CHICAGO — Nancy Walsh, President – North America at Informa Markets was honored with the 2024 Robert L. Krakoff Industry Award of Excellence, recognizing her incredible achievements and contributions to the industry over the course of her career.
The illustrious award is named in honor of industry legend Robert L. Krakoff, who built and managed some of the most successful businesses in the trade show industry. In a full circle moment, Walsh revealed that Krakoff had hired her at the start of her career and helped launch her into the world of events.
Trade Show Executive caught up with Walsh to talk about her award.
Q: During your speech at the SISO CEO Summit, you mentioned your personal connection with Robert Krakoff. Can you tell us a little more about that connection and this full circle moment?
Nancy: Bob Krakoff personally hired me when I was 25 years old, and I won his President’s Club award a few years later, which was the first award I had ever won personally or professionally. To then win the Bob Krakoff award over 30 years later, and, to win it in front of my current team, my previous teams, friends throughout the industry, and my daughter April, it was truly the honor of a lifetime and a full circle moment for my career that I will never forget.
Q: This award acknowledges your many accomplishments and contributions throughout your career to this industry. What have been the most standout moments to you?
Nancy: I’m always so inspired by the many examples of how our events help launch startups and make them something. I remember David Yurman took a 10×10 booth at one of our jewelry shows many years ago, and they really took off from there. Look at them now — one of the most successful jewelry brands of all time — I like to think that we played a role in that. Those are always standout moments.
On a more personal note, my standout moments are usually times when I was challenged throughout my career.
Early on in my career, I was in Sales, and then we had a restructure, and I was put in more of a general commercial role. It was a sink or swim moment, and I am proud of how I rose to the occasion, and how that helped set my career on the trajectory that led me here today.
Similarly, when I moved from an organizer to a service provider, that was a significant transition that required me to tap into different skillsets. I learned a lot in that role, and I have such an appreciation for the service provider side now.
Even when I have made mistakes, I have learned and grown from them. I remember Greg Topalian and I tried to launch a wellness show together, and honestly, it failed, but it was a great experience because we learned so much and it made me a better commercial leader today.
And one of the most meaningful was during the pandemic, when I had just joined Informa 10 months earlier, and Stephen Carter and Charlie McCurdy took a chance on me and gave me the role of President of the North America Business. His belief in me meant so much, it was a really pivotal moment in my career, and I hope that I have made him proud.
Q: What would you like your legacy to be?
Nancy: As a woman in leadership, I want to be an inspiration to other talented women that it is possible to break the glass ceiling and have a rich career that you love. I have also been told that I get things done with a velvet hammer, and that resonates with me. I like the idea that you can work hard, expect a lot out of your team, be no nonsense when it comes to getting things accomplished, and also be caring, compassionate and have some fun.
Q: In your Power Lunch feature, you talk about the importance of your family and the experience of being a working mom. Given that, why was it so meaningful that your daughter April was in the crowd when you received this award, from the perspective of both your professional and personal life?
Nancy: I want to be a role model to April and show her what is possible when you work hard and smart in an industry you love. We all know how much travel is required in this job, and I did miss a lot when my kids were growing up to get to where I am today. And now, it really feels full circle, because we get to travel to events like SISO together, and we both absolutely love this industry and what we do. It doesn’t get better than that.
Related. Leading People First: A Power Lunch with Nancy Walsh
The annual presentation of the Krakoff Industry Award of Excellence took place at the 2024 SISO CEO Summit, held April 8-11 at The Ritz Carlton Hotel at Amelia Island, Fla. Stay tuned for an in-depth recap of the event in the June 2024 edition of TSE. Subscribe to receive your copy here.
