LaShawn Duckett is a strategic and creative Director of Convention and Meetings with a passion for creating high-quality, surplus-generating conferences and programs. During her career, which spans more than a decade, she has partnered with senior executives to develop planning, logistical, and budgetary strategies to ensure conferences, meetings, and programs achieve organizational goals and objectives.
Before coming to the National Communication Association, Duckett was the Director of Meetings at the National Science Teaching Association, where she exceeded revenue and attendance goals. Previously, she was the Director of Education, Meetings, and Special Interest Groups at the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, where she was known for improving operational efficiencies and creating high-value experiences for attendees.
Committed to enhancing her knowledge in the field, Duckett earned the Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) and Certified Association Executive (CAE) designations. She served on numerous industry professional committees and groups with the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Association of Women in Events, Professional Convention Management Association, and Meeting Professionals International (MPI); and served as a facilitator to MPIs CMP boot camp.
Duckett has received several industry honors, including the American Optometric Association‘s President’s Award, the digitalNow Leaders of Distinction Award, and Connect Association’s 40 Under 40. She is an ASAE Diversity Executive Leadership Program Scholar.
Duckett earned an associate degree in business administration from Strayer University where she is also now completing a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
In her free time, Duckett enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.