High Altitude Achievements: Career Development Alumni Spotlight

Viveca McDonald ‘11

Connecting People & Places in Denver

Have you ever attended a major corporate event and wondered about all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into choosing the perfect destination for that event? For this edition of our alumni spotlight series, we sat down with Viveca McDonald, Convention Sales Manager for the City of Denver. As a connector of people, Viveca McDonald helps corporate groups find their ideal event location in Denver, bringing together the vision, logistics, and partnerships necessary to make each large-scale event a success.

A Day in the Life

No two days are the same for Viveca McDonald. Splitting time between travel, in-office work, and client meetings, her role involves everything from responding to client inquiries and setting up site visits to collaborating with industry partners to shape the future of Denver’s event experiences. Whether it’s attending a luncheon to meet other professionals or expanding her network as the President Elect of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), McDonald relishes the fast-paced, people-centered career she has cultivated.

Path to Today

Like many professionals in the industry, McDonald didn’t start out in event sales. Her journey began in retail and store operations, with aspirations of transitioning into branding and events. Over time, she realized that sales provided the strategic foundation she needed to expand her career opportunities. An MBA from the University of Dayton opened the doors, ultimately leading to a role that blends relationship-building with large-scale event planning. Her path to Colorado though is a testament to the power of UD’s alumni network. McDonald credits UD for connecting her to Dan DeBacco, former Colorado Alumni Community Leader, who ultimately played a role in encouraging McDonald to make the move to Denver trusting that she would build a professional network once she arrived. McDonald made the move, built the network, and leveraged her sales skills to land the role she holds today. 

Overcoming Challenges

As fate would have it, McDonald was starting her role as Convention Sales Manager for the City of Denver in November of 2019. A few short months later Covid 19 would bring large-scale gatherings to a halt. McDonald faced an unprecedented challenge, but rather than give up, she focused on something critical to any successful career - building community. “I leaned on Denver’s alumni network and industry connections to navigate the uncertainty,” McDonald said. This experience reinforced the value of authentic relationships and the importance of having a strong professional network - two things McDonald encourages young professionals to focus on while they are starting out. 

Lessons Learned

Throughout her career, Viveca McDonald has embraced uncertainty, seeing it as a path to growth. “Leaning into the unknown is where real opportunities happen,” she shared. Instead of dwelling on the “would have, could have, should have,” McDonald focuses on the present and trusts that she is exactly where she needs to be. Her advice to other alumni? “Be genuine in your connections, find great mentors, and let others be your advocates—you never know where those relationships might lead.”

The Future of the Industry

What excites Viveca McDonald most about the future? The evolution of the hospitality and events industry. The focus is shifting away from traditional amenities like room service and toward the “surprise and delight” of travel. Technology, particularly AI, is playing a growing role—from reading contracts today to the potential of robots assisting with check-ins and airport transfers in the future. Finding the right balance between digital transformation and human connection will be key to creating unforgettable experiences.

Through their work in Denver, Viveca McDonald continues to shape the city’s reputation as a premier event destination, bringing people together and making lasting connections. Their journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of community in building a successful career.