (the largest consumer technology event in the US with over 180,000 yearly attendees). Linda also helped launch and manage CES Asian held in Shanghai each year.

Now Linda delivers her brand of creativity and vision to private and professional clients all over the world through her dedicated work at Design Concepts. Linda has been quoted in publications such as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Business Week.

Linda Nessim

CEO/Founder, Design Concepts