To mark 10 years of supporting women in meetings, Smart Woman Summit advanced a legacy of authentic leadership at JW Marriott Tampa Water Street this week. The result was proof that when a community comes together to lift each other up, real change is possible.
A Decade of Celebrating Excellence
First, some history. Smart Meetings Founder Marin Bright started the Smart Women in Meetings Awards 10 years ago when she realized as the only female founder of a meetings media company, she was uniquely positioned to open the door for hard-working women who wanted to contribute at the highest levels.
This year, ASAE CEO Michelle Mason was awarded the Marin Bright Legacy Award for her dedication to the association community, innovation and creating real impact.
Read More: A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Marin Bright
Hosting the anniversary in historic Tampa Bay was a natural. The vibrant, sunny destination is rich in diversity and culture. JW Marriott Tampa Water Street added the shine with elegant ballrooms and thoughtful catering from morning to gala dinner night.
Brave Leadership
Getting ahead doesn’t have to mean leaving your true self behind. Rebel in a Gown speaker Shelley Brown encouraged a courageous approach to contributing that didn’t require perfectionism, victimhood or a military degree. Her recipe for how to lead with heart looked something like this:
- Love your legacy
- Embrace the humanity
- Abandon the armor
- Do it differently
“That is how you break the hard rules,” she said.
Read More: The 2025 Smart Women in Meetings Awards
Chart an Original Course
One thing authentic leadership is not is safe. As Emilia Rose Earhart, the pilot who reenacted her namesake’s course around the world in a single-engine aircraft as pilot in command, explained, “The aircraft that never experiences turbulence is one that stays locked up in a hangar.” She encouraged everyone to embrace the turbulence and follow their own internal compass to chart their personal legacy.
Naomi Clare, founder of Storycraft Lab, translated attendees’ belonging stories into colorful interpretations of how they are motivated. “Event designers are uniquely positioned to build belonging with intention, curiosity and creativity, and generate measurable impact for audience engagement,” said Clare.
Career Enhancers
In addition to inspirational boosts, the day was filled with practical tips for moving forward powerfully.
- Quinn Conyers coached on crafting memorable verbal business cards leveraging luxury language.
- Smart Women in Meetings winner Lisa Kaszubski, CMP, MCLC, who transitioned from hospitality to serving as a certified coach with Sister, We Hear You, encouraged women to spotlight their internal wins, free of the expectations or validation of others.
- Sherron Washington, M.A., founder and CEO of The P3 Solution, demonstrated the power of speaking up without apology as leadership rather than self-promotion.
At the end of the day, the Smart Women in Meetings Awards Gala left the room feeling connected, supported and empowered. That was just the way Marin Bright envisioned it.
