Rewriting the Playbook: Women Who’ve Revolutionized Live Experiences

Let’s be real: when it comes to live experiences, women have been running the show forever. Whether it’s crafting immersive brand activations, designing jaw-dropping sets, or orchestrating unforgettable events, women have shaped the industry in ways that don’t always get the spotlight. So, for Women’s History Month, we’re flipping the script and giving credit where it’s long overdue.

Dorothy Draper: The Original Experience Designer (Before It Was Cool)

Before "experiential marketing" was even a thing, Dorothy Draper was out here making spaces feel like something. A fearless interior designer in the 1920s, Draper didn’t just decorate rooms—she made them come alive. Bold colors? Check. Maximalist details? Double-check. She basically invented the idea that environments should evoke emotion, which is exactly what we aim to do across the industry today.

Preetika Rana: Data-Driven, But Make It Sexy

Data isn’t exactly the most thrilling thing in the world… until you use it the way Preetika Rana does. She’s a powerhouse at blending analytics with creative execution, ensuring brand activations don’t just look good but actually work. She’s proving that you don’t have to pick between left-brain logic and right-brain magic—you can, and should, have both.

Mindy Weiss: The Event Planner Extraordinaire

When it comes to crafting iconic, creative experiences, Mindy Weiss is a name that stands at the top. Known for producing some of the most luxurious and highly detailed events in the world, Weiss has transformed the industry with her signature approach to event planning. From celebrity weddings (we’re talking Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin-level) to high-end brand experiences, she brings a meticulous eye for detail, creativity, and seamless execution. Her ability to create feelings, not just events, is what makes her a powerhouse in experiential design. When a moment needs to be perfect, she’s the one making it happen.

Es Devlin: The Architect of Immersion

If you’ve seen a stage setup that made you audibly gasp, there’s a good chance Es Devlin was behind it. She’s designed concert sets for Beyoncé (yes, Beyoncé), immersive brand activations, and large-scale theatrical productions that turn physical spaces into emotional journeys. Basically, she knows how to make people feel something with lighting, structure, and motion.

Ruth E. Carter: Costumes as Storytelling

You might think costuming is just for film, but Ruth E. Carter proves it’s actually one of the most powerful forms of experience design. Best known for her Oscar-winning work on Black Panther, she doesn’t just dress characters—she creates entire worlds through fabric, texture, and color. Her work influences everything from immersive exhibits to fashion-forward brand activations, proving that what you wear is part of the story, too.

The Future is Female (And Fierce)

Women have been shaping the way we experience the world—literally—for decades, and they’re just getting started. From set design to data-driven engagement to storytelling that hits you right in the feels, these pioneers are proof that experience creation is in very capable hands.

Take a second to think – who are the women in meeting and event planning that inspire you? Now, go give them the credit they deserve.