Amanda Spiegel Rushing, SPE Director of North America events and a highly respected Certified Meetings Professional and Professional Association Manager, passed away on 14 May 2026 at Memorial Hermann City Hospital in Houston following complications from uterine cancer. She was 66 years old.
She was born in Queens, New York, in 1960 to Glenn and Faye (Gassert) Spiegel. She was raised in Cortland, New York, where she graduated from high school before attending Cornell University. There, she earned her undergraduate degree in hotel and business management and worked as an administrative assistant in the university’s astronomy department, supporting distinguished astrophysicists. She later relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, where she established and grew her professional career.
She met her husband, Ken, in August 1987 at a mutual friend’s end-of-summer gathering in Baltimore. Their connection blossomed after her toy poodle gave its approval. They were married in September 1991 and shared a loving partnership filled with companionship, humor, and mutual support.
While she did not have children, she had a lifelong love for animals and was a devoted caretaker to many pets over the years, including her beloved dogs Baily, Miggins, and Francois. She took great pride in training and caring for them, often encouraging her husband to join in their daily walks.
Rushing built an impressive career in the meetings and events industry, specializing in conferences for nonprofit and professional organizations. She worked with numerous respected organizations, including the Internet Society, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Medical Informatics Association, the ESOP Association, and SPE. She also owned and operated a conference and meeting support company, contributing to events across the US and internationally.
Rushing served as SPE Director of North America events for nearly 2 years at the time of her passing.
Throughout her career, she collaborated with notable personalities such as Henry Winkler, Dave Barry, Ben Stein, Grant Imahara, and Joe Theismann. She was deeply engaged in her profession, serving on the Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board and the Board of Directors of the Professional Convention Management Association. She was also a contributing editor to the PCMA CMP Training Guide, helped train future CMP candidates, and played a role in developing the certification program's curriculum, leaving a lasting impact on the profession.