Meetings Executives on the Cutting Edge At 2007 Executive Edge Program in Toronto
Innovation is now heralded as the single most important initiative in today's business environment. PCMA is partnering with the best to help meetings executives learn how to foster this kind of thinking within their organizations. The latest Executive Edge program: "Innovation by Design," will be held Jan. 7 - 8 at the 2007 PCMA Annual Meeting in Toronto in partnership with the esteemed University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management. In this two-day interactive workshop, meetings industry leaders will collaborate to explore how "design thinking" can unlock breakthrough ideas and enable them to more strategically lead their organizations. The hands-on workshop will be led by adjunct professor Heather Fraser, director of Rotman's Design Initiative, and David Dunne, Ph.D., adjunct professor of marketing and co-director of the Rotman Teaching Effectiveness Centre. Key industry executives will work together to learn the latest practices in innovation and the strategies that turn "big" ideas into realities.

Due to the university's curriculum and space limitations, Executive Edge is an invitation-only program. To qualify to attend and for complete details about "Innovation by Design," visit www.pcma.org.

Empowering PCMA Chapter Leaders With the Tools for Success
Forty-five PCMA volunteer leaders from across North America joined PCMA board leaders and staff at the 2006 PCMA Chapter Leadership Retreat (CLR) at the Westin Boston Waterfront in September. The focus of this year's CLR was enhancing member value, programming support, and leadership development.

Marriott International's Director of Service & Relationship Strategy Michelle Lapierre started CLR off by leading attendees through the program "Generations @ Work," co-presented with the PCMA New England Chapter.

The retreat continued with sessions led by PCMA staff and wrapped up with Connie Pirtle, founder and director of Strategic Nonprofit Resources, who explained how to engage members and manage volunteers.

PCMA would like to thank CLR's host city hotel, the Westin Boston Waterfront, and our sponsors, Tourism Toronto, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Gearing Up for PCMA's 51st Annual Meeting in Toronto
PCMA's first international Annual Meeting will offer revolutionary educational experiences, inspiring general session speakers, roundtable discussions, and many opportunities to share ideas and best practices. Here are some highlights:

Cutting Edge Programs and Events
PCMA has developed more than 80 educational sessions covering 20 key topic areas, all designed to help you enhance your meetings and improve your organization's bottom line. The 2007 Annual Meeting also features unique networking events, faculty and student programs, and chapter events. The goal of each event and program is to inspire you to become more involved, advance in your career, and become a better leader.

New in 2007

• Hospitality Helping Hands moves to Saturday, Jan. 6.
• On Sunday, Jan. 7, chapter leaders, students, and faculty will have "Breakfast with the Board" followed by an improved Student Program, Faculty Program, Chapter Workshop, and a new orientation which includes a mentor program.
• Monday, Jan. 8 features the PCMA Recognition Luncheon, formerly The Awards Ceremony. And Party With A Purpose (PWAP) moves to Monday night at CiRCA, the newest technological and architectural phenomenon to hit Toronto's cultural and entertainment scene.
• Tuesday, Jan. 9 includes an afternoon plenary session on five macro trends impacting the meetings and convention industry.
• Wednesday, Jan. 10, closes with a luncheon and dynamic keynote speaker from 12:30 - 2:30 pm.

Experiential Sessions
Go outside the convention center and into some of Toronto's landmarks for unique learning experiences that meld local culture and venues with learning opportunities. Choose from a variety of programs, including seeing the big picture from thousands of feet in the air at the CN Tower, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, learning the art of improv at Diesel Playhouse, or discovering the effect of food and wine combinations on the body at the Hotel Le Germain.

Party With A Purpose
On Monday night, the 14th Annual Party With A Purpose will take to Toronto's hottest new night spots, CiRCA. A fund-raiser with a strong PCMA member following, this event has raised more than a million dollars since it started. The proceeds from the 2007 Party With A Purpose will benefit YouthLink, a program for disadvantaged young people in Toronto, the PCMA Education Foundation, and the Network for the Needy program.

More Than 60 Percent of PCMA Members Attend the Annual Meeting
Join your colleagues for numerous cutting-edge educational programs, insightful shared interest groups, and spectacular social events at PCMA's first international annual meeting, Jan. 7-10, 2007 in Toronto!