Out of adversity comes opportunity. The flood of nominations that came in for our 2021 Changemaker honors—at least double the number received in a typical year—is wonderful proof of that old maxim. Faced with the pandemic and a year of racial reckoning, meeting professionals had an opportunity to learn, drive change, and push themselves and their organizations forward. We’re thrilled with the Changemakers we’ve profiled—wonderful communicators, instigators, and innovators—but we know there are so many others who have stepped out of their comfort zones over the past year to drive change at their organization and in our industry.
Hats off to all the planners and suppliers who were nominated, and a round of applause to these special leaders on our 2021 Changemakers list:
Edward Bagsic, CMP
Senior Manager of Conventions, VIP Events, and Budgets
National Business Aviation Association
Thomas Whelan
Director of Banquets
Levy Convention Centers
Tina Fullard
Head of Corporate Programs & Hospitality Services
Truist
Jaclyn Kelly
Director, Corporate Relations
Radiological Society of North America
Melissa Klingler
Vice President, Educational Program Development
Adam Saunders
Senior Director, Live Meeting Multimedia
PeerView Institute for Medical Education
Candice Tulsieram, DES
Owner, 360 Events
Co-Founder, The Sustainable Events Forum
Sue Sung
Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy, Freeman
Executive Director, Go LIVE Together