SPIN:Senior Professionals Industry Network has announced the 2018 recipients of the industry’s first recognition for veteran meeting planners - SPIN:40 Over 40. This initiative was created in 2017 to recognize and honor planners who are industry role models, influencers, innovators and pioneers.

“It was tough selecting only 40 people from the nominations,” said Tracey Smith, CMP, CMM, SPIN’s Executive Director. “The variety of work experience, volunteer efforts and industry advocacy this year’s group represents is truly outstanding.”

“It’s an honor to be one of the recipients of SPIN’s 2018 group of 40 over 40,” noted Sean Schuette, CMP of Schuette on Duty Solutions.

He added,“As one of the original members of SPIN, I know personally of the impact the organization has had on me in my development in the industry as well as the friends and peers I have made over the years. Having my industry colleagues deem my contributions worthy is awesome.”

Saira Banu Kianes, CMP, HMCC, who received multiple peer nominations, echoed that sentiment and added, “I am humbled that my industry colleagues recognized my efforts.”

2018 SPIN:40 Over 40 Winners

Jacki Abramowitz, CMP – JackiAEvents

Maralynn Adams, CMP – The Corporate Event Group LLC

Tom Anderson, CMP - Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA)

Saira Banu Kianes, CMP, HMCC - Banu Event Solutions & Training (B.E.S.T)

Shawn Barrie – evntdsgn

Elizabeth Brubaker, CMP - E.B. Event Planning

Bitsy Burns, CMP

Karen S. Charest, CGMP – WestEd

Deirdre L. Clemmons, CMP - ACI-NA

Adonia Coates, CAE, CMP - American Thyroid Association

Elizabeth Davis Peeler, CMP, CMM - D-P Planning Meetings & Events

Susan Delle Shaffette, CGMP - Team Dynamics LLC

Tyra Dyson, CMP - Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology

Carol Galle, CMP - Special D Events

Cheryl Gentry - Glow Global Events

LoriAnn K.  Harnish, CMP, CMM, CTA, CED - Speaking of Meetings

Lynda Hoff, CMP, CMM - Ontario Nurses' Association

Linda Hurtley - Linwood Group

Stephanie Jones, CMP, CAE - Water Environment Federation

Jo-El Lacy, CMP - Lacy Event Consulting

Renee J.  Lewis, CMP - Infinity Management Group LLC

James (Jim) Louis, CMP, CAE - Best Meetings Inc.

Miya Macken, CMP - Bishop-McCann

Francesca Mingione, CMP – IEEE

Rebecca Moreland Green - The Moreland Group

Susan "Sue" Morris, CMP - Essemm Events & Communication Inc.

Linda Nelson, CMP - To Plan Ahead

Kathie Niesen, CMP - KMN Meetings and Events

Louise Olson, CMP - Zest Events Inc

Judy Payne, CMP - GameStop, Inc.

Wendy Porter - Wendy Porter Events, LLC

Garland Preddy, CGMP - Society of Government Meeting Professionals

Dana Rhoden, CMP, CMM - Veterinary Education Network

Paula Rigling, CMP - Meeting Planning Professionals

Sean R.  Schuette, CMP - Schuette on Duty Solutions, LLC

Flavia St. Clair - PCM & Associates

Valerie Sumner - VRS Meetings & Events, Inc.

Wayne Wallgren, CIS - Worldwide Incentives

Julie Wong, CMP - The Event Concierge

Kathleen Zwart, CMP- KAZwart Meeting Management

The 40 honorees will each receive complimentary registration for SPINCon 2018 (one for the honoree, and one for their nominator or a fellow qualified planner with 10 or more years experience), and they will be recognized at the conference in a ceremony amongst their peers.

SPINCon 2018 will be held at The Don Cesar in St. Petersburg, Florida, Nov. 11-13.