PCMA Board Nominations

Qualifications of Officers and Board Members:

• All nominees must be a member in good standing of PCMA.
• For the Chair-Elect and Secretary-Treasurer positions, nominees must be a business event organizer or business event supplier member of PCMA who has previously served on the PCMA Board of Directors or PCMA Foundation Board of Trustees.
• Nominees must have significant leadership experience within the industry or related organizations.
• Self-nominations are allowed.

Nominees must have:

• • A strong belief in the power of business events to drive economic and social transformation, and a commitment to advancing the missions of PCMA and the PCMA Foundation.
  • A strategic mindset focused on serving the best interests of the organization and supporting its long-term success.
  • A commitment to confidentiality, collaboration, and ethical governance.
  • Excellent communication skills and an appreciation for diverse perspectives.
  • The confidence to participate actively and constructively in Board discussions and decision-making.
  • The ability to cultivate relationships and support engagement with donors, sponsors, and key stakeholders.
  • Familiarity with, or a willingness to learn about, PCMA and PCMA Foundation programs and services.
  • An understanding of, or readiness to become familiar with, PCMA’s
  • Bylaws, Strategic Plan and governance policies.
  • The capacity and support necessary to fulfill the time, travel, and engagement commitments associated with Board service.

Please note: Individuals currently employed by or serving in a Board-level leadership capacity of any organization related to, competitive with, or overlapping with the mission of PCMA, including but not limited to, membership-based organizations targeting event professionals, are asked to refrain from submitting an application for PCMA Board service if their current leadership term will not conclude prior to the start of their potential PCMA Board term.

If you have a question about whether or not you have a conflict of interest, please contact Yvonne Tibandebage at [email protected].

Chair-Elect

Serves as an Officer of the Association and Foundation, a member of the Executive Committee, and a member of the Board. In partnership with the Chair and Board, the Chair-Elect supports the strategic leadership and governance of the organization and performs additional duties as assigned.

In the absence of the Chair, the Chair-Elect serves as the presiding officer. The Chair-Elect is also responsible for preparing and submitting recommendations for committee appointments and proposed committee structures for the upcoming term. Following election, the Chair-Elect will provide the President & CEO with a complete list of standing committee appointments, as well as recommendations for any new committees to be established upon assuming the role of Chair.

Secretary-Treasurer

Serves as an Officer of the Association and Foundation, a member of the Executive Committee, and a member of the Board. This role provides oversight and stewardship of the organization’s financial health, including funds, securities, and financial governance, in alignment with Board-approved policies and direction.

Each year, the Secretary-Treasurer is eligible to ascend to the Chair-Elect role, contingent upon continued eligibility and successful performance in the position. To support this determination, the Nominating Committee will consult with the sitting Chair, Governance Committee, and President & CEO to confirm readiness and address any identified concerns. Should the incumbent not advance, the Chair-Elect position would be opened to eligible current and former PCMA Directors or Trustees.

Candidates for the Secretary-Treasurer role must be PCMA Event Organizer/Strategist or Event Supplier/Partner members who have previously served as a PCMA Director or Trustee.

Director/Trustee

The Board serves as the principal governing body of the Association and Foundation and is responsible for providing strategic oversight and direction for the organization. Directors and Trustees play a critical role in guiding the organization’s priorities, overseeing business affairs, and supporting the development and implementation of the Strategic Plan.

Candidates for the Director/Trustee role must be PCMA Event Organizer/Strategist, Event Supplier/Partner, or Faculty members in good standing.

PCMA has established the following timeline for the nomination process. The dates listed below are for the 2026 calendar year:

Thursday, June 18
Board nominations launch announcement distributed to membership via email. The nominations period will remain open for four (4) weeks.

Monday, July 13
Deadline for nomination submissions. Nominees will have a minimum of (12) days to complete and submit their application materials.

Friday, July 24
Deadline for application submissions.

Late-July through Mid-August
The Nominating Committee will review and complete written application evaluations. Candidates may be shortlisted for video interviews scheduled for Monday, August 24 and Tuesday, August  25.

By Friday, August 14
Candidates will be notified by email of their status, whether shortlisted or unsuccessful, as applicable. Interview scheduling invitations will also be issued.

August 23 – 25
The Nominating Committee meets in person to conduct video interviews with shortlisted candidates. Following careful deliberation, the Committee selects the slate of Officer and Director/Trustee candidates and reports its recommendations to the President and CEO no later than August 31.

By September 1
The President and CEO will notify the membership of the proposed slate of officers and Director/Trustees.

Thirty (30) days following the date the Board slate is issued to the membership.
Additional nominations for Officer or Director/Trustee positions may be submitted by written petition signed by at least five percent (5%) of the membership. Petitions must be received by the President and CEO no later than the close of business thirty (30) days following the date the slate is distributed to the membership.

If no petition nominations are received by the President and CEO within this 30-day period, the slate proposed by the Nominating Committee shall be deemed elected.

Board Overview:

• The Board is the principal governing body of PCMA and the Foundation.
• It provides oversight for the business affairs of both organizations, including review and approval of all financial matters.
• The Board works in partnership with the President and CEO, who is responsible for executing programs approved by the Board.
• The Board is responsible for setting organizational direction and establishing policies that guide this direction.
• It also monitors updates, and evaluates the implementation of PCMA’s long-term strategic plans.
• The Board continuously seeks to identify and cultivate future leaders for both PCMA and the Foundation.
• Board members are expected to act in the best interest of the entire association, promoting consensus, cooperation, and broad member engagement. Individuals do not represent specific segments or constituency groups.

Nominee Expectations:

If you agree to be considered for an Officer or Director/Trustee position with PCMA, you should be aware of the following criteria:

Term of service:

• • Officers: One-year term
  • Directors/Trustees: Two-year term, with the option to run for a second two-year term.

Meeting Attendance:

• Four (4) official Board meetings per year:
  • • January, held in conjunction with Convening Leaders
    • April/May (may be held in a non-US location)
    • June/July, held in conjunction with Business Events Summit
    • September/October (may be held in a non-US location)
• Officers must participate in monthly Executive Committee conference calls.
• New 2027 Board members must attend both virtual and in-person Board orientation sessions prior to Convening Leaders in Miami.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Board members may be assigned to serve as liaisons to one or more PCMA Chapters and are expected to attend at least one in-person or virtual Chapter event annually, in addition to quarterly calls with the Chapter President.
• Board members may be assigned to one or more PCMA committees, task forces, or Advisory Boards, with expected participation in regular calls, activities, and ongoing communication with the Chair.

Board Service Expectations:

Board service requires a meaningful commitment of time, engagement, and travel.

• Board members are expected to attend quarterly Board meetings, which are generally conducted in person and may take place both within and outside of the United States.
• While virtual participation may be accommodated in limited circumstances, Board members should be prepared to attend meetings in person throughout their term.
• Travel, lodging, and related expenses associated with Board service are the responsibility of the Board member and/or their organization.
• As part of the application process, candidates will be asked to acknowledge that they have, or reasonably expect to have, the support of their employer (if applicable) to fulfill the responsibilities of Board service.

Eligibility and Conduct:

• Board members acknowledge they are not employed by, nor serving in a Board-level leadership role with any organization that is related to, competitive with, or overlaps PCMA’s mission, including but not limited to membership-based organizations targeting event professionals at the time of appointment.
• Board members acknowledge that all Board materials, information, and discussions are confidential and must not be shared in any form, including photos, recordings, or informal disclosure.