Like many masterminds, these 10 men took distinct and often indirect paths in business, from law to coaching to professional golf.
- Susan Adams, Vice President of Engagement Strategy and Enterprise Services, Next Level Performance
“In high school, I was lucky enough to be an exchange student in France. I immersed myself in the culture around me, learned the language, and discovered a love for art. When I graduated from college with a degree in Art History, I couldn’t afford the time or money to get it. With an advanced degree required to work in a museum, I decided to look for a career that would allow me to provide people with the same cultural and international experience.
“In the classified section of the New York Times, I got an entry-level job at an agency taking French people to the United States on individual and group projects. Our company was part of American Airlines, and we worked for French TV personality, retired The staff and the European companies offered incentives. I booked the room, stuffed the envelope, chased the coach through the streets of Manhattan, and met a group at JFK Airport for their first amazing ride into the city. City.
“A few years later, I went back to graduate school for cultural policy in London. I thought I would try to switch my career to museums, but a funny thing happened…all my interests and research during graduate school led me back to the incentive industry.
- Beth Murphy, 6sense Events Director
“I attended the University of Michigan, majoring in political science, with every intention of going to law school after graduation. During my junior year, my best friend introduced me to a completely different career path – event planning. At first, I Determined: “No, I’m not going to the event—I’m going to be a lawyer! ” But she encouraged me to attend an event on site with her family friend, Karen Baranik of Medical Conference Planning, and I was hooked!
“I realized that I was attracted to the tangible results of event planning – the satisfaction of seeing months of hard work come to life. More than 20 years later, this is still my favorite part of the industry.
- Kim Ruby, Client Engagement Manager, Marketing, Canada Life Reinsurance Company
“In 2001, my son was invited to Cuba to sing with the Boys Choir of Philadelphia. I needed some extra money to pay for the trip and had been out of work for some time, so I trained with a local window dress manufacturer. The department found an “assistant” position.
“Out of curiosity, I noticed that the contract was faxed back to the hotel within minutes of receipt. Minutes? Just checking the date? Since I have no experience in the meeting business, I went out and bought a copy of Meetings for Dummies, in a brown grocery bag I wrapped it up and read it during my work breaks. I joined the famous MIMList and heard about the HSMAI event in Washington, D.C., and I had a feeling I had found my calling. I attended these meetings and met Joan Ay. Joan Eisenstodt, who signed my brown-wrapped book.
“I began bringing my knowledge into the training department’s meetings and events and quickly became the go-to for contracts, procurement and content. I was promoted and was soon scheduled to run an enrichment training program on the East Coast.
- Cheryl Jamall, Chief Experience Officer, ACJ Meetings & Events, LLC
“My journey into the meetings industry began while working in portfolio management at the former Riggs National Bank (now known as PNC). After working as a membership manager for a trade association, the meetings team was laid off and I was asked, ‘Can you do them What did you do? ” It was there that I discovered my passion for planning events – and the rest is history.
- Brenna Lervick, Prestige Sales Support Manager | Global Conference Source
“After graduating from the University of South Dakota in 2017 with a degree in mathematics, I began pursuing a career in professional golf. I played on the Epson Tour, Cactus Tour and the Annika Women’s All-Pro Tour.
“My first real exposure to the events industry came when I was invited to attend the Masters with my aunt. There I got an inside look at the behind-the-scenes operations that make the work she provides clients so successful. The atmosphere was exhilarating, I noticed how close her clients became and the deep friendships they developed between them. This experience sparked my desire to explore more opportunities in this industry.
“After deciding to retire from professional golf, I briefly worked as an analyst for an industrial engineering firm. In that role, I traveled to client locations across the country, rekindling my passion for travel. Eventually, the opportunity arose to join Prestige | Global Meeting Source came along and I found the perfect way to combine my love of travel, my passion for connecting with people from different backgrounds, and my passion for analytics.
- Lindsay Buchanan, Meeting Management Consultant, Meetings & Incentives Worldwide, Inc.
“I accidentally got into the meetings industry after being laid off from my job in audio and video production just before the 2008 recession. I took a temporary position with a nonprofit with the initial goal of getting back into production. I was working for the organization Playing a key role in selecting new event technology, I quickly embraced the tool, driving its capabilities to drive efficiencies across the organization. This experience sparked my passion for event technology and established me as an event technology expert. The path to becoming an event technologist began before the position officially existed.
- Sally McCcomic, Director of Marketing, SmartSource
“I started at TransCore as a Marketing Coordinator, supporting our entire marketing team, including the Trade Show Manager. One day she asked me to help her with some logistics, and I didn’t even know what a trade show was. I was packing, After preparing and listening, I was fascinated by this “trade show thing” and wanted to know more.
“Fast forward to working for a large national events company owned by Harper Collins and then working for an incentive travel company. I completed my ‘events’ very quickly. I don’t get instructions; I dig deep and seek answers to do my job. I learned that there are many rules and regulations depending on the type of trade show or event you are planning: catering minimums, PhRMA guidelines, and exhibition and AV terminology. Checking, checking, checking, and still learning.
- Natasha Botbijl, North America Meetings and Events Coordinator, Ledcor Industries Inc.
“It all started during my college years when I was immersed in the fields of buyer psychology and business management. My early career focused on helping leaders and sales teams improve customer experience as an executive coach, integrating psychology with business strategy combine.
“It wasn’t until I organized my own retreat that I discovered a true passion for event planning. Coordinators began asking me to plan their events, and I quickly realized that I enjoyed the creative and logistical challenges of making each event unique. From that point on, I formalized my expertise through corporate event management training and my career took off.
- Stephen Stano, Executive Event Director, Meetings and Incentives, SAS
“I began my career in the hotel business at various hotels in New Jersey and New York as a Housekeeping Manager, Director of Guest Services, and finally Food and Beverage Sales Manager. After 10 years, I realized that I did not want to fill my role by working in another department experience and became the General Manager so I decided to leave. The last thing I booked was a wedding at the Roosevelt.
“As I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do next, I decided to contact all my old clients to plan their sessions. The bride for the wedding I booked worked for Inspiration House. She asked me to do some contract work for them, including serving as Travel Director. When I met other TDs, I heard about a long-term contract with the growing conference division of a large European bank and I was recommended for that contract.
“Then I got lucky: the first day I walked into the office, the senior planner put the word out. After a transition period, I was offered a permanent position – the start of a great career in the industry.
- Mary Wysopal, Vice President of Customer Experience, Creative Group
“Like many people, I ‘accidentally’ entered the industry without realizing the exciting adventure I was embarking on! I graduated from college in 2008 with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing and Business Administration. As my As part of my senior capstone project, my group project was to host an event (for the purpose of publishing said event), but I was more interested in the elements of the event itself. Also during my senior year, I was selected to attend the coveted event. Chicago Auto Show Internship. Again, the purpose was to gain exposure to media relations and blogging, but I was more fascinated by the logistics of media relations registration, show and hospitality events.
“When I began my job search, I cast a wide net and moved away from traditional public relations and accepted a ‘training coordinator’ position with a global consulting firm. That was how my racing career began.
