About 20 in Their Twenties

Members of PCMA’s 20 in Their Twenties are proven leaders with a lot of ideas for the business events industry.

For more information about the program, please contact Madeline Schimeck at [email protected] or 312.235.7235.

Meet the Class of 2023

The “20 in Their Twenties” class of 2023, supported by PCMA Foundation and Experience Columbus, were honored at PCMA Convening Leaders 2024, Jan. 7-10 in San Diego.

Nikki Bibbero
Founder, Event Manager, Bibbero Meetings and Events

Laura Caprioli
Acting Business Events Manager, VisitBritain/VisitEngland

Sarah Chen
Marketing Manager, Global Destinations, Sojern

Malcolm Farrell-Mitchell
Senior Business Development Manager – UK & Europe, Business Events Perth

Kate Fries
Meeting Manager and Business Development Manager, Bostrom

Nikki Gonzales
Chief of Staff, Soundings

Sibley Guilianelli
Registration Manager, Customer Experience & Insights, Creative Group, Inc.

Tomell Harbison
Meeting & Event Coordinator, Talley Management Group

Eimear Hone
Senior Association Account Manager, ICC Belfast

Anna Lommatzsch
Event Manager, Informa Markets, Global Licensing Group

Mary Kate McBurney
Conference Manager, Meeting Expectations

Siena Manoogian
Annual Meetings Coordinator, American Urological Association

Ashley Montoya
Chief Staff Executive & Membership Manager, Civica Associations Conferences & Exhibitions

Kadejah Pearson Omokaro
Manager of Conferences and Events, National Head Start Association

Mara Rodas
Sales Coordinator, Global Sales & Service, Destination Toronto

Cole Sales
Marketing Manager, eShipping

Taylor Savage
Regional Director, Experience Columbus

Jenna Sopko
Manager, Business Meetings and Events, National Association of REALTORS

Heather VanderVoet
Event Coordinator, Hamilton Convention Centre by Carmen’s

Diana Zarate
Client Relationship Manager, Shocklogic

Award Information

  • PCMA membership not required
  • Must be 29 years old or younger at the time the award is presented (January 8 – 11, 2023)
  • Open to Event Organizers and Suppliers meeting age requirements
  • Must be employed full-time or seeking full-time employment in the meetings, Conventions and Business Events industry
  • Demonstration of leadership (application must address at least 3 of these): creative thinking and problem solving, challenges the status quo, leading a team or project to achieve a common goal
  • Elevating an industry network into business relationships
  • Effective communicator
  • A positive role model for PCMA’s Code of Ethics
  • Leadership in organizations (inside or outside the industry)
  • Complimentary registration, three (3) nights of housing and round-trip airfare for Convening Leaders 2023 in Columbus, OH
  • Exclusive opportunities to participate in PCMA events and programs
  • Discounted registration to attend Convening Leaders for the two years following your award
  • Complimentary registration for EduCon 2023
  • Complimentary PCMA membership for one year
  • Recognition in a Convene magazine feature article and through a PCMA-issued press release to other industry publications
  • Crystal award to display
  • Applications will be reviewed and candidates selected by a diverse PCMA member task force, including 20 in their Twenties program alumni and other PCMA volunteers.
  • A maximum of 20 applicants will be selected each year.
  • Candidates will be selected based on the following:
    • Content and Quality of Video (30%)
    • Overall Written Application Quality (30%)
    • Demonstration of Leadership (15%)
    • Career Goal (15%)
    • References (10%)
  • 2023 Application requirements:
    • Insert the link to your LinkedIn profile. Be sure it is up to date and includes work and volunteer experience.
    • Attach a current photo or selfie (professional photo not required)
    • Insert a link to a short video clip (max 2 minutes). Tell us why you’re among the best and brightest – describe your distinct and unique leadership talents. Be creative!
    • What is your ultimate career goal within the business events industry?
    • To date, what has been your biggest professional achievement?
    • Write a letter to yourself one year in the future to discuss all of the accomplishments, insights and benefits that you hope to have gained and achieved as a member of the PCMA 20 in their Twenties Class of 2023.
    • Identify two advocates (one must be a member of PCMA) who can provide an assessment of your leadership skills and send them the unique reference link provided in the application email from PCMA.

Past Recipients

  • Alexandra Adsit, CMP, CEM
  • Chloe Armstrong
  • Sina Bünte, DES
  • Erica Critzer, CMP
  • Patrick Crosson, CMP
  • Carmen Ferrari, CMP
  • Idil Findikoğlu
  • Karin Hagemann
  • Caitlin Hume, CMP
  • Chloe Lai
  • Annamarie Luccarelli
  • Samantha Mele
  • Cahal Mowery, MBA, CMP, CTA
  • Brittany Saylor, CMP
  • Barrie Schwartz
  • Allison Shebek
  • Kyle Smith, DES
  • Sara Stehle, CMP
  • Andrew Sykes
  • Rasheena Wilson, CMP
  • Meet the 2018 class
  • Derek Anderson
  • Vanessa E. Bass, CMP, HMCC
  • Alexandra Deering
  • Matthew B. Fox
  • Christine Frye, CTA
  • Tessa Kalfell
  • Eric Kincaid
  • Holly Lammert
  • Amanda Marochko, DES, TQ
  • Megan Martin, CMP
  • Johnny Martinez
  • Kaitlyn Palatucci
  • Allison Perrelli, CMP
  • Morgan Prewitt, CMP
  • Katherine Sinnen, CMP
  • Nichole Steele
  • Naida S. Struyk, CMP
  • Weini Tan
  • Lindsey Walker
  • Andrias White, MBA, CMP, CSEP
  • Meet the 2017 class
  • Kalee E. Barnhardt
  • Jamie Bruce
  • Edward Byers
  • Shannon DeSouza, MBET
  • Michael Doane
  • Bianca E. Ferrer
  • Jessica Fitting, CMP
  • Sarah Gould-Stotts
  • Juraj Holub
  • Irena Jelenova  MA, Msc.
  • Noreen E. Leahy
  • Victoria  Lee
  • Alexander David Plaxen, MTA
  • Claire Repass, CMP
  • Lauren M. Santarone
  • Peter T. Simonelli
  • Jenny C. Stanfield, BA, ICM Certification
  • Havovie  Suraliwalla, BTM
  • Erin Elizabeth Sweeney
  • Julia Yong
  • Meet the 2016 class
  • Ashley H. Akright, CMP
  • Magdalina A. Atanassova
  • Madeleine Bart
  • Michael W. Cubbage, CGMP
  • Katrina L. Dunn
  • Danielle E. Foster, MBA
  • Katharine L. Gausmann
  • Kacie Hackett
  • Kristine Koonts
  • Jennifer Kuchenbecker, CMP
  • Alana K. Mallory, CWP
  • Leucepe Martinez
  • Madeja M. Metcalf
  • Samantha L. Moore
  • Janet Partlow, CMP
  • Cara Pratt, DMCP
  • Lindsay K. Pund
  • Kristina Simkins
  • Jessica L. Smith, MTA, CMP
  • Jennifer Vaseleck
  • Meet the 2015 class
  • Ryan Barth, CMP
  • Jascha Bergman
  • Casey Carignan
  • Shawn Cheng
  • Katie Dolan
  • Vivian Fleet
  • Rosa Garriga Mora
  • Mindy E. Halpert
  • Rick Hyland
  • Alexis Kereluk
  • Sam NcNeill
  • Elisa Sandoval
  • Astrid E. Schrier, CMP
  • Kathleen A. Smith
  • Megan Tate
  • Marcela V. Torres Vargas
  • David Wagner
  • Rachel E. Walsh, CMP
  • Alleeshia Williams
  • Leslie Wong
  • Meet the 2014 class

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