PCMA Foundation Celebrates the Event Industry’s Brightest Stars At the 2021 Visionary Awards

September 14, 2021

On Aug. 26, the PCMA Foundation recognized more than 20 business events industry leaders at the 2021 PCMA Visionary Awards, which honors exceptional industry professionals for their significant contributions to their organizations and the business events community.  

Held at the Hilton Washington in Washington, D.C., the vibrant event hosted more than 500 guests, who celebrated with a red carpet experience, an awards show and an after party featuring Austin-based band, The Nightowls. 

“The Visionary Awards is an opportunity to celebrate our amazing colleagues, while also supporting the PCMA Foundation,” said Angie Ranalli, chairwoman of the PCMA Foundation, which funds educational scholarships and critical event industry projects to empower the career advancement of students and professionals while supporting the future of the business events industry.

She continued, “To the innovators, the game-changers, the risk-takers and above all the visionaries that provide the power behind business events, thank you for your hard work, dedication and passion. Congratulations to all of our honorees and finalists.”  

This year, the Professional Excellence Awards honored six recipients, who were selected by an awards committee that reviewed all the nominations, chose the finalists, reviewed the finalists again and then selected the winners based on a blind online vote. They included: 

  • Supplier of the Year: WeeMin Ong, Vice President of Conventions and Exhibitions, Marina Bay Sands 
  • Business Event Strategist of the Year: Bob Bejan, CVP, Global Events, Studios and Marketing Community, Microsoft 
  • Digital Experience Strategist of the Year: Victoria Fanning, CMP, DES, Sr. Manager, Digital Events, Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) 
  • Event Designer of the Year: Amy Ledoux, retired as Chief Learning and Meetings Officer, ASAE
  • Community Advocate of the Year: José Quan, Founder and Owner, Eventia 
  • Outstanding Service to a Chapter: Kim Allison, Senior Director of Sales, Georgia World Congress CenterCapital Chapter 

In recognition of leaders who made a significant impact during such a challenging year filled with so much uncertainty, the PCMA Foundation added three new awards to its roster: the Wayfinder Award for an individual and an organization and the Groundbreakers Award. 

Created to honor an individual and an organization for their innovation, courage, leadership and solution-focused approach in the face of a significant external challenge, this year’s Wayfind Award was scooped up by IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer as the individual award winner, while Hyatt Hotels Corporation received the organizational award.  

Carol Wallace, former president and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, received the inaugural PCMA Groundbreakers Award, which honors industry trailblazers who represent diverse sectors of the business events community, recognizing those who have made a significant contribution to their organizations and to programs advancing inclusion and equity.  

Also recognized during the awards ceremony were the Lifetime Achievement Honorees: Bill Grusich, senior vice president at Associated Luxury Hotels International, and Lisa Delpy Neirotti, Ph.D., professor and director of sports management programs at The George Washington University. 

Due to current travel restrictions and border closures, the PCMA Foundation will honor Ben Goedegebuure, vice president and global general manager at Maritz Global Events, with his Lifetime Achievement during the 2022 Visionary Awards.  

Other finalists for the Professional Excellence and Wayfinder Awards who were honored included: 

  • Karen Watson, Cultivate Event Design and Consulting
  • Camille White-Stern, Splash 
  • Rose Horcher, Choose Chicago 
  • Lora Stanley, Visit Anaheim 
  • Carly Silberstein, Redstone Agency Inc. 
  • Ben Elliott, Live Productions Australia Pty Ltd
  • John Woo, GES Events 
  • Megan Finnell, CMP, Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) 
  • Toni Zoblotsky, Hilton Corp. 
  • Michelle Guelbart, MSW, a recognized voice in the movement to eradicate human trafficking and child exploitation 
  • Allen Anderson, Anderson Hospitality Services, Greater Philadelphia Chapter 
  • Andrew Horsfield, Hyatt Place Ottawa West, PCMA Canada East Chapter 
  • Michael Clarke, Marriott International 
  • Patrizia Semprebene Buongiorno, AIM Group International 
  • Events DC; PCMA Rocky Mountain Chapter 

“We are all in the business of bringing people togetherconvening with purpose to deliver the human connections that help enrich our communities and our quality of life,” said PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat. “We advance industries and social change. We are resilient. We are innovative and we passionately believe in our ability to change the world. The world is a better place when we are together.” 

To attend the 2021 Visionary Awards, PCMA required proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for all guests. Check out a video recap of the event here.

  

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact