BU School of Hospitality Administration honors Martha J. Sheridan, President & CEO of Meet Boston with the ICON Award at the Hospitality Leadership Summit on April 3, 2025
(March 3, 2025) Boston, MA – Boston University School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA) is proud to announce that the annual ICON award will be presented to Martha J. Sheridan, President & CEO of Meet Boston on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at the School of Hospitality’s marquee event, the Hospitality Leadership Summit at BU’s Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences (665 Comm Ave.). The Summit speaker line-up and registration information is available at www.bu.edu/hospitality/events/summit/
The Hospitality Leadership Summit brings together students and faculty with hospitality industry colleagues for a day-long conference of inspiration and networking. For 2025, the Summit’s theme focuses on hospitality in Sports and Entertainment—creating unforgettable fan experiences.
A special feature of the Summit is the presentation of the ICON, recognizing an “Experience Innovator” each year who creates new and transformative paradigms in hospitality. This year’s honoree, Martha J. Sheridan has reimagined Boston’s tourism landscape since assuming her role at Meet Boston—formerly the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, rebranded in 2022. As a seasoned tourism leader, she now guides a 1,000-plus partnership dedicated to fostering a robust and equitable visitor economy in the region. Her leadership has been pivotal in securing major events, including seven FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at Gillette Stadium and the historic hosting of the 2023 Army-Navy Game in New England.
“I’m incredibly honored to receive the ICON Award. I share this recognition with my Meet Boston colleagues and all of the industry partners who enrich our work and make it possible,” said Martha J. Sheridan, President & CEO of Meet Boston. “Boston’s sports and entertainment scene is a vital vertical within the travel sector, helping to drive the regional economy while shining a light on Greater Boston as a world-class destination. These major events bring residents and visitors together in a unifying spirit that benefits everyone.”
“We are proud to recognize Martha J. Sheridan with the prestigious ICON Award,” stated Arun Upneja, Ph.D., Dean of BU SHA, who will join Sheridan for a fireside chat conversation at the Summit. “Through her visionary leadership, Martha has redefined what it means to create truly memorable experiences. Her seamless integration of sports, entertainment, and hospitality has not only reimagined our region’s tourism landscape but also serves as an inspiration to our students—especially as our School prepares to launch a new graduate program in Sports and Entertainment.”
Martha J. Sheridan, President & CEO, Meet Boston, will also moderate the morning panel of the Summit, “Winning Experiences: Hospitality’s Game-Changing Impact on the Fan Journey at Sports & Entertainment Events.” For the Summit speaker line-up and to register, visit: www.bu.edu/hospitality/events/summit/
Past School of Hospitality ICON awardees include Padma Lakshmi, an Emmy-nominated producer, television host, food expert, and a New York Times best-selling author, as well as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People (2023); Niki Leondakis, CEO of CorePower Yoga; the co-founders of Airbnb Nathan Blecharczyk, Brian Chesky, and Joe Gebbia; restaurant pioneer Danny Meyer, Founder and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group and Shake Shack; and Richard L. Friedman, President and CEO of Carpenter & Company Inc., credited, among a long list of accolades, for reshaping the Boston skyline with The Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences at One Dalton. For a list of ICON awardees, visit: ICON Award Winners.
2025 Hospitality Leadership Summit Sponsors*
BU School of Hospitality Administration is grateful for the generous support from:
- Platinum Level: Xenia Greek Hospitality and PEAK Event Services
- Gold Level: Aramark, bartaco, Columbus Hospitality Group, Meet Boston, Seaport Hotel, Union Square Hospitality Group, and WildLeaf Design
- Silver Level: Rafanelli Events
- Supporters: Hyatt Boston
*Sponsor List is current as of 3/6/25
About Boston University School of Hospitality
For more than 40 years, Boston University’s School of Hospitality has been cultivating the next generation of leaders of the multibillion-dollar hospitality industry. The Boston University School of Hospitality, in collaboration with hospitality industry leaders is redefining hospitality as Experience Innovation. Our focus is on optimizing human interaction by innovating experiences that are employee, customer, investor, and business driven. Boston University School of Hospitality offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs (several of which are STEM-designated). From experience management to hospitality real estate and beyond, our academic programs challenge students to become Experience Innovators for hotels, restaurants, travel and tourism, healthcare enterprises, retail and luxury brands, sports and entertainment venues, and any organization where hospitality can be strategically applied to help establish lasting and meaningful relationships. Learn more about Boston University’s School of Hospitality and Experience Innovation by visiting bu.edu/hospitality.