COLUMBUS, Ohio – PCMA‘s 2023 Leaders’ Gathering (CL23) featured a lineup of premier speakers, artists and educational panels focused on the theme “Ignite Your Path.” Greater Columbus Convention Center From January 8-11, CL23 attracted 3,300 attendees over four days for peer-to-peer networking, collaboration, idea exchange and exploration of new trends, all with the goal of better serving audiences and organizational stakeholders.
““This week is not about looking back, but about charting a course for all of us,” said Sherrif Karamat, President and CEO of PCMA and CEMA.said in his opening speech.
The conference began with a presentation: ““Embracing Uncertainty to Reach Your Full Potential,” with Thomas Brag and Ammar Kandilas a result Yes Theory YouTube channel. The duo shared insights into their success using the motto “Seek Discomfort” to inspire the public to do the same. “We believe that authentic action, no matter how authentic you are, is the most effective way to change the world.”
Following Yes Theory, world-renowned athlete Allyson Felix, who has won 11 Olympic medals (the most U.S. Olympic track and field medals of all time), gave her thoughts on pursuing major goals and reaching your full potential. “We all want to do work that has a purpose. We all want to get to that end result and see that success, but you can’t miss the journey. The moments in between are where you grow.” Felix also emphasized taking risks, saying from experience that nothing changes with silence. “You can use your voice, even if it’s shaking.”
Focusing on a similar theme of challenging ourselves to grow, Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, best-selling author of “Think Again,” and host of the WorkLife podcast, presented his keynote address, “Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World.” Grant advocated for developing our own challenge networks by incorporating more “unpleasant givers” into our lives and building cultures that welcome diverse perspectives and honest feedback.
Karamat also announced PCMA’s new acquisitions, alliances and partnerships at CL23. PCMA acquiredEvent Leadership Institutein addition to its educational portfolio, and the Event Marketing Association – UK. PCMA also partners withAmerican Geophysical Unionto help design and promote sustainable events, and has entered into an alliance with theNational Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals(NCBMP) to increase inclusivity at events. NCBMP is a co-locating partner of Business Events Industry Week 2023.
Star Power
Day two of CL23 featured an informative expert panel entitled “The 2023 Outlook for the Events and Hospitality Sectors,” moderated by Carly FiorinaFounder and President of Carly Fiorina Enterprises.
The panel, which also included Hilton Worldwide CEO Chris Nassetta, Encore Chairman and CEO Ben Erwin, and Matthew Slaughter, Dean of Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, struck a “hyper” optimistic tone about the future of the business travel and events industry, with three key words for future success: agility, flexibility and adaptability.
Erwin reminded attendees of the incredible opportunity the industry now has to champion the power of events, while Slaughter highlighted that while the flow of people has ground to a halt during the pandemic, what continues to explode is the exchange of ideas.
Other sessions over the three days focused on key topics such as sustainability and DEI, including a DEI presentation by Kevin Clayton, Senior Vice President, Head of Social Impact and Equity for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, who highlighted the importance of engagement, accountability and measurement to understand the impact of DEI on a company and the communities it serves.
Another popular session, “Are You Ready to Evolve Your Event?” brought together speakers Ajay BhojwaniMCI Middle East and Shawn PierceMCI Group, which offered case studies on strategic scaling that consider resources, infrastructure and the event environment.
CL23 participants were also able to share ideas through a series of conversation starters, such as “How the Stakes of Negotiations Have Changed” and “Developing Meaningful Hybrid Work Relationships.”
Spotlight on Networking
The main exhibition space, The District, featured activations from various destination CVBs and other industry organizations, as well as happy hour gatherings. There were also stages for presentations, including the Encore stage, which hosted technology-related options, and People and Planet for sustainability learning.
Other highlights included the opening reception at the convention center — “411” on Columbus as we celebrate 4 seasons, 1 year, in 1 incredible city! — a colorful evening featuring local musicians, aerialists and other performers, with a spotlight on Columbus’ four-season appeal. Party with a Purpose, sponsored by GES, at KEMBA Live! featured 80s cover band The Spazmatics, while the closing concert with John Legend at Nationwide Arena capped off the entertainment.
Prior to the grand opening day, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a variety of Columbus tours, including a city tour with stops and the 32-room Book Loft in German Village, as well as a tour of Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardenswith Dale Chihuly glass sculptures in the botanical exhibits. PCMA also partnered with the YMCA of Central Ohio on its Hospitality Helping Hands program, creating relief kits for vulnerable families in the community.
The final keynote, “Restore Motivation, Combat Burnout, and Reboot Your 2023,” was delivered by Daniel Pink, New York Times bestselling author of “The Power of Regret, Drive, and To Sell is Human.” Pink shared simple, science-backed tips for re-motivating people, motivating their teams, and refining their decisions. “I want to give you today five very practical, very specific, very concrete, evidence-based ways to do small things that will help you find your place in this volatile world,” Pink said.
He notably advised subtracting tasks rather than adding them to achieve your goals, saying, “I want you to do this. In 2023, create a list of things you don’t want to do.” Other tips included listing three ways you’ve improved each day, taking a 15-minute break outside without your smartphone at least three times a week, and having two fewer “how” conversations and two fewer “why” conversations each week.
PCMA outgoing president Charles Starks also announced that the organization has reinvested more than $610,000 back into the industry, including $240,000 to fund 241 scholarships, more than $300,000 for research and teaching projects and courses, and $60,000 for social impact initiatives.
Contact Sheriff Karamat at mherrif.karamat@pcma.org