2019 40 Under 40: The In-Crowd

Meet the “In-Crowd,” our 2019 Connect Association 40 Under 40.

This year’s group celebrates the diversity inherent in the events industry. Honorees range from company presidents to budding CVB stars. They come from myriad backgrounds, using different strengths to advance their organizations and careers. While each has a unique style, this collection of superstars is in on what it takes to create lasting and impactful experiences. We salute this group and what they represent: The best this industry has to offer.


Ca 2019 40u40 Agee 220x124

Aquera Agee

31 • Associate Manager of Meetings Association for Accessible Medicines Washington, D.C.

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Ogechi 220x124

Ogechi Anyanwu

36 • Manager of Events Telecommunication Industry Association Arlington, Virginia  


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Sarah Blose

37 • Account Manager Destination Tahoe Meetings & Events Lake Tahoe, Nevada

 


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Paola Bowman

38 • Destination Services Manager Arlington CVB Arlington, Texas

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Boyd 220x124

Pamela Wike Boyd

33 â€˘ Senior Manager, Meetings and Events The Solid Waste Association of North America Silver Spring, Maryland

 


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Erin Cook

33 • Director of Sales & Marketing Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa Austin, Texas

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Daudin 220x124

Sarah Soliman Daudin

31 • President & CEO Soliman Productions, Inc. Orlando

 


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Jessica Farmer

27 • Chapter and Events Manager AA-ISP Richmond, Virginia

 


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Alena Frey

37 • Director of Education and Meetings American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Chicago  


Ca 2019 40u40 Grant 220x124

Christine Grant

35 • Director of Operations On The Scene - The Event Company Chicago

 


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Melissa N. Grigsby

33 • Director of Communications and Events Independent Electrical Contractors Alexandria, Virginia

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Guelbart 220x124

Michelle Guelbart

31 • Director of Private Sector Engagement ECPAT-USA Brooklyn, New York

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Hartstone 220x124

Emily Hartstone

33 • Manager of Events & Operations Magellan Management Delray Beach, Florida

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Hinkle 220x124

Ashley Hinkle

35 • Director, Meetings & Conventions Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge Roanoke, Virginia

 


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Natalie Intondi

34 â€˘ Meeting Planner National Governors Association Washington, D.C.

 


Sam Edidin Jankowski

Sam Edidin Jankowski

31 • Relationship Manager SmithBucklin Chicago

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Johnston 220x124

Megan Johnston

27 • Director, Event Services Accent Indy, a DMC Network Company Indianapolis

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Lazo 220x124

Samantha Lazo

35 • Manager, Production & Event Technology The Institute of Internal Auditors Lake Mary, Florida

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Mace 220x124

Anthony D. Mace

36 • Meetings Manager Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Burke, Virginia

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Magyar 220x124

Allie Magyar

38 • Founder & CEO Hubb Vancouver, Washington

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Marinovich 220x124

Brittany Marinovich

31 • Manager, Meetings and Expositions Kellen Atlanta

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Merrifield 220x124

Kristen Merrifield

38 • CEO Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits Phoenix, Arizona

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Messenger 220x124

Kari Messenger

32 • Senior Meetings Manager Association Management Center Chicago

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Moy 220x124

Jessica Moy

37 • National Conference Coordinator Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers Parker, Colorado

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Netters 220x124

Ceré Netters

28 • Director of Education & Events National Speakers Association Tempe, Arizona

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Oliveira 220x124

Flavia Oliveira

36 • Director of Sales and Marketing Hotel Paradox, an Autograph Collection Santa Cruz, California

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Patel 220x124

Akshar V. Patel

36 • Senior Director of Conventions AAHOA Atlanta

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Pedigo 220x124

Natasha Stamper Pedigo

38 â€˘ Meeting Planner and Event Manager The Asphalt Institute Lexington, Kentucky  


Ca 2019 40u40 Pettigrew 220x124

Amy M. Pettigrew

38 • Meeting Planner National Governors Association Washington, D.C.

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Quinn 220x124

Alicia M. Quinn

36 • Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Alliances Discover Lehigh Valley Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Bailey 220x124

Bailey Roth

32 • President Redstone Agency Inc. Toronto

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Sheeter 220x124

Mattie Scheeter

32 • National Sales Manager Visit Omaha Omaha, Nebraska

 


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Steven Schumacher

33 • Director of Sales Discover Dunwoody Dunwoody, Georgia

 


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LaShawn Sidbury

38 • Director, Meetings and Special Interest Groups Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry Rockville, Maryland

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Sulock 220x124

Cheryl Sulock

37 • Director of Convention and Trade Show Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Association Winter Park, Florida

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Tallman 220x124

Megan Tallman

35 • Conferences and Meetings Manager Financial Planning Association Denver, Colorado

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Tebow 220x124

Annie Tebow

32 • Senior Event Planner American Academy of Family Physicians Kansas City, Missouri

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Wakefield 220x124

Heather Wakefield

39 • Senior Manager, Education & Events Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society Fort Lauderdale, Florida

 


Ca 2019 40u40 Whitehead 220x124

Shauna Whitehead

39 • Vice President, Global Account Management BCD Meetings & Events Minneapolis

 


Ca 2019 40u40 W Ilson 220x124

Ashley Wilson

30 • Sports and Events Sales Manager Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission Gulf Shores, Alabama


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, 2019.