PCMA announces Olympic movement in EMEA for October 2021

Global meetings industry association PCMA has announced it will stage a new omnichannel event, Convening EMEA, for business event leaders and professionals. The association confirmed Lausanne, Switzerland will host the inaugural event, 17-19 October 2021. Switzerland Tourism, the International Olympic Committee and Lausanne Tourism are all backing the event, with support from Lausanne Montreux Congress members. Initially launched as the European Influencer Summit in 2017, PCMA’s European invite-only, in-person event was limited to business leaders. PCMA subsequently opened the Summit to all business event professionals in 2018 and grew the event to 300 attendees in Barcelona in 2019. In 2021, however, the Summit will become ‘Convening EMEA’, an omnichannel event focused on bringing together event professionals and creatives from not only Europe, but the Middle East and Africa. “At a time when connection is not only key, but essential for post-pandemic success in our industry, Convening EMEA will be a catalyst for how the industry recovers in the region,” said Jaimé Bennett, PCMA’s business director for EMEA. “Additionally, we felt holding this revitalised event in the Olympic capital of Lausanne would not only enhance the programme but also assist us in creating a truly immersive experience for attendees.” Steeve Pasche, director or Lausanne Tourism said: “It is with great joy and great pride that we will welcome PCMA and Convening EMEA to Lausanne. It will occur in a time frame, and at a crossroads where we all are sharing, brainstorming and working together in a new era of business and in a post-pandemic situation. Convening EMEA 2021 will be an active actor in this.” Headquartered in Chicago, PCMA has 17 chapters throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, with members in more than 40 countries and regional offices in Ireland, Australia and Singapore.