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.
Aquera Agee
31 • Associate Manager of Meetings Association for Accessible Medicines Washington, D.C.
Ogechi Anyanwu
36 • Manager of Events Telecommunication Industry Association Arlington, Virginia
Sarah Blose
37 • Account Manager Destination Tahoe Meetings & Events Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Paola Bowman
38 • Destination Services Manager Arlington CVB Arlington, Texas
Pamela Wike Boyd
33 • Senior Manager, Meetings and Events The Solid Waste Association of North America Silver Spring, Maryland
Erin Cook
33 • Director of Sales & Marketing Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa Austin, Texas
Sarah Soliman Daudin
31 • President & CEO Soliman Productions, Inc. Orlando
Jessica Farmer
27 • Chapter and Events Manager AA-ISP Richmond, Virginia
Alena Frey
37 • Director of Education and Meetings American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Chicago
Christine Grant
35 • Director of Operations On The Scene - The Event Company Chicago
Melissa N. Grigsby
33 • Director of Communications and Events Independent Electrical Contractors Alexandria, Virginia
Michelle Guelbart
31 • Director of Private Sector Engagement ECPAT-USA Brooklyn, New York
Emily Hartstone
33 • Manager of Events & Operations Magellan Management Delray Beach, Florida
Ashley Hinkle
35 • Director, Meetings & Conventions Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge Roanoke, Virginia
Natalie Intondi
34 • Meeting Planner National Governors Association Washington, D.C.
Sam Edidin Jankowski
31 • Relationship Manager SmithBucklin Chicago
Megan Johnston
27 • Director, Event Services Accent Indy, a DMC Network Company Indianapolis
Samantha Lazo
35 • Manager, Production & Event Technology The Institute of Internal Auditors Lake Mary, Florida
Anthony D. Mace
36 • Meetings Manager Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Burke, Virginia
Allie Magyar
38 • Founder & CEO Hubb Vancouver, Washington
Brittany Marinovich
31 • Manager, Meetings and Expositions Kellen Atlanta
Kristen Merrifield
38 • CEO Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits Phoenix, Arizona
Kari Messenger
32 • Senior Meetings Manager Association Management Center Chicago
Jessica Moy
37 • National Conference Coordinator Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers Parker, Colorado
Ceré Netters
28 • Director of Education & Events National Speakers Association Tempe, Arizona
Flavia Oliveira
36 • Director of Sales and Marketing Hotel Paradox, an Autograph Collection Santa Cruz, California
Akshar V. Patel
36 • Senior Director of Conventions AAHOA Atlanta
Natasha Stamper Pedigo
38 • Meeting Planner and Event Manager The Asphalt Institute Lexington, Kentucky
Amy M. Pettigrew
38 • Meeting Planner National Governors Association Washington, D.C.
Alicia M. Quinn
36 • Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Alliances Discover Lehigh Valley Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Bailey Roth
32 • President Redstone Agency Inc. Toronto
Mattie Scheeter
32 • National Sales Manager Visit Omaha Omaha, Nebraska
Steven Schumacher
33 • Director of Sales Discover Dunwoody Dunwoody, Georgia
LaShawn Sidbury
38 • Director, Meetings and Special Interest Groups Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry Rockville, Maryland
Cheryl Sulock
37 • Director of Convention and Trade Show Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Association Winter Park, Florida
Megan Tallman
35 • Conferences and Meetings Manager Financial Planning Association Denver, Colorado
Annie Tebow
32 • Senior Event Planner American Academy of Family Physicians Kansas City, Missouri
Heather Wakefield
39 • Senior Manager, Education & Events Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Shauna Whitehead
39 • Vice President, Global Account Management BCD Meetings & Events Minneapolis
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.
