Award Nominations

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.

Nominee should::

• Demonstrated leadership and/or mentorship for diverse industry professionals
• Supported the business events community
• Provided though leadership that helped advance the industry

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.

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.
• How has this individual contributed to the professional development of others?
• Describe your professional relationship with the nominee.
• Please 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

The PCMA Foundation annually recognizes exceptional individuals across the business events industry and their significant contributions to their chapter or region from 2022 through 2023. Up to three finalists will be honored at the Visionary Awards. This award is not open to public nominations.

The PCMA Foundation annually recognizes exceptional individuals across the business events industry and their significant contributions to the industry in 2022 – 2023. 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 and Trustees. Nominations cannot be submitted for individuals working at the same organization.

Please be prepared to answer the following questions for your nomination:

• Describe your professional relationship with the nominee.
• Describe the attributes and achievements in the past year that make the nominee an ideal candidate for this award.
• Please 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
• Evolve and improve business events year over year, leading to positive outcomes
• Demonstrate adaptability and thought leadership
• 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 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

How to Nominate

1. Visit https://awards.pcma.org/
2. Select “Register” or “Log In” on the right-hand side. If you have not logged in to this site before, you will need to register a new account;
3. Register and/or login;
4. Select the “My Dashboard” tab at the top of your screen;
5. Select nomination category in the drop down menu under “My Applications”
6. Complete the nomination and submit

View previous Honorees & Finalists