Meeting Professionals to Watch

Creative, innovative, resilient, and dedicated. These are just a few of the adjectives that describe ConventionSouth’s Meeting Professionals to Watch in 2022.

The 22 individuals honored were nominated by industry peers or selected based on their recent accomplishments and involvement in the meetings industry. They represent a variety of industry sectors, including association, corporate, government, and educational organizations. There are also independent planners and others specializing in specific areas of expertise.

What cannot be truly measured is just how much the everyday personal and professional lives of these meeting pros have changed since 2020.

Prior to the pandemic, we noted planners expressed frustrations about tight budgets, last-minute changes to agendas, and issues with weather, transportation, and room blocks. Two years later, these types of issues would likely be at the bottom of the list when it comes to concerns for those in an industry that has been ravaged by COVID-19.

“COVID-19 has made a huge impact on my business and my programs,” one planner notes, citing cancellations and rebookings.

Like all of us, these meeting professionals have had to pivot from their normal experiences and jump into unfamiliar territory. Some planners extol the virtues of hybrid and virtual meetings, but the general consensus is that online events cannot replace the camaraderie and human connection found at in-person, face-to-face meetings.

The meeting professionals profiled here all took their own unique paths into the events planning industry, with differing challenges and triumphs. However, they all share the same passion for the industry and truly believe the best days are ahead—but not without struggles.

These top 22 in ’22 meeting professionals share stories about how and why they got into the industry and their thoughts on 2022 and beyond.