Voting for The Event Industry Power 50 has passed 3,500 ballots, already surpassing the program’s entire first year. More than 1,000 votes came in within the first 24 hours alone.
And there’s still time to vote.
Voting closes Wednesday, October 7. This year’s honorees will be recognized later this month at The Event Planner Expo 2026 in New York City.
So, what exactly is The Event Industry Power 50? Who makes the list? And why has voting taken off this year?
The Power 50 Puts the People Behind Great Events Front and Center
The events industry has plenty of company awards. The Event Industry Power 50 takes a different approach by recognizing the individual people making an impact.
The list spans planning, production, design, experiential, entertainment, hospitality, and corporate marketing. These are event professionals running companies, producing major events, building experiences, hiring vendors, booking venues, leading teams, and making decisions that influence the industry.
Instead of putting another company logo in the spotlight, the Power 50 puts a name and face to the work.
Each honoree gets an individual profile, a Power 50 badge, industry-wide recognition, and a place among 50 event professionals selected for this year’s class.
Public Voting and Editorial Review Both Determine the Finalists
The selection is split.
Public voting carries half the weight. An editorial review panel carries the other half.
That structure gives the industry a voice in who makes the list while keeping the Power 50 from becoming a straight popularity contest. A strong voting response counts, but finalists are also evaluated through the editorial review process before the final list is named.
And people have definitely been voting.
More than 1,000 votes were submitted within the first 24 hours this year. With the total now above 3,500, participation has already surpassed the Power 50’s entire first year.
These Are People Doing Serious Business in the Events Industry
Recognition is part of the appeal, but the Power 50 is also a pretty good snapshot of who is shaping the business of events right now.
The finalists include professionals who run companies, produce major events, book venues, hire vendors, build partnerships, and manage significant event budgets. Some are nationally recognized names. Others have built their influence through the companies, clients, teams, and events they lead.
For planners, venues, suppliers, hospitality professionals, marketers, and other event pros, that makes the Power 50 worth paying attention to beyond the awards themselves.
These are people worth knowing, following, meeting, and potentially doing business with. And this month, the industry is coming together in New York City.
Power 50 Honorees Get Recognition That Lasts Beyond The Expo
The 2026 Power 50 honorees are announced Wednesday, October 7, and will be recognized on stage at 92NY during the Speaker Series on Tuesday, October 27. The celebration continues throughout The Event Planner Expo, running October 27 to 29 in New York City.
Each honoree receives:
- A profile on the official Power 50 page featuring their headshot, name, title, and company, live for a full year
- A Power 50 badge designed for LinkedIn, social media, and email signatures
- Recognition during The Event Planner Expo
- Inclusion in the winner announcement distributed to an industry email list of more than 200,000, along with exposure through The Expo’s social channels and industry press
The 2025 class included leaders from across the industry, including Colin Cowie, Julie Novack, Mindy Weiss, Marcy Blum, David Stark, Jaclyn Bernstein, Nic Faitos, Preston Bailey, Fernando Coelho, Dan Parente, Erika Speed, Ny Whitaker, and Ceci Johnson.
Where It Happens
The Event Planner Expo brings more than 2,000 event professionals to New York City, with 150+ exhibitors across two floors and 60 speakers featured on the main stage and in fireside chats.
Ed Mylett headlines the Speaker Series at 92NY on Tuesday, October 27. Past Expo keynote speakers have included Gary Vaynerchuk, Martha Stewart, Daymond John, Barbara Corcoran, Mel Robbins, Jesse Itzler, Tim Grover, and Colin Cowie.
For event professionals looking to grow their businesses, find new partners, build stronger industry relationships, and get into the same rooms as people making major moves in events, this is the week to be in New York.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Event Industry Power 50
Who decides The Event Industry Power 50?
The Event Industry Power 50 uses a split selection process. Public voting accounts for half of the outcome, and an editorial review panel accounts for the other half.
When does voting close?
Voting closes Wednesday, October 7, 2026. The 2026 Power 50 honorees are announced that day and recognized later in October during The Event Planner Expo.
What do Power 50 honorees receive?
Honorees receive a profile on the official Power 50 page that remains live for a full year, a Power 50 badge for LinkedIn, social media, and email signatures, recognition during The Event Planner Expo, and inclusion in the winner announcement reaching an industry email list of more than 200,000.
Who was named to the Power 50 last year?
The 2025 Power 50 included leaders from across the events industry, including Colin Cowie, Julie Novack, Mindy Weiss, Marcy Blum, David Stark, Preston Bailey, Erika Speed, and Ny Whitaker.
Where are Power 50 honorees recognized?
The 2026 honorees will be recognized on stage at 92NY during the Speaker Series on Tuesday, October 27, and celebrated throughout The Event Planner Expo in New York City.
Vote at eventpower50.com/vote. Voting closes Wednesday, October 7.
Expo tickets at theeventplannerexpo.com.
