PCMA Members to Receive CIC Top Honors; Future Annual Meeting Sites Chosen
April 15, 2013
Four of Professional Convention Management Association’s members will be inducted into the Convention Industry Council Hall of Leaders this October.
The 2013 class includes two members of the PCMA Education Foundation Board of Trustees - Liz Erikson, executive director, Meetings & Incentives, Fairmont-Raffles-Swissotel and Eduardo Chaillo, consultant, Global Meetings and Tourism Specialists - and two longstanding PCMA members - Peggy Daidakis, executive director, Baltimore Convention Center and Stephen Powell, senior vice president, Worldwide Sales, Intercontinental Hotels Group.
“This is an incredible honor that four of the five honorees are PCMA members. Our Board of Trustee members, Liz and Eduardo, have been trailblazers in this industry and have been instrumental in moving both PCMA and the industry forward,” said Deborah Sexton, PCMA’s president and CEO.
She added, “What they have both challenged the industry to do in terms of research, advocacy and education – will be their enduring legacy.”
The association also unveiled two of its future Convening Leaders host cities – 2016 in Vancouver, B.C., and 2017 in Austin, Texas.
“Convening Leaders is the premier meeting industry event,” Sexton said.
She added, “Our participants and partners attend this event to not only learn and network, but also to experience locations for their future meetings. We are excited about Convening Leaders going to Vancouver and Austin for the first time as each city has its own unique attributes and vibe and will be of extreme interest to PCMA’s diverse audiences.”
PCMA has grown the meeting from approximately 2900 attendees in 2006 to more than 3,700 in 2011-2013, a 27-percent increase.
The Jan. 10-13, 2016 meeting will be held at the LEED Platinum-certified Vancouver Convention Centre, located on the waterfront at Canada Place in the heart of downtown Vancouver.
The Jan. 8-11, 2017 meeting will be held at the LEED Gold-certified Austin Convention Center, located in downtown Austin.
Partner Voices
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
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