Industry Leaders Raise $1 Million at An Evening of Legacy and Leadership Honoring Brian D. Stevens

290 hospitality and meetings industry professionals gather in Las Vegas to celebrate Stevens’ legacy and support the next generation of industry leaders

Beverly Hills, CA (October 14, 2026) — Leaders from across the meetings, events, tourism and hospitality industries came together on October 11 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for An Evening of Legacy and Leadership, raising $1 million to benefit the Brian D. Stevens Hospitality Education Fund.

The event welcomed 290 industry professionals to celebrate the remarkable career and legacy of Brian D. Stevens, creator and Executive Chairman of ConferenceDirect, while supporting scholarships and educational opportunities for the next generation of hospitality and meetings industry leaders.

Throughout the evening, industry leaders took turns honoring Stevens as a friend, colleague and mentor, sharing heartfelt stories, laughter and expressions of gratitude. The celebration was emceed by Roger Dow, CEO of DOW GLOBAL and former President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, who guided guests through an evening reflecting on Stevens’ remarkable career and lasting influence on the meetings and hospitality industry.

A special video tribute featured Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International; Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, AAiP, President and CEO of ASAE; Paul Van Deventer, President and CEO of MPI; and Sherrif Karamat, CAE, President and CEO of PCMA and CEMA. Together, they reflected on Stevens’ extensive contributions to the meetings and events industry and his enduring commitment to collaboration, mentorship and leadership.

The evening also featured personal tributes and remarks from Mike Gamble, Chairman and CEO of SearchWide Global; Ray Bloom, Chairman of IMEX Group; Jerry Horan, President and CEO of ConferenceDirect; Marcy Hilecher, Senior Vice President of Global Accounts at ConferenceDirect; Elliott L. Ferguson II, President and CEO of Destination DC; Christopher J. Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton Worldwide; Robert C. Moore, Events Industry Council Hall of Leaders honoree; and Joe Popolo, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Each shared personal stories, well wishes and reflections on Stevens’ impact on their careers and the industry as a whole.

Among the distinguished guests was Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archbishop Emeritus of Los Angeles, whose attendance further highlighted the significance of the occasion.

For Stevens, the evening represented not only a celebration of his retirement and career, but also an opportunity to create a lasting impact on the industry through education and mentorship.

“The evening was humbling, seeing ASAE, PCMA, MPI and Destinations International come together with IMEX to give me a send-off into retirement with a lasting legacy through an educational scholarship fund.” said Brian Stevens, Executive Chairman of ConferenceDirect.

The event reflected a unique collaboration among leaders from some of the meetings and hospitality industry’s most influential organizations. Leadership from MPI, ASAE, Destinations International, PCMA and IMEX serve as founding members of the Brian D. Stevens Hospitality Education Fund, demonstrating a shared commitment to investing in the future of the industry.

Founding members of the Brian D. Stevens Hospitality Education Fund include:

• Ray Bloom, Chairman, IMEX Group
• Mike Gamble, Chairman and CEO, SearchWide Global
• Jerry Horan, President and CEO, ConferenceDirect
• Sherrif Karamat, President and CEO, PCMA
• Michelle Mason, President and CEO, ASAE
• Brian Stevens, Executive Chairman, ConferenceDirect
• Paul Van Deventer, President and CEO, MPI
• Don Welsh, President and CEO, Destinations International

The evening was further supported by a distinguished Host Committee representing organizations across the hospitality, meetings, tourism and business communities:

Christian Amsberry, Concierge Wealth; Amanda Armstrong, Encore; JoAnn Bedrosian Ryan, PCMA Foundation; Charles Bello, ConferenceDirect; Tom Blumenthal, GEARYS; Adam Burke, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board; Alex Capecelatro, Josh.ai; Scott Durkin, ConferenceDirect; Ben Erwin, Encore; Ross E. Heller, USAE Weekly News; Carrie Freeman Parsons, Freeman Company; Linda Hilton, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation; Danny Hughes, Hilton Worldwide; Brian Landers, ConferenceDirect; Michael Massari, Caesars Entertainment; David McAuley, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau; Lisa Messina, Visit Orlando; Chris Nassetta, Hilton Worldwide; Virna Navia, Visit Anaheim; Frank Passanante, Hilton Worldwide; Joe Popolo, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Julius Robinson, Marriott International; and Scott White, Visit Greater Palm Springs.

The $1 million raised through An Evening of Legacy and Leadership will support the Brian D. Stevens Hospitality Education Fund’s mission to expand scholarships and educational opportunities for students pursuing careers in hospitality, meetings, events and tourism. The fund aims to ensure that Stevens’ commitment to mentorship, professional development and giving back continues to inspire future generations of industry professionals.

Those who wish to support this mission and help invest in the next generation of hospitality leaders are encouraged to make a donation through the Brian D. Stevens Hospitality Education Fund’s website at www.bdshef.org. Contributions will help further the fund’s commitment to providing educational opportunities and supporting the future of the industry.