PCMA Announces Proposed Slate of 2018 Board Officers and Directors
August 5, 2017
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Nominating Committee met on Aug. 25 in Chicago to determine the final slate from the extraordinary nominee applications for the 2018 open board officer and director positions.
After vigilant due diligence and deliberation, the committee offers the following slate of candidates for leadership positions on the 2018 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 five per cent 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, PCMA president and CEO, at +1 312 423 7264 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 62nd PCMA annual meeting, Convening Leaders, in Nashville, Tenn.
Convening Leaders takes place in Jan. 7-10 in Nashville and will be held at the Music City Center.
2018 PROPOSED SLATE OF NEW OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Chair:
Claire Smith, CMP
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Vancouver Convention Centre
Term: 2018
Chair-Elect:
Gregory A. O’Dell
President & Chief Executive Officer
Events DC
Term: 2018
Secretary-Treasurer:
Stuart Ruff-Lyon, CMP, DES
VP, Events & Education
Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Term: 2018
Immediate Past Chair:
Mary Pat Heftman
Executive Vice President, Convention & Strategic Alliances
National Restaurant Association
Term: 2018
The following individuals will begin serving three-year terms (2018-2020):
Neil Brownlee
Head of Business Events
VisitScotland
Carolyn Pund, CMP, CMM
Sr. Mgr, Global SMM & Event Business Operations
Cisco Systems Inc.
Kathleen Ratcliffe
President
Explore St. Louis
Megan Tate, CMM, DES
Vice President, Meeting & Events Planning Manager
Wells Fargo Bank
Christine Trimmer
Executive Director
International Society for Infectious Diseases
The following individuals are currently serving terms as Directors:
Tonya Almond, CMP
Vice President, Meetings & Continuing Education
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Term: 2016 – 2018
Tamela D. Blalock, MTA, CMP
Executive Director
Section of Women’s Health of the American Physical Therapy Association
Term: 2016 – 2018
Kerry Crockett, MBA, CMP, CAE, DES
Associate Executive Director
International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Term: 2017 - 2019
Ben Hainsworth
Executive Director
K.I.T. Group GmbH
Term: 2016 – 2018
Leonard Hoops
President & CEO
Visit Indy
Term: 2017 - 2019
Gary Murakami, GTP, GLP, CMP
Director, Global Sales
MGM Resorts International
Term: 2016 – 2018
Weemin Ong, CMP
Executive Director
Marina Bay Sands
Term: 2017 - 2019
Janeé Pelletier
VP of Communications & Events
MdBio Foundation
Term: 2017 – 2019
Kelly M. Ricker
Executive Vice President, Events & Education
CompTIA
Term: 2017 – 2019
Danielle Urbina, CMP
Director of Meetings and Exhibits
American Society of Anesthesiologists
Term: 2017 – 2019
Carol C. Wallace
President & CEO
Carol Wallace & Associates Inc.
Term: 2016 – 2018
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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