Locke is an accomplished meeting, incentive, and special events consultant, who joined the CUSA team in 2024 to lead select annual marquee events for the Conference. Prior to 2024, she completed a 10-year tenure as the Director of Global Meetings & Events at etc group in Dallas/Arlington, Texas. Locke has a collective 17 years of experience within the industry and has an extensive background in special event management, marketing, corporate sponsorship activation and public relations.
Additional experience and projects include time at Keurig Dr Pepper as a Meetings & Events Manager. During her time with Dr Pepper, Locke was tasked with managing numerous programs including the Pac 12 & SEC Dr Pepper College Football Championship Games, events surrounding the 7UP Latin Grammy Awards, Dr Pepper Marketing & Bottlers Association Meetings, National Sales Meeting & the Annual Winner’s Circle Incentive Trip. She has also had the opportunity to work in the marketing and special events divisions of numerous college and professional sports organizations including Conference USA (2007-2011), the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Dallas Mavericks.
Locke's professionalism, knowledge and talents have been recognized on many occasions by her clients, peers and professional organizations. She was awarded with the Dr Pepper ACTION award in 2012 for her extensive work and success on the Inaugural PAC 12 Championship Game & surrounding events. She has also received strong recommendations and commendations from key stakeholders at Cash America International, D.R. Horton America’s Builder & Dean Foods. Carmen is an alumnus of Texas Christian University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies and Public Relations in 2006. She and her husband (Lyndon) reside in McLendon Chisolm, Texas with their three children (Cameryn age 8, Lyndon and Londyn age 7).