Log In
Get to know PCMA Member Michael Barratt, SVP, Events & Engagement, Auto Care Association.
What initially led you to becoming involved with PCMA?
I was really looking for a professional community. I wanted to be part of an organization with a national reach, but it was equally important to me to have a strong local network in the Washington, D.C. area where I could make meaningful connections. PCMA offered opportunities to learn, meet people who became friends, get involved, and eventually give back through volunteering. That combination of education, friendship, and community is what drew me in and has kept me engaged.
How has your career developed as a result of being a PCMA member?
Being a PCMA member has had a meaningful impact on how I’ve developed as an association professional. Working for an association that relies heavily on member volunteers, my own experience serving on PCMA committees helped me understand firsthand the power and importance of engagement. It showed me that volunteering isn’t just about giving back. It creates connections, develops leaders, and strengthens the organization and the profession. PCMA also significantly expanded my network. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to build relationships with peers, PCMA board members, and people I considered icons in our industry. Just as rewarding has been watching people I met when they were early in their careers or new to PCMA grow into industry leaders themselves. And throughout it all, PCMA’s educational programming has helped me continue to learn, stay connected to what’s changing in our industry, and bring new ideas and perspectives back to my own organization. The combination of education, relationships, and volunteer engagement has played an important role in shaping both my career and how I approach association leadership today.
Why would you tell others it’s important to be involved in PCMA?
PCMA reinforces the power and importance of bringing people together. At Convening Leaders, I’m always struck by the sense that we’re part of a global community and an incredibly influential industry. Through PCMA, I’ve made connections around the world and gained access to education and timely information that has been especially valuable during challenging times, from COVID-19 to broader economic and societal changes. For me, PCMA is ultimately about education, connections, and community. It reminds us that while our roles and organizations may be different, we’re all part of an industry built around the power of bringing people together.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love exploring new places, whether that means traveling somewhere new or simply discovering something I haven’t experienced before. I enjoy time at the beach, great culinary experiences, art, and opportunities to meet new people along the way. For me, some of the best experiences combine all of those things and create opportunities to make new connections.