PCMA Selects Host Cities for Convening Leaders for Next Four Years
June 6, 2023
PCMA has selected the future host cities and dates for Convening Leaders (CL), the association’s annual flagship education and networking event, for 2024-2027. San Diego has been tapped to host the event in January 2024, followed by Houston in 2025, Philadelphia in 2026 and Miami in 2027.
“The business events industry plays a critical role in bringing people together that drives economic growth and social good for individuals, organizations and communities” said PCMA and CEMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat. “Each of these destinations has a unique identity and offers a diverse range of experiences for our participants. We look forward to bringing our global community together to learn, connect and innovate for the future.”
Convening Leaders 2024: Jan. 7-10, San Diego, Calif.
Hosted by the San Diego Tourism Authority, CL24 will be held at the San Diego Convention Center.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Convening Leaders to our beautiful city in 2024,” said Julie Coker, president and CEO, San Diego Tourism Authority. “San Diego’s stunning beauty, combined with our diverse culture and vibrant atmosphere, fosters an environment of innovation and collaboration that perfectly aligns with the forward-thinking nature of Convening Leaders. We can’t wait to welcome participants from around the world and embrace them with San Diego’s warmth, charm, and welcoming spirit.”
Convening Leaders 2025: Jan. 12-15, Houston, Texas
Hosted by Visit Houston and Houston First Corporation, CL25 will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
“We look forward to hosting the premier gathering of meeting professionals in the country when Convening Leaders comes to Houston in 2025,” said Michael Heckman, president and CEO, Houston First Corporation. “Not only is Houston a great destination enjoyed by millions of visitors annually, but our George R. Brown Convention Center campus is the perfect place for event professionals to collaborate and be inspired while also enjoying the world-class culinary and cultural offerings of the nation’s most diverse city,”
Convening Leaders 2026: Jan. 11-14, Philadelphia, Pa.
Hosted by Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), CL26 will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, just in time for America’s 250th birthday celebration, with Philadelphia as its centerpiece. It will also be PCMA’s first time back in the City of Brotherly Love since 2006.
“We couldn’t be more excited to launch America’s semi-quincentennial in 2026 than by hosting Convening Leaders in the city that founded our nation,” said Gregg Caren, PHLCVB president and CEO. “250 years after America’s first convention, we will again convene with the brightest minds in the business events industry to spark innovation and growth opportunities. There is a real sense of pride in saying that Philadelphia will be the host site of the FIFA World Cup, the MLB All-Star Game and now, PCMA’s flagship event in 2026.”
Convening Leaders 2027: Jan. 10-13, Miami, Fla.
Hosted by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, CL27 will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
“The privilege and opportunity to host Convening Leaders is directly attributable to our city and county leaders who invested over $640 million to reimagine and significantly expand the Miami Beach Convention Center coupled with the eagerly anticipated completion of a new on-campus host hotel,” said David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. “PCMA and its members are at the epicenter of our meetings, conventions and trade show ecosystem. This will be our and our partners’ time to shine.”
As the world’s largest community for business events strategists, PCMA provides senior-level education, networking and market intelligence for the global business events industry. Headquartered in Chicago, the organization boasts 17 North American Chapters, regional communities in APAC, EMEA and LATAM, and members in 59 countries. The Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA), a PCMA subsidiary, advances strategic event marketing and marketing communications for senior-level event marketers and industry professionals.
Registration Convening Leaders 2024 is set to open June 26. To learn more, go 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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