From DMC owners to event planning extraordinaires, Global DMC Partners is highlighting inspiring female industry leaders from across the world to celebrate International Women's Day all throughout the month of March. The meeting and event industry is filled with so many hard-working, resourceful, and passionate women who give their all to make sure they inspire their clients everyday and that every attendee has an exceptional experience.

This week we're highlighting a group of women who turn ideas into reality for our clients - GDP DMC Owners! Read on to learn more about what they think women bring to this industry, what they want to see for the future for women in meetings & events, and who has inspired them along the way.

Brynne Frost, CEO & Ana Reilly, Vice President of Sales & Marketing | Destination Concepts inc., a Global DMC Partner

Q: What drove you into the DMC industry and/or your particular role?

BF & AR: DCi was started with the goal of bringing the focus back to building relationships with clients and vendors, fulfilling client goals and finding creative ways to never have to say no. We love the creativity, passion, innovation, teamwork and the satisfaction of pulling off something no one thought possible that this industry is built on. That is what has kept us in the thick of it for 20+ years!

Q: What do you think women bring to the DMC/meetings industry? (ex: traits, characteristics etc.)

BF & AR: We are in a creative and service-oriented business, and women are naturally inclined to be creators, problem solvers, multi-taskers and tough so it’s the perfect match.

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

BF & AR: Being working mothers, we have a unique perspective and can offer advice on how to achieve the mythical work/life balance we as women are focused on

obtaining. Offering advice and even just understanding of what younger women and moms on our team are going through has created a culture of support and respect within our office. We are here to lift our team up day in and day out and would love to see that approach spread further. We have a thriving mentorship and training program in our office to get new team members started successfully and we encourage growth whether it be in the form of education, listening to new ideas from both industry veterans AND those fresh out of college. Everyone here at DCi has a voice and our ears are open to all constructive and creative ideas!

Q: Have there been female mentors or leaders that have inspired and/or guided you along your way?

BF & AR: The third founding owner of DCi, Linda Wagner, was a huge source of inspiration and still is even post-retirement! Her ability to remain positive and calm during even the craziest of circumstances have informed how we tackle the biggest challenges and come out ahead each time.

Q: International Women’s Day theme for this year is “Balance for Better”. What does the hashtag #balanceforbetter mean to you?

BF & AR: Balance for Better means that each part of your life enhances you for the better.  We promote not trying to compartmentalize your life and avoid the work vs personal mindset. The whole you is better than half you and inspiration can come from every experience you have whether it be your last work project or the patience you have mastered while trying to get your kiddos ready for school every morning.

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Anita Carlyle | Managing Partner, Moore Carlyle Consulting & MCC Destination Management, A Global DMC Partner

Q: What drove you into the DMC industry and/or your particular role?

AC: I have had a love for travel ever since I can remember.  I was fascinated by glamorous hotels from a young age which guided me to completing my Bachelor of Commerce degree in Hospitality and Tourism.   Through school assignments, summer internships, and early work experience,  I gained experience in all types of tourism jobs from busing tables, waitressing and bartending in restaurants, acting as a cruise director on a private event yacht, managing hospitality events for the Toronto Blue Jays to working for hotels in almost every position! I can now draw upon all my previous knowledge as managing a DMC is a perfect blend of all things hospitality.

Q: What do you think women bring to the DMC/meetings industry?

AC: Second to sharing our wide range of knowledge and expertise; women bring the caregiver attitude to the Meetings Industry.  We want everything to go well, orderly and want that big hug in the end!

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

AC: I would like to see the end of "Man-els" -- panels that are made up of experts who are all-male and sometimes demographically similar.  I would like to see more female CEO's in the hospitality industry.  Women make up a large portion of the workforce, but are a smaller share of management.

Q: Have there been female mentors or leaders that have inspired and/or guided you along your way?

AC: In my previous sales role at Hilton Hotels, I had very strong leaders. My first hotel had a Female General Manager who was strong, fair, and vey motivating.

Q: International Women’s Day theme for this year is “Balance for Better”. What does the hashtag #balanceforbetter mean to you?

AC: Understanding that work is only a piece on the pie chart of life and we must always be mindful that each piece should be of equal size!

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Sheri Moore | Creative Director, Moore Carlyle Consulting & MCC Destination Management, A Global DMC Partner

Q: What drove you into the DMC industry and/or your particular role?

SM: I stumbled upon the industry coming from a marketing and PR background. I was hooked by our ability to build from concept to execution, to tell stories and share amazing experiences.

Q: What do you think women bring to the DMC/meetings industry? (ex: traits, characteristics etc.)

SM: Women bring a lot to the DMC and meetings industry. With such significant representation, women have carved and shaped the entire industry. The industry is known to be creative, dynamic and diverse -- and a direct result and reflection of the women who collaborate and dedicate their time to it.

Q: What would you like to see for the future of women in our industry? (ex: training, mentorship, work/life balance, etc)

SM: I think that the industry as a whole could benefit from more women in the boardroom and at the leadership table. Diversity as a whole in the boardroom will lead to more inclusive policies, more diverse perspectives and more exciting opportunities. Greater understanding and appreciation outside the industry of our economic impact and skillset would also lead to greater credibility of the industry as a whole. Ultimately, that appreciation would give opportunity for women in our industry to have a voice in larger public policy decisions that affect our industry.

Q: Have there been female mentors or leaders that have inspired and/or guided you along your way?

SM: I have been extremely fortunate to be surrounded by talented, dedicated female leaders in this industry and many who were outside this industry. Many were trailblazers in their chosen industries. what they had in common was their desire to share their experience, support and guidance at every opportunity. I hope that I am able to help others the way that they have helped me.

Q: International Women’s Day theme for this year is “Balance for Better”. What does the hashtag #balanceforbetter mean to you?

SM: For me, balance is only realized through integration. Women in every industry have many roles to juggle. This industry in particular is tough because many events invade non-traditional working hours and can be draining during high season. Thinking of balance as scales of equal weight can add more pressure and stress to an already stressful career. Instead, I try to think about being better to ourselves and others by integrating what we love at work and what we love in life over time. Sometimes one has more weight or has to take a step forward, but, in the long term through an integrated approach, balance is achieved as long as joy, growth and gratification can be found throughout. This has to include carving out time for ourselves doing the pleasures (whatever that is) that feed our souls and replenish our energy.

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Deana B Mitchell, CMP DMCP CCSE | Owner at Realize Colorado, a Global DMC Partner

Q: What drove you into the DMC industry and/or your particular role?

DM: After 20+ years in F&B and Conference Services, I moved for my husband’s job and started doing contract work in the event world.

Q: What do you think women bring to the DMC/meetings industry?

DM: Time management superstars, detail focused, calm demeaner, manage many personalities, problem solver, the need to take care of people in general.

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

DM: I think there is so much happening already as we are such a women heavy industry, but we need to be training the next generation and mentoring them as much as we can.  Work/Life balance is always going to be challenging in our line of work, but it is attainable if you set boundaries for yourself, your company and your employees. It is all about the culture you create.

Q: Have there been female mentors or leaders that have inspired and/or guided you along your way?

DM: Many women in our industry have inspired me in various ways over the years, but not really one in particular.  My parents owned businesses since I was a toddler, so I learned a lot from them about work ethic and determination.

Q: International Women’s Day theme for this year is “Balance for Better”. What does the hashtag #balanceforbetter mean to you?

DM: Balance for Better speaks to me as an internal balance that helps us meet the traits listed above. We must find a way to be balanced and at peace in order to give so much of ourselves to our work.

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Cindy Y. Lo, DMCP | President & Chief Event Strategist for Red Velvet Events, a Global DMC Partner

Q: What drove you into the DMC industry and/or your particular role?

CYL: It was honestly a “happy accident.” I was already planning meetings and events and one day one of our Austin hotels asked me why we weren’t a DMC, and I had to look up what a DMC was and then next thing I knew, I applied to join ADMEI (Association of Destination Management Executives International) and then I continued to grow our team along while Austin was seeing a surge in corporate events.

Q: What do you think women bring to the DMC/meetings industry?

CYL: For sure time management and a get it done attitude.

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

CYL: It would be great to see more owners taking their business to the fullest potential; I’m always surprised by how many struggle in growing their business because they view it more as a hobby than a true business. And if you love your job, you really won’t think of it as traditional work every day.

Q: Have there been female mentors or leaders that have inspired and/or guided you along your way?

CYL: Definitely. Early on, I had the pleasure of meeting Rhonda Marko (founder/former owner of Destination Nashville) through ADMEI, and she gave me so much good advice as we were growing our business in Austin. And then I met Bonnie Boyd through GDP…I’ve always admired hard-working, smart and driven leaders, and it’s great that I get to call many of them friends too.

Q: International Women’s Day theme for this year is “Balance for Better”. What does the hashtag #balanceforbetter mean to you?

CYL: I have always answered the balance question of “do YOU know what your definition of balanced is?” I am so fortunate to have a partner in life that understands what I need on a daily basis to fill fulfilled and balance back at home and at work. It’s NOT the same quotient for everyone and that’s the first rule of thumb we must all realize. Just because I’m ok with working the schedule I do, I definitely don’t expect my own employees to work the same way. Rather I expect them to want to exceed their customer satisfaction within the means of what is considered reasonable work load. If they are feeling imbalanced, I expect them to speak up.