PCMA

There’s nothing better than seeing the PCMA community come together. PCMA Collectives are informal, peer-to-peer gatherings where members and future members can connect locally, share ideas and meet someone new. Looking for a Collective? Go to PCMA Axis. pcma.co/4eO9prx

he PCMA Foundation Visionary Awards 2026 brought our community together to honor the leaders whose work has shaped the rooms we gather in, the opportunities we create, and the future we are still building.

Congratulations to our 2026 PCMA Visionary Awards Winners in Professional Excellence!

You asked for a space to stay connected beyond the moment. This is it! PCMA Axis is where members are sharing ideas, asking better questions, and having the kind of conversations that don’t happen in comment sections. Lianna Bolton gives you a quick look at how to get started.

This Earth Day, we lead the way in creating positive change. Every event we organize and each decision we make drives lasting impact. As a global business events community, we have the power and responsibility to shape a better future, together.

Exciting opportunity for seasoned industry leaders: PCMA has up to ten (10) open positions for the Nominating Committee. To view qualifications and apply, visit: pcma.org/volunteer/boar… Applications Close: Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM Chicago Time

Not everything moves you forward. The right perspective does. The right people do. Stay grounded. Move faster. Lead better. Something new is coming. #FindYourAxis

It is our privilege to announce the finalists for the PCMA Foundation Professional Excellence Awards for the Groundbreaker Award: Bianca DeStout, Nuria Fernández Roldán, and Kyle Jordan, CAE, CEM-AP, CMP Fellow, DES, CMM. The Groundbreaker Award recognizes professionals who challenge the status quo by introducing bold ideas, new approaches, or first-of-their-kind initiatives that advance equity, access, and inclusion across the business events industry. Join us to celebrate Bianca, Nuria, and Kyle, along with all the Professional Excellence Award Finalists and Lifetime Achievement Honorees, on May 7, 2026, in Washington, DC. For more information visit, bit.ly/4tLUT8O

A new #PCMAConvenePod Article is live: More Than Hacking It, written & read by Barbara Palmer Listen here: pcma.org/more-than-hack… #PCMAConvene #EventProfs #Podcast

It is our privilege to announce the finalists for the PCMA Foundation Professional Excellence Awards for the inaugural Corporate Event Marketer of the Year: Adele Durham, Kim Hastings, CMM and Keri Ibbitson, MBA. The Corporate Event Marketer of the Year Award honors professionals who use corporate events as a core marketing channel, driving brand visibility, audience engagement, and business impact through intentional event-led strategy. Join us to celebrate Adele, Kim, and Keri, along with all the Professional Excellence Award Finalists and Lifetime Achievement Honorees, on May 7, 2026, in Washington, DC. For more information visit pcma.co/4bLaLkI

Calling all thought leaders, educators, and changemakers in the business events industry. PCMA Business Events Summit 2026 is ready for your best ideas. Formerly edUcon, this immersive, skills-based experience is designed for senior-level business events professionals who want more than inspiration. They want application. They want sharper thinking. They want solutions they can take back to work. This year, we’re looking for proposals that help participants: ▫️ create experiences that connect ▫️ strengthen leadership influence ▫️ align strategy with impact If your idea gets leaders doing, solving, and applying, we want to hear it. Log in and submit your proposal today! pcma.co/4b1RUSk

It is our privilege to announce the finalists for the PCMA Foundation Professional Excellence Awards for Business Events Supplier of the Year: Lori Adlesick , Joy Cmiel , and Karen Staples,. The Business Events Supplier of the Year Award recognizes industry partners who consistently elevate client outcomes through innovation, reliability, and collaborative leadership – setting a high standard for service and impact across the business events ecosystem. Join us to celebrate Lori, Joy, and Karen, along with all the Professional Excellence Award Finalists and Lifetime Achievement Honorees, on May 7, 2026, in Washington, DC. For more information and tickets, visit bit.ly/4tLUT8O

In this S10E02 short, Chef Andrew Cooper explains how talking to farmers and field workers leads to creative ideas and turns “scraps” into memorable dishes for guests. Listen to the full episode - pcma.org/convene/podcas… #PCMAConvenePod #PCMAConvene #EventProfs #ZeroWaste

Congratulations to Angie Ranalli, our 2026 PCMA Foundation Visionary Awards Lifetime Achievement Honoree! Angie is a respected leader whose career has shaped both destinations and people. Through senior roles with global hotel brands and long-term leadership advancing San Diego as a top-tier convention destination, she delivered lasting economic impact while earning deep client trust. A longtime PCMA and Foundation board leader, Angie’s legacy is defined by mentorship, service, and paying it forward to the next generation. Join us on May 7, 2026, during Business Events Industry Week, as we honor this extraordinary leader and celebrate the remarkable achievements of all our honorees and finalists. bit.ly/4tLUT8O

Congratulations to Charles Starks, our 2026 PCMA Foundation Visionary Awards Lifetime Achievement Honoree! Charles Starks is President & CEO of Music City Center, where he plays a defining role in shaping Nashville as a premier meetings destination. He led the development of the 2.1-million-square-foot facility and continues to guide its growth with steady, values-driven leadership. A former PCMA Chair and dedicated civic leader, Charles’ impact spans destination development, industry service, and community stewardship. Join us on May 7, 2026, during Business Events Industry Week, as we honor this extraordinary leader and celebrate the remarkable achievements of all our honorees and finalists. bit.ly/4tLUT8O

A new #PCMAConvenePod Article is live: An Artist in Residence Inspired Deeper Connections at This Association’s Annual Meeting, written & read by @barbaraconvene Listen here: pcma.org/artist-in-resi… #PCMAConvene #EventProfs #Podcast

Congratulations to Carolyn B. Pund, CMM DES, our 2026 PCMA Foundation Visionary Awards Lifetime Achievement Business Events Strategist Honoree! Carolyn is a transformational leader whose work helped define modern strategic meetings management. A pioneer of SMMP and co-founder of the Meetings Competitive Advantage Forum, she has spent more than three decades driving measurable event impact inside Fortune 500 organizations while shaping industry best practices that continue to influence how events are designed, governed, and valued. Join us on May 7, 2026, during Business Events Industry Week, as we honor this extraordinary leader and celebrate the remarkable achievements of all our honorees and finalists. bit.ly/4tLUT8O

Some honors clap. This one crowns. Visionary Awards. May 7, 2026 | Walter E. Washington Convention Center The room where industry leaders take their place. Registration is open. bit.ly/4tLUT8O Be there.

Sometimes a recap video captures the vibe. This time, it captures history. Together in Philadelphia, we didn’t just attend Convening Leaders 2026. You showed up with energy, sparked bold conversations, and created moments that will shape what’s next. Your ideas, your presence, your momentum… that’s what made it unforgettable. Thank you for being part of the magic.

Kelly Ricker, told Convene why she is so excited to get to work “building on our strengths while positioning @pcmahq for an even better future” and laid out her top priorities for 2026. Read more from PCMA’s 2026 Board Chair: pcma.org/kelly-ricker-c… #PCMAConvene #EventProfs