Parsing the Economy at PCMA's Annual Meeting

Wharton School professor to address "What's Next for the Markets and the Economy" at Tuesday's General Session

PCMA has announced that Professor Jeremy Siegel of the world-renowned Wharton School will headline Tuesday's General Session at the 2009 PCMA Annual Meeting, where he'll tackle today's hottest global issue: the economy. In "What's Next for the Markets and the Economy," Siegel will make sense of the root causes of the current financial crisis, discuss where today's values lie, project future domestic and international returns, and analyze the implications for the meetings industry. Siegel has written and lectured extensively on the economy and financial markets, and appeared frequently on CNN, CNBC, NPR, and other networks. He is a regular columnist for Kiplinger's and Yahoo! Finance, and has written for The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, The Financial Times, and other national and international publications. Professor Siegel served for 15 years as head of economics training at JP Morgan and is currently the academic director of the U.S. Securities Industry Institute.

'FUTURE TRENDS AND FORECASTING'

Greater Midwest Gets a Bead on the Industry: More than 180 members and guests of PCMA's Greater Midwest Chapter gathered in Rosemont, Ill., in September for the chapter's quarterly education program, "Future Trends and Forecasting … Hospitality Style." Moderated by Experient founder Bruce Harris, the program featured a panel of industry leaders - Scott Brisoe, CAE, Associations Now (above); Felix Niespodziewanski, American College of Surgeons; Deidre Ross, CMP, MHA, American Library Association (above); and L.J. Williams, Rotary International - who discussed the economy, attrition, the hotel/planner relationship, rising airline costs, contracts and pricing, sponsorships, and green initiatives.

2009 PCMA Education Foundation Dinner Honorees Announced

Bruce Harris, CMP; John Patronski; and Tyra Hilliard, J.D., CMP, will be honored at the 2009 PCMA Education Foundation Dinner Celebrating Professional Achievement, April 15, 2009, at the Hilton Washington in Washington, D.C.

Harris is the founder of Conferon (now Experient) and this year's Meeting Professional Honoree. Patronski is the executive vice president of GES Exposition Services and the Supplier Partner Honoree. Hilliard, a professor at George Washington University, consultant, and industry speaker, is the Educator Honoree.

"The accomplishments of these three industry leaders are truly exceptional," said PCMA President and CEO Deborah Sexton. "They've dedicated their careers to advancing the meetings industry and their passion is unmatched. I look forward to recognizing them next spring."

To read more about the honorees and the 2009 PCMA Education Foundation Dinner, visit www.pcma.org/foundation.

International Meetings Survey Findings: In August, PCMA conducted a survey of professional members who hold meetings outside of the United States. To read about their responses, visit the international meeting planning section of the PCMA Web site.