Groundbreakers Award
The PCMA Groundbreakers Award is dedicated to honoring industry trailblazers who represent diverse sectors of the business events community. The award will serve to recognize those who have made a significant contribution to their organizations and programs that advance inclusion and equity.
The idea for a content series and award was developed by the Black Lives Matter Working Group creating a living history of pioneers in the business events industry.
Nomination criteria: Nominations must be related to how the individual has enacted change by promoting equity and inclusion within the business events industry. Nominations must include a specific example as to how the individual is paving the way for future leaders.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
The PCMA Foundation annually recognizes our colleagues with distinguished lifetime career accomplishments and significant contributions to the business events industry. As few as one honoree, or as many as three will be celebrated annually; individuals must be or have been a business event strategist, supplier or educator. Individuals do not need to be current members of PCMA. Nominations are now open.
Please be prepared to answer the following questions for your nomination:
- Describe the qualities and attributes that make the nominee an ideal candidate for this award
- Provide at least three (3) examples of significant contributions the nominee has made to the advancement of the industry (we recommend contacting the nominee for additional reference information)
- How has this individual contributed to the professional development/growth of others?
- Describe your professional relationship with the nominee
- Provide any additional information you would like to share with the committee
Honoree should:
- Demonstrate leadership through their roles within PCMA, the PCMA Foundation and/or Chapters
- Contribute to the advancement of the Business Events Industry
- Demonstrate leadership within their own organization
- Contribute to the professional development of others
Outstanding Service to a Chapter
The PCMA Foundation annually recognizes exceptional individuals across the business events industry and their significant contributions to their chapter from 2020 through 2021. Up to three finalists will be honored at the Visionary Awards. This award is not open to public nominations. Each chapter will select one individual to be submitted for this award. Submissions can only be made by the Chapter leader.
Professional Excellence Awards
The PCMA Foundation annually recognizes exceptional individuals across the business events industry and their significant contributions to the industry in 2021. Up to three finalists from each category will be honored at the Visionary Awards; categories and criteria are included below. Nominations are now open. Self-nominations are accepted. Nominee cannot be a current member of the PCMA of Directors or PCMA Foundation Board of Trustees.
Please be prepared to answer the following questions for your nomination:
- Describe the qualities and attributes that make the nominee an ideal candidate for this award
- Example of work from October 2020 – October 2021 that makes the nominee an ideal candidate for this award (we recommend contacting the nominee for additional reference information)
- Describe your professional relationship with the nominee
- Provide any additional information you would like to share with the committee
Business Events Strategist of the Year
Nominee should:
- Demonstrate professional excellence in all business interactions
- Seek and execute solutions to event challenges
- Change and improve meetings year over year
- Successfully market the meeting to attendees/participants
- Value and respect vendor/supplier relationships
*Formerly the Meeting Professional of the Year Award
Supplier of the Year
Nominee should:
- Demonstrate professional excellence by anticipating and exceeding clients’ needs
- Balance client/employer needs and costs effectively
- Partner with clients to create solutions to event challenges
- Adapt to industry changes and expectations
Community Advocate of the Year
This award recognizes an individual’s activism through one specific program/project. This award is open to organization and event-based programs.
Nominee should:
- Create and execute a program through an event that gives-back to the community
- Gain participation and support from attendees/participants
- Obtain statistics on impact of project and outcomes
- Plan unique and creative project
Event Designer of the Year
This award is aimed to differentiate from Business Event Strategist of the Year by recognizing unique and innovative ideas implemented through Event Design. This award is open to business event strategists, business event strategists and suppliers.
Nominee should:
- Develop and showcase new trends in event design with a focus on attendee experience
- Work within event budget to create innovative and experiential designs
- Create events of the future through event design
- Share knowledge with others
Digital Experience Strategist of the Year
This award recognizes change-makers and trendsetters of digital events. These are the professionals who transcend geographical borders, balancing event integration with engagement in either face-to-face extensions or standalone digital events.
Nominee should:
- Demonstrate creativity and excellence in providing custom solutions to better serve their audience
- Commit to making a difference for their organization
- Contribute to the advancement of the digital experience
- Push the adoption of digital events forward