The convention and conference industries are an economic powerhouse that often operates in the background, largely unnoticed despite its significant contributions to local economies.
While major events like concerts and festivals capture headlines, conferences and conventions bring millions of dollars into cities like Washington, D.C., fueling businesses across multiple industries. Yet, this sector remains overlooked.
Tabitha Jenkins, a seasoned professional at EAG, an event planning and management company, sheds light on the industry’s impact and its evolving landscape. Jenkins’ journey into the industry was the complete opposite of conventional.
“We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock. Plymouth Rock landed on us,” she says with a laugh, paraphrasing Malcolm X. “That’s how I feel about conference and meeting planning—it landed on me! I worked in an entirely different field for years and never imagined myself here.” A career shift brought her into publishing, where she discovered association-based conferences and expos. What began as a way to manage publications better soon became a passion for the world of event management.
One of the biggest misconceptions, Jenkins notes, is that conference planning is effortless. “If you have a great event planner, it looks seamless—but don’t be fooled. No one wakes up pretty, and shows don’t either,” she states with passion. “It takes a lot of work to look this good.” Despite the logistical and financial scope of these events, the professionals behind them rarely get public recognition. “Do you know the choreographers, or just the dancers? At the end of a movie, you see five minutes of credits, but most people only remember the top three actors. That’s how event management works. We make it happen, but our names are buried in the scrolling credits.”
Jenkins offers a compelling analogy to illustrate the industry’s economic footprint. “Think about when Beyoncé comes to town. Every lash tech, nail tech, and hairstylist within a 30-mile radius gets booked. Conferences work the same way,” Jenkins describes. “Attendees spend money in the city—on hotels, restaurants, ride shares, and entertainment. That spending fuels local businesses and keeps people employed.” Washington, DC, a major hub for conferences, benefits tremendously from this business boost. Hotels and venues see massive bookings, restaurants experience increased foot traffic, and even gig economy workers thrive during major events.
The pandemic reshaped the event landscape, pushing virtual and hybrid conferences to the forefront. This shift has caused professionals like Jenkins to ask different questions, “Before 2020, sitting on six Zoom calls a day was unheard of. Now, remote learning and virtual meetings are the norm. That’s changed how we design events. We’re asking: Why do people need to attend in person? What can they experience that they can’t get online?” She emphasizes how data analyses play a major role in event planning. “We track where attendees go, how long they stay, and what interests them most. Attendee behavior is shifting, and we have to evolve with them,” Jenkins explains. “That also applies to the organization. Every client is different, and understanding their unique audience is key. You can’t create meaningful events without embracing diversity—representation matters.”
Jenkins is also passionate about increasing Black representation in the industry. “There aren’t many Black-owned event planning companies, yet so many minority organizations need event support. This career found me, but I wish I had found it sooner. I didn’t even know this world existed. That’s why I mentor others—to bring more people into the space.”
For Black professionals interested in the event industry, she offers this advice: “Find mentors. Join organizations that support Black meeting planners. We don’t gate-keep—we welcome new talent. There are so many opportunities here, and we need more of us at the table.”
As the industry rebounds and adapts to a changing world, one thing is clear: conferences and conventions are more than just gatherings. They are economic engines, career gateways, and catalysts for connection. Find the Tabitha Jenkins when you attend your next conference and say Thank You for the business!