Industry Leaders Unite for “An Evening of Legacy and Leadership” Benefiting the Brian D. Stevens Hospitality Education Fund

Beverly Hills, CA (June 12, 2026 ) — Hospitality and meetings industry leaders from across the country will gather at Caesars Entertainment in Las Vegas for An Evening of Legacy and Leadership, a special fundraising event benefiting the Brian D. Stevens Hospitality Education Fund. The event will take place on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM at Caesars Entertainment, located at 3570 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Paradise, NV.

Founded by Brian Stevens, creator and Executive Chairman of ConferenceDirect, the Brian D. Stevens Hospitality Education Fund was established to support the next generation of hospitality and meetings professionals through scholarships, mentorship, and educational opportunities. The fund reflects Stevens’ enduring commitment to developing future leaders and strengthening the hospitality industry for years to come.

“Brian Stevens has always believed in giving back and lifting others as they grow in this industry,” said Mike Gamble, Chairman and CEO of SearchWide Global and Michelle Mason, President & CEO of ASAE. “That spirit is at the heart of this event, which will bring us together to celebrate mentorship, meaningful relationships, and the shared commitment that makes hospitality so special. As founding members of the Brian D. Stevens Hospitality Education Fund, we are proud to help this vision come to life and to host an event that honors Brian’s legacy of generosity and leadership.”

The event also highlights the collaboration and shared commitment of the hospitality industry’s leading organizations, including MPI, ASAE, Destinations International (DI), PCMA, and IMEX, whose leaders serve as founding members of the Brian D. Stevens Hospitality Education Fund. Together, these organizations are helping champion the next generation of hospitality and meeting professionals through education, mentorship, and industry support.

The evening will bring together influential executives, industry innovators, and hospitality professionals for an elegant night of connection and purpose.

Table purchases for An Evening of Legacy and Leadership for $10,000 are available now. Individual event tickets for $1,000 will be available beginning July 13, 2026. Proceeds from the event will support the Brian D. Stevens Hospitality Education Fund and its mission to empower the next generation of hospitality and meetings industry leaders through scholarships and educational opportunities. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit An Evening of Legacy and Leadership.

The event is supported by an esteemed group of founding members and host committee leaders representing some of the most respected organizations in hospitality, meetings, tourism, and business leadership.

Founding Members Include:

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

Host Committee Includes:

Christian Amsberry, Founder & Financial Planner, Concierge Wealth
Amanda Armstrong, Senior Vice President, Encore
JoAnn Bedrosian Ryan, Senior Director, PCMA Foundation
Charles Bello, Senior Vice President / Team Director, ConferenceDirect
Tom Blumenthal, President & CEO, GEARYS
Adam Burke, President & CEO, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
Alex Capecelatro, Chief Executive Officer, Josh.ai
Scott Durkin, Vice President, Marketing Programs, ConferenceDirect
Ben Erwin, Chief Executive Officer, Encore
Ross E. Heller, Publisher & Executive Editor, USAE Weekly News
Carrie Freeman Parsons, Chair of The Board, Freeman Company
Linda Hilton, Chair of the Board of Directors, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Danny Hughes, President, Americas, Hilton Worldwide
Brian Landers, Senior Vice President / Team Director, ConferenceDirect
Michael Massari, Chief Sales Officer, Caesars Entertainment
David McAuley, Senior Director, Washington, D.C. and Chicago Area, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, Visit Orlando
Chris Nassetta, President & CEO, Hilton Worldwide
Virna Navia, Vice President-Intermediary Strategy, Visit Anaheim
Frank Passanante, Global Head of Sales & HRCC, Hilton Worldwide
Joe Popolo, Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, United States of America
Stephen Revetria, President, Giants Enterprises
Julius Robinson, COO, Western US & Gaylord Hotels Nationwide, Marriott International
Scott White, President & CEO, Visit Greater Palm Springs