IAEE Hosts Successful Women’s Leadership Forum and Celebrates 2022 Woman of Achievement Award Winner

As an annual education and networking event for professional women in the exhibition and events industry at all stages of their careers, IAEESignature Women’s Leadership Forum brought together 184 attendees for two days of knowledge, inspiration, resources and strategies for career success. March 23 and 24 at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor, Maryland, on the 10^and annual conference also celebrated the 2022 Woman of Achievement Award winner, Lenay Gore, former Senior Director of Meetings and Trade Shows for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

“The energy, enthusiasm and commitment of participants in this year’s program was thrilling to experience,” said Cathy Breden, IAEE Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “This program provides participants with a wide range of impactful information that can be immediately applied to their careers, no matter where they are in their career path.”

Sessions Featuredas well as “after the fact” roundtables on each topic, included the following:

• From Frustrated to Focused: Mindset Strategies for Career and Business Growthpresented by Debbie Peterson, President and Keynote Speaker, Getting to Clarity
• Navigating Behaviors and Emotions in Uncertain Times: Tips and Tools for Improving Interactions and Emotional Well-Beingpresented by Claudia St. John, Founder and President, Affinity HR Group
• Coming to Life: The Power of Purpose and Reinventionpresented by Yvette R. Simpson, Esq., Founder and CEO, Yvette Simpson, Executive Strategist, Consultant and Media Contributor
• Light Up Your Shift: Overcoming the Discomfort of Changepresented by Anne Bonney, speaker, author and podcaster, Different Shoe Enterprises

“What a beautiful composition [of speakers], and the way you complimented each other and incorporated other elements from previous presentations into yours was fantastic,” said Mary Becton, attendee and founder and principal consultant of Dogwood Event Strategies. “My cup is full today after listening to the four [speakers] yesterday!”

During lunch on the second day of the lively event, the IAEE announced that Gore was the recipient of the 2022 Woman of Achievement Award, which honors a woman who has paved the way for the advancement of women in the technology industry. exhibitions and events, has demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the industry and its community.

“I am honored and moved to receive the IAEE Woman of Achievement Award,” said Gore. “I’ve been blessed with an amazing career, and I’m grateful to be involved in this wonderful industry. To my friends and colleagues in the trade show industry, thank you all and the IAEE for the support over the years. What a great way to start my retirement!

After serving on the supplier side of the events industry for more than 25 years, the 30-year industry veteran started at APTA in 2008 as Director of Meetings and Conventions, where she led a team responsible for six large meetings with exhibits and over 35 smaller meetings per year (the triennial EXPO and APTA annual meeting attract over 15,000 attendees on over 285,000 net square feet of exhibition space). Prior to APTA, she worked for the San Diego Convention Center, IEP (now PRG), GES, Washington DC Convention and Tourism Corporation, and Renaissance and Hilton Hotels.

A dedicated member of IAEE for 25 years, Gore has served on nearly every committee the association has to offer at the national and local levels, and has also served on the IAEE Services Board of Directors for many years. , including a term as president, according to IAEE officials. She is also a member of the HSMAI DC Hall of Fame and won the IAEE Distinguished Service Award in 2009.

“I’ve worked with Lenay in her volunteer leadership roles for the past 20 years and have always been impressed with how she can focus on what’s being discussed and deliver her perspective,” Breden said. . “When she agrees to do something, she’s all-in. She deserves this award and I wish her every success in her transition to retirement.

Along with stimulating educational sessions and plenty of peer-to-peer networking opportunities, each year the event also features a social giving activity to help the local community. This year, the women of IAEE came together to raise $2,600 for The SOFEI group (Starting Over for Economic Independence), a non-profit organization committed to helping Washington, DC-area women emerge from economic instability through education, training, and development.

“This year [Women’s Leadership Forum focused] about clarity of purpose and taking ownership of the role we play in our own success and provided palpable energy among attendees and incredible synergy from our speakers,” said IAEE Women’s Leadership Shauna Peters, committee chair, vice president and marketing strategist for mdg, A Freeman Company. “I am grateful to the IAEE and the Women’s Leadership Committee for their time and thoughtful intent in developing this program.”

Consult a CNTV IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum 2022 recap video here.

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