Log In
Members of PCMA’s 20 in Their Twenties class of 2020 already have proven to be leaders, putting their own mark on the business events industry. Joy McIntyre, CMP, event manager for SPIRE Events DC in Washington, D.C., shares her thoughts about the industry.
What do you like most about your job?
I love the beautiful venue I have the pleasure of representing. SPIRE is a premier rooftop conference center in DC and has been open for a little more than two years now. Being able to promote the wonderful views and spaces, in addition to engaging with great clients every day, makes the job so much more fun. What I like most about my job is getting a chance to make others have an experience they will never forget.
What do you like most about the industry?
I love how our industry is so versatile and ever-changing. There are so many different types of people, groups, and places that we get to encounter and interact with all the time. Events bring people from different walks of life together in one place, creating powerful experiences. Events provide an opportunity for people to collaborate, learn, and inspire one another on so many occasions. The best part of our industry is that we have the opportunity to showcase our creative abilities within our events. We get the chance to put a personal spin on different topics/goals, and embed creativity to deliver bold, dynamic experiences.
What’s one — or more — event trends you have your eye on?
Sustainability is the trend I have been following for quite some time now. Our planet is going through a lot and to be honest, if we are not helping we are hurting it. Events can generate large amounts of waste, but there are so many ways we can reduce this. A lot of groups have been incorporating things such as water coolers with branded tumblers, digital signage vs. print, and even cutting down on transportation waste. I think that it is important for more groups and even for other industries to actively participate in incorporating sustainable efforts into everyday life because the issue is so much bigger than many people think.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
There are many things I hope to accomplish along my career path, with an ultimate end goal to obtain my own event venue(s). I want to be an integral component in the D.C. event network and play a part in making it a premier event destination. By working on both the planner and supplier sides of the industry, I plan to expose myself to the many learning opportunities from each aspect of this industry along the way. Five years from now I will have 10 years in the industry under my belt. At that point I hope to be at a director level, seen as someone with deep expertise and relatable experiences that I can share with others. The director level would provide the opportunity to guide and assist other event professionals all while continuing to evolve and learn from my counterparts.
Members of PCMA’s 20 in Their Twenties class of 2020 will be recognized on stage at PCMA Convening Leaders 2020, Jan. 5-8, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Check out the complete program and register for Convening Leaders today.