PCMA’s Hospitality Helping Hands program participants spent part of a day at early-childhood daycare centers that serve at-risk communities in Vancouver. Volunteers used colorful ribbons to brightened up the Mount Pleasant Childcare Centre.
Opening Night Reception
It was all things Canada at the Convening Leaders opening night reception. The event, held at the LEED Platinum–certified Vancouver Convention Centre, featured fire-eaters and aerial acrobats.
PCMA President and CEO Deborah Sexton
Friends and colleagues got reacquainted at the opening reception: (from left) Kevin Olsen, One Smooth Stone; Deborah Sexton, PCMA president and CEO; Eric Rozenberg, Keyway LLC; and Eli Gorin, FHTDirect.com
Canadian Ice
This glittering ice sculpture dazzled more than one attendee at the Convening Leaders opening reception.
A Year of Accomplishments
Raymond John Kopcinski Sr., CMP, senior director, Million Dollar Round Table, PCMA’s immediate past chair, spoke about a year of accomplishments at the opening general session on Monday morning.
A Warm Welcome from Reed and Jones
New PCMA Chair William F. Reed, FASAE, CMP, senior director of meetings and community engagement, American Society of Hematology (left), and Phillip Jones, president and CEO, Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, welcomed general session attendees.
The Interview
Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott International, and Mel Robbins, CNN correspondent, appeared at the opening general session with a wide-ranging discussion about Sorenson’s journey from a preacher’s son to attorney to CEO of Marriott International. Robbins was keen to find out what might happen to her hotel loyalty points once Marriott and Starwood merge. The answer from Sorenson: “We want to make [whatever the new points program is called] more powerful.”
Bolinger Woos Bidders
Karen Bolinger, CEO, Melbourne Convention Bureau, announced PCMA’s first citywide auction outside the United States. Meeting planners who qualify can submit an opening bid of $125,000 for the Melbourne Citywide Auction Package, valued at $350,000. Bidding opened at Convening Leaders and ends November 30.
All About Viral
Jonah Berger, author of Contagious: Why Things Catch On, spoke during Tuesday morning’s general session.
New Foundation Chair
New PCMA Foundation Chair Tina Wehmeir, CMP, CAE, CEO, AMC Institute, talked about her plans for 2016, including her hopes to cruise into some chapter meetings on her motorcycle.
Yoga Anywhere, Anytime
The Learning Lounge at this year’s Convening Leaders spanned two floors at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Some attendees took a well-deserved wellness break, practicing yoga in the Learning Lounge wellness space.
Emcee Schirmacher
The Immediate Past Chair of the PCMA Foundation, Gary Schirmacher, CMP, senior vice president, industry presence & strategic development, Experient, A Maritz Travel Company, emceed day two’s general session, dedicated to the work of the foundation.
Make Your Whitespace
A MeetingsNet 2015 top speaker, Julia Funt told the audience how to create "whitespace" to allow thoughts to flow unimpeded in both their professional and personal lives.
No Limits
Amy Purdy, double amputee and Paralympic snowboarder, who spoke at the final general session, shows PCMA COO Sherrif Karamat a few dance steps she learned during her experience on "Dancing With the Stars."
