Celebrating the Event Industry's 2026 Women to Watch

There’s nothing more powerful than watching someone radiate in their own light, confidently stepping into the greatness they were always meant to embody.

Four years ago, I made the decision to launch the Women to Watch Awards as a way to shine a spotlight on the remarkable women transforming the event industry for International Women’s Day. I believe visibility is a career game-changer, and what better way to celebrate these incredible leaders than by honoring the impact they’re making on their communities and the world?

This year, we partnered with Gather Voices to capture testimonials from our peers about the women who inspire them. The stories shared are nothing short of awe-inspiring. Hearing the heartfelt words from men and women around the globe—nominating their colleagues, mentors, mentees, and peers—has been a true privilege. The admiration and gratitude for the women you’ll learn about is a testament to the deep respect they’ve earned. These leaders embody resilience, creativity, strength, kindness, authenticity, and more. They are the women who make the meetings, hospitality and tourism industry better.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate and honor the women nominated for this year’s Women to Watch Awards. To the awardees: your impact is a gift to us all!

Andrea Cadotto Associate VP Sales, Visit Detroit

Annie Kristi Korsmo Director of Sales, Nordic Hotels & Resorts

Brittany Cerrillos Program Coordinator, Motivation Excellence

Candice Beckman Sr. Manager, Industry Engagement & Events, Encore

Carly Silberstein Founder & CEO, CIELLE & CO

Carmen Luk Founder & Creative Director, Devoted to You

Carol Galle President / CEO, Special D Events

Christine Kropp Founder, Christine Kropp

Cortney Novak Director, Catering & Events Optimization, Hilton

Dahlia El Gazzar Tech Evangelist & Idea Igniter, DAHLIA+Agency

Daniella Galante Sr. Account Manager, Metro Toronto Convention Centre

Danielle S. Russell Executive Director, Canadian Defence Lawyers

Donna Hubley Vice President, Field Sales, Encore

Gloria Barajas Manager of Client Experience, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

Hannah Wismer Key Account Executive, BBJ La Tavola

Jackie Stone Sr. Meeting & Event Producer, Destination Consultants

Kayla Worthy Senior Marketing Manager, Trade Shows & Events, Transitions Optical

Kelly Kaneko Director of Meetings and Special Events, The Department / Hudsons / Forte Belanger

Kelsey Nicol Vice President, Strategic Accounts, One10

Kendra Kop Private Events Sales Manager, Golden State Warriors

Kim Hutto Regional Vice President, Venues, Encore

Kristine Iverson Owner and Founder & Mental Fitness Speaker, CROW Practice

Laura Yarborough-Lloyd Event Career Mentor & Educator, The IconicEvents®️ Collection

Lauren Pattison Venue Specialist, Lumi Global

Lee Papa Chief Wellness Officer, Lee Papa

Lisa Pignataro Regional Director, Encore

Madison Pancake Senior Event Producer, PRA Business Events

Magdalina Atanassova Digital Media Editor, Convene Magazine, PCMA

Marisa Cali Founder, Be Present LLC

Maya Lorton Founder, Big Trip

Melinda Curley Group Director, Global Sales & Public Sector, Hargrove

Melissa Paige CEO, NAMAPA & Prescribe+

Melissa Showalter Business Development Manager, Imprint Events Group

Monica Fasse Industry and Partner Relations Manager, ITA Group

Nicole Ashwill (Hess) Global Sales Director, PRA

Olivia Breene CEO/Founder - Brand Experience Strategist, Lateralus B

Phyllis Scott Senior Director, Business Operations, Association Forum

Sarah Franzese Senior Director of Sales, Vail Resorts

Selina Mullenax Regional Sales Director, South Central & Southeast, CORT Events

Shaniece Nichols Director of Events, Moore Carlyle Consulting

Stacey Gros Executive Producer and COO, All Cues Go Event Productions, LLC

Stephanie Hiltz Speaker Strategist & Event Specialist, TA Speakers Management

Suzette Wilson Samuels Global Event Execution Strategist & Experience Architect, SWS Global LLC

Taylor Torres Conference Operations Manager, Wilmington FRA

Tricia Henson President / CEO, Tricia Henson Consulting

Vaish Sridhar Experience & Operations Lead, THE CREATIVE CONNOISSEUR

Virginie De Visscher Executive Director, Destination Canada

Yush Sztalkoper Founder, NeuroSpark+

Click here to check out the stories behind the leaders of the 2026 Women to Watch!

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Shine a light on this year's Women to Watch by sharing on your social media channels - don't forget to tag me on Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram so I can show your post some love! Cheers to this powerful collective of phenomenal women.

Contact me to lead, inspire, or facilitate a game-changing conversation during your next conference or event.

Each nominator granted permission to Courtney Stanley Consulting, LLC the right to use provided logos, graphics, photographs, videos, audio recordings, documents, testimonials, video interview content, written quotes, the nominator’s and nominator's nominee personal likeness, and other materials (the “Materials”) provided by you for use by Courtney Stanley Consulting, LLC as described in this release (the “Release”). The Materials shall include the following specific list of materials, together with any additional materials you provide to us in the future at a later date under this Release: 2026 Women to Watch Awards blog posted on Courtney Stanley Consulting, LLC's website and social media platforms.