PCMA honours business event leaders with 2017 Visionary Awards

The PCMA Education Foundation honoured the 2017 Lifetime Achievement of three international meetings industry luminaries as well as the winners of the 2017 Professional Excellence Awards at a ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C, 3 May. A thousand business events leaders were in attendance at the Black Tie awards programme. “Our 2017 honorees and award winners’ accomplishments serve as inspiration to both industry veterans and novices alike,” said PCMA president & CEO, Deborah Sexton. “Each an expert in their profession — always endeavouring to lead the advancement of their organisations and the business events industry.” Those celebrated included: 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees Martin Balogh, associate executive director, Meetings and Travel Group, American Bar Association – 2017 Meeting Professional Honoree Carol Krugman, MEd, CMP, CMM, chair of the Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Events, Metropolitan State University of Denver – 2017 Educator Honoree Barry Smith, president & CEO, Metro Toronto Convention Centre – 2017 Supplier Honoree 2017 Professional Excellence Award Winners: Meeting Professional of the Year Danielle L. Urbina, CMP, director of meetings and exhibits with the American Society of Anesthesiologists.   Event Designer of the Year Megan D. Tate, CMM, vice-president, meeting & event planning manager with Wells Fargo.   Supplier of the Year Jennifer L. Erney, CMP, CASE, Accor Hotels and most recently with ALHI.   Community Advocate of the Year Peter C. O’Brien, CASE, global account executive with Marriott Global Sales Organisation.   The Chicago-based Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) has 7,000 members and claims to be the world’s largest network of business events strategists.