Meet Elaine, AMS’s New Senior Director of Events, and Discover Her Vision for the Future of The Montessori Event
What makes the Montessori Event unforgettable? Is it what we learn, the connections we build, or the moments that remind us why we do the work we do?
For AMS, The Montessori Event has long brought educators, school leaders, and advocates from around the world together to learn, share ideas, and celebrate their commitment to Montessori education. As AMS looks ahead to The Montessori Event in Chicago in March 2027 and beyond, the organization is welcoming a new leader who understands the importance of creating extraordinary experiences that bring people together.
Meet Elaine Richardson, AMS’s new Senior Director of Events, whose vision for The Montessori Event extends beyond the traditional conference experience. With more than 25 years of experience in association management and the events industry, Elaine brings a people-centered approach to creating meaningful gatherings that inspire, connect, and strengthen communities.
A Career Centered on Bringing Communities Together
Throughout her career, Elaine has worked with associations across various industries, helping organizations create opportunities for people with shared interests, goals, and passions to gather and connect.
Her professional journey includes extensive conference and event management experience, most recently as Vice President of Conference and Events for the National Black MBA Association. In that role, she helped bring thousands of attendees together for educational programming, career opportunities, student competitions, and networking experiences.
She is actively involved with the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), and Meeting Professionals International (MPI). She holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credentials and completed an executive MBA in 2023. Elaine also served on industry advisory boards, including the ASAE Meeting and Event Professionals Advisory Council, and on customer advisory boards for Marriott and destinations including Atlanta, Nashville, and Austin.
While Elaine’s professional accomplishments reflect a wealth of experience, it’s her commitment to people that ultimately drew her to AMS. Recognizing the dedication and passion Montessori educators bring to their work, she saw an opportunity to support a community whose efforts make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.
Looking Beyond the Traditional Conference Experience
For Elaine, a successful event is about more than a strong lineup of speakers and educational sessions—it’s about creating an experience where attendees feel welcomed, valued, safe, and connected. That perspective is at the heart of her vision for the future of The Montessori Event.
Educators invest their time, energy, and resources to attend professional gatherings like The Montessori Event. Elaine believes that investment should be met with an experience that delivers meaningful value, whether through practical ideas attendees can bring back to their classrooms, new professional relationships, or a renewed enthusiasm for their work.
Her approach starts by considering what attendees should know, feel, and do when they attend The Montessori Event during planning. From there, every aspect of the experience becomes an opportunity to make a difference.
Elaine is passionate about providing an incredible attendee experience—ensuring attendees can easily navigate the event space, making sure all can join a conversation whether they came alone or with a group, or simply encouraging connection with fellow educators.
Creating Space to Connect, Celebrate, and Be Inspired
Montessori educators give so much of themselves to support children, families, and their communities. The Montessori Event offers something just as important: a chance to come together, be celebrated for their work and achievements, and simply celebrate. Elaine believes it’s incredibly valuable to make room for those exciting moments.
Whether it’s reconnecting with old colleagues, meeting someone new, exchanging classroom ideas, discussing current policy changes that can affect our community, or simply enjoying time together, these experiences strengthen the relationships that make the Montessori community special. Her vision embraces the idea that professional growth and personal connection go hand in hand.
Beyond educational sessions and workshops, The Montessori Event can be a place where educators find encouragement, celebrate their shared commitment to Montessori education, and build relationships that continue long after the event concludes.
Over time, Elaine hopes to keep cultivating this balance of learning, connection, and celebration as The Montessori Event evolves.
Building on What Makes The Montessori Event Special
As Elaine settles into her new role, she focuses on listening, learning, and understanding what the Montessori community values most about AMS’s premier Montessori event. Rather than approaching the event with a predetermined set of changes, she hopes to build upon its existing strengths while identifying opportunities to enhance the overall attendee experience. “As I look ahead, I want to understand what people already love about The Montessori Event and where we can make it better,” Elaine shared.
Drawing on her experience in large-scale event operations and industry best practices, Elaine is exploring ways to bring the conference’s elements together more effectively. She sees creating an exceptional experience as an ongoing effort shaped by attendee feedback, careful planning, and openness to new ideas. Above all, she wants the community’s needs and experiences to remain at the heart of the process.
The Road to Chicago 2027 and Beyond
With The Montessori Event approaching, Chicago will provide an exciting opportunity to bring this vision to life.
For Elaine, the focus is on creating a cohesive experience where every element contributes to something meaningful. While some enhancements may take time, the long-term goal is clear: to ensure attendees leave feeling that their investment was worthwhile.
“And I think enjoyment matters. Educators spend so much time caring for others. There should be room at the Montessori Event to laugh with colleagues, meet someone new, dance, and celebrate what they do. Those moments are part of how a community grows closer.”
As AMS welcomes Elaine into her new role, her arrival marks an exciting opportunity to build on The Montessori Event’s legacy while continuing to explore what the experience can become. Ultimately, The Montessori Event is about more than gathering in one place. It’s about the people, relationships, and shared commitment to Montessori education that unite the community year after year.
There’s so much to look forward to as we continue creating meaningful experiences for the Montessori community. Join us in Chicago, March 11–14, 2027, and discover what we can accomplish when we come together.