WHEN: March 9, 2023
VENUE: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD
Location: Potomac Ballroom
Visionary Awards 2023 Highlights
The PCMA Foundation Visionary Awards honors the exceptional stars for their significant contributions to their organizations. This premier industry black-tie recognition event, from the red carpet reception to the awards show and after-party is the ultimate place to see and be seen.
Presented by:
Congratulations to the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Honorees!
– Business Events Strategist –
Bill Reed, FASAE, CMP
Chief Event Strategy Officer
American Society of Hematology
– Supplier –
Ray Bloom
Chairman
IMEX Group
– Educator –
M.T. Hickman
Lead Faculty
Dallas College – Richland Campus
2023 Professional Excellence Award Nominees
BUSINESS EVENTS STRATEGIST OF THE YEAR
Alexandra Zapple, CAE, CMP, CEM, DES
Senior Director of Meetings and Member Experience
American Society of Nephrology
Kristi Casale, CMP, DMCP
VP for Meetings and Continuing Education
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Lisa McGlashen, CMP, CEM, HMCC
Director, Meetings and Exhhibits
American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery
GROUNDBREAKER AWARD
Constance Samuels, MBA, CMP, DES
Director of Events and Education
The National Association of Professional Employer Organizations
Gary Murakami, GTP, GLP, CMP-Fellow, CMM, DES
Vice President of Sales & Industry Relations
Teneo Hospitality Group
Sheila Wong, CEM, DES
Senior Vice President
BBW Event Staff
SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
Kristen Parker,CASE
Director of Eastern Regional Sales
Visit Austin
Rob Venus, CEM
General Manager
Freeman
Tim Mathy
Senior Partner
SpeakInc
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
Jolene Jang
Consultant and Speaker
Asian Inclusivity Consultancy
Lakshmee Lachhman-Persad
Accessibility Advocate & Consultant
AccessibleTravelNYC
Mariana Gallo
Director, Meetings and Programs
American Association of Physicists in Medicine
EVENT DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Beth Surmont, FASAE, CMP, CAE
Vice President, Event Strategy and Design
360 Live Media
Kristi Casale, CMP, DMCP
Vice President for Meetings and Continuing Education
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Megan Finnell, CMP
Director, Meetings & Conferences
MGMA
DIGITAL EXPERIENCE STRATEGIST OF THE YEAR
Jodi VanWoerkom, CMP
Senior Event Manager
Association for Talent Development
Cynthia Smith, CMP, DES
Virtual Event Manager
American Physical Society
John Chen
Chief Executive Officer
Engaging Virtual Meetings
OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO A CHAPTER
Joni Opperman
Director of Sales, Association Group Sales
Hilton Worldwide Sales
Greater Midwest Chapter
Susan Saganski, CMP, DES
Global Account Executive
Marriott International
Canada East
Leah Lewis, CMP, DES
Director of Meetings
American Gear Manufacturers Association
Capital Chapter
2022- Mary Pat Heftman
2022- Kitty Ratcliffe
2022-Dr. Eric D. Olson
2021- Ben Goedegebuure
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 – 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 – 1996: PCMA Past Presidents
1995 – JoAnn Hoffman
1994 – David R. Evans
1993 – Losi Stratemeier, CAE
1992 – William D Nelligan, CAE
1991 – Donald S. Freeman Jr.
1990 – Robert E. Hobart III
1989 – William F. Snyder
1988 – Kathleen D. Bryan
1987 – James C. Collins
The Professional Excellence Awards are announced annually at the PCMA Education Foundation Visionary Awards. These awards honor a PCMA member who exemplify excellence in the business events industry in their given year.
Event Designer of the Year
2022 – Darren Mendola, CMP, DES
2019 – Jennifer Gardner
2018 – Phelps Hope
2017 – Megan Tate
2016 – Allyson O’Connor
Community Advocate of the Year
2022 – Molly Witges, CMP, DES
2019 – Christine Faiman
2018 – Jeff Chase
2017 – Peter O’Brien
2016 – Christine Phelps
Business Event Strategist of the Year
2022 – Kai Hattendorf
2019 – Senthil Gopinath
2018 – Wanda Johnson
2017 – Danielle Urbina
2016 – Kirsten Olean
Groundbreaker Award
2022 – Melissa Cherry
Supplier of the Year
2022 – Carson Edwards Jr. MBA, CASE, CDMP
2019 – Greg Bogue
2018 – Chris Lynn
2017 – Jennifer Erney
2016 – Rachael Riggs
Digital Experience Strategist of the Year
2022 – Mary Pat Cornett, CAE, CMP
2019 – Janet Cooper
2018 – Nicole Armstrong
Outstanding Service to a Chapter
2022 – Megan Martin, CMP, DES
2019 – Elisa Sandoval Wong
2018 – Rebecca Ramsey
2017 – Missy Johnson
2016 – John Rubsamen
TABLES & TICKETS
$15000 VIP Sponsored Mini Lounge (10 total tickets)
$8000 VIP Reserved Table (10 total tickets)
$8000 VIP Reserved Highboy (10 total tickets)
$375 Individual Ticket (General seating)
$3,500 Group of 10 Tickets
More information can be found on our 2023 Visionary Awards digital brochure.
Questions? Contact [email protected].
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 2021 Impact Report to see all of the important projects and scholarships that were funded last year by Foundation supporters and donors.
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. » Networking
6:00 – 6:30 p.m. » Awards Show seating
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. » Awards Show
7:30 – 10:00 p.m. » After Party
Event Designer of the Year Award Sponsor:
Community Advocate of the Year Award Sponsor:
Groundbreaker Award Sponsor:
Event Venue Sponsor:
Style Lounge Sponsor:
Red Carpet Experience Sponsor:
Champagne Bar Sponsor:
2023 Supporting Sponsors
Audio Visual:
Style Lounge Design:
Registration Services Provider:
2023 Participating Organizations as of February 16, 2023:
Accor Hotels and Resorts
American Society of Hematology
Visit Anaheim
Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau
Visit Aurora
Visit Austin and Austin Convention Center
Bermuda Tourism Authority
Boston Convention Marketing Center and Meet Boston
Caesars Entertainment
Tourism Calgary
Visit California
Destination Canada
Choose Chicago
Community Brands
Experience Columbus
Destination DC and Events DC
Visit Detroit
Encore
Event EQ and Fern
Visit Fort Worth
Freeman
Gaylord National
GES
Heritage Nationwide Exposition Services
Hilton
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
IHG Hotels and Resorts
Visit Indy
Visit Lauderdale
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
Louisville Tourism
Marriott International
Maritz Global Events
MGM Resorts
Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
Business Events Montréal and Palais des congrès de Montréal
Music City Center
New Orleans & Company and New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
NYC & Company
Visit Norfolk
Visit Oklahoma City
Orange County Convention Center and Visit Orlando
Ottawa Tourism
OVG360
Visit Greater Palm Springs
PCMA Convene Magazine
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
Travel Portland
Projection
Discover Puerto Rico
Visit San Antonio
Smart City Networks
Smithbucklin
Spargo Inc.
Destination Toronto
Destination Vancouver and Vancouver Convention Centre
Visionary Awards 2022 Highlights
Visionary Awards 2022 Ceremony
You must be logged into your LinkedIn account to view the recording.
2019 Visionary Awards Recap Video
2019 Visionary Awards Ceremony
AFTER PARTY BAND
Tomar Williams got his start singing lead on the Chitlin Circuit with his family band in the late 1980s. After several decades as a side man on the Austin scene, Tomar decided to return to his roots as a frontman in 2015. He was introduced to a local instrumental band, the FCs, and Tomar and the FCs was born. They were selected by NPR Music to represent Austin for the Tiny Desk Concert Series, played the Austin City Limits Music Festival and, in 2022, performed at Bonnaroo. The band have three recordings, “Day by Day”, “Heart Attack”, and the latest, “Rise Above”, on Splice Records.
Brought to you by Visit Austin and Austin Convention Center
PART OF
POWER OF PURPOSE: Business Events Industry Week is committed to helping event stakeholders and their business partners advance the role that gatherings of people with purpose play in the economic, social and intellectual enrichment of people and communities everywhere. We are in the pursuit of this opportunity for everyone, because it matters everywhere.
POP will use locations and venues throughout the Washington, DC region as an inspirational canvas for a weeklong series of experiences that features professional development, a commercial marketplace, idea incubators, community social transformation activities, and networking experiences.
Stay in the loop with Visionary Awards updates.