Year End Message from Melissa A. Jurcan, CSEP - International President 2024-2025

Dear ILEA Members,

 As my term as International President for the 2024–2025 comes to an end I’m taking this moment to celebrate our collective progress—and the power of our global creative event community.

This year, we successfully brought our core tenets to life: connection, creativity, collaboration, and community. We achieved this with targeted campaigns and actions centered around legacy and the future; these themes fueled everything we built together.

Global Growth + Connection

We grew our global community by 38%—a powerful signal that ILEA is not just rebuilding, but rising stronger than ever.  We did it by investing in connection: from virtual meetups and roadshows to pop-up gatherings at major conferences, we created more opportunities for members to engage—wherever they are.

ILEA is proudly international, and this year we lived that truth. From IMEX in Germany to the Creativity Conference in Turkey, we showed up and learned from one another across cultures and continents. Our network expanded with new members in Australia, Spain, and the UAE, and deepened our relationships      in our affiliated chapters in Asia, Canada, and Nigeria. These global perspectives continue to make us better—more innovative, more inclusive, and more connected.

Collaboration + Creative Impact

This year, we leaned into bold ideas and unexpected partnerships—amplifying both our voice and our imagination. We embraced our creative roots through a vibrant mix of educational experiences: webinars, conference sessions, and immersive discussions that pushed boundaries. We tapped into the brilliance of musicians, filmmakers, forest therapy guides, and even space scientists—exploring the creative processes that fuel innovation across disciplines.

At the same time, we expanded our reach and deepened our influence—expanding our strategic relationships with global event leaders at ADMEI, IMEX and Special Event Catersource, as well as      forging meaningful connections with organizations like the Plecet. These collaborations didn’t just raise awareness of our association and industry—they reinforced ILEA’s role as a leader in creative thinking and cross-industry engagement.

Because when we step outside our silos, we don’t just inspire each other—we shape the future of experience itself. We can’t grow—as professionals, as an organization, or as an industry—without reaching beyond our existing circle.

Bridging the Past, Shaping the Future

As we continued building post-pandemic, one thing became clear: we needed to reclaim our roots and invest in the next generation.

Honoring Our Legacy

The past isn’t just part of our story—it’s the foundation of who we are. In the wake of the pandemic, much of ILEA’s institutional memory was scattered, and we felt the absence of that grounding. This year, we made it a priority to reclaim our history—inviting founders, past International Presidents, and legacy leaders back to the table to share stories, offer guidance, and help us reconnect with our roots.

What we discovered was profound: the wisdom, the answers, and the inspiration we seek have always been within our community. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel—we simply need to remember who built it, why they built it, and how it continues to carry us forward.

The Next Generation

At the same time, we looked ahead. We tripled our student membership, launched new university partnerships with ASU, NYU and WSU, and built programming that centered emerging voices. We brought the future to the table—inviting students, future teammates, and next-gen leaders into the conversation. We can’t shape the future without the voices who will carry it forward.

A Community That Cares + Gives Back

ILEA is the community for creative event professionals, built by creative event professionals. And this year, that community gave back—to the SEARCH Foundation, to local nonprofits, and even to the planet itself, by planting trees and growing a forest. We didn’t just host events—we built legacy.

And this community showed up big. Did you know that ILEA is powered by volunteers (and two incredible fractional staff members)? We expanded our international committees and quadrupled participation in them. None of this would be possible without the tireless efforts of our chapter leaders, RVPs, board members, and committee volunteers. And to the past leaders who returned to help rebuild—thank you for answering the call.

Our members gave their time and talent to produce our annual conference, host programs, support chapters, and mentor the next generation. The examples are endless—and they all prove the same truth: when it comes to lifting each other up, ILEA always shows up.

The Power of Us

ILEA is more than an association—it’s a movement. A creative force driven by people like you who collaborate with purpose and lead with heart. This year took me to many corners of the world, and every time I connected with ILEA members, I left energized and hopeful.

I’ve always believed in the power of what we do—but this year made it crystal clear: the world needs live experiences. As a society, we are craving connection and meaning like never before. After years of disconnection, people are hungrier for the magic we create. What we offer—emotion, transformation, belonging—is not a luxury. It’s essential.

I hope we never take for granted what a privilege it is to be the catalyst for people to have these moments.

I’ll also never forget being there for so many of these special moments with many of you this past year. We didn’t just say it—we lived it. This year, ILEA hosted over 200 live events across the globe—from chapter programs and networking events to our annual conference. We shared our challenges and our triumphs. We tried new things. We even ate crickets together! We thought boldly. We dreamed bigger.

For me, ILEA has always been more than an organization. It’s family. It’s where I grew up professionally. After 23 years as a member, I’m still in awe of the generosity, brilliance, and wild creativity of this community. And I truly believe: the best is yet to come.

We are a global collective of dreamers, changemakers, and boundary-pushers. We fuel imagination, spark action, and bring people together through shared experiences. We’re 1,800 strong. Across 35 countries and 30 chapters. For the last 38 years. Who are we? WE ARE ILEA—the global community for creative event professionals.

Fueling What’s Next

As we look ahead, I’m proud to pass the torch to our next International President, Cecilia Lavin, who will carry this momentum forward and lead us into our next chapter—fittingly themed BUILD—at our Conference in Boston August 10-13. I hope you’ll join us to celebrate, reflect, and create what’s next—together.

Thank you for your membership, your partnership, and your passion.    

With gratitude,

Melissa A. Jurcan, CSEP International President, 2024–2025