Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) has announced the appointment of Tonya Almond as its VP of Knowledge and Experience Design. Almond will lead the events and education teams and will engage with its global audience to help PCMA evolve its education content and event experiences. She reports to Joyce Winnecke, PCMA’s chief content officer. Almond first served on the Greater Midwest Chapter Board and more recently has served on the PCMA board of directors. Since 2014, Almond has served on several of PCMA’s committees including the Annual Meeting Programme Committee, the Nominating Committee, Annual Giving Taskforce and the Foundation Dinner Taskforce (now Visionary Awards). Almond has more than 22 years of experience leading meetings, sponsorships and education. She joins PCMA from her position as VP of Meetings and Continuing Education at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). Before the AAPD, she was previously director, Meetings and Events Services at the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR).
“Tonya’s position will enhance the impact we are making every day by unleashing the potential of an integrated approach to education and experience,” said Sherrif Karamat, CAE, PCMA president and CEO.
The PCMA board of directors unanimously approved Kirsten Olean, CMP, CAE, director of Meetings – American Society for Microbiology, to fill Almond’s vacated seat on the board. “[Olean] previously served on our board between January 2015 – January 2018, and was a critical contributor to our visioning undertaking,” said Karamat. Karamat explained that Olean will serve through the end of Almond’s term, which expires 10 January 2019 following our Convening Leaders event.
