Professional Convention Management Association Releases 2016 Slate of Board Officers and Directors

September 1, 2015

The Professional Convention Management Association Nominating Committee, chaired by Johnnie White, 2014 past Chair of the Board, met Aug. 20 in Chicago and reviewed, in detail, a number of nominee applications for the 2016 open board officers and directions positions.

 After careful due diligence and deliberation, the committee offers the following slate of candidates for leadership positions on the 2016 PCMA Board of Directors.

According to the PCMA Bylaws, this official announcement of the proposed slate is to be sent to the membership by Oct. 1.

The nominating process, according to the Bylaws (Article XII, Section 1(d)), allows for additional nominations for any officer or director position by members who submit a petition.

The petition is required to be signed by 5 percent of the members from the respective membership category appropriate to that position, and submitted to the president and CEO no later than the close of business Nov. 1.

If you are interested in submitting a petition, please contact Deborah Sexton, president and CEO, at 312.423.7262 or deborah.sexton@pcma.org for petition details and procedures.

Unless there are additional petition nominations from the membership, the following officers and directors will be deemed elected and will take office immediately following the 60th PCMA annual meeting, Convening Leaders, in Vancouver, BC, on Jan. 14.

Convening Leaders takes place Jan. 10-13 in Vancouver and will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

2015 PROPOSED SLATE OF NEW OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Chair:
William F. Reed, FASAE, CMP
Senior Director of Meetings and Community Engagement
American Society of Hematology
Term: 2016

Chair-Elect:
Mary Pat Heftman
Executive Vice President, Convention & Strategic Alliances
National Restaurant Association
Term: 2016

Secretary-Treasurer:
Claire Smith, CMP

Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Vancouver Convention Centre

Immediate Past Chair:
Raymond John Kopcinski, Sr., CMP
Senior Director
Million Dollar Round Table
Term: 2016

The following individual will begin serving three-year terms (2016-2018):

Tonya Almond, CMP
Vice President, Meetings & Continuing Education
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Tamela D. Blalock, MTA, CMP
Director of Membership
National Association of Wholesale Distributors

Ben Hainsworth
Executive Director Associations
K.I.T. Group GmbH 

Gary Murakami, GTP, GLP, CMP
Director, Global Sales
MGM Resorts International

Carol C. Wallace
President & CEO
San Diego Convention Center Corporation

The following individuals are currently serving terms as Directors:

George Aguel
President & CEO
Visit Orlando
Term: 2014-2016

Oscar Cerezales
Chief Operating Officer Asia Pacific
Group Director Association Relations     
MCI
Term: 2014-2016

Nancy DeBrosse, CMP
Senior Vice President, Sales and Account Management
Experient, Inc.
Term: 2014-2016

Ann Godi, CMP
President & CEO
Benchmarc360, Inc.
Term: 2014-2016

Bill Grusich, CMP, FASAE
Senior Vice President
Associated Luxury Hotels International
Term: 2015 – 2017

Phelps R. Hope, CMP
Senior Vice President, Meetings & Expositions
Kellen Meetings
Term: 2015 - 2017

Kristin K. Mirabal, CMP
Director, Global Events
Association of Corporate Travel Executives
Term: 2014-2016

Kirsten Olean, CMP, CAE
Director of Meetings
American Society of Microbiology
Term: 2015 – 2017

David J. Olender
Founder
DMO Associates
Partner
BOB.tv
Term: 2014-2016

Stuart L. Ruff, CMP
Director, Meetings, Exhibitions, & Events
RIMS – The Risk Management Society
Term: 2015 - 2017

Charles L. Starks
President & CEO
Music City Center
Term: 2015 - 2017

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact