20 Meetings Trendsetters Who Stepped Up When Their Industry Needed Them Most

From a global pandemic that decimated the hospitality industry to a police killing that sparked protests and activisim across the nation and the world, 2020 is a year no one who lived through it will forget.

To recognize the magnitude of these two events, we decided to “change the rules” of our annual Meetings Trendsetters to focus on the people who rose up during these challenging times. (Listed in no particular order...)

7. Clara Carter

President & Founder // Multi-Cultural Convention Services Network

Contribution: Champion for multicultural tourism and diversity

Clara Carter is a seasoned meetings and events manager with more than 20 years of experience promoting multicultural tourism and diversity. In 2015, she created the Women in Tourism and Hospitality (WITH) program to promote an inclusive culture that values and appreciates women with different points of view in the industry.

WITH has grown to include a national two-day conference and a scholarship for students pursuing a career in meeting and event planning. Carter is also a community leader, business consultant and an instructor at San Diego State University for its Meeting and Event Planning Extended Studies program. 

In March, the 2020 Women in Tourism and Hospitality National Conference was abruptly cancelled due to COVID-19. In response, Carter instituted free, weekly WITH Zoom conversations on the topic “Where Do WE Go From Here." She hosts a number of past and present C-suite women in tourism as well as the organization’s male executives to speak on a relevant topic of interest. So far, guest C-suite presenters have included the CEO of Port of San Diego, the CEO of SeaWorld San Diego, the COO of the San Diego Convention Center, the CEO of TD Jakes Foundation and hotelier and CEO of RAR Hospitality. The conversations are a way to thank WITH’s conference supporters and registrants for their support and patience amid the pandemic.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: https://www.meetingstoday.com/articles/142396/20-trendsetters-2020