PCMA announces 2019 ’20 In Their Twenties’ class

CHICAGO, Illinois, Oct. 4, 2018 – PCMA has announced the “20 in their Twenties” class of 2019, as the next generation of business events leaders and 20 of the brightest and most talented young professionals.

PCMA’s 2019 class of “20 in their Twenties” come from around the world and from boutique to global organizations.

“This passionate group inspires me every year as they represent the future of the business events industry,” said Meredith Rollins, executive director of the PCMA Education Foundation. “I have no doubt this class of bright, skilled professionals will achieve success and PCMA is proud to assist them at every stage of their career.”

The 2019 class, supported by the PCMA Education Foundation and Experience Columbus, will be honored at the PCMA Convening Leaders conference taking place Jan. 6-9, 2019 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Each of the “20 in their Twenties” class members is selected by a committee comprised of veteran industry professionals and “20 in their Twenties” alumni. Applicants were required to be full-time employees in the business events industry and no older than 29 on Jan. 9, 2019. They must have provided examples of industry leadership, a video statement and professional references.

Members of the 2019 “20 in their Twenties” class will receive recognition as the next generation of industry leaders and a scholarship to attend Convening Leaders, PCMA’s annual signature event. Individuals will also receive complimentary registration for the 2019 PCMA Education Conference in June in Los Angeles, PCMA membership and educational products.

The 2019 ‘20 in their Twenties’ class will also be featured in PCMA’s Convene magazine and other PCMA communications.

Here is the PCMA’s ‘20 in their Twenties’ class for 2019:

Edward Bagsic, CMP, DES
Manager, Conventions VIP Events and Budgets
National Business Aviation Association
Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Raul Cavazos-Binder
Account Executive
Development Counsellors International (DCI)
New York, New York, USA

Jared Chambers
Strategic Account Manager
Experient, a Maritz Global Events Company
Frederick, Maryland, USA

Emily Dietrich
Manager, Business Events
Niagara Parks Commission
Niagara, Ontario, Canada

Molly Holt, CMP
Manager, Meeting Operations
Heart Rhythm Society
Washington, D.C., USA

Kara Hsu
Convention Sales Manager
Destination DC
Washington, D.C., USA

Veronika Ivanova
Marketing and Meeting Architecture Specialist
Kenes International
Sofia, Bulgaria

Andrea Lane, MTA
Meeting Planner
National Defense Industrial Association
Fairfax, Virginia, USA

Janelle Lewis
Meetings and Events Manager
Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
North Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Chad Manhertz, MTA
Event Manager
Events DC
Washington, D.C., USA

Femke Morelisse
Sales Manager
GES
Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Greg Morris, CMP
Director, Meetings and Education
Destinations International
Washington, D.C., USA

Laura Neufeld
Account Manager, Meetings and Events
MCI Group Canada Inc.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Khadijah Nimrod
Convention Sales Assistant
Destination DC
Washington, D.C., USA

Olivia Pelzer
Senior Strategic Account Analyst
Cvent
Delaware, Ohio, USA

Gita Pun
Client Relations Team Manager
Shocklogic
London, England

Giulia Ineke Sarri
MARCOM and Social Project Assistant
AIM Group International
Milan, Italy

Erin Simcox
Senior Manager of Housing
Visit Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

Kevin J. Thompson
Event Manager
Events DC
Washington, D.C., USA

Lindsay Williams
Sales Manager
GES
Chicago, Illinois, USA