ConnexFM Completely Lacks Integrity and Accountability
It was April 2, 2025, when I was finally able to make the decision to go to ConnexFM. I was very excited for the opportunity to experience the all-in-one FM event. Up until then, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to attend due to the declining health of a loved one.
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I was new to ConnexFM—this would be my first time going to the convention. I had heard good things about it. My goal was to walk the floor, feel the room, and see if it was something that could benefit my company moving forward. A fact-finding mission.
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I filled out an application online and provided a credit card for $649.00. A receipt came to my phone confirming the transaction, and I got an email saying my registration was “Pending Approval.” Being new to this, I didn’t think much of it. The ConnexFM website is extremely difficult to use and hard to navigate if you’re unfamiliar with it.
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On the evening of April 5, 2025, while packing for my trip from Philadelphia to Denver, I realized I hadn’t received any other emails from ConnexFM. I immediately followed up by sending an email. Here's the back and forth:
CORRESPONDENCE
DATE: Sat, Apr 5, 5:06 PM (6 days ago)
FROM: B
TO: Connex
Is this approved? I have a flight in the morning. B
DATE: Sat, Apr 5, 5:06 PM (6 days ago)
FROM: connex@jade.mcievents.com
TO: B
Hello XXXXX,
It appears that your registration for ConnexFM 2025 has been denied approval. Unfortunately, this means that your registration is not currently confirmed, and I suggest that you follow up with the event organizers if you need further details or wish to appeal this decision.
If you would like me to assist further or to escalate this issue for additional support, please let me know. I'm here to help.
Best regards, Jade
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This response was crafted by an automated system to address your specific questions and concerns. As we continually strive to improve our processes for the best user experience, should you find the answer to be inaccurate or insufficient in addressing your needs, please reply with the word "escalate" and our team will review and respond as soon as possible.
DATE: Sat, Apr 5, 5:07 PM (6 days ago)
FROM: B
So I have a flight in the morning. Should I be cancelling? Why would I be denied?
DATE: Sat, Apr 5, 5:08 PM (6 days ago)
FROM: B
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I’m looking to escalate this immediately as I have thousands in expenses.
DATE: Sat, Apr 5, 5:08 PM (6 days ago)
FROM: connex@jade.mcievents.com
TO: B
I was unable to find specific information about the reasons why a registration might be denied for ConnexFM 2025 from the files available. It would be best to reach out directly to the event organizers at ConnexFM for more detailed information regarding the denial of your registration.
Since your flight is scheduled for the morning, you might consider making arrangements in case further assistance from the organizers is not available on time. If you need help escalating this matter for further clarification, please let me know. I'm here to support you in any way possible.
Best, Jade
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This response was crafted by an automated system to address your specific questions and concerns. As we continually strive to improve our processes for the best user experience, should you find the answer to be inaccurate or insufficient in addressing your needs, please reply with the word "escalate" and our team will review and respond as soon as possible.
Date: 2025-04-05T21:07:55.000Z
From: XXXX
DATE: Sat, Apr 5, 5:10 PM (6 days ago)
FROM: B
Provide me a phone number to call them please XXXXX
DATE: Sat, Apr 5, 5:10 PM (6 days ago)
FROM: connex@jade.mcievents.com
TO: B
I've escalated your request for more support regarding your registration denial and assistance with contacting the event organizers. A supervisor will review this matter and get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.
Best regards, Jade
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This response was crafted by an automated system to address your specific questions and concerns. As we continually strive to improve our processes for the best user experience, should you find the answer to be inaccurate or insufficient in addressing your needs, please reply with the word "escalate" and our team will review and respond as soon as possible.
DATE: Sat, Apr 5, 5:10 PM (6 days ago)
FROM: B
Thanks but what is the definition of escalation? An email, phone call?
Xxxxxx
DATE: Sat, Apr 5, 5:19 PM (6 days ago)
FROM: connex@jade.mcievents.com
TO: B
I've escalated your request for immediate assistance regarding the registration denial and your incurred expenses. Someone will reach out to you as soon as possible to resolve this matter. I understand the urgency and assure you that this is being prioritized.
Best, Jade
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Date: 2025-04-05T21:18:42.000Z
From: B
Subject: Re: Fwd: Registration Pending Approval - ConnexFM 2025
I’m looking to escalate this immediately as I have thousands in expenses.
DATE: Sat, Apr 5, 5:29 PM (6 days ago)
FROM: connex@jade.mcievents.com
TO: B
In this context, escalation means that your request for assistance has been forwarded to a supervisor who will review your situation and reach out to you for further support. This may involve a team member contacting you via the method you initially used to communicate, such as email or potentially assisting in coordinating a way to address your concerns more effectively. Rest assured, your request is being handled with priority.
Best regards, Jade
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This response was crafted by an automated system to address your specific questions and concerns. As we continually strive to improve our processes for the best user experience, should you find the answer to be inaccurate or insufficient in addressing your needs, please reply with the word "escalate" and our team will review and respond as soon as possible.
DATE: Sat, Apr 5, 5:31 PM (6 days ago)
FROM: B
Jade,
Thank you for the replies.
Xxxxxx
DATE: Sat, Apr 5, 5:33 PM (6 days ago)
FROM: connex@jade.mcievents.com
TO: B
You're welcome, XXXX. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out. I'm here to help.
Best, Jade
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​Trying to Get Answers
There was no further correspondence after that with “Jade.” I immediately got to work by looking up board members and found a Catherine Barnes on LinkedIn. I cross-referenced her business and contacted one of her employees, asking if she could reach out to Catherine and have her call me—just so I could understand why I wasn’t being allowed to walk around the convention.
I also messaged Catherine directly through LinkedIn, looked up her cell phone number, and left a detailed voicemail asking her to call me. She never did. In fact, as of the time of this writing, I still haven’t heard from her.
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I took it a step further and contacted their CEO, Mr. Bill Yanek, via email. And again, as of now, I haven’t received any response from him—only noticed that people from ConnexFM started viewing my LinkedIn profile.
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So, I traveled to Colorado, thinking this was just an oversight—and here’s what happened.
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Upon arrival, I was told I couldn’t attend—not because of a formal denial, but because, apparently, no one was working at ConnexFM the week before their biggest event of the year, including the weekend. A complete operational failure. They told me the slot I chose was “closed 30 days ago.” Then why did the site let me submit an application and provide a credit card?
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I escalated again—this time to Tony O’Neil, who, by the way, is the VP of Global Events at ConnexFM. I met with him in person in the lobby of the Gaylord. After our conversation, he asked me to forward the email chain from April 5. I did so promptly at 6:42 PM on Sunday.
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At 9:03 PM, Tony called with a gleeful “Good news!” He said I couldn’t attend the first day, but if I paid $5,700, I could attend starting Tuesday—and that “is where the magic happens.” Are you kidding me? It took 2.5 hours to come up with that? And even then, the offer felt like a shake-down disguised as a solution. Being new to ConnexFM, why would anyone think it made sense to hit me with a $5,700 fee?
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Why couldn’t I attend the first day—even if I paid? What kind of sham operation are they running? The answer is simple: ConnexFM is a mismanaged, negligent, corrupt, and deceptive organization that operates with a blatant lack of transparency, ethics, and professional responsibility.
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Your CEO, with a supposed 25-year military background, has clearly failed to instill any of the core values that define real leadership—integrity, accountability, and respect. None of that was on display here.
Let me break it down for you:
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A simple phone call or email could’ve resolved this.
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You had no right to accept payment or process it when enrollment had been closed 30 days prior.
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Your board members should return calls when decisions are hanging in the balance at the eleventh hour.
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Do not attempt to extort someone for $5,700, especially after denying them the full experience when you know they’ve flown across the country to attend your expo.
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And let’s be honest—that last point is at the core of my disgust. You saw an opportunity to cash in, and instead of owning up to your internal failures, you tried to profit from them.
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You’ve lost more than just a potential member—you’ve exposed exactly who you are.