About 20 in Their Twenties

Each year, the PCMA 20 in Their Twenties program recognizes 20 emerging leaders who are shaping the future of the business events industry with fresh ideas and innovative thinking.

Applications for the Class of 2026 are now open through September 15
Learn more about benefits, eligibility, and the selection process below—and take the next step in your career.

Questions? Contact Maggie Simkin at [email protected] or 312.423.7248.

Award Information

  • PCMA membership not required
  • Must be 29 years old or younger at the time the award is presented (January 2026)
  • Open to event organizers and suppliers who are employed full-time 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)
  • If selected, applicants must agree to give back to the PCMA Foundation through service on a volunteer committee
  • Complimentary registration, four (4) nights of housing and round-trip airfare (up to $500 USD) for Convening Leaders 2026
  • 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 2026
  • 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 are evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Content and Quality of Video (25%)
  • Overall Written Application Quality (30%)
  • Demonstration of Leadership (15%)
  • Career Goal (15%)
  • References (15%)

20 in Their Twenties Class of 2025

The class of 2025 represents business event organizers and suppliers from several PCMA regions, including APAC, Canada, EMEA, and the United States.

Maraika Black

Maraika Black

European Association for the Study of the Liver
Jillian Bowdring

Jillian Bowdring

Meet Boston
Julia Catanese, CMP

Julia Catanese, CMP

Cardinal Health
Daniel Cornock

Daniel Cornock

CrowdComms
Sierra Davey, M.Ed

Sierra Davey, M.Ed

MCI USA
Halee Grimsdale

Halee Grimsdale

e=mc2 events
Kaylee Harris, CMP

Kaylee Harris, CMP

Maritz
Chloe Hanna

Chloe Hanna

Lightbulb Teams
Nathaniel Holic

Nathaniel Holic

BOMA International
Jordan Lacey, CMP

Jordan Lacey, CMP

Capital One
Priscillia Lau

Priscillia Lau

Marina Bay Sands
Lillian Nguyen, MS

Lillian Nguyen, MS

Meta via Milestone Technologies
Kelly Parkinson

Kelly Parkinson

Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting
Samie Peckinpaugh

Samie Peckinpaugh

Access DMC
Caroline Pekar

Caroline Pekar

Freeman
Iva Popova

Iva Popova

Kenes Group
Amber Prothero

Amber Prothero

SongDivision
Lucie Sagne

Lucie Sagne

MCI Group Canada
Abby Skinner

Abby Skinner

YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) Southern 7 Chapter
Emily Zientek, MS

Emily Zientek, MS

SodexoLive!

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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