The Next List: 2016 40 Under 40

The most influential young people in association and specialty meetings and events are mavericks and change-makers. Our list of 2016 40 Under 40 includes next-gen planning phenoms and meetings marvels creating next-level event tech and design, as well as hospitality headliners changing the future of the industry. Prepare to be inspired.

Here, meet 40 of the next big things in meetings and take time to watch The Next List video featuring seven of them and find out who made the magazine's cover.

Kerry Amato, CAE

35 ▪ Director of Professional Development Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Chicago

 

Kali Andress, CMP

28 ▪ Meeting Planner and Event Manager Asphalt Institute Lexington, Ky.

 

Elizabeth Baranik, CMP

34 ▪ National Account Manager Experient, A Maritz Global Events Company Atlanta

 

Kalee Barnhardt, CTA

26 ▪ National Sales Manager Experience Columbus Columbus, Ohio

 

Allison Beers

37 ▪ Owner Events North Traverse City, Mich.

 

Shannon Burke, CMP

38 ▪ Director of Conference and Meetings National Association for College Admission Counseling Arlington, Va.

 

Kristen Chenoweth

37 ▪ Marketing Manager Visit Springfield Springfield, Ill.

 

Taylor Michele Clark, CMP

29 ▪ Event Coordinator International Facility Management Association Houston

 

Gladi Colon, CMP

30 ▪ Assistant Director of Events and Catering Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Orlando

 

Emile K. Davis, CEM

36 ▪ Manager of Exhibits and Sponsorships Society for Human Resource Management Woodbridge, Va.

About the 2016 40 Under 40 process: Each year, Connect Association highlights professionals who are making an early mark in the association and specialty meetings industry. Peers and colleagues submit nominations, which then are reviewed by our editors. The editors select the final 40 honorees based on nominations, references, industry involvement, career awards, honors and other factors. If you’d like to submit a nomination for next year’s 40 Under 40, please email [email protected].

Here, meet 40 of the next big things in meetings and take time to watch The Next List video featuring seven of them and find out who made the magazine's cover.

Jennie Denison

37 ▪ Director of National Sales Visit Mesa Mesa, Ariz.

 

Brittany Dixon, CMP

26 ▪ Senior Operations Manager Destinations by Design Las Vegas

 

Andrew R. Douglas

35 ▪ Director of Association Sales New York Hilton Midtown New York City

 

Jarrod Finley

37 ▪ Vice President of Sales San Diego Tourism Authority San Diego

 

Marisa L. Gaggi

30 ▪ Meeting and Events Manager Society of Wine Educators Washington, D.C.

 

Patricia Giannini, CMP, CEM

37 ▪ Director of Events Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International Daytona Beach, Fla.

 

Rebecca A. Glucklich

35 ▪ Development Officer for Special Events The Boston Conservatory Boston

 

Mark Harvey, CGMP, CMP, CMM 

37 ▪ Director of Meetings and Operations Society of Government Meeting Professionals Washington, D.C.

 

Mary Higham, CEM

33 ▪ Manager of Exhibits and Sponsorships American Society for Industrial Security International Alexandria, Va.

 

Kiki J. Fox

28 ▪ Sales Manager Core-apps; Co-Founder and President-Elect, Association for Women in Events Washington, D.C.

About the 2016 40 Under 40 process: Each year, Connect Association highlights professionals who are making an early mark in the association and specialty meetings industry. Peers and colleagues submit nominations, which then are reviewed by our editors. The editors select the final 40 honorees based on nominations, references, industry involvement, career awards, honors and other factors. If you’d like to submit a nomination for next year’s 40 Under 40, please email [email protected].

Here, meet 40 of the next big things in meetings and take time to watch The Next List video featuring seven of them and find out who made the magazine's cover.

Shameka Jennings, MTA, CMP 

26 ▪ Event and Programming Manager National League for Nursing Washington, D.C.

 

Crystal Kennedy

31 ▪ Associate Director of Sales Hilton Anatole Dallas

 

Alexandra DuFrayne McKenna

29 ▪ Membership Services Manager Philadelphia CVB Philadelphia

 

Megan E. Meehan, MPS

32 ▪ Manager of Meetings and Expositions American Pharmacists Association Washington, D.C.

 

Megan Oliver

27 ▪ Sales Manager Hilton New Orleans Riverside Paradis, La.

 

Christy Poppy

30 ▪ Senior Conference Manager American Retirement Association Washington, D.C.

 

Francesca Radabaugh, CAE

29 ▪ Director of Association Management/Operations Manager Paragon Events Delray Beach, Fla.

 

Christine Renaud

35 ▪ Author and CEO E-180 Montreal

 

Jessica Rienecker, CTA, CTP, CMM

31 ▪ Western Region Meeting Sales Director Visit Anaheim Anaheim, Calif.

 

Kau’ilani Robinson

32 ▪ Public Relations Manager Visit Seattle Seattle

  About the 2016 40 Under 40 process: Each year, Connect Association highlights professionals who are making an early mark in the association and specialty meetings industry. Peers and colleagues submit nominations, which then are reviewed by our editors. The editors select the final 40 honorees based on nominations, references, industry involvement, career awards, honors and other factors. If you’d like to submit a nomination for next year’s 40 Under 40, please email [email protected].

Melisa Ryzner, CMP

31 ▪ Meetings and Education Manager North American Die Casting Association Arlington Heights, Ill.

 

Eris Sims

38 ▪ Senior Director of Events Planning NAACP Baltimore

 

Bethany Spencer, CMP

36 ▪ Meeting Planner and Center Administrator AAAS Washington, D.C.

 

Amy Steinwand, CMP

40 ▪ Meetings and Events Program Manager National Association of Insurance Commissioners Kansas City, Mo.

 

Adrienne Tucker

40 ▪ Senior Meeting Planner Specialist American Bar Association Chicago

 

Lance Wheeler

28 ▪ Senior Sales Executive JW Marriott Washington, DC Washington, D.C.

 

Megan Woodburn, CAE

38 ▪ Founder and President Strategic Association Management Austin, Texas

 

Stefanie Wyckoff, CTA, BTHM

32 ▪ Business Development Manager MeetNKY Covington, Ky.

 

Jennifer R. Wynn

30 ▪ Sales Account Manager Birmingham Marriott Hotel Birmingham, Ala.

 

Amanda Zoch

31 ▪ Senior Sales Manager Andaz Savannah Savannah, Ga.

 

About the 2016 40 Under 40 process: Each year, Connect Association highlights professionals who are making an early mark in the association and specialty meetings industry. Peers and colleagues submit nominations, which then are reviewed by our editors. The editors select the final 40 honorees based on nominations, references, industry involvement, career awards, honors and other factors. If you’d like to submit a nomination for next year’s 40 Under 40, please email [email protected].