Hosts Global Taps Experiential Vet Marti Winer as CEO to Drive Innovation

LAS VEGAS, NV – August 26, 2026 – In a strategic move signaling a deepened focus on high-impact experiential events, Hosts Global has named Marti Winer its new Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2026. The announcement marks a pivotal leadership transition for the destination management company (DMC), positioning it to capitalize on a rapidly evolving global events landscape.

Winer, a seasoned executive with a formidable background in hospitality and large-scale event production, succeeds Kurt Paben, who will transition to the role of Vice Chair before his planned retirement at the end of the year. The move is not just a change in leadership but a calculated step to accelerate the company’s growth, harnessing Winer’s expertise to innovate within the burgeoning experience economy.

A Strategic Handover for a New Market Reality

The transition is deliberately designed for continuity and momentum. Kurt Paben’s tenure as CEO is widely credited with steering the company through the most tumultuous period in the events industry's history. His leadership during the global pandemic was instrumental in stabilizing the organization and preparing it for a robust recovery. As Chairman Frank Andrews noted, Paben's "steady leadership, strategic vision and unwavering focus on our people, clients and partners positioned Hosts not only to recover, but to emerge stronger than ever."

This foundation of resilience is the launchpad for Winer’s leadership. Paben’s move to Vice Chair ensures a seamless handover, allowing his deep institutional knowledge to support Winer as she takes the reins. "When we began thinking about the future leadership of Hosts, our goal wasn't simply to find someone who could maintain our momentum—we wanted someone who could accelerate it," Paben stated. His endorsement of Winer as an "energetic leader" with the "vision to take Hosts to places we haven't imagined yet" underscores the board’s confidence in this new chapter.

The MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry, valued at nearly $946 billion in 2025, is on a steep growth trajectory, projected to surpass $1.8 trillion by 2033. Paben’s leadership ensured Hosts Global was perfectly positioned to capture this rebound. Now, the appointment of Winer signals a strategic pivot from recovery to aggressive, forward-looking innovation.

The Winer Vision: From Vegas Spectacle to Global Strategy

Marti Winer is not a traditional choice; she is a strategic one. Her career is a highlight reel of creating memorable, large-scale experiences. Before joining Hosts Global in 2025, she served as Vice President of Event Productions for MGM Resorts International, where she was responsible for over 2,200 events annually, shaping many of Las Vegas's most iconic gatherings. Her more recent role leading the high-profile reopening of Casa Bonita in Colorado further burnished her reputation as a leader who understands how to merge logistics with immersive, audience-captivating storytelling.

This background is exceptionally relevant in today's market. The global experiential marketing sector is projected to grow to over $71 billion by 2035, driven by a demand for authentic brand interactions that digital advertising alone cannot provide. Winer’s appointment is a clear bet on this trend. "Live events have never been more important to business success," she affirmed in a statement, highlighting her belief that the company’s combination of global reach and local expertise is a "powerful differentiator."

Her vision extends beyond logistics to the very purpose of corporate gatherings. "As our industry continues to evolve, our greatest opportunity is to keep learning, embrace new ideas and challenge ourselves to create even greater value for our clients and Alliance partners," Winer remarked. This philosophy, praised by Chairman Frank Andrews for its "uncommon combination of strategic vision, operational discipline, [and] creativity," is precisely what the market now demands. It’s a shift from simply managing destinations to architecting experiences.

Capitalizing on the Experience Economy

Hosts Global, with its alliance of members in over 450 destinations, provides the infrastructure for a global strategy. Winer’s leadership provides the creative and strategic engine. The company is now uniquely positioned to capitalize on key industry trends that are reshaping business events. Corporate clients are increasingly focused on purpose-driven incentives, strict ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance, and hyper-personalized event tracks that give attendees a greater sense of agency.

Furthermore, technology is becoming a core component of live experiences. Immersive technologies like augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) are no longer novelties but tools for creating multi-sensory brand interactions, a market segment projected to grow at a staggering CAGR of over 30%. Winer’s experience in the heart of Las Vegas, an ecosystem built on dazzling technological integration, gives her a native understanding of how to weave technology into live events to amplify impact, not just as a gimmick.

Under her leadership, Hosts Global is expected to push further into this territory, helping clients design events that are not only flawlessly executed but also strategically aligned with their business goals, whether that's fostering community, driving brand loyalty, or achieving sustainability targets. This approach is critical as B2B marketers forecast a 22% increase in event budgets from 2025, with a clear mandate for higher-impact, more accountable events.

Redefining the DMC Playbook

This leadership change signals a fundamental evolution in the role of a Destination Management Company. The traditional DMC playbook focused on logistics: transportation, venue selection, and local tours. The new playbook, which Winer is poised to write, is about strategic partnership. It involves co-creating events that deliver measurable ROI by tapping into the cultural, technological, and creative pulse of a destination.

"I believe the strongest organizations never stop listening, never stop improving and never lose sight of the relationships that make their success possible," Winer said. This commitment to a collaborative culture, both internally and with the company's global alliance partners, will be the bedrock of its strategy. By empowering local experts within a globally consistent framework, Hosts Global can deliver the authentic, hyper-local experiences that corporations are seeking, but at a scale its competitors may find difficult to match.

As businesses navigate a post-pandemic world where human connection is at a premium, the strategic value of well-executed live events has soared. With Marti Winer at the helm, Hosts Global is not just responding to this trend; it is positioning itself to lead it, transforming the art of destination management into the science of strategic experience creation.