The PCMA Foundation supports the mission of PCMA. We fund scholarships, research and education that help business events professionals grow at every stage of their careers.
OUR IMPACT
Each year, the Foundation invests nearly $1 million in the future of business events. Since 1985, that has meant more than 3,000 scholarships, 100+ research studies and education programs, and $2.5 million in charitable giving to the communities where we meet.
GET INVOLVED
Every gift and ticket helps fund scholarships for emerging professionals and research that moves our industry forward. Our volunteers extend that impact, whether serving on a Foundation committee or giving back to local communities through service projects. Here’s how to be part of it.
Donate
Your gift opens doors for the next generation of business events professionals through scholarships, education and research.
Volunteer
Already a PCMA Member? Learn more about our
upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Engagement
Participate in one of our yearly events, including the PCMA Foundation Visionary Awards, the Fashion Show in Washington, DC and Chicago, and the Partnership Summit.
Join the Legacy Society
Legacy Society members are the Foundation’s champions. Its 180+ members have made a lasting commitment to the industry’s future, funding scholarships for students in their final year of undergraduate study as they launch their careers.
IMPACT AREAS
The PCMA Foundation fuels the business events industry through scholarships, charitable giving and research & education.
Scholarships
The PCMA Foundation supports student success and continued education at every stage in the career journey through awarding scholarships each year.
SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHTS
Molly McKeown
Chris Wehking Scholarship,
Temple University
When I was a sophomore in high school, I took a leap of faith and randomly applied to be the event coordinator for my high school concert choir. I was able to plan our Disney Concert and realized I like problem solving, chaos, and being in charge. Little did I know, two years later as a senior, I’d be sitting at my choir directors desk asking for advice on choosing my major for college and he mentioned “What about the events industry?”
Tonisha Landry
Chris Wehking Scholarship,
VP Events, Points of Light
My desire is to develop and produce thought provoking and immersive event experiences and enhance the industry by teaching others how to transfer skills and stay relevant on trends to realize true impact from events.
Irene DeLinggo
Legacy Society Scholarship
Iowa State University
Going into college, I did not really understand the whole idea of event planning. After attending PCMA Convening Leaders in Las Vegas, I could see how beneficial it is as a student, to be able to network with industry leaders and to be introduced to the different fields within the industry. I realized after attending Convening Leaders what I wanted to do in the future.
Charitable Giving
The PCMA Foundation runs the Hospitality Helping Hands give-back program and supports charitable organizations in cities where PCMA events are held.
BENEFICIARY SPOTLIGHTS
N Street Village supports women experiencing homelessness in Washington, D.C. by offering a broad spectrum of services, housing, and advocacy in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. They partner with women to achieve stability and make meaningful gains in their housing, income, employment, mental health, physical health, and addiction recovery goals.
Youth Advocate Programs- YAP for short- is a national nonprofit advocating for and delivering evidence-based services in homes and communities as a more effective and racially equitable alternative to youth incarceration, congregate child welfare, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities placements, and neighborhood violence.
Spread the Word Nevada is a children’s literacy nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation, dedicated to advancing early childhood literacy by placing books into the hands and homes of children in Nevada’s at-risk, low income communities. While developing a love of reading, these libraries promote future academic achievement and self-confidence, which impacts lifelong success.
Research & Education
Supporting critical projects that lead the industry into an incredible future is important. The PCMA Foundation funds projects that range from research and innovation to sustainability initiatives, technological advancements, and more. By supporting such projects, the PCMA Foundation helps the industry stay relevant and competitive, ensuring that it continues to evolve and adapt to changing trends and challenges.
RESEARCH SPOTLIGHTS
Future of Meetings & Events
This research refreshes the Future of Meetings & Events Study that was conducted previously in 2015 and 2018 to identify and explain emerging trends that will impact the business events industry. The study, released in 2023, explores the post-pandemic business landscape and the way it has led to new business models and ways of operating, and the evolution of engagement with regards to customization, augmented reality, and how people interact with one another. PCMA, CEMA and Marriott International in partnership with Storycraft Lab are collaborators for this project.
Advancing Women in Business Events
The business events community is being engaged to understand key factors in the advancement of women into leadership roles. PCMA and Business Events Sydney are collaborating to uncover leadership attributes and skills critical for the future, pivot points in a career trajectory, mentorship and building talent, and barriers that exist and solutions to remove.
The Event Benchmarking and Measurement Grid
This research will provide corporate event marketers and their stakeholders with deep insights, best practices, and actionable data on a variety of event types, enabling them to evaluate the performance of their events and improve their design and ROI.
The results will establish the definitive metrics for measuring performance of various event types
FOUNDATION
IMPACT
PARTNERS
Our Foundation Impact Partners help drive the mission of the PCMA Foundation forward through alignment in our key impact areas- scholarships, charitable giving, and funding of critical business events research.
Thank you Foundation Impact Partners for your generous support!
Foundation Impact Partner Champions
Our Foundation Champions commit over $55k annually to Foundation events, research and scholarships.
Foundation Impact Partner Guardians
Our Guardian Partners commit over $35k annually towards Foundation events, research and scholarships.
Looking to learn more about becoming a
Foundation Impact Partner?
Apply for a Foundation Scholarship
Take advantage of a career opportunity by applying for a Foundation Scholarship. Our scholarships include a variety of benefits including participation in educational events, complimentary learning courses, leadership coaching, and more.
Become a Partner
Supporting the business events industry is at the heart of what we do. If you are interested in becoming an Impact Partner or Sponsor with the PCMA Foundation, please contact us at [email protected].