Recently named “40 Under 40” by Connect Corporate Magazine, Thomas Whelan, Director of Banquets at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center and John B Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, has successfully planned Food and Beverage operations for nearly 20 years. He has worked in Off Premise and On Premise Catering, Corporate Events and Social Gatherings. Thomas has assisted in meetings and events throughout the country, but calls Boston home. Through contract negotiations, strikes, and thousands of events - his events always exude his passion for guest experiences. Thomas spends his days leading 500 team members in exceeding client expectations. His nights are spent wrangling one very large orange cat named Alroy. Thomas is an operations expert with a passion for developing the next generation of hospitality legends. Not only a leader in the future of food and beverage in meetings, but he is also an outspoken advocate for inclusion and advocates on behalf of members of the meetings and events industry.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, he directed the transition and execution of the Boston Hope Hospital, a field hospital that was built in just weeks at the BCEC and served nearly 80,000 meals to patients, doctors, and hospital staff. In response to the extensive shut down of the live events industry following the pandemic Thomas became a fierce advocate for legislation and relief for our industry - joining the Live Events Coalition and partnering with associations throughout the country.

Currently, Thomas sits on the Board of Directors for the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association and is the President of the Massachusetts Live Events Coalition. His passion and love of professionals in the Meetings and Events Industry lead him to Co-Host the weekly Podcast, ‘...with regrets’, where he meets event professionals from all over the world.

Thomas is extremely proud to be a supporter of the SEARCH Foundation and encourages all who can to support the mission of the foundation.