WASHINGTON, DC — More than 2,000 trade show executives and other meetings and events professionals gathered in Washington, DC, March 23-25, 2022, for the inaugural Business Events Industry Week. Coordinated by PCMA and Destinations International, the three-day event at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center included Destination International’s Sales & Services Summit, the Event Industry Council’s Equity Task Force hybrid workshop, the International Association of Exhibition and Events’ Women’s Leadership Forum, and the PCMA Foundation’s 2022 Visionary Awards celebration.
According to PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat, the goal of Business Events Industry Week was to bring the global business events industry together in the nation’s capital to advance the role that business meetings and events play in the economic, social and intellectual enrichment of individuals and communities. “We wanted to bring the world to the nation’s capital to discuss the issues that everyone faces and to make our voices heard outside of our industry at different levels of government,” Karamat said.
“It’s time to restore what has been lost over the last two years and chart a path forward. Since 2019, PCMA and Destinations International have embarked on an exciting journey to bring together business event strategists and destinations. We created this opportunity because what happens during Business Events Industry Week matters everywhere. The power of purpose starts with all of us.”
“IAEE is proud to partner with other associations to provide a comprehensive suite of activities for industry professionals,” said David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA, IAEE President and CEO. “The content and overall empowering atmosphere of the Women’s Leadership Forum align perfectly with Business Events Industry Week’s Power of Purpose theme.” More than 180 attendees attended the IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum, a two-day event that offered sessions tailored to the needs of women at all stages of their careers in the global exhibition and events industry.
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“The energy, enthusiasm and commitment of this year’s program participants was exciting to experience,” added Cathy Breden, IAEE executive vice president and chief operating officer, CMP, CAE, CEM. “This program provides participants with a broad range of relevant information that can be immediately applied to their careers, regardless of where they are in the field.”
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The PCMA Foundation Visionary Awards honored Chris Wehking, 2014 PCMA Board Chair and 2019 PCMA Foundation Lifetime Achievement Honoree, with the creation of a scholarship fund. More than $128,000 was raised to support the fund. Other honorees celebrated at the event included Kai Hattendorf, CEO of UFI, the global exhibition industry association, who received the Business Strategist of the Year award.
The three-day Business Events Industry Week culminated in a grand finale with the Destination Showcase, co-produced by Destinations International and PCMA. The 540 attendees had the opportunity to network and do business, as well as hear a keynote address that was uniquely tailored to the event’s theme from Roy Spence, co-founder and CEO of The Purpose Institute.
Contact Sheriff Karamat at [email protected], David DuBois at (972) 687-9204 or [email protected] and Cathy Breden at (972) 687-9201 or [email protected]
