PCMA sets economic progress and social prosperity as goals for first Leadership Summit

Civic and corporate leaders from four continents will gather January 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for a two-day forum on how business events can create diversified and sustainable opportunities for economic and social prosperity. The 6 and 7 January programme was created by Chicago-based PCMA to bring together a core international group of association CEOs, corporate leaders and municipal leaders. Participants include representatives from McDonald’s Corp.; Caesars Entertainment; Melbourne Convention Bureau; Columbus, Ohio Mayor Andrew Ginther and International Association of Public Transport. “PCMA is a platform for the business events industry and we wanted to create a session where different civic and corporate stakeholders can freely discuss the role of business events in every community and how business events can drive global economic and social transformation,” said Sherrif Karamat, PCMA president and CEO. “The business events industry accounted for US$1.03 trillion in 2017 direct spending. If the sector was a country, it would be part of the G20 international forum.” The Leadership Summit on 6 January 2019 will focus on accelerating success for those organising and hosting business events by gaining critical knowledge in transformational leadership during disruptive times. Speakers include innovator Peter Sheahan of the Karrikins Group, thought leader and global voice for education Heather McGowan and MyGrowthFund CEO Vusi Thembekwayo. See the programme at conveningleaders.org/go/cl19-summit-forum/. The Forum on Economic and Social Progress on 7 January 2019 will include the expanded participation of influential community stakeholders from economic development, mayors and civic officials to discuss the importance of business events to economic planning, industrial strategy and sector development.