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 mschimeck@pcma.org or 312.235.7235.

Meet the Class of 2021

The “20 in Their Twenties” class of 2021, supported by PCMA Foundation and Experience Columbus, will be honored at the PCMA Convening Leaders conference Jan. 11-15, 2021.

Award Information

  • PCMA membership is not required.
  • Currently or previously employed full time in the Meetings, Conventions and Business Events industry
  • Must be 29 years or younger on Jan. 11, 2021
  • Demonstration of leadership. Application must address three of the following areas:
    • Creative thinking and problem solving.
    • Challenging the status quo.
    • Leading a team or project to achieve a common goal.
    • Elevating an industry network into business relationships.
    • Effective communication.
    • A positive role model.
    • Leadership in organizations (inside or outside the industry).
  • Complimentary registration, three (3) nights of housing and round-trip airfare for Convening Leaders 2021
  • Exclusive opportunities to participate in PCMA events and programs including NextUp (networking with industry leaders)
  • Discounted registration to attend Convening Leaders for the two years following your award (2022 and 2023)
  • Complimentary registration for EduCon 2021. Travel, housing and incidental expenses not included.
  • Complimentary PCMA membership for one year (2021)
  • Recognition on stage at Convening Leaders 2021, a Convene magazine feature article, a PCMA-issued press release to other industry publications, and PCMA website
  • 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.
  • Individuals selected for the Class of 2020 will be notified with a phone call from a member of the selection committee no later than Oct. 18, 2019.
  • Applicants not selected will be notified via email no later than Oct. 18, 2019.
  • 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%)
  • 2021 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 2021.
    • Identify two advocates (one must be in the industry) who can provide an assessment of your leadership skills and send them the unique reference link provided in the application email from PCMA. References have until August 24 to submit their forms.

Meet the Class of 2020

Members of PCMA’s 20 in Their Twenties class of 2020 will be recognized on stage at PCMA Convening Leaders 2020, Jan. 5-8, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Check out the complete program and register for Convening Leaders today.

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

20 in Their Twenties is supported by