PCMA Names 2019 “20 in Their 20s” Honorees
October 11, 2018
The Professional Convention Management Association(PCMA) has cast its votes for the next generation of professional business event leaders. PCMA’s newest class of “20 in their Twenties” represent a wide variety of regions, industries and organization types.
Honorees were selected from a pool of applicants by a committee comprised of veteran industry professionals and “20 in their Twenties” alumni. Application was limited to full-time employees in the business events industry who would be no older than 29 on Jan. 9, 2019 and examples of industry leadership, a video statement and professional references were required.
“This passionate group inspires me every year as they represent the future of the business events industry,” said Meredith Rollins, executive director of the PCMA Education Foundation. “I have no doubt this class of bright, skilled professionals will achieve success and PCMA is proud to assist them at every stage of their career.”
All members of the 2019 class will be granted a scholarship to attend Convening Leaders, PCMA’s annual signature event, where they will be honored in a special recognition ceremony. Convening Leaders will be held Jan 6-9 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Penn.
Honorees will also receive complimentary registration for the PCMA Education Conference, set for Jun. 25-28 in Los Angeles, as well as PCMA membership and educational products.
PCMA’s “20 in their Twenties” Class Members
- Edward Bagsic, Manager, Conventions VIP Events and Budgets, National Business Aviation Association, Alexandria, Va.
- Raul Cavazos-Binder, Account Executive, Development Counsellors International (DCI), New York, NY
- Jared Chambers, Strategic Account Manager, Experient, a Maritz Global Events Company, Frederick, MD
- Emily Dietrich, Manager, Business Events, Niagara Parks Commission, Niagara, Ontario, Canada
- Molly Holt, CMP, Manager, Meeting Operations, Heart Rhythm Society, Washington, D.C.
- Kara Hsu, Convention Sales Manager, Destination DC, Washington, D.C.
- Veronika Ivanova, Marketing and Meeting Architecture Specialist, Kenes International, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Andrea Lane, Meeting Planner, National Defense Industrial Association, Fairfax, Va.
- Janelle Lewis, Meetings and Events Manager, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, North Bethesda, MD
- Chad Manhertz, Event Manager, Events DC, Washington, D.C.
- Femke Morelisse, Sales Manager, GES, Alexandria, Va.
- Greg Morris, Director, Meetings and Education, Destinations International, Washington, D.C.
- Laura Neufeld, Account Manager, Meetings and Events, MCI Group Canada Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Khadijah Nimrod, Convention Sales Assistant, Destination DC, Washington, D.C.
- Olivia Pelzer, Senior Strategic Account Analyst, Cvent, Delaware, Ohio
- Gita Pun, Client Relations Team Manager, Shocklogic, London, U.K.
- Giulia Ineke Sarri, MARCOM and Social Project Assistant, AIM Group International, Milan, Italy
- Erin Simcox, Senior Manager of Housing, Visit Knoxville, Knoxville, Tenn.
- Kevin J. Thompson, Event Manager, Events DC, Washington, D.C.
- Lindsay Williams, Sales Manager, GES, Chicago, Ill.
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Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates.
Water Stewardship Efforts
MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship.
In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step.
MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas.
MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030.
From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts.
Caring for One Another
MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include:
Unserved perishable prepared foods from events
Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens
Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses
The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community.
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.
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