Meet Sonal

Sonal Sullivan CMP, HMCC

A Certified Meeting Planner with two decades of experience in meetings, events, and hospitality, Sonal has been instrumental in connecting people across the globe to strengthen relationships, share knowledge and insights, celebrate achievements, and promote growth. She has built a reputation as an agent of change, finding efficient and innovative approaches to maximize resources and surpass goals.

In 2013, she established Personalized Meetings & Travel to deliver custom solutions that address unmet needs in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving business environment. Sonal's career achievements in association and corporate planning along with her background in hotel sales uniquely positions her to provide clients with keen insight and an edge-up during negotiations. She is also currently getting her CTA, Certified Travel Advisor to help clients plan personal dream vacations.

Sonal enjoys serving as a go-to resource, championing a cause, and nurturing relationships with clients and vendors alike. Her aim is to design tailor-made events that meet and exceed her client’s expectations.

I live in the Chicagoland area with my husband and two children. When I’m not planning meetings and attending conferences, I love traveling, baking, floral arranging, health & fitness, reading, and spending time with family and close friends.

Here’s What Others Are Saying

Andre Valk

Andre Valk, CMP, HMCC

ALHI

"I have known Sonal for close to 15 years and witnessed her fast rise and impressive career in the hospitality industry. She is an industry professional with a stellar reputation. Suppliers and planners alike adore, respect, and appreciate her. Doing business with her is mutually conducive and fruitful because she approaches things with a “win-win’ attitude…seldom seen these days.

If you have to describe the consummate meeting executive, industry colleague, and mentor, well Sonal IS the one!"

Personalized Meetings, LLC
Kelsey Kottkamp

Kelsey Kottkamp, CMP

McDermott, Will & Emery LLP

"Wow, where do I begin? Sonal worked with our Firm for over a year and she immediately became an integral part of the team. She helped navigate contracts, communicate to senior leadership, and was a trusted resource for both our Events team and the Firm. She is extremely organized, creative, and always brought positive energy to the office every day. Our biggest task while Sonal was with our team, was planning our Partners’ Retreat. This required numerous site visits, managing multiple vendors, as well as a very tight planning timeline. The event was a huge success and we could not have done it without Sonal’s partnership. She is a true event professional and has a deep passion for the industry. I would highly recommend Sonal for any of your event needs!"

Personalized Meetings, LLC
Jennifer Walter

Jennifer Walter

SDI Travel

"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Sonal on many projects over the years and she continues to be my go-to person when I need assistance with my meetings. She is a consummate professional, able to jump into a project at any time with little to no direction and successfully see it through to the end. Her extensive experience and knowledge of the industry, coupled with her ability to handle stressful situations under pressure, makes her an asset to any team. Sonal’s cheerful disposition, can-do attitude, and drive for excellence make her a favorite among our clients and team members."

Personalized Meetings, LLC
Stephanie Crain

Stephanie Crain (former employee)

Council of Residential Specialists

"I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working with Sonal Sullivan for the past three years. It’s a rare occasion when contracted vendors are able to so fully integrate themselves into your business, operations, and culture it’s a seamless experience, but Sonal does exactly that. 

Working with Sonal on our annual signature event and governance and committee meetings over the past few years have been outstanding. Across the board – from our small leadership meetings for 20 attendees to our largest event with over 1,000, Sonal’s incredible depth and breadth of experience and contacts within the hospitality industry helped us provide a superior experience for our members, improved our internal processes, and saved us a significant amount while dramatically reducing our exposure to risk. She really took the time to get to know our industry, our members, and how our organization worked internally to maximize her value.

Sonal is a true professional and always puts the client first. Her personality and attitude are truly admirable – she’s one of the most positive, solution-oriented, collaborative, inclusive, and funny people I know. I love working with Sonal and recommend her highly to anyone who wants to make their events the best they can be, both from the attendee and the sponsor's perspective." 

Personalized Meetings, LLC
Regina Panza

Regina Panza (former employee)

McDonald's

"Sonal and I worked together on several projects over the last couple of years. She is a very experienced and detailed meeting and event management professional. She has a very calm demeanor which is a necessity, especially when working under pressure. She is reliable and always aware of objectives and deadlines and would be an asset to any team."

Personalized Meetings, LLC