Breanna Gallagher
Sales Manager, Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau
bgallagher@irvingtexas.com
Number of events in 2025: 500+
Types of events: Board meetings, corporate events, conventions, and everything in between
Average number of attendees in 2025: 10-15,000
What is your primary role associated with meetings and events?
As national sales manager for the Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), I get the best of both worlds: teaming up with our city’s incredible hospitality professionals while partnering with meeting planners from all over the country.
I help take the stress out of planning by recommending and reaching out to venues, setting up and attending site tours, and talking through the pros and cons of proposals. I can provide complimentary perks like name badges, lanyards, staffing, marketing support, vendor recommendations, and more.
I travel nationwide to represent Irving at major trade shows—showcasing our vibrant destination and working to bring as many events as possible to our city. My role is about making planners’ lives easier, shortening a to-do list, and highlighting experiences that make Irving stand out.
What skills do you think are essential for planning successful meetings and events?
For successful meetings and events, five skills top the list: adaptability, communication, empathy, organization, and a good sense of humor.
Adaptability keeps you flexible. Communication keeps everyone on the same page. Empathy helps you see challenges through your client’s eyes. Organization is the glue that holds it all together. Humor lightens the load.
What is your philosophy or approach to challenges and unexpected issues?
It’s not a problem until one makes it a problem. No matter how detailed the planning, there will always be a few surprises. Instead of seeing challenges
as setbacks, I treat them as opportunities to guide clients with confidence
and experience.
How do you keep up with industry trends, changes, and cutting-edge developments?
At trade shows, I make it a point to attend every educational session I can and dive into as many conversations as possible. Our industry is alive and always evolving, and that’s what makes it so exciting. Trends and new ideas don’t just appear out of thin air. They are born from the conversations we have with each other.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The people. I have a true passion for working with people. Every day brings the chance to meet someone new, hear their story, and share their excitement.
How would you describe your biggest professional success?
One event that will always stand out to me took place in November 2021. It was one of the first large groups to return to the hotel after Covid, providing the staff with plenty of hours. In the middle of it all, a member of the housekeeping team came up to me, hugged me, and thanked me for bringing in the group. She told me that without those extra hours, she would not have been able to buy Christmas gifts for her children that year. That moment reminded me that what we do reaches far beyond contracts and ballrooms.
Please share an anecdote about a unique or unusual event that you organized.
Our partners are always looking for a way to tailor their events to give attendees an experience with a unique Texas flair. We have done it all, from custom hat fitting, boot fitting, longhorn appearances, two-stepping lessons, and armadillo races (my favorite).
The armadillo races create quite a moment for attendees when they see their peers step into the racetrack and get on their hands and knees to help their chosen armadillo navigate its way to the finish line. It is always a big laugh and gets very competitive.
One time, an armadillo escaped the racetrack. It was returned safe and sound to its owner, but I guarantee no attendee will forget working together to chase down that armadillo.
What is the best professional advice you ever received, and what advice would you offer others in the industry?
The best advice I ever received was simple: “Be the reason someone has a good day.” At its core, that’s what hospitality is all about. Every interaction, every detail, every event is an opportunity to make someone’s day brighter. That’s the advice I carry with me, and it’s the same advice I would offer to anyone in this industry.
What do you hope to achieve or look forward to as you plan events in 2026?
As I look ahead to 2026, I’m excited to see what’s next for our industry. I look forward to the memorable moments we’ll create together, the connections we’ll build, and the chance to keep sharing my love for both the people and the city of Irving.
