Meet The Judges


Sean Luce

Sean Luce
Sean was “Raised On Rock” in Lincoln, Nebraska. The only music that was playing on the record player was 45’s of Elvis and the Beatles. Sean saw one of Elvis’ last concerts in Lincoln, Nebraska on June 20th, 1977. As a motivational speaker, sales consultant and award winning author, Sean has traveled over 4 million miles since 2000 conducting seminars on sales and marketing on three continents and in all 50 United States, working with Fortune 500 companies, universities, television and radio stations, internet firms, newspapers and magazines, and the National Association of Broadcasters and the Radio Advertising Bureau. He’s on the road 40-plus weeks a year taking the “Liquid Fire” message to help others achieve their goals. His newest book “The Liquid Fire” is one of the top selling media marketing books. Sean is a contributing writer for various national publications in business, sales and sales management. He’s been featured in many of media’ top magazines, including Advertising Age, Promo magazine, and Radio Ink and many more. Like Elvis, he’s also an avid student of martial arts and uses the connection between martial arts and sales in many of his seminars. Sean is known on the seminar circuit for wearing “Leather Pants” …inspired by Elvis! Sean is the Head National Instructor for the Luce Performance Group International based in Houston, Texas and Los Angeles, California.

Denise Macris

Denise Macris
Denise Macris is an avid Elvis fan and has been a strong supporter of many Elvis Festivals throughout Canada and the United States. Denise is the owner and President of a large Marketing and Presentation company. She is a Nationally Recognized expert in communication and presentation skills. Her broad experience critiquing and judging presentations as well as helping to bring out the best in others has won her rave reviews. Denise was recognized in the United States as one of the “100 Most Influential Leaders” in her industry. She has won numerous awards and is a highly recognized columnist and blogger. As the wife of a winning Tribute Artist Denise knows what it takes to be a Champion. With a passion for performance and presentation arts, Denise loves watching Elvis Tribute Artists.

Kathleen DeNike

Kathleen DeNike
Kathleen DeNike resides in Collingwood, Ontario Canada and has been a dedicated Elvis fan for as long as she can remember. Her underlying love, spirit and heart for Elvis Presley and his music is never ending and has taken her Internationally to Hong Kong, Paris France, across the United States; including all seven Hawaiian Islands, Canada and three times to Australia to Judge Ultimate Tribute Artist Preliminary events, and as an Artist Representative. She has also attended eleven Elvis Week August Celebrations celebrating Elvis’ life, music and legacy in Memphis, Tennessee. For 25 years since it’s inception in 1996 Kathleen has been a strong supporter of the Collingwood Elvis Festival. As President of The Collingwood Rocks With Elvis Fan Club, her main capacity was a VIP Liaison, securing a wide range of Elvis’ personal friends, Band Mates, Hollywood Co-Stars, and tribute artists on an international level to not only come to our festival but to attend other festivals and events around the world. Over the last 30 years as a Tribute Artist Representative she has judged, worked with, produced, and booked some of the most sought-after & top-quality Elvis tribute artists in the Country covering Elvis’ illustrious career from the early golden Sun Studio recordings, through to the army, movie, ’68 Comeback, and explosive Vegas concert years to perform for international festivals, contests and events devoted to Elvis. From a Jack to a King, Kathleen takes great pride evaluating voice (from the most tender love ballads to the hard rocking showstoppers), authenticity of costume, appearance, accuracy and detail of the era in which Elvis’ career is being portrayed, stage presence of the performer, mannerisms, movements, crowd interaction, and overall performance she knows what it takes to be a Champion and who she feels best represents the legacy of Elvis Presley. Elvis has and continues to impact so many people around the world. It is a pleasure for me to extend my heartfelt appreciation and best wishes to all participants. Kathleen is experienced, objective, knowledgeable, and excited that she has been given the opportunity and considers it both an honour and responsibility to officially judge the 2023 Penticton Elvis Festival paying a respectful tribute to the greatest entertainer of all time; Elvis Presley.

Joe Combs

Joe Combs
Joe Combs, a name not new to the music industry, was born on August 18 in Gainesville, Florida. The second of two sons to an artist/minister father and mother, Marshall and Debbie Combs, Joe grew up in a home filled with a strong passion and love for music. Throughout Joe’s musical career, he has had many opportunities obtaining vocal credits on notable album Alan Jackson’s Precious Memories II, performances on the historic Grand Ole Opry Stage, as well as, continuously touring throughout the United States and Europe with the legendary Stamps Quartet.

Our Emcees


Dino Macris

Dino Macris

Mike Schell

Mike Schell

Corny Rempel

Corny Rempel

Bruno Nesci

Bruno Nesci