Despite the fact that women account for more than 70% of meeting and event professionals (more than 80%, according to some research), inequality and challenges for women in this industry majority remain. Did you realize that 62% of MPI members are women—a solid reflection of the global meeting and event industry in general—and 72% of planner members are women?
In honor of International Women’s Day (March 8), we reached out to several MPI members to share some of the current challenges and opportunities they see for women in the meeting industry.
Women in the meeting and event industry have, over the years, already overcome significant barriers. What are some of the key challenges still holding women back?
“The ratio of males/females in the industry versus the number of females holding executive positions remains skewed. While barriers have indeed been overcome, there is still a long way to go before equality is realized. More effort needs to be placed in viewing candidates for executive roles as equals and fairly judged by their qualifications and level of experience. There has to be a first time for anyone to become a CEO and it should be based on qualifications and fit for the role.” - MaryAnne P. Bobrow, CAE, CMP, CMM (MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada Chapter), Bobrow Associates Inc.
“In no way do I underestimate the progress that has been made, and yet, I think we learned through the pandemic that many of the social structures that support women in the workplace and in our industry are still fairly fragile. When childcare and school is inconsistent, working women bear the brunt of those interruptions. What the pandemic revealed, in many ways, was that the strong women leaders in our industry were still ‘doing it all’—and so when that balancing act became too much to handle, many women either put their professional passion on the back burner or left the workforce entirely. Without a more equitable balance of work, life, child-rearing and community development, this will still be a barrier for women in our industry.” - Molly C. Marsh, CMP
“Now that the industry continues to get back to business, many professionals are shifting as well to align work with their priorities. Finding the right position for skill sets and desires may be an opportunity if people shifted over the past few years. Ensuring they are following passion and purpose versus a position that may have previously burned them out will be a high priority.” - Angie Ahrens, CMM, CMP (MPI Georgia Chapter), director of events, MRI Software
What are some of the greatest opportunities you see for women in the industry?
“Some of the fiercest, most passionate women professionals I know are in the meeting and event industry and I think that’s because there is a unique need in this space for visionary leadership and detail-oriented execution…relationships and deadlines, empathy and accountability. For me, and many of the women leaders that inspire me, this combination is exactly what we thrive on and so the industry needs us as much as we need it.” - Molly C. Marsh, CMP
“Balance of life and business: there is an expectation based around norms still of ‘having it all’ and what sacrifices may need to come at that cost. Biases still exist, and it is up to the companies and supervisors to check those and ensure expectations are in line with others at the company. Just an example, if someone doesn’t have children, it doesn’t mean that they are always available, and vice versa. It is important for women to speak up about what expectations we have of our companies, as well as ourselves, as we find our passion and purpose.” - Angie Ahrens, CMM, CMP (MPI Georgia Chapter), director of events, MRI Software
“Opportunities will not come for those who sit and wait for someone to offer them. Opportunities are made by those who are vocal enough to propose where changes need to be made and to pursue efforts to get to the right people within the industry to make that happen. This can be done without alienating people and the opportunities may take time to emerge. Women need to be more visible in demonstrating their executive capabilities. We have come a long way since the 1950s and 1960s.” - MaryAnne P. Bobrow, CAE, CMP, CMM (MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada Chapter), Bobrow Associates Inc.
“There are so many more of us out there than people necessarily realize. Every element and level of this industry includes a significant number of women, it’s just that we don’t always see ourselves on the stage or the board dais or in other perceived places of power and authority. Not everyone has to be or wants to be on those stages, and (pardon the generalization, especially in this conversation), but as women, we are able to find success and satisfaction and gratification in so many ways. Leadership doesn’t have to mean ego—some of the best leaders I’ve ever worked for and with didn’t make their influence felt from a dais. They made it felt by their actions, by how they did what they did, by what they did to back up what they said. Gender had nothing to do with that, leadership had everything to do with it.
“I do believe there’s room for more of us, and I don’t believe our battles are over. Far from it. But we have to use the elbows we have, literally or figuratively, to keep pushing for seats at whatever tables to which we’ve not (yet) been invited. We have to make our presence felt and our absence noticed. And vice versa. Because of the contributions we are able to make if we’re in the room. But we can’t sit on the sidelines and wait to be invited.” - Maura Allen Gast, FCDME (MPI Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter), executive director, Visit Irving
Can you share an anecdote or experience you’d had—perhaps an insightful or valuable discussion, meeting a certain person, etc.—that has inspired you with regard to increasing equality and inclusivity of women in the industry?
“I find that I gravitate towards a group of fierce women in the industry. The community I have, and continue to grow, are always cheering me on in my adventures, struggles and opportunities. The Women’s Advisory Council with MPI was a great opportunity to meet fellow women who are following their passions in this industry; that’s a driver for me as we continue to bring this conversation to the table.” - Angie Ahrens, CMM, CMP (MPI Georgia Chapter), director of events, MRI Software
“I have been following with great interest the path of Michelle Mason as she assumed the role of president and CEO of ASAE. It was certainly not an overnight success story but instead one of great work done in various other executive roles. Over the past few months, she has participated in other conferences as a guest speaker and made herself known within the industry, as well as within ASAE. Her messaging is spot on and focused on the greater good. She will be someone to watch and perhaps emulate.” - MaryAnne P. Bobrow, CAE, CMP, CMM (MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada Chapter), Bobrow Associates Inc.
“I’m not sure if this is an appropriate answer here, or the best place to share this story, but it does need telling and I’ll leave some details out so as not to point the out the specific players. Many, many years ago, in a late-round interview for a position in which I would have been the first female in the role, I was summoned to a last-minute meeting with one of the people in semi-authority for the hiring decision. I wasn’t given any background info as to what the meeting was for, and what I might need to do or bring to be prepared. When I walked into the person’s office, there were four other men in the room, all in leadership positions in the organization, and quickly I realized the game that was on. For the next several hours, they peppered me with questions and challenges and scenarios, which I truly think was meant to make me cry and to prove I didn’t have the stomach for the job and should just step aside from the search. Because I realized immediately what was up, I settled in quite comfortably for the game and just let it play itself out, laughing inside throughout.” - Maura Allen Gast, FCDME (MPI Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter), executive director, Visit Irving
“I remember being very young—just a year or so out of college—and joining the MPI Kentucky Bluegrass Chapter. One of the first things that struck me was the sheer volume of women in leadership at the time. I saw women in all stages of their careers, representing different facets of the industry and different family structures, all coming together to build the industry community in our state. That gave me so much confidence that, as a woman, I had found an industry in which I could have an impact and that there were great, strong, dedicated people ahead of me who could support me and my growth as a professional. I knew that the work would be hard, but I wouldn’t be alone, and that sense of belonging has always stuck with me.” - Molly C. Marsh, CMP
Do you have any recommendations for how women (and allies) can help to grow the equality and appreciation of women in the meeting/event industry?
“I know this will sound odd initially, but one of the things that I’ve always wrestled with is being classified as a ‘woman in the industry’ of whatever distinction. While I appreciate the recognition I have received, it’s still a little crazy to me that we end up being classified in this way, and that any of these kinds of lists still have to exist. I think we’d all like to be seen as industry leaders, period. And while I know there remain miles to go in terms of other elements of human diversity, inclusivity and equity, I think we’d all just like to be recognized for the leaders we are. For how we think and work and engage and lead, and not for what we look like, or who we love. What I missed out on [coming up in the working world of my era] that was important in a different way, was in making sure younger women had the chance to see us older women as role models, to see that someone who looked like them could indeed hold positions of authority and responsibility, without having to give up our individuality, personality or personhood. So today, when I have the opportunity to recommend or nominate capable and qualified women for whatever is open, I try make sure I do that first. Not at the expense of others who might be equally qualified and also valuable assets, but to make sure I’m making room for my peers at the tables I am at.” - Maura Allen Gast, FCDME (MPI Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter), executive director, Visit Irving
“Don’t just invite one person to the table and think that’s good. Ensure you are elevating their thoughts at the table, applauding good ideas and challenging them to dive deeper when needed. It’s a continuous effort in promotion, not just a single effort.” - Angie Ahrens, CMM, CMP (MPI Georgia Chapter), director of events, MRI Software
“One of my favorite quotes is from Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who, ‘A person’s a person, no matter how small.’ If we focus on the innate value that a person brings to the table, they become a whole human being, not a series of descriptors or characteristics. It’s appreciating the utter humanness in others that helps us grow equity and inclusion—who doesn’t want to be seen, heard and valued for who they are rather than labeled based on an external characteristic? It’s a subtle and important change that happens within each one of us, and when it does it provides a path to equality for underrepresented populations everywhere.” - Molly C. Marsh, CMP
“If women are interested in helping to grow the equality and appreciate of women in the industry, they need to take the time and make the effort to participate in various communities and committees within MPI to help formulate how MPI can pave the path for strong leadership in all of its members and to continue to showcase the efforts of the work being done by those volunteers. MPI has done much to support and showcase women in leadership and continues those efforts through its communities where there is collaboration among the communities and in alliance with other industry organizations. MPI can and should be a strong force in assisting its female members in becoming stronger leaders. This is not something that happens overnight but over months and years, where an individual, working within MPI’s volunteer structures and with strong MPI staff leadership, emerge as strong leaders in their own businesses, as well as within the MPI volunteer structure. MPI already has strong alliances with IMEX and its leader, Carina Bauer, and that is another avenue where additional leadership opportunities and paths can be established.” - MaryAnne P. Bobrow, CAE, CMP, CMM (MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada Chapter), Bobrow Associates Inc.
What are you most looking forward to in 2022?
“Getting back to business and seeing all the authentically amazing women of our community at industry shows throughout the year!” - Angie Ahrens, CMM, CMP (MPI Georgia Chapter), director of events, MRI Software
“I am looking forward to the possibility that in 2022 we can get back to the business of business in greater numbers.” - MaryAnne P. Bobrow, CAE, CMP, CMM (MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada Chapter), Bobrow Associates Inc.
“The creative energy of being together. As an association professional, very few of our events returned to in-person before 2022 and both we (as planners) and our association members are craving that spirit of community that only comes from live events!” - Molly C. Marsh, CMP
To lean on your peers, share your own unique challenges and learn ongoing best practices, stop by the dedicated MPI Women Community today!
