We believe life is too short to spend your time doing something that doesn’t provide value or opportunity for growth, especially when it comes to meetings!
Bethany is a life-long resident of Maine and a self proclaimed “people pleaser”. She began her event management career with John Deere and then a Caterpillar dealer showcasing products in trade shows and demo events across the Northeast. In 2015, she joined Direct Travel, a destination and event management firm that expanded her horizons internationally through incentive travel trips and large conferences for a wide variety of clients.
Meanwhile, Kelly also began his career in the heavy equipment industry, but in Virginia with Carter Machinery, the Caterpillar dealer for the Mid-Atlantic. While his focus was on all aspects of marketing, events were always a part of the mix. Ranging from simple open houses to complex customer trips to manufacturing facilities throughout the US, he was always focused on how to make the planning and execution more efficient.
As if it was meant to be, we met in 2019 at a conference Bethany was planning for Carter Machinery at the historic Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. What resulted was not only a marriage of two people, but one of unique skillsets, experiences and shared values. Bethany started McAteer Meeting Management in 2022 and Kelly joined her full-time in the business in 2025 upon retiring as Director of Marketing for Carter after 29 years.
We’ve gotten to a point in our lives where we value the journey as much as the destination…sometimes more! The great thing about events is that they really are a journey of discovery and growth (if done right, that is). From an annual board meeting to a national conference or a reward trip for those who have put in the hard work and achieved stellar results, events are an opportunity to connect with others in meaningful ways and share in experiences that can last a lifetime.
Where are you looking to take your company? We’d love to help you with the journey.
Cheers,
K&B