PCMA
Austin’s bold vision: A convention centre reimagined for the future
Tom Noonan, president & CEO of Visit Austin, and Trisha Tatro, director of Austin Convention Center, speak to CMW’s Iain Stirling about the city’s ambitious expansion plans and what makes the Texas capital a compelling destination for business events Austin, Texas, is undergoing a transformation that few convention destinations can match. With a complete rebuild of its convention c...
IAPCO and PCMA sign MoU on strategic collaboration
The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) and PCMA have formalised a new strategic collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement, signed at PCMA Convening Leaders 2026, in Philadelphia, covers co-operation across thought leadership, professional education, research, and emerging leader engagement within the global business events ...
Philadelphia’s convention “World Cup” has arrived
Gregg Caren, CEO of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, speaks with CMW’s Iain Stirling about bringing PCMA Convening Leaders back to the city for the first time since 2006, why he calls it Philadelphia’s “World Cup” for the meetings industry, and how the city plans to leverage its 250th anniversary celebrations and FIFA World Cup matches to drive convention busine...
Blazing a trail: A year in the PCMA hotseat
Neil Brownlee reflects on his year as PCMA’s first non-North American chair. When Neil Brownlee, VisitScotland’s head of Business Events, became the first non-North American Chair of PCMA, he took on an ambitious agenda tied to PCMA’s 2030 vision. It included launching a refreshed brand identity, deepening the integration of PCMA’s acquisitions, including CEMA and EMA UK, elevating Convene for Cli...
PCMA announces 2026 Class of 20 in their Twenties
US-based meetings industry association PCMA has selected 20 emerging leaders from the next generation of global business events professionals for its annual ‘20 in their Twenties’ programme. Now in its 12th year, the programme honours young professionals who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and a clear commitment to advancing the global business events community. The Class of 2026 represents or...
PCMA announces new leadership programmes
At IMEX America 2025, PCMA announced two new leadership programmes, as well as updates to its AI-driven Destinaitor platform. The news was shared by Sherrif Karamat, president and CEO of PCMA and CEMA, and Neil Brownlee, PCMA chair and head of business events at VisitScotland. The PCMA Institute, formerly the Event Leadership Institute, will launch two global education initiatives in early 2026. T...
PCMA members approve association’s 2026 Board of Directors and Trustees slate
Sherrif Karamat, president and CEO of US-based association PCMA (professional convention management association) and CEMA, has announced that the 2026 Board of Directors and Trustees Slate introduced to PCMA and CEMA members on August 29, 2025, was approved on 1 October, 2025. Directors and trustees will assume office following PCMA’s Convening Leaders, 11–14 January, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsy...
PCMA and SANCBE drive new programme and call for action at C4C 2025 in Rotterdam
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and the Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe (SANCBE) have announced more details of their second edition of Convene 4 Climate (C4C), scheduled 16-17 October in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Launched in 2024, C4C is a global platform and movement designed to push the business events community and the broader business ...
Convening Leaders 2025 achieves platinum EIC Sustainable Event Standards certification
The Events Industry Council (EIC) has announced that Convening Leaders 2025 (CL25), the premier education and networking event hosted by PCMA, has earned Platinum Level Certification to EIC’s Sustainable Event Standards, the programme’s highest distinction and a leap up from CL24’s Silver Certification. “Achieving Platinum Certification is more than a recognition – it’s proof of our belief that su...