PCMA Members Give Green Light to 2022 Board of Directors and Trustees Slate
November 16, 2021
Members of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) have given their full approval of the 2022 Board of Directors and Trustees Slate, which was introduced to PCMA’s membership on Sept. 8. The new Directors and Trustees will assume office immediately following the organization’s signature event, Convening Leaders, set for Jan. 9-12, 2022 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas or online.
Held annually since 1956, the 2022 event will mark the first gathering of the organization’s more than 8,400 professional and student members in two years.
Effective Jan. 12, the Board’s structure will consist of a governing body comprising directors and trustees for both PCMA and the PCMA Foundation. The executive officers approved for 2022 include:
- Chairman: Charles Starks, President and CEO, Music City Center
- Chairwoman Elect: Desirée Knight, Senior Director of Education & Meetings, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way (AREMA)
- Secretary-Treasurer: Leonard Hoops, President and CEO, Visit Indy
- Immediate Past Chairwoman, PCMA Board of Directors: Kirsten Olean, Director of Meetings, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Immediate Past Chairwoman, PCMA Foundation Board of Trustees: Angie Ranalli, Vice President of Sales, San Diego Tourism Authority
“The 2022 PCMA Board of Directors and Trustees reflects an organization that is prepared to embrace the opportunities and challenges for the business events industry in the coming years,” said Sherrif Karamat, president and CEO of PCMA. “The Board slate is not only inclusive but also focused on using the business events industry platform to realize economic and social transformation.”
The following individuals will begin serving a two-year term (2022–2023):
- Fernando Fondevila, CEO, Promtur Panama
- Veemal Gungadin, Founder and CEO, GlobalSign.In
- Gladys O’Mahony, Vice President, Global Sales Organization, Caribbean and Latin America, Marriott International
- Peter O’Neil, CEO, ASIS International
- Annalisa Baccara Ponchia, Director of Innovation and Customer Experience and Director of International Congress, AIM Group International
- Chantal Sturk-Nadeau, Executive Director, Business Events, Destination Canada
- Panos Tzivanidis, Director, Corporate Events & Services, International Olympic Committee
The following individuals are serving the final year of a three-year term (2020–2022):
- Lisa Astorga, Director of Meetings, International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis
- Karen Cooper, Senior Manager, Event and Tradeshow Strategy, Poly
- Benjamin Erwin, President and CEO, Encore
- Bianca Ferrer, Creative Director, B&I Creative Group
- Diane Kovats, CEO, International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB)
- Paula Rowntree, Head of Events, Australian Psychological Society
- Ana María Viscasillas, President and Chief Visionary, Business Tourism Services
In addition, Karamat will serve as a director and trustee in an ex-officio capacity.
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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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