Joan Eisenstodt, an Ohio native, moved to Washington, DC in 1978. In June,1981, she founded Eisenstodt Associates, LLC, a DC-based meeting consulting, facilitation and training company. Joan has immersed herself in the hospitality industry and is considered one of its most knowledgeable practitioners.
She works diligently to create more inclusive, safe, and accessible events and negotiate fairly for clients and vendors. Joan serves as a hospitality industry expert witness in disputes often involving event attrition and cancellation. In 2020, Meetings Today named Joan a “Trendsetter” for her contributions to knowledge about COVID-19.
Joan has been honored by the hospitality industry including induction into the Events Industry Council Hall of Leaders, the industry’s highest honor; recognized for life-time achievement as an educator by the PCMA Foundation, for contributions to education by IACC, NSA (speakers not spies!) and HSMAI. Joan for years was a regular columnist for first MeetingNews and then Meetings Today.
Outside of work, Joan loves to read fiction, non-fiction, periodicals and newspapers (in print!); go to the theatre when it’s possible; watch British, Finnish, Welsh and other police/detective dramas and mysteries; and hang out with her spouse and their rescue cats. On Myers-Briggs she’s an INFP; on StrengthsFinders: Connectedness, Intellection, Learner, Ideation and Strategy are indicative of who she is and how she works.
