Event Experience Awards nominations close Oct. 16 ⌛️

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Enter the Event Experience Awards by Oct. 16 ⌛️

Meet the 2021 Connect Association 15 Over 50

The Connect Association 15 Over 50 has been shaping the events industry for years. Congratulations to them all.

Stephanie Davis

May 12, 2021

Ca21 15050 Social Tiles

As association industry vets, these fierce 15 over 50 have seen and endured it all. But COVID-19 handed them a new set of challenges many had never seen in their career. Not only did they survive this once-in-a-lifetime epic event, they thrived. Hear their stories of pivots, perseverance and prosperity and be inspired.

Drum roll... here are your 15 over 50 for 2021:

TERESA G. ALFARO, CMP

Director, Strategic Meetings and Events Volunteers of America (VOA) Alexandria, Virginia

DEBORAH COHEN, CMP

Director of Meeting and Convention Marketing Discover Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico

Show Director LightFair/IMC. Atlanta

President and CEO U.S. Travel Association Washington, D.C.

LESLIE A. DREISKE, CMP

Meetings Manager American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) Rosemont, Illinois

SHANNON FRANK

Vice President, Global Accounts HPN Global Indianapolis

DION JAMES-ZANFORDINO, CASE

Senior Regional Sales Executive Visit Lauderdale Brandywine, Maryland

CHRISTOPHER KIRBABAS

Director of Programs Society of Architectural Historians Chicago

LAURA METCALF JELINEK, CAE

President Jelinek Collaborative LLC Chicago

FRANK POWELL

President eventPower Tampa

HEATHER REID, ARCT, MSc, DES

Founder and CEO Planner Protect Inc. London, Ontario

LAURALEE SHAPIRO, CMP, CIS

Global Account Executive ConferenceDirect Orlando

LILI S. SHADAB

President and Creative Director Elite Productions International, Laguna Niguel, California

RACHEL STEPHAN, DES

Event Marketing Strategist sensov; Event Tech Founder Snöball Montreal

TRACY STUCKRATH, CMM, CSEP, CFPM, CHC

President and Founder thrive! meetings & events; Founder and Host “Eating at a Meeting” Podcast New Bern, North Carolina

Click here to see the 2020 Connect Association 15 Over 50.

'If someone told me that a kid from New York’s Lower East Side would one day go to Cornell, join the Army and serve as an officer, and then embark on such an amazing career as a businessman with seven hotels and subsidiary companies, I wouldn’t have believed it,' Rosen tells BizBash.

Rosen Hotels Celebrates Half a Century of Hospitality—Its Founder Looks Back (and Ahead)

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Meet the 2024 BizBash 15 Over 50

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Rosen Hotels Celebrates Half a Century of Hospitality—Its Founder Looks Back (and Ahead)

In honor of Rosen Hotels & Resorts' 50th anniversary, Harris Rosen shares how the hotel industry has evolved over the last 50 years, the importance of meetings and events, how to build team loyalty, and more.

'If someone told me that a kid from New York’s Lower East Side would one day go to Cornell, join the Army and serve as an officer, and then embark on such an amazing career as a businessman with seven hotels and subsidiary companies, I wouldn’t have believed it,' Rosen tells BizBash.

Meet the 2024 BizBash 15 Over 50

These seasoned professionals have spent decades crafting the future of events, demonstrating that experience, vision, and adaptability are the ultimate keys to success.

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The Fascinating Early Jobs of 12 Event Professionals

From tax accountant and Hebrew schoolteacher to American Idol contestant and Army veteran, top event professionals share their unexpected career paths—and lessons learned along the way.

Saulo Mohana W Nz7 5 Ev Uwu Unsplash

From the Desert to Disney—Lisa Messina on Joining Visit Orlando After 15 Years in Las Vegas

The destination sales leader moves from one meetings mecca to another. Here, she shares what she'll miss most about Las Vegas, the impact she hopes to have in Orlando, and more.

Q&A: TED's New Chief Program and Strategy Officer Discusses the Growing Power of Events

In the newly created role, Monique Ruff-Bell will help oversee TED's strategic direction, growth, and vision. Here, she discusses the growing recognition of event strategists as business leaders and revenue drivers.

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Meet the 2023 BizBash 40 Under 40: Event Profs Far From Finished

BizBash is highlighting the impressive industry leaders who have made an early mark on the meetings and events industry—before even celebrating their 40th birthday.

Meet the 2023 BizBash 40 Under 40

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This Elegant 'Real Housewives' Event Used Over 2,200 Apples as Decor

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