PCMA 2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES SLATE RECEIVES MEMBERSHIP APPROVAL


CHICAGO, IL — Sherrif Karamat, CAE, PCMA and CEMA President & CEO announced the 2026 Board of Directors and Trustees Slate introduced to PCMA and CEMA members on August 29, 2025, is approved as of October 1, 2025. Directors and Trustees will assume office immediately following PCMA’s Convening Leaders January 11–14, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“PCMA’s incoming Board of Directors and Trustees is a reflection of the strategic direction PCMA is taking as the platform for the global business events industry,” said Karamat. “Their vision and leadership will ensure that PCMA and CEMA continue to advance our 2030 goal—to elevate the business events profession, inspire innovation, and drive meaningful economic and social transformation worldwide.”

Effective January 14, 2026, the Executive Officers serving a one-year term include: 

  • Chair: Kelly Ricker, Chief Operating Officer, Global Technology Industry Association
  • Chair-Elect: Robin Preston, CEM, DES, Managing Director, Events, The American Institute of Architects
  • Immediate Past Chair: Neil Brownlee, Head of Business Events, VisitScotland
  • Secretary-Treasurer: Panos Tzivanidis, Director of Corporate Events and Services, International Olympic Committee

CEMA Advisory Board appointee serving a one-year Director and Trustee term:

  • Bridgette Birdie, Senior Director, Global Events and Outreach, Moody’s

The following leaders will begin serving a two-year Director and Trustee term (2026–2027): 

  • Michael Barnett, CEO, InGo
  • John Hawley, Executive Director, Association, Hilton Worldwide Sales
  • Elizabeth Tovar, PCO, CMM, CMS, CIS, CCM, CASE, DES, President, Turenlaces
  • Lindsay Williams, CMP, CEM, Senior Manager, Business Development, GES

The following leaders will serve a second two-year Director and Trustee term (2026–2027): 

  • Deborah Caldwell, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific Head of Global Events, Bank of America
  • Patrick Espinoza, MBA, CMP, Director of Sales, Caesars Entertainment, Inc.
  • Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, President and CEO, San Diego Convention Center Corporation

The following leaders are serving the final year of a two-year Director and Trustee term (2025–2026): 

  • Gregg Caren, President and CEO, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Dr. Amanda Cecil, PhD, CMP, Professor, Department of Tourism, Event and Sport
  • Ari Goldsmith, Vice President of Marketing and Digital Media, KeHE Distributors
  • Dr. Edward Koh, Executive Director, Singapore Tourism Board
  • Ori Lahav, CEO, Kenes Group
  • Brian Landers, CDS, Senior Vice President / Team Director, ConferenceDirect
  • Walt Leger III, President and CEO, New Orleans & Company
  • Stephen Rose, Head of Global Communication Services, Siemens AG
  • Heather Seasholtz, CMP Fellow, DES, Vice President, Operations, CM Event Solutions

In addition, the President & CEO of PCMA and CEMA serves as a Director and Trustee: 

  • Sherrif Karamat, CAE, PCMA and CEMA President & CEO

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For media inquiries from the Americas, APAC, EMEA and LATAM, please contact: Meghan Risch, PCMA Chief of Staff, Vice President, Corporate Communications

About PCMA

PCMA, PCMA Foundation and CEMA educate, inspire, and listen, creating meaningful experiences where passion, purpose and commerce come together. We are the world’s largest community for Business Events Strategists, providing senior-level education, networking, and market intelligence for the global business events industry. Our mission is to drive social and economic progress through business events. Headquartered in Chicago, IL PCMA has 17 North American Chapters, regional communities in APAC, EMEA and LATAM, and members in 72 countries and communities. The Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA), a PCMA subsidiary, advances strategic event marketing and marketing communications for senior-level event marketers and industry professionals. Visit us at pcma.org.

About PCMA Foundation

The role of the Foundation of PCMA is to support the mission of PCMA through fundraising and grant-giving focused on scholarships, education and research that will advance the business events industry. Annually the Foundation funds over $900K in impact, and since 1985 has funded over 2,500 scholarships, 100 research studies and education programs, and $2.7M in charitable giving.

October 1, 2025

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