PCMA’s Business Events Summit (BES) concluded 23 June at El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, after three days of education and peer connection for the 686 on-site business events leaders. Formerly edUcon, BES is now an exclusive, members-only programme with longer sessions and collaborative formats that help participants apply what they learn with their peers.
PCMA Board chair, Kelly Ricker noted: “Business Events Summit is about giving our leaders the space and support to grow. This year, you could see participants not just absorbing new ideas but actively working on how to strengthen their skills and show up differently for their teams and organisations.”
“Business Events Summit in Puerto Rico reminded us that business events are more than gatherings — they are platforms for solving problems and strengthening communities,” said Sherrif Karamat, CAE, president and CEO of PCMA and CEMA. “Our members showed up ready to learn and to invest in each other, and the Puerto Rico community welcomed us with a spirit and generosity that reflects the best of this industry. When destinations and events strategists work together, we create impact that reaches far beyond the meeting room.”
Together, sessions from Holly Ransom, Shawn DuBravac, and Rashmi Airan underscored a central theme of the 2026 Summit: that the future of business events leadership depends on sharper thinking, more strategic design, and deeper personal accountability under pressure.
Sold-out Foundation events added to the momentum, including the Give Back Bash and two Get Fit experiences – Soundbath and Puppy Yoga – that raised funds to provide more than 40 scholarships for business events professionals. Together, those events extended the Summit’s focus on professional growth beyond the classroom and into community support for the next generation of industry leaders.
Business Events Summit 2027 is confirmed for June 20-23, 2027, in Lake Tahoe.
Photo by Jacob Slaton / Whatever Media Group
