Kevin Iwamoto, GLP, GTP

CONTRIBUTION: DEI advocacy and industry scholarship support
Responding to the disturbing rash of hate crimes against people of Asian descent in the U.S., Iwamoto is one of several API meetings and events leaders who have stepped up to address both the violence and also counter what is described as the “invisibility” and lack of leadership opportunities for Asians in the industry. Iwamoto has also personally funded several scholarships via MPI that help create access to education and… Show more

CONTRIBUTION: DEI advocacy and industry scholarship support
Responding to the disturbing rash of hate crimes against people of Asian descent in the U.S., Iwamoto is one of several API meetings and events leaders who have stepped up to address both the violence and also counter what is described as the “invisibility” and lack of leadership opportunities for Asians in the industry. Iwamoto has also personally funded several scholarships via MPI that help create access to education and industry events for junior and DEI industry professionals. He also funds a scholarship endowment for the University of Hawaii’s Travel Industry Management school. Show less

Celebrating their 50th year anniversary, MPI conducted a membership poll and the top 50 leaders and members were selected and named to this prestigeous list of individuals.

For its fourth edition, this year’s feature focuses on the meeting and event industry’s trailblazers, trendsetters and up-and-comers. The influential executives, board members and department heads featured are at the helm of some of the nation’s top events (think massive trade shows, galas, conferences, corporate bashes, pop-culture conventions and festivals, sporting events and multimillion-dollar weddings—just to scratch the surface), while others continue to innovate with steal-worthy food… Show more

For its fourth edition, this year’s feature focuses on the meeting and event industry’s trailblazers, trendsetters and up-and-comers. The influential executives, board members and department heads featured are at the helm of some of the nation’s top events (think massive trade shows, galas, conferences, corporate bashes, pop-culture conventions and festivals, sporting events and multimillion-dollar weddings—just to scratch the surface), while others continue to innovate with steal-worthy food and beverage concepts, state-of-the-art event technology, cutting-edge design, out-of-the-box entertainment and noteworthy strategies. Show less

Introducing the BizBash 1,000, the people with the biggest impact on meetings and events across the United States. Last year, it was difficult to keep ourselves to just 500 people in our first edition of the list. So we decided to double the amount of people to celebrate. These individuals plan everything from galas for national art museums to massive trade shows, pop culture conventions, and festivals. They also produce and design Instagram-worthy events for big brands, live music productions,… Show more

Introducing the BizBash 1,000, the people with the biggest impact on meetings and events across the United States. Last year, it was difficult to keep ourselves to just 500 people in our first edition of the list. So we decided to double the amount of people to celebrate. These individuals plan everything from galas for national art museums to massive trade shows, pop culture conventions, and festivals. They also produce and design Instagram-worthy events for big brands, live music productions, and sporting events, as well as multi-million-dollar weddings. Some of them offer innovative (and mouthwatering) food and beverage ideas, while others provide education programs and strategy tips that benefit everyone in the industry. It was our mission to celebrate the best of the best in a diverse and growing industry, while offering a compilation of people to connect with for ideas, inspiration, or guidance for your future events. Show less

Listed in the Strategy and Leadership Group

Recognizing only 25 people who are standout contributors to the betterment of the meetings industry is a difficult task in any year. But recent goings-on have made the task particularly difficult this year. From extreme weather, to the #MeToo movement, to third-party commission restructuring, it's been a busy 12 months. That's why we're glad to have had help in putting this list together. In addition to the editors of the Northstar Meetings Group brainstorming candidates, we gather input from… Show more

Recognizing only 25 people who are standout contributors to the betterment of the meetings industry is a difficult task in any year. But recent goings-on have made the task particularly difficult this year. From extreme weather, to the #MeToo movement, to third-party commission restructuring, it's been a busy 12 months. That's why we're glad to have had help in putting this list together. In addition to the editors of the Northstar Meetings Group brainstorming candidates, we gather input from select industry luminaries, got opinions from last year's honorees and polled our readers to let anyone from the industry at large be part of the process.

This list is all about identifying key influencers, and we would like to thank everyone who influenced us during the creation of this list. Lastly, we would like to congratulate everyone who made the list this year. - Successful Meetings Show less

We chose the word changemaker to describe our cover story subjects because these 20 individuals aren't just managers or team leaders or decision-makers. Changemakers have the ability to transform the way that their departments and companies operate and the way that their industry evolves. These people in the meetings business who have done the most to advance their roles beyond logistics and to develop strategic meetings management programs within their companies.

The MPI RISE Award for Meetings Industry Leadership honors individuals who, by visionary hard work and creative insight, have positively changed the global meeting and event industry. It recognizes sustained commitment and substantial contributions to the meeting and event community, and nominations are accepted from peer individuals, communities, or organizations.

GBTA's 2016 Top 100 Masters of Business Travel - Past President Honoree

Online Travel Services - Overall – Blog category

Online Travel Services - Overall – Blog category

Voted as "Stickiest Speaker Guru" by the attendees of CTW Asia in Bangkok, Thailand.

o Established in 1992, the School of Travel Industry Management (TIM) created the Alumni Hall of Honor to recognize graduates of the school who have distinguished themselves and brought honor to their alma mater through exemplary professional achievement, dedicated service to their communities and support for the TIM School.

Best Industry Blog - Online Category