The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) has announced the launch of its education gateway portal, EduGate, for idea and session proposal submissions and management. EduGate was developed in collaboration with PCMA’s technology partner, Active Network.
The goals that drove the development of the portal were multi-pronged: standardization, productivity and speed-to-session delivery – all in a searchable database. The new online application will facilitate the 24/7, 365-day submission of session proposals and ideas.
With EduGate, PCMA has leveled the field on the submission selection process through the creation of universal program submission standards, while supporting topical customization in program-specific Call for Presentations. The portal will allow PCMA to immediately assess a speaker’s fluency and commitment to its submission, thereby increasing speed-to-session-delivery and staff productivity. Additionally, EduGate provides for a central database for PCMA staff, program committees and chapter leaders to search for vetted and approved quality education programming.
“PCMA’s strategic plans call for us to enhance the relevancy of our educational programming for all member demographics,” said Deborah Sexton, president and CEO, PCMA. “The 2012 Convening Leader’s program was evidence of our commitment–offering a variety of concurrent sessions for each of our member categories…Our post-event evaluations prove we’re on the right path and our audience wants more education offerings specific to their niche. EduGate will help PCMA and our speakers deliver our audience’s education desires.”
Additionally, EduGate brings submission classification tagging, to allow for searches to fit a specific target audience’s needs and wants. Another feature will allow speakers to submit once to be considered for multi-year, multi-event opportunities, avoiding the resubmissions required in the past.
The EduGate portal also provides a vehicle for the capture of great ideas, from any source, which do not require the submitter to own and develop the idea, but could potentially be developed into an education session by a committee or PCMA staff.
The first test for EduGate will be the 2013 Convening Leaders Call for Presentations, now open through February 29.
