Katie Hais

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Katie Hais
Senior Manager, Conventions and Events,
American Hotel and Lodging Association

Washington, D.C.
Age: 29

What can a college graduate do with an anthropology degree? Become a meeting planner, apparently. At least that’s what Katie Hais did. “I always thought events might be something I’d be interested in,” says Hais, CMP, who joined the Environmental Protection Agency’s events department after leaving Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. Call it a lucky career hunch, but Hais has found success in meetings, now serving as the events manager for AH&LA, coordinating 15 to 20 events a year. “No two events are the same, and we’re always trying to change them and bring something new to the table,” she says. Hais is involved with MPI and is chair of the Community Outreach Committee for MPI’s Potomac chapter. She’s also the staff liason for AH&LA Under 30 Gateway, a networking and mentorship program for young industry professionals. “It’s great knowing that I’m helping to provide a valuable resource for my peers,” says Hais. Recently, she took on another planning job: wedding planner. She’s tying the knot next year.

—L. Hoppe