Die IMEX America 2017 – Diversität, White Space und ein neuer Erlebnisbereich

Die IMEX America 2017 – Diversität, White Space und ein neuer Erlebnisbereich
Die Welt ist in Bewegung – und in Bewegung ist auch die 7. Ausgabe der IMEX America, die in diesem Jahr so bunt und divers wie niemals zuvor sein wird.

Vom 10. bis zum 12. Oktober ist es soweit und Meeting-Planer aus den USA und der ganzen Welt treffen sich in Las Vegas, um die neuesten Trends und Entwicklungen der internationalen Veranstaltungsbranche zu erleben.

Hier einige Eckdaten zur diesjährigen IMEX America:

• Fast 50 neue Messestände und mehr als 44 erweiterte Messestände

• Die neue „Live Zone“ mit vielen Möglichkeiten zum selbst erleben und ausprobieren – vom selbst komponierten Lied bis zum selbst gemalten Event-Konzept

• Kostenlose Showeinlagen von Künstlern, die in der „Live Zone“ den Eventplanern auf spielerische Art und Weise neue Angebote der IMEX präsentieren

• Aufblasbare „Domes“ für Seminare und Workshops am „Inspiration Hub“, gesponsert von Maritz

• Der „IMEX Smart Monday“ am 9. Oktober 2017 präsentiert u.a. eine „Live Zone“ mit LEGO Möbeln, Spielen und weiteren Aktivitäten, die die Teilnehmer zu interaktiven Meeting-Erlebnissen animieren

• Die IMEX „white Space Area“ – passend zum Fokusthema 2017 „purposeful meetings“, in dem die Besucher und Aussteller der IMEX America sich entspannen und regenerieren können

• MPI Keynotes zum aktuellen Thema „White Space“ als Anregung für zukunftsweisende Unternehmenskulturen und zum Trend-Thema „the power of live“

• Die PCMA Business School am „Smart Monday“, unterstützt von MPI, an dem wieder über 1000 Teilnehmer erwartet warden

#IMEX17

 

Nützliche Links:

• www.imexamerica.com
• zur kostenfreien Registrierung: https://www.imexamerica.com/register
• Weitere Informationen: https://www.imexamerica.com/attendees

First Edition of BestCities Global Forum Kicks-Off in Dubai

First Edition of BestCities Global Forum Kicks-Off in Dubai
The inaugural event will serve as a platform for industry wide knowledge exchange and discussions around legacy creation 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: 5 December 2016: Dubai Business Events in collaboration with the BestCities Global Alliance and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), inaugurated the first ever BestCities Global Forum today. Dubai is proud to host the first event of its kind organised by the global alliance, set to pave the way for future collaboration among the industry.

BestCities Global Alliance, a strategic collaboration between 11 of the world’s premier meeting destinations, kicked off the BestCities Global Forum today at the JW Marriot Marquis and will continue until the 7th of December. The BestCities Global Forum presents the ideal learning environment for senior association executives responsible for organising international events.  The unique and stimulating forum is guaranteed to educate and inspire delegates to create a lasting legacy for their organisation, while also generating new opportunities for future collaboration with peers from around the world. The Forum is pleased to have over 35 international association executives in attendance, including World Autism Organisation, International Society of Endocrinology, International Astronautical Federation and SWIFT; in addition to all 11 BestCities partner cities.

Day one revolved around an impressive programme that featured welcoming remarks from Ahmad Al Falasi, CEO of Corporate Services and Investment at Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, thought leadership sessions around the importance of creating legacies facilitated by Philip Davies, President, EMEA Siegle + Gale and Michael Foreman, Founder of Kindology. The day also included presentations about Dubai from four perspectives: business, travel, tourism & hospitality and healthcare featuring HE Hamad Buamim, President & CEO of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline.

The Forum comes at a time where Dubai’s reputation for holding world-class business events is steadily growing, a strong testament to the cooperation which exists between the government and the business events industry in the Emirate. The BestCities Global Forum is just one example of the significant strides Dubai Business Events is making in the field.

Paul Vallee, Managing Director of BestCities Global Alliance said: “We’re thrilled to be in such great company as we launch the first BestCities Global Forum today.  With an extremely high-calibre of speakers and representatives from our 11 partner cities in attendance, associations attending can tap into their collective knowledge and experience, gaining invaluable insight into how they can partner with destinations to advance the purpose of meetings, beyond delegate numbers to long-term impact and legacy development.”

Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: The BestCities Global Alliance is a unique example of how cooperation among the world’s top meetings destinations is facilitating knowledge sharing and enabling growth in industries that are playing a crucial role in Dubai’s vision for the future. Not only is this partnership inspiring innovation locally, as an organisation it also ensures we are able to offer our international clients much deeper insights into the experiences of our cities. Over the course of the next three days, attendees will have the chance to hear from thought leaders who are shaping our intellectual infrastructure and to familiarise themselves with Dubai’s state-of-the-art meeting facilities and services.”

Over the course of the week, the Forum feature thought provoking sessions from speakers including: Dr Tommy Weir, Speaker and Professor of Hult International Business School; Oliver Martin, a stakeholder engagement strategist, specialising in destination development; Philip Davies, President of strategic brand consultancy EMEA Siegel + Gale and Sherrif Karamat, Chief Operations Officer, PCMA.

The Forum is set to cover a range of relevant topics such as advancing the purpose of international association meetings through long-term legacy development, improving the benefits of association meetings to the host community and creating strategic partnerships with destinations.

Sherrif Karamat, Chief Operating Officer, PCMA, said: “After being involved with the education content development of the BestCities Global Forum, we’re thrilled to see such an excellent lineup of speakers here with us in Dubai this week. This Forum will be a great opportunity for all of us to learn from one another about long term legacy creation and strategic partnerships while experiencing all of what Dubai has to offer for business events.”

In doing so, Dubai Business Events – the official convention bureau for Dubai gains ground in its goal to further develop and increase Dubai’s share of the international business events market to spur innovation, create job opportunities and develop an economy that is prosperous and knowledge based.
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#PCMA #VisitDubai #BestCities #MICENews

THE OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE TEAM KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR AT PCMA CONVENING LEADERS IN CANADA

PRESS RELEASE
THE OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE TEAM KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR AT PCMA CONVENING LEADERS IN CANADA

Muscat, January 12th 2016 – The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre’s (OCEC) international promotional campaign continued in 2016 by participating in the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Convening Leaders held in Vancouver, Canada. During this highly influential event, the OCEC Team connected with key decision-makers and meeting planners and shared the tremendous possibilities of Oman as an emerging destination and the OCEC as the region’s business events hub.

“The OCEC has a unique partnership with PCMA and the development of strong relationships with professional associations is one of the cornerstones of our business development plan,” said Trevor McCartney, the OCEC General Manager. “We were able to leverage existing links and create new connections with associations representing some of the key industries for Oman’s 2020 economic diversification strategy. It was also a great opportunity to update the PCMA Oman International Advisory Board on the final preparations for our fast approaching launch in September 2016.”

The OCEC General Manager went on to explain that there is a great deal of interest in the business events industry in Oman as a country and the OCEC as a venue. According to McCartney, various elements prompting that interest include the Centre’s phenomenal facilities, the Sultanate’s outstanding natural assets, as well as the incredible wealth of intellectual capital in a variety of sectors and the opportunities of knowledge exchange it offers.

Richard L. Baltimore III, Adviser to the Omran Board of Directors, the Sultanate’s master developer of the OCEC, commented that “Networking among this prime concentration of over 4,000 senior international business meeting industry leaders afforded a prime opportunity to introduce and promote the Sultanate of Oman as a serious contender within the growing global convention and business events industry. Although less well known than some other established destinations, I found both North American and other attendees to be very receptive to representations about the historical richness and uniqueness of Oman and its people. Indeed, the OCEC will herald a wide range of new opportunities and serve as an ideal vehicle to showcase the Sultanate’s immense intellectual capital, while acting as a catalyst to promote economic growth, research innovation and entrepreneurship.”

In addition to various meetings with industry representatives from around the world, the OCEC Team also met with Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International. The company recently acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, creating the world’s largest hotel combined company with 1.1 million rooms in more than 5,500 hotels in over 100 countries. The new five-star hotel, situated at the heart of the OCEC precinct will be operated under the JW Marriott brand.

With more than 6,500 members and 50,000 customers, PCMA is the world’s leading organisation and definitive authority for meetings and event professionals. In 2014, the OCEC signed a strategic partnership agreement with PCMA and a group of 13 influential, international buyers visited Oman to experience the destination first-hand and participate in the inaugural PCMA Oman Advisory Summit- the first Green Field destination outside of North America to stage such a summit. A second PCMA Oman Advisory Summit will take place at the OCEC in September 2016.

AT IMEX AMERICA 2015

AT IMEX AMERICA

TODAY: Monday, October 12, 2015
AND TOMORROW: Tuesday, October 13, 2015

HIGHLIGHTS
Issued at 6 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Monday, October 12

TODAY
Smart Monday, powered by MPI drew hundreds of participants to high class educational sessions on a diverse range of key topics delivered by MPI, IAPCO, ICCA, ASAE, HSMAI, DMAI, SITE, GBTA, GMIC, PCMA, IAEE and ECM. The feedback was terrific; people found value in the day.

Adrienne Tooley, Meeting & Event Manager, Koncept Events, said, “When you’ve been in the industry a few years, you want something new and more advanced. Smart Monday and IMEX offer very high caliber, high-level speakers that are in strong touch with what’s happening in the industry.”

“To have a whole day before the show to come in early and get education here at Smart Monday is great,” said Lanie Collins, Marketing Association & Event Manager at Nicola Wealth Management. “Since I‘m the only one in my company who does meetings, it is terrific to be surrounded by and talk to other people who just ‘get it’, and I also get credit for what I am learning towards my CMP.”

The first MPI morning keynote session of the week, which was sponsored by New Orleans CVB/New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, was presented by Lee Papa on “How to Live and Lead Mindfully.”

The second PCMA Business School at IMEX America, sponsored by Synchronicities, was presented and led by Bob Kulhan, a professor at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. It revealed how to leverage improv techniques in the office.

Gabriela Marquez, BCD Travel M&I, Mexico, “This session has really encouraged me to break from my comfort zone and prompted fresh thinking. It was also a fun way to network and the interactive nature of it helped to break the ice with fellow participants. I’ve learned to really listen, not to judge, and to take risks.”

Association Focus, the exclusive event presented by ASAE and ICCA and attended by around 180 association executives, provided a broad range of valuable tailored education and peer networking opportunities. This will be followed by Association Evening, sponsored by SLS Las Vegas, at the stunning Foxtail Nightclub where invited exhibitors will join the delegates.

Thelma da Sousa of the Pacific Coast Oto Ophthalmological Society said, “This is the third year I’ve been here because there is so much you can learn. The content and range of the sessions is superb. There are so many that I want to go to that I wish there was more time.”

1,200 buyers and suppliers are going to Site Nite North America at the new Omnia nightclub, Caesars Palace.

TOMORROW
New exhibitors: There will be more than 80 new booths with exhibitors from all corners of the world, including Guam and Taiwan from Asia, Hungary and Zagreb from Europe, Paraguay and Ecuador from Latin America, plus Cincinnati, Oklahoma and Wisconsin from the U.S., to name just a few.

New education features: Magician Tim David will be the MPI keynote speaker. Sponsored by the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, he will explore the “Human Connection – A Lost Art in a Noisy World.”

The new Play Room, sponsored by Play with a Purpose, will provide short, hands-on “quirkshops” around creativity, a theme incorporated throughout the program.

A new resource on the show floor, TECHnexus, will provide buyers with hands-on experience of the latest technologies and is available every day in the tech area.

The #IMEXpitch Event Technology Startup competition will take place at 4:30 p.m. at the Inspiration Hub. A short list of five companies will pitch their ideas to industry experts.

Meditation Room: New for this year, this device-free area hosts regular sessions on yoga, mindfulness and meditation as well as provides quiet spot to recharge.

Press Conferences: There is a packed program of press conferences taking place at the Press Center and covering a wide range of destinations, venues and initiatives.

PRESS CENTER – sponsored by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
The onsite Press Center is located on Level 1 – Casanova Room 501 – The Venetian® | The Palazzo® Congress Center.

It offers: free Wifi, laptops and work stations, latest news from the show, its exhibitors and partners, mobile phone charging point, complimentary refreshments.

You can reach the PR team during the show at the Press Center or on the following numbers:
Press Center Onsite – (702) 691-8608
Emma Ward – (214) 883-7586
Jen McNeil – (214) 587-3819
Chris Lewis – (469) 404-6690

Useful weblinks
Latest IMEX & Exhibitor news releases – www.imexamerica.com/press/news-releases/
Press images – www.imexamerica.com/press/images-audio-video/
At a glance schedule www.imexamerica.com/events/at-a-glance/schedule/

Association Focus & Evening offer superb education

Association Focus & Evening offer superb education and networking opportunities at IMEX America 2015

Increasing revenues, designing better meetings and using mobile technologies in meetings are among the engaging subjects to be explored at Association Focus, a key part of IMEX America’s Smart Monday education program on 12 October 2015 in Las Vegas.

This special educational event, designed by IMEX together with ASAE and ICCA, is packed with fascinating discussions and insightful presentations led by an inspiring group of engaging speakers including industry professionals and independent specialists.

Taking place at the Venetian®| The Palazzo® Congress Center, the free event is exclusively for association executives. More than 180 association professionals from over 15 countries are expected to attend.

The day will be packed with motivating sessions where delegates can boost their knowledge and gather valuable insights and advice from peers and experts that will be helpful both in running associations as well as their events. The event also offers superb opportunities for association executives to network with peers and experts from across the globe.

After a networking lunch, delegates will first have a choice of three tracks. The ICCA session is ‘What’s Your Story?’ Led by Betsy Bair of Penton Media, Lisa Astorga, CMP of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis and Martin Sirk, CEO of ICCA, it starts from the premise that every association meeting is a chance to tell a great story – so how can associations make the most of these stories and opportunities?

At the same time, Willis Turner, CEO of Sales & Marketing Executives International Inc and Shelly Alcorn, Principal of Alcorn Associates will explore the potential role and opportunities to use gaming to increase loyalty and engagement.

Dedicated Executive Track
The dedicated ASAE Executive Track will open with ‘The Journey to Great Governance’, presented by Susan Robertson, CAE, Executive Vice President, ASAE, highlighting best practice in how non-profit boards of directors can fulfil their roles in living up to public and stakeholder expectations. This will be followed by Amy Hissrich, VP Web Strategies & Communications at ASAE explaining how mobile technologies can be used to maximise results from meetings.

Meanwhile delegates can also choose to learn about increasing non-due revenues in international markets from Faris Abouhamad of the International Advertising Association and Steen Jakobsen of Dubai Business Events. Alternatively, they can hear from John Folks and Katie Callahan-Giobbi of Mindingyourbusiness on measuring the attendee experience – and how different approaches can help to design a better meeting.

A packed day of education will be followed by a superb social event – Association Evening – which will feature Cocktails and Canapés at the stunning ‘indoor-outdoor’ Foxtail Nightclub, SLS Las Vegas; a fantastic opportunity to network with peers and invited exhibitors in a relaxed environment.

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group says: “Association Focus is a unique event in North America – bringing together association executives from around the US and the world to network and learn with each other in a private environment. We work hard with the market to ensure that the education sessions are highly relevant and delivered by first class educators. The Association Evening is a great culmination to the day and we are excited this year to be at a beautiful new poolside venue – it promises to be spectacular.”

For more details about IMEX America’s Association Focus and Evening and to register http://www.imexamerica.com/events/education/association-focus/

Please click here to download the Association Focus & Evening Brochure and to apply.

To attend Association Focus, delegates must first be registered as either a Hosted Buyer or a Visitor for the IMEX America trade show taking place on 13 – 15th October at Sands Expo® and The Venetian®| The Palazzo® Las Vegas. The Association Evening is also open to exhibitors who are members of one of the supporting industry associations – ICCA, ASAE, AIPC, IAEE, IACC, DMAI, PCMA, IAPCO. More information on the evening can be found at: http://www.imexamerica.com/events/networking-events/association-evening/

The education providers for Association Focus are ASAE and ICCA. SLS Las Vegas is the evening host sponsor.

ibtm america Announces Theme for Inaugural New Show Format: “Connections Mean Everything”

ibtm america Announces Theme for Inaugural New Show Format: “Connections Mean Everything”

Education Centered “Knowledge Forum” Set to Deliver Top-Notch Business Insights

The newly designed ibtm america has sharpened its focus on face-to-face business connections with this year’s show theme “Connections Mean Everything” in Chicago from 9-11 June.

This year’s “Discovery Day” (formerly “Education Day”) will kick off the Knowledge Forum with a keynote session sponsored by PCMA around the show’s theme.

Directly following this, there will be two sets of three congruent sessions brought to you by PCMA, Site and the ibtm events team. The first set of sessions will include a breakout around tools for planner productivity titled “Big Data Part 1” as well as an industry engagement option “Shared Economy” from PCMA. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn how to put meetings design into practice with the session on “Audiovisual Technologies and Adult Learning in Meetings” led by speaker Michael Owen from EventGenuity, LLC. The next set will see more sessions around industry engagement from Site. Returning presenter and attendee-favorite James Spellos will lead the last option “Way Cool Tech Tools”.

Keynoting on day two this year is Debbie Mayo-Smith. A best-selling author and globally recognised leading business productivity expert, Debbie will speak on how to improve profits and communication through the use of email, smartphone and other software.

Meetings Mean Business will be keynoting the Inspiration Lunch on day two of the show. The coalition is dedicated to showcasing the value that business meetings bring to the US economy.

To enhance productivity and informal connection making, the “ConnectZone” will bring additional education offerings for attendees and exhibitors to experience during their breaks. A hybrid of last year’s Innovation and Refresh Zones, the ConnectZone (brought to you in partnership with the Meeting Pool) revisits some of AIBTM 2014’s popular attractions such as the Innovation Spotlight Stage, sponsored by Certain Software, and the TECHbar.

New this year will be the WellnessNexus, a showcase of the latest and emerging trends in personal and professional wellness, as well as the ImageDeck, where attendees can enrich their personal and professional appearances via image consultants, beauty experts and a professional headshot lounge. Attendees will also be able to participate in some charitable activity, as “Dress For Success” will be on-hand accepting clothing donations. The not-for-profit organisation promotes economic independence for disadvantaged women by providing them with professional attire.

“Our focus this year for the ConnectZone twofold: we want our attendees to feel productive, even during their appointment breaks, but to also have fun and relax” says Jaime McAuley, ibtm america’s Event Director. “The ConnectZone allows for learning about the most recent technology innovations, and gives people a chance to better their wellness and productivity. We’ll have experts on hand in a variety of topics on hand to teach planners and exhibitors about emerging trends and techniques they can apply not only to their personal, but their professional lives as well.”

ibtm america takes place from June 9-11, 2015 in Chicago. To apply to be a Hosted Buyer or participate as an exhibitor, please visit www.ibtmamerica.com

Packed education programme set to drive Association Day at IMEX in Frankfurt 2015

Packed education programme set to drive Association Day at IMEX in Frankfurt 2015

Frankfurt, 16th February 2015 – Working with millennials, managing an association during a crisis, and how to best use data are just some of the key topics to be explored at this year’s IMEX Association Day on Monday 18 May 2015.

Taking place at Kap Europe, Messe Frankfurt’s impressive new conference centre, the free event is exclusively for association executives.  More than 300 association professionals from 40 countries are expected to attend.

It is a day packed with insightful educational talks by peers and experts offering valuable advice on both the running of associations as well as association events. It also offers superb opportunities to network with peers and experts from across the globe.

The dedicated programme provides delegates with a range of educational sessions – including a dedicated Executive track, plus sessions that relate to association operations, marketing, meetings and more. A number of sessions have been designed and will be co-delivered by some of the industry’s leading industry associations including ICCA, PCMA and ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership. This year’s event will feature a brand new programme with interactive learning formats and professional facilitation, developed in conjunction with the International Association of Facilitators.

The inspiring afternoon sessions will be followed by an hour of small group hot topic discussions led by expert facilitators before everyone departs for Association Evening. IMEX exhibitors and association partners join delegates for this ever-popular networking reception at the Marriott Hotel.

Alexander Klein from the International Stereoscopic Union in Germany, one of last year’s delegates, explains:

“The sessions I attended certainly planted a few ideas in my mind and gave me some useful tips on how I might change the set-up of our events. The sessions provide real food for thought and have prompted me to try something different. That’s what IMEX is all about, isn’t it? Inspiration!

“It’s also nice to catch up with a few familiar faces and enjoy some valuable networking.”

For more details about IMEX Association Day and Evening and to register visit http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/associationdayregistration. Association Day & Evening delegates must be registered as either a Hosted Buyer or a Visitor for the IMEX trade show.

 

 

Der IMEX Association Day 2015

Der IMEX Association Day 2015
IMEX Gruppe gibt umfangreiches Weiterbildungs-Programm bekannt

Frankfurt, den 16. Februar 2015 “Herausforderungen in der Zusammenarbeit mit der Generation Y”, “Krisenmanagement in der Verbandsarbeit – wie, wann, was?” und “Datenverarbeitung im Zeitalter von Big Data und Datensicherheitsmanagement” – dies sind nur einige der Themen, die im Rahmen des Aus- und Weiterbildungsprogrammes auf dem diesjährigen IMEX Verbändetag am Montag, den 18. Mai 2015, beleuchtet werden.
Diese kostenfreie Expertenveranstaltung findet dieses Jahr erstmals im “Kap Europe” – dem eindrucksvollen Konferenzcenter der Messe Frankfurt – statt und ist exklusiv Führungskräften und Eventplanern von Verbänden vorbehalten. Es werden über 300 Teilnehmer aus 40 Ländern erwartet.
Die Teilnehmer dürfen sich auf einen Tag voller Expertenwissen und Networkingmöglichkeiten mit internationalen Kollegen freuen. Das Weiterbildungsprogramm beinhaltet einen speziellen “Executive Track” sowie Vorträge und Seminare zum Marketing, dem operative Management und der Veranstaltungsplanung von Verbänden.
Einige der Fortbildungseinheiten wurden gemeinsam mit führenden Branchenverbänden wie “ICCA”, “PCMA” und “ASAE” (The Center for Association Leadership) entwickelt.
Der “Association Day” präsentiert in diesem Jahr ein komplett neues Programm mit interaktiven Lernformaten, das von der “International Association of Facilitators” mit entwickelt wurde.
Auf die inspirierenden Nachmittags-Sessions folgt eine Stunde voller intensiver themenspezifischer Diskussionen, die von Branchenexperten moderiert und begleitet werden.
Den Tag beendet der beliebte “Associaton Evening” im Marriott Hotel – ein beliebtes weiteres Highlight, an dem auch ausgewählte Aussteller und Kooperationspartner teilnehmen.
Alexander Klein von der “International Stereoscopic Union” in Deutschland erläutert: “Die Seminare und Workshops haben mir wertvolle Ideen und auch ganz praktische Tipps vermittelt, wie wir unsere Veranstaltungen noch optimieren und auch einmal ganz neue Wege ausprobieren können. Die Anregungen, die ich erhalten habe werde ich gleich in die Praxis umsetzen. Außerdem trifft man hier immer vertraute Gesichter. Das ist perfektes Networking auf einem außergewöhnlichen Event. Absolut inspirierend.”

Weitere Details über den “IMEX Association Day” und Abend und die Möglichkeit zur Registrierung:
visit http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/associationdayregistration. Die Teilnahme an dieser Veranstaltung setzt die Registrierung als Hosted Buyer oder als Besucher der IMEX voraus.

 

PCMA and HILTON HHONORS™ PARTNER TO SUPPORT MEETING PROFESSIONALS

PCMA and HILTON HHONORS™ PARTNER TO SUPPORT MEETING PROFESSIONALS
Hilton HHonors members can now redeem HHonors points for PCMA membership

Chicago, IL, October 2012 – The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and Hilton HHonors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide’s 10 distinct hotel brands, has announced a new value-add option for meetings industry professionals to engage in PCMA membership. Hilton HHonors members will now have the option to redeem their HHonors Points for PCMA Professional or Supplier Memberships.

The process is simple and seamless; HHonorsmembers can visit the Global Shopping Mall at hhonors.com/shopping to take advantage of this opportunity.

Commenting on the agreement Ben Goedegebuure, International Board Director of PCMA and Director of Sales for the SECC, commented: “This agreement underlines the partnership nature of PCMA and how, as an association, we can bring wide reaching member benefits for senior meetings and events professionals.”

According to Deborah Sexton, PCMA President and CEO, “This partnership is designed to help foster professional development and peer-to-peer business networking amongst those in the meetings, conventions and business events industry. Through the Hilton HHonors program PCMA members will be able to renew their membership by using their HHonors points, while those who are not members, but interested in their professional development, can easily join PCMA by using their HHonorspoints.”

“Recognizing the challenges facing meeting professionals in the last few years, Hilton Worldwide is pleased to be able to support the world class educational platform and premier networking opportunities associated with a PCMA membership. This is a unique opportunity and is yet another way Hilton Worldwide is committed to a healthy and vibrant meetings community.” said Larry Luteran, Senior Vice President, Group Sales and Industry Relations, Hilton Worldwide.

For more information on this program, visit pcma.org/memberdiscounts
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For further information, contact:
Alistair Turner at Davies Tanner on +44 (0)1892 617 904 or +44(0)7801 710 238 or alistair.turner@daviestanner.co.uk

About PCMA
PCMA is the multi-channel professional resource and premier educator for leaders in the meetings, conventions, events and trade show industries. PCMA provides their 6,000+ members with a community of likeminded colleagues, innovative education and creative global solutions to enhance both their professional development and their organization’s face-to-face and virtual connections. Headquartered in Chicago, PCMA has 17chapters throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico with members in more than 35 countries. For additional information, please visit the PCMA Web site at pcma.org.

About Hilton HHonors
Hilton HHonors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide’s 10 distinct hotel brands, offers its 30 million members more ways to earn and redeem points than any other guest-loyalty program, enabling them to create experiences worth sharing at more than 3,800 hotels in 91 countries. HHonors members can now redeem points for any room, anywhere, anytime, including the most luxurious suites, using any of four room rewards: Premium Room Rewards, Room Upgrade Rewards, Points & Money Rewards and StandardRoom Rewards. In addition, HHonors members can use points to purchase unique experience rewards, merchandise and vacation packages, make charitable contributions and more. HHonors is also the only guest-loyalty program to offer ‘No Blackout Dates’ and ‘Points & Miles’ for the same stay at its properties worldwide, including participating Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels& Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. Membership in HHonors is free, and travelers may enroll online by visiting http://www.HiltonHHonors.com or connect with Hilton HHonors at news.hiltonhhonors.com.

About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitalityc ompany, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels andresorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, HiltonWorldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,800 hotels and timeshare properties, with 630,000 rooms in 91 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit http://www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at http://www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, http://www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, http://www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, http://www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and http://www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.

PCMA JOINS BUSINESS VISITS & EVENTS PARTNERSHIP

PCMA JOINS BUSINESS VISITS & EVENTS PARTNERSHIP

29th October 2012, Chicago: The ProfessionalConvention Management Association (PCMA) has been approved to join the umbrella body for the UK events industry following last week’s partnership meeting in Glasgow.

The association will become the twentieth member of the Business Visits & Events Partnership, the body that represents the full spectrum of the UK events industry. PCMA has gained worldwide accolade for the quality of its educational and there has been a marked increase in interest from UK meeting and events professionals since the inaugural PCMA Global Corporate Summit was held in Scotland this summer.

Ben Goedegebuure, Sales Director of the SECC and International Board Member for the PCMA commented, “As an association we believe in working in partnerships so joining the BVEP was a natural step to align ourselves with the UK industry. Europe remains a key market and the success of ‘The Glasgow Summit’ only underlined the genuine appetite there is out there for the association.”

The BVEP held its October meeting in Glasgow at the SECC, hosted by both the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and Menzies Hotels.

“PCMA has earned a solid reputation for the quality of their education and brings to the table differing international perspective to where the UK industry is right now,” commented Michael Hirst, Chair of the Business Visits & Events Partnership. “It was fitting to have confirmed the association’s membership in Glasgow, where they took their first step into the market.”

The news comes following the PCMA’s partnership agreement to supply education at International Confex next year.