Empowering Women
in the Meetings Industry:
An Open Conversation
Our panel of female meeting and incentive planners came together for an honest, empowering discussion that shed light on gender-specific challenges in the meetings and events industry. Their candid stories and shared experiences continue to inspire conversation and foster a stronger, more supportive community within the field.
What You’ll Learn:
- Breaking Barriers: Hear from industry leaders about the obstacles they’ve overcome in their careers and the strategies they’ve used to break through the glass ceiling.
- Work-Life Balance: Explore the unique challenges women face in balancing demanding careers with personal and family life, and gain tips for achieving harmony.
- Gender Bias and Inequality: Delve into the realities of gender bias in the workplace, including unequal pay and representation, and discuss ways to advocate for fair treatment.
- Mentorship and Support: Learn about the importance of mentorship, building networks, and finding allies to support career growth and development.
- Empowering the Next Generation: Discover how we can pave the way for future female leaders in the industry, creating a more inclusive and equitable environment.
Let’s come together to inspire change, support each other, and build a brighter future for women in the meetings and events industry.
Featured Speakers:
Samantha T. Marie
Founder & Chief Experience Officer of OmniEra Events & Travel
Samantha has nearly 20 years of expertise transforming events through global sourcing and wellness integration. She has served in Board of Directors and Chair positions for multiple industry organizations including MPI, PCMA, SITE and ILEA since 2017, and holds certifications as CMP, CITP, HMCC and Corporate Wellness.
As a recognized thought leader and sought-after speaker, Samantha demonstrates the tangible ROI of wellness integration in events while establishing key partnerships with premier clients including Live Nation, Lyft, and Google.
Megan Warzeniak
Sales & Strategy Director at streamlinevents, inc.
Megan has an extensive background in business development. Megan has also held leadership roles at Key Events, IfOnly, KSL Resorts, and various KSL Resort properties. Megan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business/Hospitality Management from Golden Gate University.
Tracy Wallach
Event Planner at JM Family Enterprises
Tracy Wallach has spent twenty years as an event planner at JM Family Enterprises, building a successful career through her proactive attitude, attention to detail, and expertise in program management. She joined South Florida Meeting Professionals International in 2006, serving in various board positions, including President from 2021 to 2022, Mentoring others as Immediate Past President from 2022 to 2024 and recently as a Director of Leadership and Development that will end in January 2026. Tracy’s achievements include awards from MPI for “Meeting Planner of the Year,” the President’s Award, and most recently, an “Industry Leader” award from Smart Meetings Magazine, voted by her peers in 2024. She prioritizes strong client relationships and leverages her experience to create unique and successful events.
Forging good client relationships, says Tracy, is the most important function of her job; and listening to a client’s needs assures a successful and memorable event – with all objectives met. Event planning can be an intimidating process, and many tasks can easily be overlooked. However, Tracy’s experience, logistics and creativity ensure a smooth, calm and efficient planning process, with each winning event different from the last.
In partnership with:
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