PCMA Education Foundation Unveils the 2015 Professional Achievement Honorees

December 2, 2014

Kati S. Quigley, CMP, George G. Fenich, Ph.D. and Anne Hamilton, will be honored at the 2015 Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Education Foundation Dinner Celebrating Professional Achievement on tap April 8 at the Marriott Marquis in Washington D.C.

“Our 2015 Honorees each have career paths and accomplishments that both inspire and guide their peer communities,” said PCMA President & CEO, Deborah Sexton.

She added, “While their past leadership has been instrumental in advancing our industry, their present and future leadership endeavors will help us ensure conventions, trade shows and conferences continue to serve as the critical adult education channel.”

2015 Meeting Professional Honoree: Kati S. Quigley, CMP

Quigley, senior director, partner community marketing for the Microsoft Corporation, has had a diverse 25-year journey in the meetings industry – working both in both the association and corporate worlds. Today, Quigley is directly responsible for Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference with 15,000-plus attendees from 156 countries. She oversees the marketing, content, experience design and digital engagement strategy for this important event. Prior to joining Microsoft in 2002, Quigley spent 11 years in the Washington D.C. area as a director of meetings and professional development for various trade associations.

Quigley, a notable strategic thinker, has been active in PCMA throughout her career and has made countless thoughtful contributions to the organization. In addition to her current role as a trustee for the PCMA Education Foundation, she has also served as PCMA board chairman and various officer roles, at both the headquarter and chapter levels. Quigley has been a catalyst to grow PCMA's appeal and its membership of senior level corporate meeting professionals. While chairman, she visited almost every chapter, helping to reinvigorate chapter leaders and drive attendance at their events

2015 Educator Honoree: George G. Fenich, Ph.D.

George G. Fenich, Ph.D. is a professor in the School of Hospitality Leadership at East Carolina University. He was a practitioner in the hospitality industry for 15 years before moving to academe in 1985. He has published over 40 research articles and studies including the Millennials study released by PCMA in 2012. Fenich has taught more than 15 courses in the meeting, tourism and hospitality field in higher education, he has authored/edited more than 10 textbook publications, contributed to chapters to six other textbooks, written and published more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles, contributed more than 20 articles to conference proceedings, and presented papers at more than 70 professional meetings. His vitae is long and impressive.

Fenich has also served, and continues to serve, on a number of industry-related committees, including the PCMA Faculty Task Force, PCMA Student Task Force, MPI Foundation Board, DMAI Faculty Task Force, the PCMA Annual Meeting Program Committee, to name only a few. He is highly dedicated to his faculty colleagues and students at East Carolina University - always sharing his expertise and constantly collaborating with other faculty members and students.

2015 Supplier Honoree: Anne Hamilton

Hamilton, vice president, resort sales and services, Disney Destinations, leads a team of 170 representatives responsible for sales and services efforts related to meetings and conventions and theme park events held at Disneyland Resort in California, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disney’s Aulani, a Resort and Spa in Hawaii and Disney’s National Sales. She has been instrumental in growing the Disney Destinations sales organization while continuously balancing the company's goals along with the customer's desires, enabling both to achieve a high level of success.

A 35-year industry veteran with a wealth of experience, Hamilton has spent more than two decades actively advocating on behalf of the meetings industry. This includes serving on the Board of Directors for both MPI and PCMA and holding a broad range of other volunteer leadership roles with MPI, ASAE, PCMA and related industry organizations. She also serves on the Florida State University Board of Governors, the University of Central Florida Rosen Hospitality School Advisory Board and the U.S. Travel Association’s “Meetings Mean Business” Coalition. In recognition of her industry contributions, Anne has been named an ASAE Fellow and Florida State University Dedman Hospitality School Alumnae of the Year.

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