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Penn State names Reggie Aggarwal 2025 Hospitality Executive of the Year
Born to Indian immigrants, Aggarwal founded Cvent in 1999 to simplify meeting planning for the business community.
Reggie Aggarwal / Image- Penn State
The Penn State School of Hospitality Management (SHM), in collaboration with the Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society (PSHRS), has named Reggie Aggarwal, founder and CEO of Cvent, as the recipient of the 2025 Hospitality Executive of the Year award. The honor will be presented during the 2025 PSHRS Industry Awards and Reception, scheduled for April 8, 2025, at the Nittany Lion Inn.
Born to Indian immigrants, Aggarwal founded Cvent in 1999 to simplify meeting planning for the business community. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a global leader in hospitality and event technology, with over 4,800 employees and 22,000 customers. Cvent’s platform facilitates millions of virtual, in-person, and hybrid events annually for organizations worldwide, including half of the Fortune 500.
Aggarwal expressed gratitude for the recognition, highlighting the significance of the hospitality industry. “This recognition is a tremendous honor. The hospitality industry is the backbone of creating memorable experiences and successful events. Bringing people together is at the heart of what we do at Cvent, and we’re proud to contribute to an industry rooted in service and genuine human connection. Thank you to the Penn State School of Hospitality Management and PSHRS for recognizing our incredible team and the impact they’ve made over the last 25 years.”
Donna Quadri-Felitti, Marvin Ashner endowed director of SHM, highlighted Aggarwal’s influence on the industry and Penn State’s students. “Our hospitality management majors at Penn State are inspired by Reggie’s ability to identify opportunities and create solutions that drive industry innovation,” she said. “Reggie exemplifies the value of tech-enabled, stakeholder-focused enterprises, and his success is a model for our students and faculty.”
Aggarwal’s achievements include leading Cvent through a $4.6 billion acquisition by Blackstone in 2023 and earning numerous accolades, such as Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year and induction into the Washington Business and Business Travel Halls of Fame. He has also been recognized by Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Goldman Sachs for his contributions to entrepreneurship and the meetings industry.
“Reggie, as an entrepreneur, represents the best of what our industry strives for: innovation and excellence,” said Tom Neely, president of PSHRS. “For over 60 years, we have honored leaders who have elevated hospitality to new heights, and Reggie’s visionary leadership will be a valuable addition to this legacy.”
Aggarwal graduated with a bachelor of science degree from the University of Virginia, a juris doctor from Washington and Lee University Law School, and an LLM from Georgetown University Law School. He also received an honorary doctorate from Southeastern University for his contributions to the community.
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