Posted by:
Christine Melendes, CAE
Director, Member Relations, PCMA
WOW! That is simply the only word I can say when I think of the results of the 2011 Convening Leaders Donation Drive. What started off as a HUGE goal of collecting 10,000 cards (a goal I thought we would struggle to reach) – we ended up donating almost 16,000 cards!
WOW! What support we had from the meeting planning community for this drive…our most successful one to date. Throughout the event people just kept coming and coming with cards to donate. When I checked on …

In October 2010, I put together a top 10 list of things I was looking forward to. I thought it would be interesting to see if my top 10 actually turned out to be my top 10. Without a doubt – YES!
Here’s a look back at my list – with my updated comments:
10. Celebrating with the Award winners WOW – I could not have loved meeting our award winners more and then when I did, I cannot think of anyone who could have been recognized besides this amazing group. Sadly, …

Posted by:
Alisha Ernst
Student, Kansas State University


PCMA Student Union: Character Counts

WOW! That’s really the only word that comes close to justifying my experience this past week at PCMA Annual Meeting: Convening Leaders in Las Vegas. I again want to thank PCMA for providing me with the scholarship that allowed me to attend this meeting.
As far as my three objectives I am happy to report I met all of them.
1. Meet an individual who holds a position in the industry that I have not even fathomed
I met one attendee who I believe …

Posted by:
Danielle Babilino
Senior Vice President, Hotel Sales, Wynn Las Vegas
 

It’s really not a “Trip to the Strip” without a stop at one of the hottest nightclubs in Vegas! Something PCMA Convening Leaders attendees learned last night.
Tryst at Wynn was thrilled to host the PCMA Education Foundation’s Party With a Purpose (PWAP) at Tryst – last night. We sold out of tickets and had a great time dancing the night away!
We’re so glad you were able to join us last night, having some fun in Las Vegas, experiencing the Wynn, Encore and Tryst and …

I’m thrilled to be serving as your Chairman this year. PCMA is an incredible organization, adjusting to changes in the business landscape while constantly looking out for “what’s next.”
PCMA’s new Strategic Plan takes effect this year. It is a plan that re-emphasizes the importance of PCMA members and stresses education and research. This will be our guidepost for all of our activities going forward.
There are three areas I’ll be focusing on in the coming year:
- Continuing to promote the importance of face-to-face meetings and reinforcing that meetings are a critical …

Roy Benear
Senior Vice President
Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau
In our industry, we all know that conventions inject their host communities with a significant economic boost, which drives the local economy, supports public programs and keeps hotels busy. What’s special about the PCMA Annual Meeting: Convening Leaders, though, is that through Party With a Purpose (PWAP), which takes place tonight from 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. at Tryst, at the Wynn, we’re all able to directly impact the lives of real people in each community.
How do we do it? PCMA donates proceeds of ticket …

Alisha Ernst
Student
Kansaa State University

I want to take a moment to introduce myself and thank PCMA. I am a senior at Kansas State University majoring in Hotel and Restaurant Management. PCMA has blessed me with an amazing scholarship opportunity that is allowing me to attend the Annual Meeting: Convening Leaders for the first time. I think many would agree I could not ask for a better location for my first meeting!
Which brings me to my next task, I was asked to give the students perspective on my expectations for Convening Leaders. …