Thriving in the Events and Hospitality Industry

There has never been a better time to join or grow in meetings, events, and hospitality. 

Whether you are just beginning or are an experienced industry professional, there is abundant opportunity to find your distinct and clear path to incredible career growth and satisfaction. This program will focus on discussions and answering questions around:

• What path do I take, and how do I get started planning for my entry into the industry?
• How do I map out my career growth goals and gain even more satisfaction from my career?
• How do I position myself and my organization to attract, recruit and retain talent in the competitive “war for talent” impacting most industries?
• What is ahead that will impact our industry, talent, and career opportunities?

Registration Cost

• Students: Free
• Non-Member: $40.00
• Member: $25.00

The registration fee covers your entrance to the educational session and networking event, plus food and a beverage from Crave Catering.

Speaker Details:

Sharon Andrade, Founder, HLeadership

Sharon Andrade is an innovative and passionate executive who has been leading and transforming teams for over 30 years. Her applied, open approach to team development enables increased productivity and engagement, resulting in measurable improvement in team performance and other key metrics organizations desire – employee retention, customer satisfaction, and profitability.

Sharon led marketing, sales, and the call center at Pineapple Hospitality/Staypineapple, the sales organization at Red Lion Hotels, and had multi-property sales and marketing oversight for Hilton Worldwide.

Prior to her roles as an executive in hospitality, Sharon was a leader with the Effectiveness Institute, where she had the opportunity to observe, assess and facilitate solutions for teams and leaders across industries from banking, credit unions, hospitality, and retail.

Sharon’s passion for finding innovative, relevant, and distinct approaches to continuous improvement and growth led her to found HLeadership. The “H” is for hospitality as that is where her heart is. She is an advocate and speaker focused on providing audiences with insights and “aha” moments that will push their thinking and challenge them to re-engage and re-energize their roles as leaders and members of a team.

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn or view Sharon’s Blog here.

Meeting Location

Bellingham Cruise Terminal: 355 Harris Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225 – The Dome Room

Agenda

• 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Check-In
• 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Keynote Speaker
• 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Networking Happy Hour
• 6:00 PM: Open House @ Boundary Bay Brewing Company* Individuals responsible for their own food and drinks

Student Outreach

We are excited to welcome students from across the Pacific Northwest to our PCMA gathering.! Students will have the opportunity to hear and learn from some of the best in the hospitality industry while networking with major hotel brands, convention and visitor bureaus, professional meeting planners, and PNW-based companies – both on the rise and enterprise level. This event is a great opportunity for students to learn about different avenues available to those looking to get started in the hospitality industry. We can’t wait to meet you, share our unique professional journeys, and help you find your way!

All student attendees will be entered into a raffle with a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card or a $50 Starbucks Gift Card. We will choose the winners at the conclusion of the event!

After-Party

Let’s keep the cocktails and conversations going! Meet us at Boundary Bay Brewing Company after the event. This will be an open house at the classic Bellingham establishment. Join us for some dinner, a beer or two, and a casual conversation with your PCMA family- new and old connections alike.

Housing Options

Small blocks of discounted rooms have been set up across Bellingham. Please book your room before Thursday, September 8th. If you have any questions or trouble booking, please contact Jennie Levine: [email protected]

The Chrysalis

• Cutoff Date: Thursday, September 8
• (2) Partial View Double Rooms available @ $269.00 + tax
• (11) Partial View King Rooms available @ $269.00 + tax
• Booking Link
  • ***Enter Group Code: PCMA22

Semiahmoo Resort

• Based on availability
• (5) Semiahmoo King/Queen Rooms available @ $238.00 + tax
• Booking Link

Hampton Inn Bellingham Airport

• Cutoff Date: Friday, September 9
• (5) Double Rooms available @ $159.00 + tax
• Booking Link

SpringHill Suites

• Cutoff Date: Thursday, September 8
• (5) Studio King Rooms available @ $229.00 + tax
• Booking Link

Hotel Bellwether

• Based on availability
• Executive Plaza Rooms available  @ $299.00 + tax
• Premier Bay View Suites available @ $419.00 + tax
• Call to book: 360-392-3100, Code: PCMA

Transportation Options

• Amtrak connects Bellingham with Everett, Seattle, Portland, and Eugene, to the south, as well as Vancouver, B.C. to the north. Amtrak is locally based at the Fairhaven Station: 401 Harris Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225, only 0.2 miles from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal!
• Greyhound departs from Fairhaven Station four times a day to downtown Seattle and Vancouver, B.C.
• Flying in? The Bellair Airport Shuttle offers convenient service to and from SeaTac Airport, the Washington State Ferry dock at Anacortes, and several other destinations along the I-5 corridor. Charter buses are also available from this operator.

Visit Bellingham

First time to Bellingham? Check out Visit Bellingham’s site for all things eat, drink, stay, and adventure!