Pictured: Carolyn Clark (right), Deborah Sexton (center) and volunteer leadership
Last night, May 3, the Professional Convention Management Association Education Foundation honored the 2017 Lifetime Achievement of three industry luminaries as well as the winners of the 2017 Professional Excellence Awards at the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C.
More than 1,000 leaders in the business events were in attendance at the premier industry recognition event. From the red carpet to the awards program and the swinging after party featuring Sauce the Band, the evening was a black-tie night to remember.
“Our 2017 honorees and award winners’ accomplishments serve as inspiration to both industry veterans and novices alike,” said PCMA President & CEO, Deborah Sexton. “Each an expert in their profession—always endeavoring to lead the advancement of their organizations and the business events industry.”
Those celebrated included:
2017 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees [announced in 2016]
Martin (Marty) Balogh, Associate Executive Director, Meetings and Travel Group, American Bar Association – 2017 Meeting Professional Honoree
Carol Krugman, MEd, CMP, CMM, Chair of the Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Events, Metropolitan State University of Denver – 2017 Educator Honoree
Barry Smith, President & CEO, Metro Toronto Convention Centre – 2017 Supplier Honoree
2017 Professional Excellence Award Winners [announced live]
Meeting Professional of the Year
This award honors a PCMA professional member who exemplifies professional excellence in their contributions to their organization, PCMA and the business events community.
Danielle L. Urbina, CMP, Director of Meetings and Exhibits with the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Danielle is an outstanding meeting professional who is dedicated to her work and her industry. An active member of PCMA she is passionate about medical meetings and always seeking ways to expand her knowledge and contribute to the future of the meetings industry. She is a mentor to many, serving as adjunct faculty at Roosevelt University and taking the time to truly connect with her industry colleagues – to help them grow and improve in any way she can. Not only did she lead ASA’s national meetings and headquarters conference center to another level of success, she also took on the management of ASA’s growing international meeting initiatives.
Event Designer of the Year
This award honors a PCMA member for innovative event design.
Megan D. Tate, CMM, Vice President, Meeting & Event Planning Manager with Wells Fargo. Between the general sessions, breakouts and the fun night, Megan’s strategy to make the Petco Leadership Summit all about the people rather than the company. The partners returned back to their stores with a renewed passion for who they are and what they do.
Supplier of the Year
This award honors a PCMA supplier member who exemplifies professional excellence in their contributions to their organization, PCMA and the business events community.
Jennifer L. Erney, CMP, CASE, Accor Hotels and most recently with ALHI. A true advocate in the industry, Jennifer is known for her consummate professionalism and strong client relationships. From increasing a client’s share by 500 percent to earning her CHSE, CASE, CMP and soon-to-be CMM certification – Jennifer continues to grow and shine as a leader in this industry.
Community Advocate of the Year
This award honors one PCMA member in the business events industry who has developed and managed a unique and impactful program benefiting the community in which their meeting was held.
Peter C. O’Brien, CASE, Global Account Executive with Marriott Global Sales Organization. Peter has an impressive tenure as a community advocate. He is a catalyst leader who implemented Service in Sync at the Greater DC Food Bank and reinstated the popular USO Care Package assembly. This year Peter adopted DC Greens as the Capital Chapters Charity of the Year.
Since 1956 the Professional Convention Management Association has been dedicated to inspiring the Business Events community with senior level networking and educational opportunities globally. With just under 7,000 members and an audience of more than 50,000 individuals, PCMA is the world’s largest network of Business Events Strategists. Headquartered in Chicago, IL USA, PCMA has partners and collaborators around the globe and a footprint within North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, with activities across 37 countries. Learn more at pcma.org.
The role of the Education Foundation of the Professional Convention Management Association is to support the mission of PCMA through fundraising and grant giving focused on scholarships, education and research that will advance the meetings and conventions industry. Established in 1985, the Foundation fuels advancement, nurtures professional development and shapes tomorrow’s meeting and convention leaders. Learn more at foundation.pcma.org.
