NEW YORK CITY — Joyce Leveston, CMM, CVP, became CEO of Javits Center in March 2025. This iconic venue welcomes trend-setting events throughout the year and makes a tremendous economic impact for its host city.
Trade Show Executive’s Young Professionals Corner spoke with Leveston about the future of Javits Center and her career journey, and got her advice for events industry up-and-comers.
ANDREW: How do you plan to lead Javits Center to continued success?
JOYCE: The first step to build off the foundation of Javits Center’s success and usher us into the next era of excellence is changing the culture to encourage bold decisions. We have investment from our staff — 89% of our thousands of employees take pride in working at Javits Center according to our first-ever staff survey.
We have many exciting plans in motion to take the Javits Center to the next level and we cannot accomplish those without our talent buying in and showing out.
Now, it’s about making sure they feel empowered to use their skills. Change might start with me, but it certainly doesn’t end there.
One thing I’ve noticed is that the incredible work happening here at Javits Center often flies under the radar. The world deserves to see the role we play as a hub of innovation, sustainability, technology and security — and we’re ready to change that.
That’s why we’re developing a bold new marketing campaign to reintroduce Javits Center to the world, which will debut in 2026. This brand campaign will showcase our superior technology, our groundbreaking sustainability initiatives and the state-of-the-art security that makes us a global leader.
It’s about honoring the strong foundation of success we’ve built, while ushering in a new era where Javits isn’t just part of New York’s story — it’s the center of it.
ANDREW: What would surprise young events professionals about your work at Javits Center?
JOYCE: What would surprise young events professionals is how accessible I am. I’m not your average CEO, locked away in my office and only talking to the executive team.
I’m very hands-on. I make a point to walk the floor and build connections with my staff across all levels, because I know how important people connections are in the hospitality industry.
From the loading dock to the boardroom, I have a vast knowledge of operations, customer service and client relations because I’ve worked in all those spaces. I’ve been in all their shoes, which makes it easy to build a bond.
Even to this day I continue to put a strong emphasis on mentorship. I’m currently a mentor at The Annabelle Project to help cultivate the next generation of talent in the events industry.
ANDREW: What parts of your past career have prepared you for this role?
JOYCE: Looking back, there were a few pivotal steps that really prepared me for this role. First and foremost, I had mentors and sponsors who spoke my name in rooms I didn’t have access to yet.
Those are the people I want to thank today — people like Carol Wallace, Greg O’Dell and John Page to name a few. They saw things in me I didn’t see in myself.
Their advocacy opened doors I might not have reached on my own and it taught me the power of lifting others as you climb.
Once I had my seat at the table, I made it a point to use my voice. My mentors encouraged me to participate in conversations I was hesitant to jump into until that hesitation no longer existed.
I developed a leadership style that was born out of collaboration and getting things done. Understanding my voice could be heard allowed me not only to actively listen but learn and stretch myself.
But lastly, I believe it was the ability to have empathy and see others that prepared me the most. Starting as a telephone operator and working my way up to CEO gave me the opportunity to experience nearly every level within an organization.
It shaped not just my skills, but my perspective as a leader. Because I believe we all want to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
ANDREW: What has been a challenge that you have faced in this role and how have you solved it?
JOYCE: One of the biggest opportunities I faced early on was shifting the culture from “How can I help you?” to “We start with yes.” Like any organization we have a lot of moving parts to meet our lofty goals.
A skilled labor force? Yes. An iconic building? Definitely. But we needed to find a solid identity of who we are and who we want to be. This required adding some new key hires.
For me, it’s about vision. Bringing in people with the skills and expertise to complement the talent already here was the first step to executing that vision.
That impact has been immediate. We aren’t just filling positions; We are building a stronger, more well-rounded team that can take Javits to the next level.
It reinforced a valuable lesson that every challenge is really an opportunity for elevation. By being intentional about the people and the direction of our vision, we put ourselves in the position to achieve even greater success.
Related. Raising the Bar: A Q&A with Joyce Leveston, CMM, CVP, CEO of Javits Center
ANDREW: What advice would you give to young professionals?
JOYCE: My biggest advice to young professionals is to be a sponge — soak up every opportunity that comes your way. Even if the role you’re in today isn’t your ultimate goal, it’s part of your journey. Every experience, no matter how small it may seem at the time, has value in shaping who you are meant to become. Learn everything you can and approach your tasks with enthusiasm and grace.
Because you never know who’s watching. When I interviewed for a role at the San Diego Convention Center years ago, I couldn’t stop smiling — I was just thrilled to be in that space. Later, I learned that it was that smile that got me hired. The executive director saw me smiling in the middle of the chaos and never breaking stride. He said, “We need her on our team — they will feel that smile through the phone.”
That experience stayed with me.
Education and training matter, of course, but the right attitude and a little passion will take you farther than anything else. Show up with energy, curiosity and positivity — and doors will open.
ANDREW: What are some of the unique benefits to running a convention center in New York City?
JOYCE: There is truly no place like New York and no place like Javits Center. We are not your average convention center.
We sit at the cross section of culture, commerce and creativity. New York City is a hub for international business — welcoming approximately 13 million business travelers in a year.
Javits Center serves as the heart for business innovation and connection. We offer the most unique and spacious venue in the city. Our venue is outfitted with top security technology, including our VPod kiosks which can get temporary staff checked in under one minute.
We manage and own a labor brokerage company, meaning there is consistency among our stellar skilled labor staff and we can invest in training to elevate their skills. We are committed to sustainability to a level that is unmatched by other convention centers.
Our rooftop farm, Steel Farm, has produced over 16,000 pounds so far this year — more than 80% of which is used in our culinary operations for a true farm-to-table experience.
Our 6.75-acre green roof provides environmental benefits including heat flux reduction and stormwater runoff absorption as well as housing 2,006 solar panels capable of powering up to 10% of the building.
In a city as dynamic as New York, Javits Center has truly answered the call. When you step into our Crystal Palace, you are stepping onto the world stage.
ANDREW: What are some of the unique challenges?
JOYCE: In a city with more than eight million people, traffic and transportation will always be a challenge.
For a convention center, that can mean real logistical hurdles, especially when you’re welcoming hundreds of trucks to deliver materials for major events.
That’s why Javits Center made a long-term investment in a dedicated truck marshalling facility, capable of parking up to 200 semi-trucks at a time. By moving those vehicles off the streets, we’ve not only eased congestion for our neighbors, but we’ve also reduced the environmental impact by cutting down on unnecessary back-and-forth trips.
Our next challenge is bringing awareness to the new Javits Center. Our 1.2-million-square-foot expansion opened in 2021 and made a new kind of business possible at Javits Center.
The renovation of the south building fixed and improved the problems of our past, but we are still haunted by those ghosts. Change comes with consistency so we will be consistently looking for ways to promote our brand.
It is my privilege and mission to spread the gospel of Javits Center far and wide.
ANDREW: What is your favorite part about working at Javits Center?
JOYCE: The people are hands down the best part of working at the Javits Center.
From day one, I’ve been struck by the incredible talent and dedication of this team. People have always been my priority, and in the hospitality industry, they truly are the heart of everything we do.
What’s remarkable here is not just the skill of our staff, but their commitment to this place. Nearly 11% of our team has been with Javits for 20 years or more — a testament to their loyalty and passion for creating unforgettable experiences.
In my first six months as CEO, the greatest blessing has been getting to know the people behind the scenes — the ones who bring this building to life every day. Their pride, creativity and investment in our mission inspire me constantly and they’re what makes this job so rewarding.
ANDREW: Have geopolitical developments impacted your work? If so, how have you worked around them?
JOYCE: Like any global business, we have been impacted by the installation of tariffs and travel restrictions, which led to uncertainty in international markets. But what makes New York unique is its resilience — few markets in the U.S. can adapt and attract the way this city does.
Our focus has been on finding new ways to support our customers, whether that means rethinking logistics, offering greater support in the visa process or developing cross partnerships to help build value for their attendees — just simply being a stronger partner during times of uncertainty.
When events come to New York, attendance tends to rise — because there’s truly no place like it. We are not just the center of business; We are a cross section of arts, entertainment, food and culture.
That combination makes this city, and our work here at the Javits Center, more resilient than most. And that is why I am confident Javits Center will continue to be a global stage for many years to come.
ANDREW: Is there anything else that you would like to add?
JOYCE: If there’s one more thing I’d add, it’s the importance of looking for things in others they don’t see in themselves. A great mentor doesn’t just give you advice; They become an advocate in rooms you may not be in, opening doors and creating opportunities you might not have had otherwise.
Removing roadblocks that keep people out and making space at the table is how we all grow as individuals and an organization.
People were setting the table for me when I didn’t know what was happening. They identified opportunities and encouraged me to pursue them, because they saw my potential even when I doubted myself.
That reminded me of my grandmother’s words: “The only people who are surprised is them. We know where you belong.” Mentors help you get yourself back on track when you lose sight of who you are and who you are meant to be.
But mentorship is never one-sided. It’s a give and take. You have to be willing to listen, to learn and to lean into the opportunities they provide.
When you approach those relationships with openness and humility, they can shape your career — and your confidence — in ways you can’t always imagine in the moment. They can encourage you to take a chance on contributing because you never know where your voice will take you.
The right mentor can see potential in you before you see it in yourself. And that, I believe, is one of the most powerful accelerators for growth in any career.
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Photo Credit: Courtesy of Javits Center
