Members of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) have approved the 2027 Board of Directors and Trustees slate for PCMA and PCMA Foundation. The incoming directors and trustees will take office on 13 January, 2027, the closing day of Convening Leaders 2027 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Sherrif Karamat, president & CEO, PCMA and CEMA, said: “The incoming Board of Directors and Trustees steps in at a defining moment for PCMA and the global business events industry. As we continue to advance towards PCMA’s 2030 Vision and the future of the business events community, their support and guidance are essential. These leaders will help PCMA turn that vision into results.”
The PCMA executive officers serving a one-year term include:
- Chair: Robin Preston, vice-president, meetings and exhibits, American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Chair-elect: Deborah Caldwell, senior vice-president and Asia Pacific head of global events, Bank of America
- Secretary-treasurer: Ong Wee Min, vice-president of sales and MICE, Marina Bay Sands
- Immediate past chair: Kelly Ricker, chief operating officer, Global Technology Industry Association.
CEMA Advisory Board appointee serving a one-year director and trustee term:
- Leslie Hasvold, senior director, corporate events programmes and customer advocacy, Cloudflare
The following leaders will begin serving a two-year director and trustee term (2027–2028):
- Vanessa Claspill, chief sales officer, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
- Aleta Harris, EMBA,, director of conferences, meetings and travel, American Medical Association
- Vicki Hawarden, vice-president, meetings and events, American Geophysical Union
- Kit Lykketoft, director of conventions, Wonderful Copenhagen
- Paul Mockler, head of commercial development, Fáilte Ireland
- Ben Nazario, chief growth officer, MC²
- Joey Nevin, vice-president, Giants Enterprises, San Francisco Giants
- John Rubsamen, vice-president, events, Out & Equal.
The following leaders will serve a second two-year Director and Trustee term (2027–2028):
- Ari Goldsmith, vice-president of marketing and digital media, KeHE Distributors
- Ori Lahav, CEO, Kenes Group
- Walt Leger III, president and CEO, New Orleans & Company
The following leaders are serving the final year of a two-year director and trustee term (2026–2027):
- Michael Barnett, CEO, InGo
- Patrick Espinoza, vice-president of business development, New Orleans & Company
- John Hawley, executive director, association, Hilton Worldwide Sales
- Elizabeth Tovar, president, Turenlaces
- Lindsay Williams, director of business development, GES
In addition, the president & CEO of PCMA and CEMA serves as a director and trustee:
- Sherrif Karamat, CAE, President and CEO, PCMA and CEMA
