Meeting Professionals to 'Create Possibilities' at The 2008 PCMA Annual Meeting in Seattle

Plans are developing rapidly for the 2008 PCMA Annual Meeting to be held Jan. 13-16, 2008, in Seattle. "Creating Possibilities" is the theme of this year's education and networking event, and with a sensational cast of general session speakers already lined up, PCMA is on course to do just that.

"We're thrilled with the possibilities for inspiring and thought-provoking experiences at our 2008 Annual Meeting," said Deborah Sexton, PCMA president and CEO. "These general session speakers, along with our spectacular hosts in Seattle, will be the catalysts for a dynamic event that will energize the meeting community for the year ahead."

General Session Speakers Announced:
Experience Economy Gurus Joseph Pine and James Gilmore, Microsoft's Mich Mathews, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kicking off the education will be Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore, authors of the soon-to-be-released book Authenticity: What Consumers Really Want. In a rare joint stage appearance, the duo will explore consumers' growing awareness of mediated and intentionally staged experiences and how business leaders must make those experiences more authentic. This concept is an evolution of Pine and Gilmore's landmark book The Experience Economy, in which the two challenged the business community to add compelling customer experiences to their products, stores, and events.

On Tuesday, Mich Mathews, Microsoft's senior VP, marketing, will demonstrate how the meetings industry can raise the bar by better communicating the value of events to both attendees and organizations. Currently, Microsoft is pioneering new ground in digital marketing in order to build deeper connections with customers and make marketing more accountable through ROI. As manager of one of the world's largest marketing budgets, Mathews offers a unique perspective on how to utilize a range of marketing tools and measure their effectiveness. Microsoft's meetings and events teams report to Mathews, so she brings a synergistic understanding of how both marketing and events can work together to produce measurable results.

On Wednesday, attendees will have the opportunity to enhance their understanding of the fragile state of our environment from one of the green movement's earliest and most passionate advocates. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - author, environmental activist, and senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council - will speak about creating possibilities for the world today that will determine the future for generations to come. One of the most sought-after speakers on the environment, Kennedy has long been ahead of the curve on the ever-increasing importance of going green. (Editor's Note: Kennedy will be the Leading by Example profile in our October issue.)

Highly Relevant, Diverse Educational Sessions Being Finalized

As always, the PCMA Annual Meeting will offer a wide variety of education sessions designed to help attendees enhance their careers and make them valuable players within their organizations. Choose from more than 80 breakout sessions on attendance building, negotiating, ROI, innovation, work/life balance, talent management, exhibition management, marketing, leadership, business strategy, technology, crisis planning, green meetings, generational issues, international meetings, legal issues, and more. Registration will open in early September. Check www.pcma.org regularly for updates and a detailed summary of this year's education and networking events.

Industry Leaders Tackle Global Issues at The Masters Series in Washington, D.C.

This month, meetings industry executives gathered for the second stand-alone PCMA Masters Series program in Washington, D.C. At "The Future of Work," featured speaker Jeremy Rifkin candidly addressed some of the bold changes that lie ahead in the nature of employment and energy. The program provided meetings professionals with the unique opportunity to look outside of the industry for some global perspective and gain powerful insight about technological initiatives certain to impact the business of meeting and conventions.

Now Online at www.pcma.org:
Visit the PCMA Live Learning Center for a live recording of this event, as well as the June 27 Masters Series program: "EC is the New PC: How to Make Your Association More Environmentally Conscious."

Leadership, Negotiations at Executive Edge in Chicago

There are still a limited of number of spaces available for the next Executive Edge program in Chicago on Oct. 9. Once again, PCMA has partnered with The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business for an all-new program designed exclusively for meetings industry executives. Participants will choose from two interactive programs.

In "Authentic Leadership: Taking Center Stage," Harry Davis, Ph.D., will use the metaphor of the theater to help participants discover an authentic leadership style. Participants will learn to master all four theater roles - playwright, director, actor, and audience - and in turn become more strategic leaders for their organizations.

In the second track, "Negotiation Skills and Group Decision Making," led by Linda Ginzel, meeting attendees will participate in role-playing activities to gain further insight into effective negotiation techniques. These key industry leaders will also work together to gain a deeper understanding of group dynamics and how to leverage their own teams' strengths.

Executive Edge is an invitation-only event. If you're interested in attending but did not receive an invitation, visit www.pcma.org/ExecutiveEdge to complete a short qualifying questionnaire before all spaces are filled.

Politics Impact Meetings, Capital Chapter Learns

On Wednesday, June 20, Capital Chapter members joined a panel of well-known political experts for a pointed discussion on pressing political issues and their impact on the meetings industry. At "Power Panel on the Political Outlook," Rick Webster, vice president of government affairs for the Travel Industry Association, moderated a well-informed panel composed of Jeff Birnbaum, Washington Post columnist; Katty Kay, BBC news correspondent; and John Zogby, "prince of pollsters" and president and CEO of Zogby International. The knowledgeable group tackled the war on terror, immigration and workforce issues, rising oil prices, alternative energy sources, and much more.

"This program brought to light critical issues relevant to our industry, including security, passports, and the role of tourism and meetings as an economic driver," said Valerie Sumner, Capital Chapter president.

"The program stressed how important it is for meeting and event professionals to understand the candidates' platforms, what is happening economically throughout the world, and how policies and the global economy could impact our industry." The next Capital Chapter educational program, "Work/ Life Balance: 30 Days to Sanity," will take place on Sept. 20 at DC Improv. For more information about this and other upcoming events, visit www. pcma.org/capital.

Did You Know?

PCMA members average 17 years of experience in the meetings industry.

More than 50 percent of PCMA members plan meetings internationally.