The events industry is filled with professionals who thrive when it matters most. This year has been unprecedented with the COVID-19 pandemic. When communication, messaging, brand storytelling and virtual solutions moved to the forefront of the meetings industry, these messengers rose to the occasion. These planners and suppliers have every right to call themselves exceptional. Meet "The Messengers” our 2020 Connect Association 40 Under 40.
About the 40 Under 40 process: Nominations are submitted by colleagues and peers through Connect Association’s website. They are then reviewed by Connect’s editors, and finalists are vetted before the final list is selected for publication. Honorees must be under the age of 40 as of April 1, 2020. Job titles and responses reflect honoree’s status as of September 2020.
Management Consultant of Energy, Sustainability & Infrastructure Guidehouse Washington, D.C.
Event Manager Redstone Agency Inc. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Chief Revenue Officer National Speakers Association Los Angeles
Director of Sales and Marketing Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa Lost Pines, Texas
Senior Meetings Manager Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Arlington, Virginia
President and Founder A2 Events Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer ABCD & Company Rockville, Maryland
Senior Meeting Planner American Health Information Management Association Chicago
Director, Meetings Experience National Business Aviation Association Washington, D.C.
Vice President of Conferences & Exhibitions McVeigh Global Meetings and Events New York City
Director of Event Services CTC Destination Management, A DMC Network Company Chicago
Convention Services Manager Destination DC Washington, D.C.
Convention Sales Manager Visit Rochester Rochester, New York
Senior Manager of Communications CHC: Creating Healthier Communities Washington, D.C.
Director of Event Services Accent Indy Indianapolis
Event and Exhibitions Professional Denver
Area Director of Sales Convene Chicago
Chief of Protocol & Director of Events State of Michigan/Michigan Economic
Development Corporation Lansing, Michigan
Senior Manager of Logistics & Exhibits American Dental Association Chicago
CEO Nifty Method Marketing + Events Fort Worth, Texas
Partner and Director of Conferences & Meetings BDI Events Gig Harbor, Washington
Director of Sales Moxy Oakland Oakland, California
Event Planning Senior Manager National Co+op Grocers Minneapolis
Account Executive DECO Productions, Inc. Miami
Events Director Albany Business Review Albany, New York
Meeting and Event Planner DCG Communications Washington, D.C.
Account Executive 360 Destination Group , LLC Arlington, Texas
Area Director of Sales & Marketing Highgate Key West, Florida
Manager of Member Engagement and Programs Greater Houston Partnership Houston, Texas
Director of Meetings & Affiliate Relations Florida Apartment Association Orlando, Florida
Principal & Creative Director 3 Experiences, LLC Atlanta
National Sales Manager Experience Columbus Columbus, Ohio
CEO and Head Event Strategist J Shea Northern Virginia
Manager of Meetings and Fellowships The American Orthopaedic Association Rosemont, Illinois
Owner and Principal Smith Strategies Association Management Birmingham, Alabama
Director of Global Events Alation Redwood City, California
National Sales Manager Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau Tulsa, Oklahoma
Director of Operations Catering by Michaels Chicago
Managing Partner OneWest Events Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Executive Vice President Leblond Studio
Manager, Meeting Registration & Industry Partner Engagement, ASAE – The Center for Association Leadership
Washington, D.C.
