When Politics and Values Collide: Navigating Potential Calls to Boycott A Destination

Thomas F. (Tommy) Goodwin is Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), a newly-formed association dedicated to the advancement of the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA’s advocacy and member engagement work on behalf the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, show and event organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the global business events landscape. 
 
Prior to joining ECA, Tommy spent more than 20 years leading a wide range of social impact, public affairs, and international engagement efforts for several globally-recognized associations and corporations, including Oracle, AARP, and the Project Management Institute (PMI). Additionally, he was a research fellow at Harvard Business School focused on the international political and legal environment in which businesses and social enterprises operate. 
 
Tommy has a B.B.A. from The George Washington University, an M.B.A. from Auburn University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in European Union Law from King’s College London. He also holds a Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), where he was elected as a Fellow in 2022, and a Project Management Professional certification from PMI. 
 
Recognized by The Hill in its 2020, 2021, and 2022 list of association “Top Lobbyists,” Tommy is a past president of the National Institute of Lobbying & Ethics and a past chair of ASAE’s Government Relations and Advocacy Professionals Advisory Council. He is a frequent author and speaker on a wide range of government relations, public policy, and international association management topics. 

Beth Surmont is obsessed with events. With on-the-ground experience spanning more than 20 years in corporate and non-profit events and trade shows; and as the current Vice President of Event Strategy & Design at 360 Live Media; Beth is an influential designer in shaping what the next era of events will be. Her approach of audience-centered design combined with purposeful intention is the secret to creating meaningful and impactful events that advance the organization and accelerate the industry it serves. It’s Beth’s job to be a project manager, experience designer, content curator, storyteller, motivator, leader, behind-the-scenes cheerleader, logistics director, contract negotiator, researcher, trend analyzer, innovator, visionary, partner, builder, thinker, problem-solver, entrepreneur, and customer service specialist, sometimes all within the space of a single day. Beth was recently listed as one of BizBash’s 500 Most Influential People in Events for 2021.

Nneka St. Gerard, CMP has over 15 years of experience in the meetings and events industry. Nneka began their career in 2004 as a Meeting Planner with America’s Essential Hospitals. In 2007, they joined the American Intellectual Property Law Association as a Meeting Planner, where they assisted in the execution of 3 major annual meetings and collaborated with committee leaders in budgeting, planning, and implementing 4 seminars and 5 award programs. Nneka then returned to America’s Essential Hospitals in 2008 as a Director of Meetings and Education, where they served as project director for 15-20 in-person events and educational programs annually. Nneka also developed and oversaw the entire meeting planning function for the association and Institute meetings, including logistics, administration, budget development and financial management, and speaker selection/management. In 2019, Nneka joined The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine as Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Director, Meetings. In this role, they developed strategy and oversaw planning of the Annual Pregnancy Meeting\u2122 (2,800 attendees), working closely with the program committee to craft the Society\u2019s meeting program. Nneka was also responsible for managing and redesigning the complex abstract submission process, including vendor selection, volunteer reviewer management, and tracking, analyzing and presenting data. Furthermore, they developed and produced general and plenary sessions, collaborating with third-party partners to create dynamic event experiences.

Nneka St. Gerard, CMP has a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in International Relations and Affairs from Lincoln University, which they obtained between 1997 and 2001. Nneka also holds a Pandemic Meeting & Event Design certification from the Event Leadership Institute, which they obtained in May 2021. Additionally, they are a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) from the Convention Industry Council, which they obtained in January 2011.

Robin Troutman is currently the Deputy Director of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) since 2015.  There she manages the day-to-day operations of the organization including meeting and event planning and member services. Previously, Robin has served in a number of administrative and operational roles in both the for profit and non-profit sectors. She specializes in organizational management and events management. Robin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Management with a focus on nonprofit management.  Robin is the current PCMA Capital Chapter DEI Committee Co-chair for the 2023 calendar year and looks forward to continuing in different ways with the chapter.  Robin received her CMP designation in October 2023.  She lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband, 2 boys, 2 dogs, and a bird.

With over 20 years of industry experience, Howard is a widely recognized expert and innovator in the field of special events, meetings and small business growth strategy. Howard is the Founder and Executive Director of the Event Leadership Institute, provider of best-in-class training and education for the events industry, through online, on-demand video classes, interviews with industry leaders, white papers, webinars and live events.

Howard is the founder of Paint The Town Red, Inc., and the former CEO of North America for Global Events Group, the 13th largest event agency in the world, which acquired Paint The Town Red in 2008. During his tenure the company won over 30 industry awards. He is a Past President of the ILEA (International Live Events Associate) NY Metro Chapter; has served on the board of directors of MPI (Meeting Professionals International) Greater NY Chapter as VP of Education; has served on the Advisory Board of Special Events Magazine; been a judge of the Gala Awards & HSMAI’s Adrian Awards.

He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences on a wide range of topics. He currently writes the monthly In Business column for Event Solutions magazine. He has been profiled in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, National Public Radio, ABC News, The Apprentice, and USA Today, in addition to numerous trade media.