“In a business with a lot of moving parts, Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman helps you build a system for being organized, which is often the secret of success in the meetings industry. Two more must-reads are Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley and The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.”
—Shireen Moore, senior vice president, marketing, Creative Group

“The team at Bishop-McCann recommends Heads in Beds: A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality by Jacob Tomsky. Not only should everyone who works in the hospitality industry read it, but every meeting planner should read this fun memoir!”
—Tracy Kinsey, vice president, sales & marketing, Bishop-McCann

Aaron Kaufman, CSEP, president of Fifth Element Group, Brandt Krueger, owner, Event Technology Consulting, and Melissa Van Dyke, president of The Incentive Research Foundation, all consider Intentional Event Design by Tahira Endean, CMP, a must-read for meeting pros. Kaufman says, “It's a great encyclopedia on human-centered event design, transparency, and authenticity, all while providing anecdotes, quotes, and studies from some of the industry’s top professionals!”

“As a meeting manager who traveled frequently and often worked non-traditional hours, I needed to view time differently. Reading 168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam changed the way I viewed time and time management, and helped me find ways to fit in the fun things and the necessary things while not stressing about it. As a new business owner with a toddler, these techniques come in especially handy!”
—Luann Edwards, CMP, CMM, founder, Socially Professional

“There are many must-reads for meeting professionals, but here are two: The Modern Digital Tradeshow by Francis Friedman and Brain Rules by John Medina.
—Corbin Ball, CSP, CMP, DES, Corbin Ball & Co.

Crucial Conversations, Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler is a great resource for anyone who has to engage in important or difficult conversations, whether at home or at work. Unfortunately, many people are masters at conflict avoidance and consequently avoid tough conversations. This book provides the tools necessary to have those conversations, and with a high degree of success.”
—Steve Bova, CAE, executive director, Financial & Insurance Conference Professionals 

“My must-read suggestion is Stephen R. Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Two of my favorites are ‘Begin with the End in Mind’ and ‘Be Proactive.’”
—Sam Lippman, president and founder, Lippman Connects

“In Success: Advice for Achieving Your Goals from Remarkably Accomplished People by Jena Pincott, one of the first quotes is: ‘Be the change you want to see in the world’ (Mahatma Gandhi), which ties in remarkably well with Meeting Professionals International’s tag-line ‘When we meet we change the world.’  I also recommend 1,000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz. Most of us planners are also insatiable travelers, and this book is a great travelers’ life list of places on and off the beaten path.”
—Betsy Bondurant, CMM, CTE, president, Bondurant Consulting

“One of the first books I read when I started in the meetings and events industry has remained a must-read: Simple Steps to Green Meetings and Events: The Professional's Guide to Saving Money and the Earth by Amy Spatrisano, Nancy J. Wilson, and Nancy J. Zavada.”
—Kevin Iwamoto, GLP, GTP, senior consultant, GoldSpring Consulting LLC

Both Henrietta Balint, director, global meetings & events sales, Radius Travel, and Steve Bova, CAE, executive director, Financial & Insurance Conference Professionals recommend The ONE Thing by Gary Keller. “We talk so much about being good at multi-tasking (particularly in the meetings industry),” says Balint. “This book questions that theory and talks about how you can maximize results by prioritizing and focusing on one thing. Even if you don’t fully subscribe to it, it’s an interesting viewpoint.” Bova agrees, noting, “I thought it was a good read to help people focus on what’s most important in life.”

“The Go-Giver Influencer by Bob Burg and John David Mann has five great lessons every meeting professional can apply when negotiating with audiences, vendors, and clients. I also recommend my own book Attention Pays, which has been embraced by meeting planners because they understand my model that says we pay attention personally, professionally, and globally.” 
—Neen James, motivational keynote speaker and author

The must-reads suggested by Patty Karsten, vice president, design & purchasing, event solutions, BI Worldwide both focus on the forces shaping—and derailing—decision making: Predictably Irrational by Dr. Dan Ariely and Sway by Ori Brafman and Rom Brafman.”

“Twenty-first century science points to our brains becoming overwhelmed by too much information. Make Your Brain Smarter by Sandra Bond Chapman, PhD, gives you nine habits to keep your brain fit at any age. It will guide meeting planners to develop conference experiences that help their stakeholders think smarter. Required reading for everyone at Velvet Chainsaw Consulting!
—Betsy Bair, vice president, strategic narratives, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting

Conferences that Work by Adrian Segar (and his followup, The Power of Participation) is the source for how to do attendee-driven content at your conferences, with an emphasis on participation and engagement. Also, Remotely Engaging by Paul Cook and Martin Shephardly is the book on engaging remote audiences. Short, sweet, and to the point.
—Brandt Krueger, owner, Event Technology Consulting