The Stand-Up (February 18, 2025)

From Help Wanted to CEO: Liz Irving's Unconventional Leadership Path 

The Stand-Up February 18, 2025 Edited by Miguel Neves View in browser Top Story LEADERSHIP Women Leaders in Meetings: Liz Irving Sometimes the best career moves start by raising your hand for the jobs nobody wants. Just ask Liz Irving, who went from answering a New York Times help-wanted ad to becoming CEO of Clarion Events North America.   Irving's path to the C-suite wasn't paved with careful career planning, but with curiosity and a willingness to take on challenging roles. Her leadership philosophy? Create an environment where people can be their authentic selves, even if that means showing vulnerability – something she learned from Brené Brown.   For those climbing the corporate ladder in meetings and events, Irving's advice is refreshingly straightforward: Don't wait for permission to speak up. You're in the room for a reason. And while you're there, support other women. As she puts it, the more we uplift each other, the stronger we all become. READ MORE More From Skift Meetings Al Hutchinson Stepping Down as CEO of Visit Baltimore 10 Ways to Save on Meeting Costs Without Attendees Even Noticing Exhibition Industry Projects Strong Growth Through 2025 How to Design Inclusive Events Money-Saving Menu Changes Your Attendees Won't Notice Setting Boundaries at Work: 10 Strategies For Planners VIRTUAL SUMMIT AI & the Future of Events Say ahead of the technological curve. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how AI is transforming the events industry from the experts who are leading the change. REGISTER NOW Elsewhere in the News San Diego Tourism Authority Names New President and CEO (San Diego Tourism Authority) Southwest Airlines to Lay Off 15% of Corporate Workforce in Cost-Cutting Push (Skift) A first look tour of the newly expanded Savannah Convention Center (Savannah Morning News) Airport Lounges Under Pressure: Can New Openings Restore Exclusivity? (Skift) PRESENTED BY SKIFT MEETINGS Skift IDEA Awards Four categories dedicated to meetings and events: Hotels Convention Centers and Other Venues Destination Marketing Organizations Event Technology Apply early to secure the best rates. INDUSTRY EVENTS CALENDAR IAPCO Annual Meeting and General Assembly Taipei, Taiwan | February 20 – 23 MPI European Meetings and Events Conference (EMEC) Istanbul, Turkey | February 22 – 25 ADMEI Annual Conferences Arlington, TX | February 23 – 25 Explore our full calendar of 2025 industry events here. To ensure there are no pauses in our communication, please add our email address to your contacts: meetings@skift.com. Skift, 35 W 31st St., Frnt 1, New York, NY 10001, USA, (516) 399-0304 Manage preferences