Stuart Butler

About Stuart Butler

For more than three decades, my work has centered on one belief: human connection is the most powerful economic engine we have. It’s how businesses grow, how ideas spread, how communities strengthen, and how people find belonging.I learned early that connection begins with something simple: showing up. Show up, be curious, be a giver — and the rest will come. That philosophy built Butler Seattle, shaped my leadership, and ultimately led me to steward the Northwest Event Show.Today, NWES is no longer just a regional gathering. It’s becoming a global invitation to the Pacific Northwest — a place where planners, suppliers, civic leaders, creatives, and innovators come together to build what’s next.We currently welcome 2,400 attendees, representing $1.2B+ in event spending power and 1,242 businesses. But the real story isn’t the purchasing power — it’s the connection power.Because we’re not building a bigger event.We’re building a movement.My vision: Create One Million Human Connections.Not metaphorically — literally.A million moments where people meet someone new, spark an idea, find a partner, hire a team member, launch a project, or feel like they’ve finally found their tribe.When people walk into NWES, I want them to feel welcomed, seen, and at home.I want them to say, “Ah… here are my people.”And I want them to stay longer than they planned — because the energy pulls them in.The next chapter is about:Cross‑pollinating the creative economy with the events industryElevating hospitality as a regional strategyDemonstrating what connection looks like when practiced with intentionPositioning the PNW as an epicenter of human connection for the worldwho I work withCorporate leaders. Civic partners. Business innovators. Tech visionaries. Hospitality professionals. Creatives. Educators. Students.Anyone who believes the Pacific Northwest can be more connected, more collaborative, and more globally influential.What I’m buildingThrough NWES, Butler Seattle & Events, and regional partnerships, I’m working to:Activate the PNW’s full ecosystemShowcase our region’s hospitality, creativity, and innovationBuild a event that reflects the true power of the PNWCreate a global platform where connection drives economic and cultural growthIf you care about the future of the Pacific Northwest — or the future of human connection — I’d love to connect.We’re building something bigger than an event.We’re building a region.And we’re just getting started.

Experience

1. President

   Northwest Event Show

   Jan 2018 — Present · Seattle, WA, US

   Transforming connections into opportunities and curiosity into innovation, redefining the power of presence through meaningful experiences that inspire trust, collaboration, and lasting impact.

Education

• North Seattle College

  Association of Applied Science Degree - Real Estate Degree, Real Estate

  1990 — 1992

• University of Washington

  Double BA, Psychology; Political Science

  1985 — 1990