Career Lessons for Event Professionals: Leadership, Resilience and Growth

In this episode of What One Thing, Smart Meetings' VP and editorial director, JT Long, sits down with Shawn Pierce, President of Strategic Events, Meetings & Incentives at MCI USA, to trace his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings on a Texas pig farm to leading a 130-person global team.

Shawn shares the pivotal moment when a mentor saw potential in him that changed his life and how that spark of belief continues to fuel his passion for mentoring future leaders. The conversation dives into:

💡 Why resilience is the defining skill for modern event professionals
💡 The power of mentorship in shaping careers and industries
💡 How to lead through uncertainty and develop teams who thrive under pressure
💡 Real talk on “doer to leader” transitions and why teachers make the best executives
💡 Building a sustainable pipeline of talent in the meetings industry

Whether you're a seasoned planner or just stepping into the field, this episode offers timeless insights on navigating career pivots, cultivating talent and finding purpose in leadership.

🔗 Listen now and discover the one thing that made all the difference in Shawn’s journey and could transform yours.

Transcript

JT Long
Welcome back to What One Thing, a Smart Meetings podcast. I'm JT Long, vice president and editorial director here at Smart Meetings, and I’m so excited today. We have such a treat. I’m here with Shawn Pierce, president of Strategic Events, Meetings & Incentives at MCI USA. He leads a 130-person team delivering innovative solutions for meetings and incentives, with more than 30 years of experience.

Shawn, we’re in some wild times, and I want to dig into how to thrive through them. But first, tell us—how did you become “Mr. MCI”? Did you grow up knowing this is what you wanted to do?

Shawn Pierce
Thanks for having me, JT. You're right—these are crazy, innovative times, but also full of opportunity. I grew up on a pig farm in rural East Texas. My nearest neighbor was over a mile away. I have four brothers. My mom says we grew up a bit feral—definitely all boys on the farm. But I always knew I wanted something more. I just didn’t know what.

I went to the University of Texas in Austin because I thought I wanted to go into politics. I wanted to make a difference. But eventually, I pivoted into tech, and from there—like many people—I ended up in the events industry by accident.

I was working in technology when I got hired by Miller Freeman in the ’90s—the largest trade show company at the time. We acquired a company called Precision Planning and Sales in Euless, Texas, and I was asked to help integrate it. That’s where I met Galen Poss and Michael Green.

After a few months, Galen said something that changed my life. He said, “You could do more. You could have a career, not just a job.” That really blew my mind. It opened me up to this industry and its potential.

JL
That’s what What One Thing is all about—those pivot points that change everything. You had someone step in, see your potential, and offer you something bigger.

SP
Exactly. Galen saw that I was adaptable, a self-starter, and eager to take responsibility. I didn’t understand it at the time, but I learned quickly that he was right.

Since then, I’ve focused my career on identifying those same qualities in others—people who may not have a traditional education, but have the right mindset and drive to thrive in this industry. We’re not hiring CPAs. We need people who can manage the moving parts of events and incentives with creativity and resilience.

JL
And it sounds like you’re passionate about paying that forward.

SP
Absolutely. I tell my team all the time: we’re teachers now. You might be running a show or an entire division, but your job is to teach. Knowledge in this industry doesn’t get passed on through manuals—it’s hands-on, person-to-person.

You have to give people room to try, to make small mistakes, and to learn through experience. We want our interns, for example, doing real work—on-site schedules, floor plans, registration logistics—because that’s where growth happens.

JL
That idea really resonates with me. I recently had to shift roles after losing a longtime colleague. I loved being a doer, but now I lead a team of doers—and sometimes they do things better than I would have.

SP
That’s the sign of a strong leader. Letting go is hard, especially when you love the work. But now, with the pace of innovation—AI tools, data integration, tech platforms—we have so many more resources. I envy the tools today’s event pros have!

But leadership today is about knocking down barriers so your team can do their best work. And when things go wrong—as they inevitably do—it’s about adapting and overcoming.

JL
Let’s talk about that resilience. That’s the skill every planner needs today, right?

SP
Yes. In 2019, no one imagined what was coming. By 2020, we all thought it was going to be our best year ever—and then the pandemic hit. Now in 2025, we face uncertainty again.

At MCI, we use the VUCA framework: Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity. We actively assess risk factors like international travel restrictions, visa issues, even surprise motorcades blocking venues. The key is to have data, communicate clearly, and respond quickly. You can’t sit in the back office. You’ve got to own the responsibility.

JL
Do you feel optimistic about the future?

SP
I do. The fundamentals of our economy are strong. We’ve got great innovations coming, but we also need to be cautious. Don’t overextend. Communicate constantly. And above all, keep your long-term strategy in mind, even while managing short-term volatility.

JL
Planners don’t love uncertainty—but knowing they can build resilience helps.

SP
Agreed. And personality fit matters, too. Most planners and suppliers are Type A—they want things done right, done fast, done their way. But collaboration works better when we focus on the why, not just the how.

JL
So, what’s your one thing—the lesson that’s made all the difference?

SP
Be a mentor—and seek one. If you're a leader, give someone a shot. Maybe they’re in marketing today, but they might be an amazing account exec tomorrow. Give them the opportunity to explore.

If you’re early in your career, find someone to learn from. Be honest. Ask questions. Take ownership. If someone gives you a shot, own the responsibility. Don’t rely on them to do the work for you—show them that they were right to believe in you.

JL
So well said. And it goes both ways—we can all learn from each other.

SP
Absolutely. At MCI, we have a formal mentor program that matches colleagues from across the globe. Last year, I worked with a young planner in Spain. It was eye-opening for both of us.

JL
Shawn Pierce, it has been a pleasure chatting with you. I hope to see you on a show floor soon.

SP
Thanks, JT. It’s been great being on the show.