Laurel Welch

Laurel Welch, CMP, currently serves as the Director of Events & Operations for Professional Education at Relay Graduate School of Education, overseeing the planning and execution of around 75 events annually, including budget management for amounts ranging from $50,000 to $650,000. Prior experience includes Senior Event Manager at Gaylord Hotels, where management of large group business programs took place, and Community Event Manager at Hammersmith®, responsible for all internal and external events and team engagement initiatives. Additional roles encompass Senior Manager of Meetings and Special Events at The Ritz-Carlton, Senior Meeting and Event Manager at Sage Hospitality, along with multiple positions at Cintas and Marriott International. Laurel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Business Management from Washington State University and a certificate in Hospitality & Tourism Management from Florida Atlantic University.