TSE 2026年度“值得关注的女性”Monique Abed专访：助力Ai4展会规模翻三倍

CHICAGO — In the November 2026 issue of Trade Show Executive (TSE) Magazine, we spotlighted the year’s TSE Women to Watch.

These 10 leaders were selected for their achievements and impact in their organizations and the events industry at large and recognized at the 2026 TSE Gold 100 Awards & Summit.

Throughout November, we are publishing full-length conversations with each member of this distinguished group, starting with Monique Abed, CMP.

As Senior Director of Operations at Ai4, Abed has helped the event triple in size and navigate venue space constraints due to record-breaking attendance and exhibitor demand.

TSE connected with Abed to discuss her work, the future of the events industry and her approach to leadership.

ANDREW: Can you tell us how you landed in the trade show industry and what has kept you here?

MONIQUE: I didn’t have the most linear path into the industry. Very early in my career, I worked for a nonprofit where we produced several events each year.

I found myself looking forward to those projects, and they quickly became my favorite part of the job. From there, I made the leap to culinary school, where I trained as a professional chef.

I thought, “Why not combine my lifelong love of cooking with event planning?” But I learned early on that I didn’t want to stand in a kitchen for 12 hours a day.

What I really loved was being front of house, working with clients to elevate their experience, focusing on the details and bringing an event to life. From that point, there was no looking back!

I’ve had a multifaceted career in events, working on the venue, in-house, agency and client sides across nonprofit, for-profit, academic, theater and arts, corporate and social events.

It has given me a well-stocked tool belt of skills and deep insights that support my everyday work.

I’m so grateful to have found my way here.

ANDREW: Can you describe how you helped Ai4 when it faced significant venue space constraints while accommodating record-breaking attendance and exhibitor demand in 2025?

MONIQUE: Ai4 has experienced really exciting, exponential growth. We’ve seen 50% attendance growth and almost as much growth on the exhibitor and sponsor side.

The past couple of years have been a great example of how events are most definitely a team sport. It took a whole-team effort to look at the event and determine how to make it work, and I’m really proud of how collaborative that process has been.

We had to scale intentionally to accommodate the incredible amount of growth, carefully considering how we laid out the space and managed attendee flow while continually adding sessions, experiences and new ways to improve the attendee experience.

When you’re working at this scale, the attendee experience isn’t owned by one person or department. Every decision has an impact on someone or something else.

Coming together to solve challenges creatively is what makes the magic happen and the event successful.

ANDREW: What are some of the skills that have helped you move up in your organization, and how do you refine those skills?

MONIQUE: Communication, relationship-building and adaptability have been essential to my growth. In events, success depends on bringing together people with different priorities from internal teams and leadership to venues, vendors, exhibitors and attendees, and creating clarity around a shared goal.

I’ve learned that being a strong communicator means listening, asking the right questions, understanding what motivates people and clearly communicating expectations. Years of running events have also taught me to remain calm, decisive and solutions-focused when things change.

No matter how carefully you plan, there will always be unexpected challenges, and adaptability has allowed me to respond without losing sight of the attendee and business experience.

I continue to refine these skills by seeking feedback, learning from every event and reflecting on what worked and what could be improved.

Most importantly, I believe being a great teammate is just as important as being a great manager. Leadership is not simply directing others; it’s earning trust, sharing responsibility, working alongside your team and contributing to an environment where everyone can succeed.

ANDREW: What is your motivation to continue striving for excellence in your work?

MONIQUE: One of my core values is to always do my best. I operate with a mindset of excellence and I believe we should never stop finding ways to improve and become better versions of ourselves in everything we do.

I’ve never come to the end of an event and thought, “That’s it, that’s the best we can do.” I’m always thinking about how we can continue to make Ai4 better for our attendees, vendors, speakers and team.

It’s also incredibly important to me to model a strong work ethic and a desire to continually evolve and learn for my kids.

ANDREW: How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout? How do you encourage others to do the same?

MONIQUE: I’ve learned that balance isn’t something that just happens. You have to be intentional about protecting and managing your time and energy, particularly in an industry where there is always another email to answer, a fire to put out or a weekend emergency.

I like to think of it more as work-life synergy. As a full-time single mom of a preteen, nurturing that sense of synergy is crucial so I can show up at my best in all the roles I play.

We know there is always a particular intensity leading up to an event, so I plan ahead for those seasons by setting aside time for a trip or family time before or after. I stay grounded by using calendars and intentionally carving out time for family, working out and sometimes simply stepping away from my phone and email.

In the small moments of daily life, gardening and cooking help me decompress and can be very therapeutic. We are human, and if we don’t take care of ourselves first, we can’t give our all at work.

As a leader, I think it’s important to model that behavior. Everyone has different lifestyles and responsibilities, and a schedule that works well for me may not be the best fit for someone else.

For example, 10:00 p.m., after my child goes to bed, may be a good time for me to catch up on emails, but I absolutely do not expect anyone else to respond at that time. I think our team does a really good job of supporting people’s lives outside of work. As long as people get things done, they can decide what schedule works best for them.

ANDREW: How do you think women can support each other more in this industry?

MONIQUE: Women can support one another in this industry by partnering with women-owned businesses, vendors and other partners. One of the most important things women can do is advocate for another woman when she isn’t in the room.

Mentorship is important, but so is sponsorship. Speak up when someone’s contributions aren’t being recognized, make introductions, offer public recognition and reach out to show support.

It’s not just about representation in leadership roles; it’s about creating an environment where different styles and perspectives are welcomed, and women have opportunities to grow and make decisions.

ANDREW: What do you think the next big thing in the events space is going to be?

MONIQUE: As our lives have become increasingly digital, people crave interactions and experiences they can’t get while sitting in an office in front of a screen.

I really believe we’re going to see an even greater focus on in-person connection, enhanced by new tools and technologies like AI.

While technology continues to reshape the event experience, I expect it will increasingly be used to improve human connection. AI gives us an enormous opportunity to deeply personalize the experience and helping attendees find the right content, make more relevant connections within their limited time and navigate large events more effectively. Technology can facilitate meaningful, well-tailored connections, help attendees navigate content and create a better overall event experience.

ANDREW: What role does mentorship play in your career development, and how can other women seek and cultivate these relationships?

MONIQUE: I’ve been very lucky to have been mentored and led by some truly inspirational women from a young age. They’ve helped shape who I am today, and I’m so grateful.

It’s invaluable to have a network of women who encourage, guide and support one another. I hope that I inspire other women in the industry and am here to help them grow and reach their goals, both personally and professionally.

I advise women to seek out people who inspire them and ask questions. Mentorship is important because you’re learning from real world experiences, which are often more detailed and nuanced than anything you can get from a training module or job description.

Look for opportunities to ask someone about an area in which they excel, and invite them to advise you on something specific so you can get what you need from the experience while respecting their time.

Surround yourself with women who lift you up, make you feel seen and cheer you on not only when you’re winning, but when you’re struggling, too.

ANDREW: How do you stay updated on industry trends and changes, and what resources do you recommend to your peers?

MONIQUE: I highly recommend attending other events because it provides a fresh perspective. We’re often immersed in our own events, and experiencing one from the attendee side helps you step outside your box and gets the creative juices flowing.

I also recommend reading and subscribing to industry media and publications such as TSE, PCMA Convene, and resources from the Events Industry Council.

Stay on top of emerging trends and technology, and join networking platforms and industry-specific organizations. Never stop learning!

To get more 2026 Women to Watch Q&As, subscribe to TSE’s free e-newsletter on LinkedIn or through your email. 

The post Meet the 2026 TSE Women to Watch: Monique Abed, CMP appeared first on Trade Show Executive.