On International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating Mary Larkin (President of the Americas, Nineteen Group). Discover her professional journey, her experience as UFI’s first woman President, and her advice on empowering women in exhibitions below.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself, your professional journey and how being a woman has influenced your path—whether through opportunities, challenges, or key moments along the way.
I grew up in Ireland, where I began my events career working with a company that was in partnership with Montgomery Exhibitions. I went to the US in 1995 and worked for Diversified Communications for almost 28 years. I recently joined the Nineteen Group as President for the Americas. As a woman in the industry, I aim to support other women and help them move forward. There are many challenges that are unique to women in our industry, so support, mentorship and sponsorship were and are key to helping women succeed. While I faced some challenges, I did not let that get in the way of growing my career. I decided that I would always support women in leadership positions and to be an advisor to women when they asked.
UFI is celebrating 100 years this year. What does it mean to you to be part of this legacy as UFI’s first woman President, as well as being part of key initiatives, such as the launch of the DEI – Women in Exhibitions Working Group, etc.?
Being the first female President of UFI was a great experience, albeit during the global pandemic. I was happy to drive women’s initiatives forward at UFI and to have partnered with other women to form the Women’s Leadership Program at SISO. I am delighted to see so many women in leadership roles within the industry and around the globe, and that we will have our third female President in 2026. It is great to see so many women’s networking groups and training specifically focusing on helping women progress. Those networking opportunities and training specific to women are really important in helping women move up the career ladder.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” What’s one key action the exhibition industry can take today to create a more inclusive and diverse future?
There is a lot our industry can do to ensure an inclusive and diverse future. Giving women opportunities to take on new roles, to broaden their experience, to be paid the same as men doing the same work, to help with family care when women take on the bulk of household and childcare responsibilities is only the start. There is ample data on how companies with diverse leadership are more successful. I encourage leaders to really think of women who can take on leadership/management roles within your company, get them the training they need and sponsor them in new opportunities that will allow them to progress. Women network differently than men and that ideal candidate might be within your company.
Looking back at your leadership journey, what’s one piece of advice you would give to women looking to take on leadership roles in exhibitions and events
There are several things I would advise women to do – advocate for themselves, ask for that pay rise or that opportunity. You just might get it! Secondly, women should take on speaking opportunities, stretch projects and support each other. There are interesting examples of how women recognized other colleagues not being heard or being talked over in meetings, so they spoke up and supported that woman.
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