Ascent Luminaries

The Luminaries series is part of the PCMA Ascent initiative, which seeks to promote inclusion and diversity across the business events industry.

Chip Conley Helps Guide Modern Elders

Chip Conley help shape Airbnb into the behemoth it is today and he now serves as the company’s strategic advisor for hospitality and leadership. Conley also founded the Modern Elder Academy, a “midlife wisdom school” for older individuals feeling similarly uncomfortable about career and life transitions.

December 16, 2019

Ameerah Saine and Building Communities Through Events

Event strategist Ameerah Saine talks about how she builds communities — and promotes diversity and inclusion — through her lifestyle brand as PCMA continues its Ascent Luminaries video series, made possible by VisitDallas.

December 9, 2019

Fay Sharpe and the Crucial Role Mentoring Plays for Women in the Events Industry

Business events strategist Fay Sharpe talks about how — and why — she created Fast Forward 15 to mentor women in the events industry as PCMA continues its Ascent Luminaries video series, made possible by VisitDallas.

October 25, 2019

Gina Glantz and GenderAvenger Challenge the Manel

GenderAvenger co-founder and veteran political consultant Gina Glantz talks about how — and why — she’s fought to include women and other underrepresented voices at conferences and events, as PCMA continues its Ascent Luminaries video series, made possible by VisitDallas.

October 11, 2019

Why Elizabeth Shoesmith Launched The Inclusive Foundation

One bad conference experience led Elizabeth Shoesmith — one of PCMA’s Ascent Luminaries, a series made possible by VisitDallas —to launch The Inclusive Foundation. Is your event guilty of the same thing?

December 13, 2018

‘We Wanted to Stand Up and Be Counted’

David Jefferys transformed an underground network of LGBT meeting professionals into a thriving organization. Learn how he did it in the latest Ascent Luminaries video, made possible by VisitDallas.

December 2, 2018

Cheryl Richards Shares What VisitDallas Does to Embrace Diversity

As events strive to welcome all kinds of attendees, host destinations play a crucial role. Learn how Richards, profiled in an Ascent Luminary video, and VisitDallas, the video series sponsor, have been pioneers in the process.

November 6, 2018

Why Inclusion Is the Key Ingredient for Innovation

Learn about how inclusivity paid off for SAP from Anka Wittenberg, one of PCMA’s Ascent Luminaries, a video series made possible by VisitDallas.

October 22, 2018

Why Diversity ‘Is Not a Numbers Game’

In the second Ascent Luminaries video, made possible by VisitDallas, AVIXA CEO David Labuskes talks about his company’s anti-harassment event policy.

October 12, 2018

Building relationships and boosting the next generation of business events

Spotlighting professionals making a difference in the business events industry, PCMA launches its Ascent Luminaries video series with Jenny Abreu of Forever Etched Events.

September 24, 2018

Become a Member

Get premium access to provocative executive-level education, face-to-face networking and business intelligence.

Join PCMA