Steve Kinsley, president of Kinsley Meetings in Littleton, has earned his stripes working in the meetings and hospitality industry for more than four decades. This, along with his volunteer involvement and leadership, led to his election to the international board of directors for Meeting Professionals International (MPI) starting in January last year.
“It means a great deal to be involved at this level with MPI,” Kinsley says. “As the largest meeting industry association, the MPI international board of directors is charged with making a difference every single time we meet. We take that responsibility very seriously and are always working toward making our entire industry better.”
His early career brought him to diverse Colorado properties such as The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Hotel Teatro in Denver, and Keystone Resort in Keystone, as well as The Westin St. Francis and Hotel Triton in San Francisco. Kinsley worked in conference services, sales, and general manager roles until 1999, when he joined his wife, Allison Kinsley, in managing Kinsley Meetings.
Allison started the meeting-planning firm in 1993 and suggested her husband familiarize himself with the planning side of the hospitality industry by becoming involved, a piece of advice he firmly embraced. Steve is a past president of MPI Rocky Mountain Chapter and served on the executive committee of the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado, which now employs Kinsley Meetings as its association-management company.
“I have made lifelong friends in this industry, and involvement in these organizations proves to me every day that our industry makes a difference in the world in a positive way,” he says. “You have people in Colorado who work remotely for organizations all over the country, yet they choose to live here. The impact is this wonderful coming together of people who want to make the world a better place.”
Making your mark and meeting people is as simple as getting plugged in. “Explore the different organizations, find your tribe, and then dive in,” Kinsley suggests. “There are wonderful opportunities to learn more about our industry and to grow your people and leadership skills, all in safe spaces within these local meeting industry chapters.”
