Happy International Women’s Day! The meeting and event industry is filled with so many exceptional, determined, resilient and creative women who are too often overlooked as order takers or admins instead of the skillful producers and strategic business experts that they truly are. To celebrate this year, we’re spotlighting some of the inspiring women leaders in our industry who serve on our Customer Advisory Board.

Read on to learn more about what they think women bring to our industry, how they think the meetings industry has evolved, what their hopes are for the future for women in our industry, and who or what has inspired them along their journeys.

 

Venetia Campbell | Senior Manager, EMEA & Russia Events | Young Living Ltd.

What drove you into the meeting industry and/or your particular role?

VC: It was actually by chance, I worked as an actress for years and had a side job as a cocktail waitress at the incredible 02 Arena, I was a part of great iconic events, from the BRIT Awards to concerts and NFL press parties, from there I fell in love with the Events and Hospitality industry so much, I have never looked back.

What do you think women bring to the meetings industry?

VC: We bring that compassion, drive and energy to be able to juggle so many elements at one time. Many of us are able to incorporate our natural instincts in such a phenomenal way to the meetings and events industry. The ability to apprehend, anticipate and absorb, all great qualities needed in this time of industry.

Have there been female mentors or leaders that have inspired and/or guided you along your way in this industry?

VC: My mother. She was a true leader and inspired me every day, she had a great passion for her work and industry so much so, it was never a job for her and I share those feelings. Not only was she a fantastic mentor, she was also fabulous and thoroughly enjoyed putting together a great party and event. I have differently inherited those qualities and applied them to my career.

Since you first started, how have you seen the meetings industry evolve into a more diverse, equitable and inclusive space?

VC: Yes, but not enough. I still, very often remain the only black woman at many of the industry discussions, round tables, and forums. It is a great industry for women to flourish but it needs to become a better industry for more ethnic groups. I think it is important to challenge mindsets to foster the growth.

How are you celebrating International Women’s Day this year?

VC: I will be celebrating International Women’s Day 2022 at the Power 50 event in London. An event to inspire the next generation of female leaders and celebrate the achievements of the Power 50 together with the wider community. I look forward to celebrating these awe-inspiring women of our industry.

---

Helen Capelin | Talent Acquisition and Training | Ashfield Event Experiences

What drove you into the meeting industry and/or your particular role? 

HC: I came into the events industry by chance.  I was a PA to a director of a medical comms company in 1993 and used to go on-site to perform PA duties – got the bug for events and the rest was history.  My current role is perfect for me, as I am passionate about people so talent acquisition, retention, mentoring, training and coaching are right up my street.

What do you think women bring to the meetings industry?

HC: I don’t think woman bring anything greater than a man in the industry and I don’t think a man brings anything greater than a woman – it is the individual and characteristics of the individual not the gender in my opinion.

Since you first started, how have you seen the meetings industry evolve into a more diverse, equitable and inclusive space? 

HC: It was always seen as a choice, raise a family or work in the industry, it is wonderful to see woman now having both, rightly so.

What would you like to see for the future of women in our industry?

HC: Not to feel torn with guilt of juggling a family, running a house, and working in the industry – take time for you and be in the moment and give what you can in the place that you are.

How are you celebrating International Women’s Day this year? 

HC: Working with some wonderful women

---

Becky Cavanaugh | Associate Program Director, Medical Meetings and Events | Cadent, Powered by Syneos Health

What drove you into the meeting industry and/or your particular role?

BC: I started my career in 2001 as a Project Specialist with Contract Research Organization (CRO) in Cincinnati, Ohio. I assisted our Marketing Manager with a couple of advisory board meetings (FedExing invitations and registration forms, faxing information to/from invitees and working on rooming list, arranging the ground transfers) and then planning my first Investigator Meeting in New Orleans followed quickly by a second in Scottsdale. I was hooked immediately on the planning and organization! I loved being part of the clinical research area as it allowed me to stay engaged with clinical professionals and clinical/scientific topics and information while using my detailed mind on planning and organizing amazing events.

What do you think women bring to the meetings industry?

BC: Everything! But if I have to nail it down to a succinct answer, women bring their ALL to every detail/person/place while “keeping all the wheels on the bus while changing the tires and doing an oil change at the same time”.

Have there been female mentors or leaders that have inspired and/or guided you along your way in this industry?

BC: Yes – so many! My first “industry friend” was a salesperson (Laurel Rhoads-McCarthy) who helped me understand the meetings world, the role of a company like Global DMC Partners, the importance of a DMC and actually introduced me to my GDP Rep, Dawn Barbeau. Lynn Arnett (now at CVENT) was the first boss who believed in my meeting planning skills, helped me develop as a team member, leader and friend, but overall made me realize what an amazing industry we work in and how I can help develop the careers of others.

Since you first started, how have you seen the meetings industry evolve into a more diverse, equitable and inclusive space?

BC: Yes, I have seen the industry evolve into a more diverse, equitable and inclusive space since my career began. As meeting planners, we used to be seen as “order takers”, fulfilling the needs and wants of so many people and not being a core competency in large companies. Now, we have been brought to the table as the “experts” who can guide our internal and external teams, clients and partners in so many things beyond meeting planning. It takes a diverse and talented team to bring their voices to global organizations.

What would you like to see for the future of women in our industry?

BC: I’d love to see us with less self-inflicted guilt about taking time for ourselves during vacations (put down that phone ladies! It will be there when you get back), a movement for “life/work balance” (and not the other way around), more mentoring of junior team members (we are going to need more people in our industry to replace those who’ve retired or left the industry), higher pay/benefits (our roles are demanding, pay should be higher as we are no longer “party planners” even if we are planning the best events out there), and many more F2F meetings since COVID hit our industry so hard!

How are you celebrating International Women’s Day this year?

BC: I’ll be starting off International Women’s Day at my Pure Barre studio with some of the strongest women I know, followed by lots of stakeholder meetings throughout the day of work. I’ll also be celebrating the brilliance of some of my female friends after work with a nice bit of girl-time dinner and cocktails!

---

Danene Dustin | Senior Global Sales Executive | Morris Meetings & Incentives

What drove you into the meeting industry and/or your particular role?

DD: I always wanted to travel extensively and knew there had to be a career where I could do that and actually see the world, not just the interior of a hotel. Several years ago, the job I currently have was posted and so I decided to apply and about six weeks later, it was offered to me and has continued to be the perfect fit for me. Sales can be extremely challenging, especially when your pay is 100% commission, but it has been so gratifying and has afforded me so many opportunities I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t taken a leap of faith to join this industry.

What do you think women bring to the meetings industry?

DD: Women are perfect for this industry as it really takes immense amounts of stamina, dedication, organization and successful multi-tasking, traits so often found in women.

Have there been female mentors or leaders that have inspired and/or guided you along your way in this industry?

DD: Catherine Chaulet for starters. She is the epitome of class and grace. She takes everything in stride and has been an excellent example to me of a successful female leader in this industry. I also work side by side by a myriad of women at MMI who have years of experience in the industry. Their words of encouragement and ideas have been extremely helpful along the way.

What would you like to see for the future of women in our industry?

DD: Definitely more training and mentorship programs would be an exceptional way to help women succeed in this industry. It’s also imperative we help each other find that balance between home and work as the burn out rate and stress in this industry tends to be on the high side.

How are you celebrating International Women’s Day this year?

DD: I will be onsite with an incentive program of mostly all female trip earners in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Seems like an ideal way to celebrate women and their ability to succeed in any industry in which they desire to be a part.

---

Penny Noble | Managing Director | Noble Events Limited

What drove you into the meeting industry and/or your particular role?

PN: I began my career in the hotel industry and moved into the world of events when a former colleague contacted me and suggested I might be well-suited to a role in his company. I knew very little about events but had spent many years in big conference hotels so I figured I might be suited to the industry. I travelled a great deal as a child and have always been fascinated by different global cultures. The rest, as they say, is history!

What do you think women bring to the meetings industry?

PN: Women are great multi-taskers. They are generally more empathetic, which I truly believe is a big benefit to the industry. It has often been said that women make better organizers as they are wired differently to men; I don’t believe this is true of all women, or men as it happens, but certainly if you look at the percentage of female event planners to male, it does say something about the balance for sure.

Have there been female mentors or leaders that have inspired and/or guided you along your way in this industry?

PN: My boss in my first big Head Office role for Rocco Forte when I was still in the hotel industry was a lady by the name of Rachel Carruthers. In those days, women in senior positions anywhere were a rarity, but especially in hotels, almost unheard of. She was tough, but supremely fair and empathetic. I learned a great deal from her in those early days.

Since you first started, how have you seen the meetings industry evolve into a more diverse, equitable and inclusive space?

PN: As someone who is at the tail end of her career, I am delighted to see the positive changes from which the industry has begun to benefit, particularly in the last few years. Diversity barely existed 35+ years ago and equality was woefully lacking across the industry. I believe there is a determination from all sectors of the industry to embrace diversity, equality and inclusion, and the old-school bully-tactics are very much a thing of the past. This has been achieved by the determination of industry leadership to create a more inclusive space.

What would you like to see for the future of women in our industry?

PN: Mentorship programs for aspiring female leaders would be welcomed I believe. Training is always beneficial, particularly in senior leadership and finance. When I was offered my first Board position, I was invited to attend a “Finance for non-finance directors” course at the IOD in London; to this day, it was one of the most beneficial courses I ever attended.

How are you celebrating International Women’s Day this year?

PN: I will be attending the UK Micebook Power 50: Inspiring Female Agency Leaders launch in London, as I am delighted and honored to have been asked to be a part of this initiative.

---

Chelsey Taylor | Founder & CEO | All With Intent

What drove you into the meeting industry and/or your particular role?

The short answer, my mom.  Hospitality and adventures were nothing more than an everyday thing growing up in the Taylor household.  My mom was always gathering us and others, both as local as the kitchen table and as far as a flight.  As early as 1st grade, my siblings and I have fond memories of inviting our teachers over for dinner each school year.  We would start by designing an invitation, and then a menu and some signage.  We would theme and set the table, pick the activity or game we were going to enjoy together post dinner, followed by a dessert experience.  We would even collect feedback the next day at school just to be sure they had a delightful time.  I am literally laughing out loud thinking about that part.  My mom is also known for finding the most unique [and surprise] adventures for our family to do together.  Sometimes they would be a hit, other times we were pouty and ungrateful teens [which you can imagine how those nights went], and sometimes, the adventure ended in being very, very lost on a mountain.  But every adventure has carried a richness, a story and a memory that has proven time and time again, to be the most valuable and cherished parts of my life.  And as simple as it may sound, because of her intentionality, hospitality and creativity - the impact these things have on enriching lives and building community, there just didn’t seem like a more fulfilling and enjoyable thing to keep doing.  My mom is an entrepreneur and though hospitality and adventure weren’t necessarily in her “job description,” I feel like she passed this “business” down to me and I wanted all I do, to be with intent too.

What do you think women bring to the meetings industry?

Is this a trick question?  I asked my male friend this question and his response had me laughing.  He said, “A plan.  They bring a plan.” But truly, this is a very long list to write!  Here’s what I will say.  Without writing a book.  Women bring whimsy.  They bring deep thoughtfulness.  Not just attention to detail, but attention to the details of the details.  They bring balance to what’s tilted, composure to the unstructured, music to the stillness, and well, basically fireworks to the empty skies.  I mean, if we can take something like hot dogs, make them mini with some pretty mustard, and turn them into a popular party bite, what can’t we do?

Have there been female mentors or leaders that have inspired and/or guided you along your way in this industry?

There is a vast and growing number of female mentors and leaders that have inspired and guided me along the way.  There was a mentor very early on in my career that said, “I don’t really have much to tell you - but I can show you a lot.  And I hope what I show you - my decisions, how I live, how I work, will amount to something in your life too.”  The philosophy that everyone can teach you something, is not just cliche, but true.  A 95-year-old Italian grandmother working in the back kitchen of a restaurant inspired my F&B planning.  A young female receptionist at an old German paper mill inspired me to venue source with a completely different strategy in mind.  About 13 high school girls that I mentored challenged me in the way I approached content, storytelling and driving a key message to the finish, or heart line I like to call it.  My sister teaches me about resilience and boldness daily.  My friends across industry and roles - teachers, business owners, nurses, producers, real estate agents, the singles, the mom’s - they flood my life with wisdom and adventure, thus giving me a wealth of experience to draw growth, direction and truth from.

Since you first started, how have you seen the meetings industry evolve into a more diverse, equitable and inclusive space?

The most obvious answer to this question is conversations.  There is no shortage of active conversations around how we can all strive to design inclusive and “honoring of all” spaces.  I believe that though uncomfortable at times, I would argue that these conversations are not only driving towards stronger programs, but more meaningful and creative programs.  These conversations are giving new groundwork for education, expanding considerations around worldviews and breeding new depth to compassion.

What would you like to see for the future of women in our industry?

More play, more joy.  I want to see women choosing to invest their time in the things they enjoy doing and cut out or change the things they don’t.  This can be an extremely taxing industry, and yet we would all acknowledge that there’s some sort of addictiveness to it.  In between the high highs and low lows, I want to see women find their sweet spots - the roles within the industry that give them life as opposed to depleting their tanks.  I want to see women deeply inspired and excited again - for the stories they are telling and the experiences they are designing.  I believe these things will create contagious moments, and contagious moments create tipping points, and well, tipping points change everything.

How are you celebrating International Women’s Day this year?

I will be celebrating International Women’s Day this year with one of the most exceptional women I know; my mom.  You will find us playing in a pickleball tournament [strengthening our retirement sport], followed by cocktails at the pool [just playing].  What I love the most about this - is that it has nothing to do with our careers or even the daily roles we play as women but is about exercising the gifts we have in each other, being together and doing the things we simply love to do.