CHICAGO, IL, April 15, 2008 -- On April 2nd, the 2008 PCMA Education Foundation Dinner in Washington, D.C., drew more than 1,100 meetings industry professionals to recognize the accomplishments of three remarkable individuals. Honorees Joan Eisenstodt; Charles Ahlers; and Debra Rosencrance, CMP, CAE, have all made an incredible impact within the meetings industry.

"The Dinner is truly an event I look forward to every year. When you look around the room and see how many people attend this event in support of their colleagues, it really speaks volumes. I have personally worked with Joan, Charles and Debra over the years, and it is wonderful to see them being recognized for their passion and commitment to this industry," said PCMA President and CEO Deborah Sexton.

"Being part of this evening is special to me. What stands out is the sincerity in the testimonials given by the honorees' colleagues and friends-as well as the graciousness demonstrated by the honorees. This wonderful evening is what the PCMA Education Foundation is all about and the success of the Dinner furthers our mission," added PCMA Education Foundation Chair Christie Hicks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, a former Dinner honoree.

As she accepted her award, Eisenstodt, who was recognized as the educator honoree, quoted Martin Luther King, Jr.: "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically... Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education." She added, "In our industry and in our world, we have a long way to go to help educate each other and the generations to come. I ask that you take Dr. King's words to heart - to think about how you will educate others and help build character so that we may, one day, be an inclusive, accepting industry of and for all people."

Ahlers, the supplier partner honoree, credited the industry for giving him his wife, who he met at a PCMA event in 1993, thanks to Roy Evans. "I'm here on the stage this evening because I'm a fortunate man, fortunate in many ways. I have a great family, and the mainstays are here this evening: my partner, my mentor, my wife JoAnn - she's more than I deserve."

Rosencrance, the meeting professional honoree, described how PCMA had been a wonderful resource for her. "It has provided me with opportunities to develop my leadership skills at the committee and board level; given me wonderful educational experiences, such as Executive Edge; and probably, most importantly, given me access to the best minds in the meetings industry today … people like Christie Hicks, Lisa Block, Ginny Shipe, Kelly Fox, Christine Shimasaki, John Folks, Gregg Talley and James Youngblood, all of whom have provided me with insight and knowledge as well as friendship and support throughout the years, and many of whom have become an extended family."

For 21 years, the Dinner Celebrating Professional Achievement has been a must-attend event for meetings industry professionals. It continues to serve as not only an opportunity to reflect on industry leaders' individual accomplishments, but to recognize the many ways that the honorees have given back to the profession and the community.

The successful PCMA Foundation event also featured a silent auction which raised approximately $100,000. Lucky bidders left the evening knowing they were headed for Buenos Aires, the 2009 Grammy Awards, Paris and other exciting destinations.

For highlights of the event including photos, visit www.pcma.org/foundation.

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The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) is the professional resource and premier educator for the meetings and convention industry. Founded in 1957, PCMA represents the interests of meeting management executives from associations, non-profit organizations, corporations, independent meeting planning companies, and multi-management firms who recognize the importance of meetings to their organization. PCMA empowers members with the tools they need to succeed as meeting professionals and to promote the value of the industry to their organizations and the general public. Headquartered in Chicago, PCMA has 16 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. For additional information, please visit the PCMA Web site at www.pcma.org.

The role of the PCMA Education Foundation is to support the mission of the PCMA through fundraising and grant giving focused on education and research that will benefit the meetings and conventions industry. Established in 1985, the Foundation supports educational programs to improve professionalism in the meetings industry and to provide a university-level meeting management curriculum. The Foundation provides educational programs for meeting managers, hotels, convention and visitors bureaus, and other members of the meetings industry. It also conducts ongoing research of industry issues and concerns. The Foundation continually designs and creates new programs to encourage the highest levels of professionalism in the meetings industry.