Stuart Ruff-Lyon is the Chief Events and Sales Officer at RIMS where he leads a team of event and sales professionals. Stuart has worked in the hospitality and events industry for more than 20 years, with experience in planning international events and global citywide conventions.
Stuart is very active in the events industry and is a passionate advocate that business events drive community, commerce, and connection. He served as the Chairman of the Board for PCMA (2020). A frequent speaker at industry events, Stuart has presented at local PCMA chapter events and at ASAE, PCMA, CEIR Predict, and IAEE. Stuart serves as an advisory board member for Miami, San Francisco, Chicago, Anaheim, Dallas, Philadelphia, Denver, the Georgia World Congress Center, and Omni Hotels.
Stuart was named a Meeting Planner of the Year by Smart Meetings magazine (2022). Other accolades include Meetings Professional of the Year from the New York Society of Association Executives (2020), Show Manager of the Year from the Expo Group (2017), Meetings Trendsetter from Meetings.net (2016), Industry Change Maker from Meetings and Conventions Magazine (2015), and a Top 40 Under 40 Event Professional by Collinson Media (2011).
Stuart will serve as the Executive in Residence for the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at San Diego State University for the 2024 Spring Semester.
