The PCMA Foundation Visionary Awards honors the exceptional stars for their significant contributions to their organizations and the business events community. More than 500 revelers attended this premier industry black-tie recognition event from the red carpet reception to the awards show and after-party.
Nomination Deadline: Oct. 15, 2021 | Application Deadline: Oct. 31, 2021
IMPACT OF VISIONARY AWARDS
Proceeds from the Visionary Awards benefit the PCMA Foundation, which supports the industry and empowers students and professionals to advance in their profession.
View the Foundation’s 2020 Impact Report to see all of the important projects and scholarships that were funded last year by Foundation supporters and donors.
Presented by:
» Check-In: Open at 5:15pm, Terrace Foyer (T Street Entrance)
Be sure to have your mask for arrival at the Washington Hilton. You’ll be greeted by event staff in the Terrace Foyer, go through our health and safety screening with Safe Expo and then directed to PCMA Registration to receive a wristband for entry to the event which indicates your table assignment for the Awards Show, Dinner, and After Party.
» Red Carpet Experience: 5:30–6:30pm, International Terrace
Take part in the Red Carpet Experience, complete with photo ops, paparazzi, and red carpet interviews of the honorees and finalists. Enjoy a cocktail and a selection of hors d’oeuvres as you mingle with fellow participants.
» Seating for Awards Show: 6:30–7:00pm
The ballroom is a mix of assigned group seating and open seating for individual ticket holders. Event staff will be available to assist you in finding your table.
» Awards Show & Dinner: 7:00–8:30pm, International Ballroom
Enjoy your delicious dinner and watch the show as we celebrate the Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Honorees and the finalists of the Professional Excellence Awards (winners announced live!)
» After Party: 8:30–10:30pm, International Ballroom and Concourse Foyer
Dessert, dancing, and celebrations await! The After Party will feature dessert stations, bars, and live music. Don’t forget to say hello to Presenting Partner Visit Austin and the Austin Convention Center in their dazzling lounges!
Can’t join us in person? Then join us digitally!
Get a behind-the-scenes look on the red-carpet on Facebook LIVE from 6:30-7:00 PM EST with PCMA’s finest, Caitlin O’Malley, PCMA Program Manager, Education, and Juston Teach, PCMA Multimedia Producer.
Hear red carpet interviews and watch the full awards show on LinkedIn LIVE from 5:30 PM EST – 8:30 PM EST courtesy of our friends at CNTV.
| First Name | Last Name/Surname | Job Title | Company | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lori | Adlesick | Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Events | Choose Chicago | IL |
| Teresa | Alfaro | Volunteers of America | VA | |
| Kim | Allison | Senior Director of Convention Sales | Georgia World Congress Center | GA |
| Tonya | Almond | Vice President, Knowledge & Experience Design | PCMA | IL |
| Robert | Anderson | Sales Consultant | Anderson Hospitality | NJ |
| Rory | Archibald | Head of Associations & Sectors | VisitScotland | N/A - Non-US |
| Kalee | Barnhardt | Experience Columbus | ||
| JoAnn | Bedrosian Ryan | Development Director, PCMA Foundation | PCMA | IL |
| Brooke | Benton | Cadmium | MD | |
| John | Bettag | Senior Vice President Business Development | Heritage Nationwide Exposition Services | MO |
| Arica | Billing | Account Associate | PCMA | IL |
| Ned | Blair | Senior National Sales Manager | Visit Charlotte | NC |
| Teah | BLANKS | Sales Manager | Baltimore Convention Center | MD |
| Lisa | Block | Executive VP, Conference Strategy | Velvet Chainsaw Consulting | DC |
| Marco | Bloemendaal | Global VP, Business Development | PCMA | IL |
| Phyllis | Bradley-Azama | Vice President Sales Eastern Region | San Diego Tourism Authority | VA |
| Larry | Browder | Director of Sales | Visit Savannah | GA |
| Sha'Niesha | Brown | Sales Manager | Baltimore Convention Center | MD |
| Johnna | Buckley | Senior Account Executive | Marriott International | MD |
| Sharrona | Burns | Destination Cleveland | ||
| Heather | Buss | Vice President of Sales | Associated Luxury Hotels International | VA |
| Monique | Cabiness | National Association for the Education of Young Children | ||
| Mac | Campbell, CVP | Deputy Director | Baltimore Convention Center | MD |
| Eddie | Canaday, CHSP, CHME | Director of Convention Sales Washington DC Office/Diversity Market Development Director | Visit Salt Lake | UT |
| Dennis | Carew | Director of National Accounts | Events DC | DC |
| Chris | Cerkis | MMS | VA | |
| Eduardo | Chaillo | Global General Manager LATAM | Maritz Global Events | VA |
| Kristie | Chang | Mazu Events, LLC | ||
| Amelia | Chucholowski | Corporate Event Planner | Clark Construction Group, LLC | MD |
| Jerry | Cito | NYC & Company | ||
| Jules | Clifford | President | Event Photography of North America (EPNAC) | VA |
| Summer | Davey | Assistant Director of Sales | Visit San Antonio | VA |
| Nancy | DeBrosse | Cadmium | ||
| Stacey | Dillon | Hilton Columbus Downtown | OH | |
| David | DuBois | President & CEO | IAEE | TX |
| Erin | Dunstan | Maritz Global Events | ||
| Dennis | Edwards | President & CEO | Visit Raleigh | NC |
| Amra | Elmore | National Account Executive | Visit Houston | MD |
| Tiffany | Elum | National Account Director | Destination DC | DC |
| Jim | Erickson | General Manager | Smart City Networks | NV |
| Valerie | Erickson | Smart City Networks | ||
| Jennifer | Erney | Regional Vice President of Sales | ALHI | VA |
| Patrick | Espinoza | Director of Sales | www.caesars.com | LA |
| Kaitlin | Felix | Omni Shoreham Hotel | ||
| Crystal | Fields | Music City Center | TN | |
| Christopher | Finelli | Regional Vice President Sales | Hyatt Hotels Corporation | IL |
| Danielle | Foisy | Director, Business Development & Industry Relations | Transportation Management Services, Inc. | MD |
| John | Folks | President | MYB | IL |
| Katy | Foster | Leading Authorities Speakers Bureau | DC | |
| Lisa | French | Hilton Cleveland Downtown | ||
| Frank | Gainer | American Occupational Therapy Assn | MD | |
| Diane | Gleason | American Trucking Association | VA | |
| Donna | Glover | New Orleans & Company | ||
| Karen | Gonzales | IAEE | CO | |
| Peter | Green | Conference Direct | ||
| Michelle | Guelbart | Founder | Michelle Guelbart Consulting | NY |
| Seda | Haddock | Global Director, Americas | Hyatt Hotels | VA |
| Melissa | Hayden | Director of Sales Mid Atlantic | Visit Fort Worth | TX |
| Kenneth | Hemsley | National Sales Manager | Visit Indy | MD |
| K.C. | Hopson | Cadmium | MD | |
| Rose | Horcher | Choose Chicago | IL | |
| Rosemarie | Horcher | Vice President, Client Services | Choose Chicago | IL |
| Jack | Horne | Hyatt Hotels | IL | |
| Andrew | Horsfield | Director of Sales | Hyatt Place Ottawa West | N/A - Non-US |
| Alexandra | Horton | Director, Global Accounts | Omni Hotels and Resorts | VA |
| Alexandra | Horton | Director, Global Accounts | Omni Hotels and Resorts | VA |
| Morgan | Houston | Associate Community Development | PCMA | IL |
| Lisa | Hunter | Sales Executive | Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority | DC |
| Michael | Hurley | Hyatt Hotels & Resorts | IL | |
| Erica Gordon | Hyman | Director Global Sales | Mgm Resorts International | MD |
| Brian | Ivey | Music City Center | TN | |
| Dion | James-Zanfordino | Senior Regional Sales Executive | Visit Lauderdale | MD |
| Grace | Jan | Meetings Management | MD | |
| Rick | Jennings | Vice President Partnership Relations | International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) | TX |
| Dori | Jensen | Senior Director of Sales, Mid-Atlantic | The Palm Beaches | MD |
| Kelly | Johnson | New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center | ||
| Vicki | Johnson | Vicki Johnson & Associates, LLC | DC | |
| Michele | Jones | National Insulation Association | DC | |
| Leslie | Jones | American Occupational Therapy Association | MD | |
| Matthew | Kalb | Director of Business Development | PRG | NY |
| Christopher | Keane | Director of Mid-Atlantic Sales & Intermediaries | Visit Baltimore | MD |
| Jim | Kelley | Vice President, Marketing | Fern | VA |
| Jennifer | Kerhin | Sponsorship Boost | MD | |
| Colette | Kerns | CCSSO | DC | |
| Sara | KilKenny | School Nutrition Association | ||
| Traci | King | Cadmium | MD | |
| Jason | Koteff | National Sales Manager | Visit Charlotte | NC |
| Diane | Kovats | Chief Executive Officer | Intl Society for Computational Biology | VA |
| Amanda | Kurtz | Event Manager | PCMA | IL |
| Rocco | LaForgia | Director of Sales Worldwide Accounts | Hilton Worldwide | TX |
| Kim | Lawerence | Expovision | VA | |
| Gina | Lawrence | NAACP | MD | |
| Hiwot | Lemma | EEI | DC | |
| Megan | Martin | Associate Director, Conferences | International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer | CO |
| Kathy | McAdams | Senior Vice President, Convention Sales | Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board | CA |
| Teri | McAlister | Music City Center | TN | |
| David | McAuley | Director, Washington, D.C. Area Office | Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau | VA |
| Artrice | McNeil | Director, Washington D.C. Regional Sales | Experience Columbus | MD |
| Mark | Metcalfe | Visit Phoenix | ||
| Linda | Minor | American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education | ||
| Adriana | Molina | Vice President, Association Sales | Teneo Hospitality Group | VA |
| Anthony | Molino | Choose Chicago | ||
| Melody | Moore Henriquez | Director, National Accounts | Boston Convention Marketing Center | MA |
| Karen | Morris | Visit Phoenix | ||
| Julie | Mullins | Choose Chicago | ||
| Sheila | Neal | Associate Director, Sales | Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau | MI |
| Moira | O'Brien | Director of Sales | McCormick Place ASM Global | IL |
| Amy | O'Connor | Am Assn of Blood Banks | VA | |
| Caitlin | O'Malley | Program Manager | PCMA | IL |
| Beth | O’Brien | AMCP | ||
| Toshie | Okochi | National Education Association | ||
| Kaitlyn | Palatucci | Business Development Manager, North America | Melbourne Convention Bureau | MD |
| Kristy | Paolazzi | Hyatt Hotels & Resorts | IL | |
| Darnella | Parks | The Obesity Society | ||
| Sallee | Pavlovich | Vice President National Accounts & Trade Shows | New Orleans & Company | LA |
| Cindy | Payne | Choose Chicago | ||
| Marsha | Pratt-Davis | Director of Sales | Centerplate, a Sodexo Company | MD |
| Rebecca | Ramsey | Business Development Executive | EventEQ | WI |
| Kathleen | Ratcliffe | President | Explore St. Louis | MO |
| Susan | Richardson | Vice President of Group and Convention Sales | Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau | MI |
| Kelly | Ricker | Executive Vice President Events | CompTIA | IL |
| Elli | Riley | HIMSS | IL | |
| Regina | Rink | Sales Director - US In Market | Destination Toronto | VA |
| Meghan | Risch | Vice President, Strategic & Corporate Communications | PCMA | IL |
| Maria | Rivera | Director Business Development | Melbourne Convention Bureau | VA |
| Jeff | Robbin | Vice President | Leading Authorities Speakers Bureau | DC |
| Lester | Robinson II | Sales Director, Washington DC | VISIT DENVER | VA |
| Meredith | Rollins | Chief Community Officer and Foundation Executive Director | PCMA | CA |
| Nancy | Rosenbaum | Meeting & Event Strategist | Visit Alexandria | VA |
| Joyce | Russell | Senior Director of Sales | Visit Indy | IN |
| Madeline | Schimeck | Associate, Community Engagement | Professional Convention Management association | IL |
| Madeline | Schimeck | Test | PCMA Guest User Account | IL |
| Shannon | Schneider | Director, Association and Government | IHG Hotels and Resorts | VA |
| Elizabeth | Scuderi | American Astronomical Society | DC | |
| Lisa | Shahanan | Senior Manager, Convention Sales | Destination Cleveland | OH |
| Samantha | Shay | National Propane Gas Association | DC | |
| Kyle | Short | CEO | Wisdom Capture, Inc. | CA |
| Trudy | Singh | Regional Vice President | NYC & Company | DC |
| Trudy | Singh | NYC & Company | DC | |
| Cynthia | Smith | American Physical Society | MD | |
| Krystine | St. Michael Bussiere | Director of Sales, Services & Marketing | Baltimore Convention Center | MD |
| Charles | Starks | President and CEO | Music City Center | TN |
| Sara | Stehle | SHRM | VA | |
| Katie | Stewart | Associate Director of Sales | Omni Shoreham Hotel | DC |
| Jennifer | Sullivan | Director, Mid Atlantic Regional Office | Nashville CVC | MD |
| Valerie | Sumner | Principal | VRS Meetings $ Events Inc | VA |
| Erin | Sweeney | IL | ||
| Keith | Talbert | Director of Sales | Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau | OK |
| Junior | Tauvaa | Chief Sales Officer | Visit Anaheim | CA |
| Juston | Teach | Managing Producer, Multimedia Content | PCMA | IN |
| Yvonne | Tibandebage | Manager, Board Relations | PCMA | N/A - Non-US |
| Larissa | Tishevskaya | Strategic Consultant, Destination Canada Business Events | Destination Canada | N/A - Non-US |
| Christine | Trendiak | Hyatt Place Ottawa West | N/A - Non-US | |
| William | Trokey | National Sales Manager | Visit Charlotte | DC |
| Jennifer | Vacek | Director, Convention Sales | MeetPITTSBURGH | PA |
| Maribel | Velazquez | Director, National Accounts | Visit Phoenix | VA |
| Jason | Ware | Vice President, Convention Housing Operations | MCI USA | TX |
| Dorcas | Washington | Delta Sigma Theta | ||
| Mike | Waterman | Chief Sales Officer | Visit Orlando | FL |
| Karen | Watson | Founder & Chief Event Strategist | Cultivate Event Design & Consulting | TX |
| Chuck | White | International Association of Movers | VA | |
| Kristen | White | National Propane Gas Association | DC | |
| Dan | Williams | Experience Columbus | ||
| Bob | Yienger | Omni Shoreham Hotel | ||
| Toni | Zoblotsky | Director B2B Engagement & Event Marketing | Hilton Worldwide | TN |
| Marcelo | Zolessi | CEO & Co-Founder | CNTV | FL |
| Marcelo | Zolessi | Co-Founder & CEO | CNTV | FL |
Presented by:
Business Events Strategist Awards Sponsor:
Event Venue Sponsor:
Red Carpet Experience Sponsor:
2021 Supporting Sponsors:
AV Provider:
Video Production:
Transportation Sponsor:
Design and Decor Strategic Sponsor:
Registration Services & Technology Provider:
2021 Participating Organizations as of August 9, 2021:
- ASAE, The Center for Association Leadership
- Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)
- Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Broward County Convention Center
- Boston Convention Marketing Center
- Cadmium CD
- Caesars Entertainment
- Choose Chicago
- Clark Construction Group, LLC
- CNTV
- Destination Canada
- Destination Cleveland
- Destination DC & Events DC
- Destination Toronto and Metro Toronto Convention Center
- Discover Puerto Rico
- Discover The Palm Beaches
- Experience Columbus
- Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Hilton
- Hyatt Hotels Corporation
- Intrado
- Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
- Long Beach CVB
- Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
- Louisville Tourism
- Maritz Global Events
- Marriott International
- MCI USA
- MeetPITTSBURGH
- MGM Resorts International
- Music City Center
- New Orleans & Company and New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
- NYC & Company
- Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Omni Hotels and Resorts
- PCMA Convene Magazine
- PRG
- San Diego Tourism Authority
- SmithBucklin Corporation
- TMS, Transportation Management Services
- Visit Austin and Austin Convention Center
- Visit Detroit
- Visit Fort Worth
- Visit Houston
- Visit Indy
- Visit Lauderdale
- Visit Orlando and Orange County Convention Center
- Visit Phoenix
- Visit San Antonio
- Visit Scotland
- WANADA
Congratulations to the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Honorees!
– Business Events Strategist –
Ben Goedegebuure*
Enterprise Vice President, Global & Industry Presence
Maritz Global Events
– Supplier –
Bill Grusich, CMP, FASAE
Senior Vice President, Sales
Associated Luxury Hotels International
– Educator –
Lisa Delpy Neirotti, Ph.D.
Professor & Director, MS Sports Management Program
George Washington University
*Due to travel restrictions and border closures, we will appropriately honor Ben with his Lifetime Achievement during the 2022 Visionary Awards.
Congratulations to the 2020-21 Professional Excellence Award Winners!
BUSINESS EVENTS STRATEGIST OF THE YEAR
Bob Bejan
Corporate Vice President, Global Events, Production Studios and Marketing Community
Microsoft Corp.
GROUNDBREAKERS AWARD
Carol Wallace
Former CEO
San Diego Convention Center Corporation
WAYFINDER AWARD: INDIVIDUAL WINNER
Carina Bauer
CEO
IMEX Group
WAYFINDER AWARD: ORGANIZATION WINNER
Hyatt
SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
Weemin Ong, CMP, CEM
Vice President of Conventions and Exhibitions
Marina Bay Sands
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
José Quan
Founder and Owner
Eventia
EVENT DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Amy Ledoux
Retired as Chief Learning & Meetings Officer
ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
DIGITAL EXPERIENCE STRATEGIST OF THE YEAR
Senior Manager of Online Events,
Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)
OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO A CHAPTER
Kim Allison
Senior Director of Sales, Georgia World Congress Center Authority
Capital Chapter
2019 – Chris Wehking
2019 – Eduardo Chaillo
2019 – Lauren Kramer
2018 – Carrie Freeman Parsons
2018 – Godwin Charles Ogbeide, PhD, MBA
2018 – Ray Kopcinski, CMP
2017 – Barry L. Smith
2017 – Carol Krugman, MEd, CMP, CMM
2017 – Martin D. Balogh
2016 – Johnnie C. White Jr., CMP, MBA, CAE
2016 – Janet L. Jakobsen, CMP, MBA
2016 – James E. Rooney
2015 – Kati S. Quigley, CMP
2015 – Anne Hamilton
2015 – George G. Fenich, PhD
2014 – Sue M. Dykema, CAE
2014 – Janet Sperstad, CMP
2014 – Carol C. Wallace
2013 – Lisa Block
2013 – Cynthia Vannucci, PhD, CHME, CHSP, CMP
2013 – Gino Giancola
2012 – John Lisack, Jr., CAE
2012 – Amanda K. Cecil, PhD, CMP
2012 – George Aguel
2011 – Gregg H. Talley, CAE
2011 – Glen Ramsborg, PhD, CMP
2011 – Brian Stevens
2010 – Sheila Stampfli
2010 – William R. Host, Jr., CMP
2010 – Liz Erikson
2009 – Bruce Harris, CMP
2009 – Tyra Hilliard, J.D., CMP
2009 – John Patronski
2008 – Debra L. Rosencrance, CMP, CAE
2008 – Joan L. Eisenstodt
2008 – Charles W. Ahlers
2007 – Michael L. Payne
2007 – Deborah Breiter, PhD
2007 – Susan Iris
2006 – J.D. Andrews
2006 – Peter Shure
2006 – Reint Reinders
2005 – James Sweeney
2005 – Patti Shock
2005 – Christie Hicks
2004 – James H. Youngblood
2004 – Richard B. Green, CASE
2003 – H. Cris Collie, CAE
2003 – JoAnn Bedrosian Ryan
2002 – Mickey Schaefer, CAE
2002 – Daniel E. Weber, CEM
2001 – Bob Donovan
2000 – Roy B. Evans, Jr., CAE
1999 – David J. Noonan
1998 – Charlotte St. Martin
1997 – Anthony J. Jannetti
1996 – PCMA Past Presidents
1995 – Jo A. Hoffman
1994 – David R. Evans
1993 – Lois Stratemeier, CAE
1992 – William D. Nelligan, CAE
1991 – William Applegate
1991 – Donald S. Freeman, Jr.
1990 – Robert E. Hobart, III
1989 – William F. Snyder
1988 – Kathleen D. Bryan
1987 – James C. Collins
Event Designer of the Year
2019 – Jennifer Gardner
2018 – Phelps Hope
2017 – Megan Tate
2016 – Allyson O’Connor
Community Advocate of the Year
2019 – Christine Faiman
2018 – Jeff Chase
2017 – Peter O’Brien
2016 – Christine Phelps
Business Event Strategist of the Year
2019 – Senthil Gopinath
2018 – Wanda Johnson
2017 – Danielle Urbina
2016 – Kirsten Olean
Supplier of the Year
2019 – Greg Bogue
2018 – Chris Lynn
2017 – Jennifer Erney
2016 – Rachael Riggs
Digital Experience Strategist of the Year
2019 – Janet Cooper
2018 – Nicole Armstrong
Outstanding Service to a Chapter
2019 – Elisa Sandoval Wong
2018 – Rebecca Ramsey
2017 – Missy Johnson
2016 – John Rubsamen
2019 Visionary Awards Recap Video
2019 Visionary Awards Show
$375 Individual Ticket (General seating)
More information can be found on our 2021 Visionary Awards digital brochure.
Questions? Contact foundation@pcma.org.
VIP Reserved Table
