Women powering IMN: Stacey Kelly’s decade of growth, leadership, and helping women in real estate take to the stage

In celebration of Women's History Month, we are thrilled to spotlight one of our own trailblazing leaders: Stacey Kelly, Marketing Director for Informa Connect Real Estate Group. Stacey’s journey began with a bold decision to take a chance on a role that brought her to New York City—a move that transformed her career and life. From making geographical leaps to achieving professional milestones, Stacey has played a pivotal role in shaping the IMN community, both within the organization and for its clients. Her story is a testament to the power of taking chances, embracing growth, and championing the success of women in the industry.

1. Can you share your journey with IMN over the past 11 years and what initially drew you to the company?

I joined IMN in April 2013 after seeing a Marketing Manager role posted on Euromoney’s internal careers page. What initially drew me in was the opportunity to move to New York - a city I had dreamed of living in since visiting on holiday. At the time, the role required three years of events marketing experience, and I only had two. I almost didn’t apply, but a good friend encouraged me to go for it. I’m grateful she did, because one month later I was packing my bags and starting a new chapter in New York.
Over the past 11 years, my journey with IMN has been one of continuous growth and evolving responsibility. I began as a Marketing Manager, moved into a Team Lead role, and eventually became Marketing Director. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to lead marketing efforts not only for IMN’s portfolio, but also for IMN’s securitization events (now part of the FT), The Deal, and SRP. Each step expanded my perspective and strengthened my connection to the industries and communities we serve.
One of the most exciting milestones came at the end of 2024, when IMN was acquired by Informa. Following the acquisition, I was promoted to Marketing Director of Informa Real Estate, where I now oversee a portfolio of more than 80 annual events across North America. It’s been incredibly rewarding to grow with the company, take on new challenges, and help shape the marketing strategy for such a significant portfolio. Looking back, what initially drew me to IMN was the chance to move to New York. What’s kept me here for more than a decade is the opportunity to learn, lead, and contribute to a business that continues to evolve and expand.

2. What are some standout lessons you've learned throughout your career in marketing and working on IMN conferences?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned throughout my career in marketing, and especially through my work on IMN conference, is that the industry never stands still. Marketing evolves constantly, and staying effective means staying curious, adapting quickly, and being willing to rethink what worked last year. The rise of AI has been a perfect example of that. It’s been exciting to see how AI has shifted from being a helpful tool to becoming a growing driver of our event revenue and an essential part of a marketer’s daily workflow.
Another standout lesson has come from overseeing a large portfolio of events. When you’re responsible for 80+ conferences, time becomes your most valuable resource. I’ve learned how important it is to prioritize ruthlessly, focusing on the channels that consistently deliver revenue and guiding the team to do the same. In marketing, there’s always another campaign you could run, another partner you could engage, another channel you could test. But success comes from knowing where your effort has the biggest impact and making disciplined choices.
Ultimately, the lesson that ties everything together is that great marketing is a balance of creativity, data, and focus. When you stay ahead of trends, use your time wisely, and double down on what drives results, you set yourself and your events up for long-term success.

3. What do you enjoy most about your role as Director of Marketing and contributing to the success of IMN conferences?

I love that my role lets me blend strategy, creativity, and data to drive real commercial outcomes. What motivates me most is seeing our marketing efforts translate into strong attendance, engaged delegates, and successful conferences. At Informa, I get to collaborate across teams, shape how our events show up in the market, and contribute directly to the growth of the business—and that’s incredibly rewarding.

How have you seen female attendance and speaking roles at IMN conferences evolve over the years, and what progress are you most proud of?

I’ve seen a real evolution in female participation at IMN from both the audience and the stage. We’ve made intentional efforts to broaden our speaker outreach and highlight women leaders, and it’s paying off. The conversations are stronger, the perspectives are more diverse, and we’re building a more inclusive community. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and excited to keep pushing it forward.

5. What advice would you give to women aspiring to build a career in the events and marketing industry?

My biggest piece of advice for women building a career in events and marketing is to trust the value you bring and not wait for permission to step into bigger opportunities (learning from my own lesson, when I almost let the role at IMN pass me by). This industry rewards people who are proactive, curious, and willing to take ownership and women often underestimate how much their voice matters. I also cannot emphasize enough of how important building your network is. So much of this field is relationship‑driven, and the connections you make with colleagues, speakers, partners, and clients can open doors you didn’t even know existed. In fact, my former manager at my first marketing job at Terrapinn recommended me for my next role at Euromoney, and we are now both working at Informa, so it has come full circle (shoutout to Paul Gilbertson for the opportunity he gave me!). Don’t be afraid to reach out, ask questions, or put yourself forward for projects that stretch you.

Lastly, stay adaptable. Events and marketing evolve quickly, and the women who thrive are the ones who embrace new tools, new formats, and new ways of thinking. If you stay curious, stay visible, and stay confident in your perspective, you’ll carve out a career that’s both impactful and fulfilling.