PCMA Foundation Celebrates the Event Industry’s Brightest Stars At the 2021 Visionary Awards
September 14, 2021
On Aug. 26, the PCMA Foundation recognized more than 20 business events industry leaders at the 2021 PCMA Visionary Awards, which honors exceptional industry professionals for their significant contributions to their organizations and the business events community.
Held at the Hilton Washington in Washington, D.C., the vibrant event hosted more than 500 guests, who celebrated with a red carpet experience, an awards show and an after party featuring Austin-based band, The Nightowls.
“The Visionary Awards is an opportunity to celebrate our amazing colleagues, while also supporting the PCMA Foundation,” said Angie Ranalli, chairwoman of the PCMA Foundation, which funds educational scholarships and critical event industry projects to empower the career advancement of students and professionals while supporting the future of the business events industry.
She continued, “To the innovators, the game-changers, the risk-takers and above all the visionaries that provide the power behind business events, thank you for your hard work, dedication and passion. Congratulations to all of our honorees and finalists.”
This year, the Professional Excellence Awards honored six recipients, who were selected by an awards committee that reviewed all the nominations, chose the finalists, reviewed the finalists again and then selected the winners based on a blind online vote. They included:
- Supplier of the Year: WeeMin Ong, Vice President of Conventions and Exhibitions, Marina Bay Sands
- Business Event Strategist of the Year: Bob Bejan, CVP, Global Events, Studios and Marketing Community, Microsoft
- Digital Experience Strategist of the Year: Victoria Fanning, CMP, DES, Sr. Manager, Digital Events, Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)
- Event Designer of the Year: Amy Ledoux, retired as Chief Learning and Meetings Officer, ASAE
- Community Advocate of the Year: José Quan, Founder and Owner, Eventia
- Outstanding Service to a Chapter: Kim Allison, Senior Director of Sales, Georgia World Congress Center—Capital Chapter
In recognition of leaders who made a significant impact during such a challenging year filled with so much uncertainty, the PCMA Foundation added three new awards to its roster: the Wayfinder Award for an individual and an organization and the Groundbreakers Award.
Created to honor an individual and an organization for their innovation, courage, leadership and solution-focused approach in the face of a significant external challenge, this year’s Wayfind Award was scooped up by IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer as the individual award winner, while Hyatt Hotels Corporation received the organizational award.
Carol Wallace, former president and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, received the inaugural PCMA Groundbreakers Award, which honors industry trailblazers who represent diverse sectors of the business events community, recognizing those who have made a significant contribution to their organizations and to programs advancing inclusion and equity.
Also recognized during the awards ceremony were the Lifetime Achievement Honorees: Bill Grusich, senior vice president at Associated Luxury Hotels International, and Lisa Delpy Neirotti, Ph.D., professor and director of sports management programs at The George Washington University.
Due to current travel restrictions and border closures, the PCMA Foundation will honor Ben Goedegebuure, vice president and global general manager at Maritz Global Events, with his Lifetime Achievement during the 2022 Visionary Awards.
Other finalists for the Professional Excellence and Wayfinder Awards who were honored included:
- Karen Watson, Cultivate Event Design and Consulting
- Camille White-Stern, Splash
- Rose Horcher, Choose Chicago
- Lora Stanley, Visit Anaheim
- Carly Silberstein, Redstone Agency Inc.
- Ben Elliott, Live Productions Australia Pty Ltd
- John Woo, GES Events
- Megan Finnell, CMP, Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)
- Toni Zoblotsky, Hilton Corp.
- Michelle Guelbart, MSW, a recognized voice in the movement to eradicate human trafficking and child exploitation
- Allen Anderson, Anderson Hospitality Services, Greater Philadelphia Chapter
- Andrew Horsfield, Hyatt Place Ottawa West, PCMA Canada East Chapter
- Michael Clarke, Marriott International
- Patrizia Semprebene Buongiorno, AIM Group International
- Events DC; PCMA Rocky Mountain Chapter
“We are all in the business of bringing people together—convening with purpose to deliver the human connections that help enrich our communities and our quality of life,” said PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat. “We advance industries and social change. We are resilient. We are innovative and we passionately believe in our ability to change the world. The world is a better place when we are together.”
To attend the 2021 Visionary Awards, PCMA required proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for all guests. Check out a video recap of the event here.
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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