Vice President, Events, AFCEA International
Melissa MacDonald serves as Vice President, Events for AFCEA International. She is an accomplished meetings and events professional with more than two decades of experience delivering exceptional conferences, conventions and corporate gatherings. She recently served as Senior Director of Conferences & Events at AFCEA International, where she led strategic planning and execution for high-profile conferences and symposia that connect government, military, industry and academia.
Ms. MacDonald's career reflects a deep expertise in event operations, logistics and client engagement. She was quickly promoted to Senior Director after holding progressive leadership positions at AFCEA International, including Director of Events, where she managed complex programs and enhanced attendee experiences. Before joining AFCEA, Ms. MacDonald worked with Maritz Global Events as a Meeting and Event Manager, overseeing large-scale corporate and association meetings.
Her experience spans a variety of organizations, including TechTrans International, DCG Communications and the Association of the United States Army, where she served as Senior Meetings Manager for nearly five years. Earlier in her career, Ms. MacDonald honed her skills in hospitality and destination management through roles at Experient (now Maritz), Destination DC, and Marriott International, where she spent more than a decade planning city-wide conferences and major events.
She holds the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) credentials, underscoring her commitment to excellence and industry standards. Her extensive background in event strategy, vendor relations and attendee engagement makes her a trusted leader in the meetings and events community.