PCMA and CEMA president and CEO Sherrif Karamat has announced that the 2024 board of directors and trustees slate introduced has officially been approved.
The directors and trustees will assume office immediately following PCMA’s Convening Leaders 7-10 January 2024, at the San Diego Convention Centre in San Diego, California.
“PCMA is fortunate to have a Board of Directors that reflects and supports our global community,” says Karamat.
“Their steadfast commitment to driving economic and social transformation through business events will ensure our community is equipped to lead the profession into the future.”
Effective 10 January, 2024, the executive officers serving a one-year term include:
- Chair: Leonard Hoops, president and CEO, Visit Indy
- Chair-Elect: Neil Brownlee, head of business events, VisitScotland
- Secretary-Treasurer: Kelly Ricker, chief learning officer, American Academy of Neurology
- Immediate Past Chair: Desirée Knight, CAE, CMP, DES, senior director, Meetings and Events, American Psychological Association
The following leaders will serve a two-year director and trustee term (2024–2025):
- Deborah Caldwell, senior vice president, Asia Pacific Head of Global Events, Bank of America
- Patrick Espinoza, MBA, CMP, director of sales, Caesars Entertainment, Inc.
- Fernando Fondevila, MBA, CEO, Promtur Panama
- Gladys O’Mahony, vice president, Global Sales Organization, Caribbean & Latin America, Marriott International
- Peter O’Neil, FASAE, CAE, CEO, ASIS International
- Clifford Rippetoe, president and CEO, San Diego Convention Centre Corporation
- Panos Tzivanidis, director, Corporate Events & Services, International Olympic Committee
- Serving a one-year Director and Trustee term (2024) is Amy Walter, head of global event strategy and shared services, Atlassian
The following leaders are serving the final year of a two-year director and trustee term (2023–2024):
- Gregg Caren, president and CEO, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Amanda Cecil, PhD, CMP, professor, Department of Tourism, Event & Sport Management, Indiana University
- Shameka Jennings, MTA, CAE, CMP, DES, principal and Chief Events Officer, Eventsnoire
- Brian Landers, CDS, senior vice president / Team Director, ConferenceDirect
- Lauren Parr, senior vice president, Meetings and Learning, American Geophysical Union
- Stephen Rose, head of global communication services, Siemens AG
- Kathleen Warden, director of conference sales, Scottish Event Campus
In addition, the president and CEO of PCMA and CEMA serves as a director and trustee:
- Sherrif Karamat, CAE, president and CEO, PCMA and CEMA
