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TREVOR NOAH TO BRING HUMOR, INSIGHT, AND INSPIRATION TO CONVENING LEADERS 2026
Closing Main Stage Conversation to Focus on Resilience, Global Change and Storytelling to Inspire Personal and Professional Growth
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — Sherrif Karamat, CAE, PCMA and CEMA President & CEO, today announced that comedian, producer, and New York Times bestselling author Trevor Noah will close out Convening Leaders 2026 (CL26) on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
In a dynamic fireside chat, Noah will captivate CL26 participants with his trademark wit and sharp cultural insights. Drawing from his extraordinary journey—from growing up in South Africa to becoming one of the world’s most influential voices—he will share perspectives on resilience, global change, and storytelling that inspire both personal and professional growth.
“Trevor will be an extraordinary culmination to Convening Leaders 2026,” said Karamat. “His global perspective, matched with his story and humor, embody the inspiration necessary as we continue the journey to position business events as a catalyst for economic and social progress – to create meaningful change across the globe.”
CL26 will be held January 11–14 in Philadelphia, marking PCMA’s 70th anniversary. Register for CL26 here. The CL26 program continues to evolve. View the Education Program Overview here and the Agenda at a Glance here.
This closing main stage, supported by Destination Cleveland, will also provide the first look at what’s ahead for Convening Leaders 2027, January 10-13 in Miami, Florida.
For media inquiries from the Americas, APAC, EMEA and LATAM, please contact: Meghan Risch, PCMA Chief of Staff, Vice President, Corporate Communications 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. 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.About PCMA
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