PCMA Convening Leaders 2019, By the Numbers

January 15, 2019

Pittsburgh put on one heck of a show for several thousand industry leaders last week at PCMA’s Convening Leaders annual conference, held Jan. 6-9 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The theme hit hard on innovation in an ever-changing industry.

“We built this conference around the theme 'Disrupt + Deliver' because that’s what the industry needs and wants,’’ explained PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat. “We leave here with a greater commitment and better understanding of how business events can and must drive economic and social progress.’’

A roster of standout speakers included tennis champion and advocate Billie Jean King, actor and advocate Geena Davis, author and marketing pro Seth Godin, and PERIOD founder Nadya Okamoto.

Here’s how the event broke down, by the numbers:

  • 4,000 business events strategists and industry leaders in attendance
  • 36 countries represented
  • 1,200 guests who tuned in via live stream
  • 138 experts, advocates, industry leaders and celebrities in attendance
  • 54% of presenters were female
  • 75 age of Billie Jean King, who spoke candidly about her 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match
  • 68 one-on-one on-site meetings scheduled through the Braindate platform
  • $300,000 raised through on-site fundraising projects
  • $664,000 funded in grants and scholarships through PCMA Foundation
  • $5 donated to Convening Leaders social impact efforts and the PCMA Foundation for every latte served at a Hilton-sponsored onsite cafe
  • 20 local families in need who received newborn care packages built by volunteers
  • $200 won by each member of the winning hackathon team who tackled a challenge regarding how to create “sticky” learning opportunities at PCMA’s Education Conference in June

Several big announcements were also made at Convening Leaders. As part of its new vision that business events can also be drivers of positive social change, PCMA announced its commitment to combat child exploitation by signing The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism.

The Meetings Mean Business Coalition also announced plans to continue promoting the intrinsic value of face-to-face meetings and events while protecting the industry from financial or reputational threats.

PCMA will continue to expand its global presence this year through a dozen Knowledge Exchanges in Europe and Asia-Pacific, in addition to the PCMA Foundation Visionary Awards on May 7 in Washington, D.C., the Education Conference June 25-28 in Los Angeles, and the APAC Annual Conference, Nov. 6-8 in Macau.

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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.