Scholarships & Opportunities

The road to greatness is not always paved with equal opportunity. The goal of the PCMA Foundation is to build and support that road for the meetings and business events industry. The Foundation funds more than 500 scholarships annually benefiting emerging leaders, students, faculty and other professionals. Funds raised throughout the year have a lasting impact.

The PCMA Foundation will honor an individual and an organization for their innovation, courage, leadership, and solution-focused approach when impacted by a significant external challenge. The awards will be given to those who have made an impact on the business events community, their organization and customers.

Nominations must be related to how the individual or organization has made an impact on the business events industry during the pandemic (in the year 2020). Nominations must showcase examples of innovation, courage and leaders, in creating a better environment for those around them.

Deadline: April 16, 2021

PCMA and Louisville Tourism believe in the power of the humanitarian and instilling compassion throughout the world. In recognition of Louisville officially being declared a “Compassionate City”, this scholarship is focused on recognizing humanitarian and social impact efforts. The Humanitarian Scholarship is more than just an event-based scholarship, it is an all-encompassing program looking to foster and promote those who are doing good in the business events industry. Qualified applicants will be individuals who lead, or develop, programs and initiatives in at least one of the following sectors: Inclusion, Empowerment, Social Innovation and/or Cause Awareness.

Scholarship recipient benefits:

• Complimentary registration and three nights housing at 2021 PCMA EduCon in Phoenix
• Three nights housing and registration for EduCon 2021
• Special seating for Main Stage sessions and lunches
• PCMA membership for one year
• Invitations to attend hosted activities by Louisville Tourism during EduCon 2021 (if applicable)
• $1000 in support of the charity of your choice
• Ticket to the 2021 PCMA Foundation Visionary Awards
• Recipient’s application will be automatically entered as a nomination in the Community Advocate of the Year award category for the 2021 PCMA Visionary Awards. This does not guarantee selection as a finalist or winner of the category.

Deadline: March 26, 2021

Tuition-based scholarship awarded to up to two (2) undergraduate students.

• $7,500 tuition award.

Deadline: March 26, 2021

The Legacy Society Student Scholarship supports up to three (3) students entering the dynamic field of business events planning by providing a unique opportunity for support and engagement as they enter the workforce.

• $3,500 tuition award.
• PCMA membership for three years after graduation.
• Complimentary registration, round-trip airfare and three nights housing at 2022 PCMA Convening Leaders in Las Vegas.
• Complimentary registration to 2021 PCMA Education Conference.

Deadline: March 26, 2021

Tuition and year-round engagement scholarship for up to three (3) graduate students in the business events industry or those furthering their business events career.

• $3,500 tuition award.
• PCMA membership for one year.
• Complimentary registration, round-trip airfare and three nights housing at 2022 PCMA Convening Leaders in Las Vegas.
• Complimentary registration to 2021 PCMA Education Conference.

Deadline: March 26, 2021

This scholarship program, supported by NYC & Company and PCMA Foundation, provides five (5) undergraduate students with numerous benefits and year-round engagement within the business events industry.

• $3,500 tuition award.
• PCMA membership for one year.
• Complimentary registration, round-trip airfare and three nights housing at 2022 PCMA Convening Leaders in Las Vegas.
• Complimentary registration to 2021 PCMA Education Conference.

Deadline: March 26, 2021

The Digital Event Strategist certification is designed to help individuals and organizations develop, plan, produce, and measure the results of their digital engagement practices. There are a limited number of opportunities, each valued at over $890 USD. This scholarship is sponsored by the PCMA Foundation and includes the following: DES 6-week online course and exam to be used during the April or May course offerings.

Deadline: February 28, 2021

This scholarship supports up to one hundred (100) PCMA member supplier partners participate in Convening Leaders 2021. Applicants do not need to be currently employed but must have a history of business events employment. Recipients receive: Complimentary registration to Convening Leaders 2021 and a one-year PCMA supplier membership.

Reimbursements cannot be issued if you have previously registered for Convening Leaders 2021.

Deadline: January 8, 2021

This scholarship supports up to thirty (30) PCMA student members to participate in Convening Leaders 2021. Applicants must be PCMA student members and enrolled in a university program. Recipients receive complimentary registration to Convening Leaders 2021.

Reimbursements cannot be issued if you have previously registered for Convening Leaders 2021.

Deadline: January 8, 2021

This scholarship supports up to ten (10) university faculty to attend Convening Leaders 2021. Must be currently teaching at least 2 classes per semester; currently teaching at least 1 class per quarter; OR currently teaching at least 4 classes in the past academic year. Recipients receive: Complimentary registration to Convening Leaders 2021 and a one-year PCMA faculty membership.

Reimbursements cannot be issued if you have previously registered for Convening Leaders 2021.

Deadline: January 8, 2021

Scholarships are available for young professionals in convention sales roles within the business events industry. Up to five (5) individuals will be selected. Recipients will receive:

• One year complimentary PCMA membership
• One year complimentary CSPI membership
• Recipients will be paired with a convention sales leader for mentorship
• Complimentary registration to PCMA’s Convening Leaders in January 2021
• Complimentary registration to CSPI’s annual meeting in February 2021

Deadline: December 15, 2020

A special invitation for event organizers who are responsible for contracting destinations and services for their organizations: Apply for an opportunity to receive complimentary registration to Convening Leaders 2021. Buyers are required to participate in a minimum of five (5) one-on-one appointments to be held on Tuesday, January 12th.

Deadline: November 9, 2020

This scholarship supports up to twenty (20) independent business event professionals or small business owners to participate in Convening Leaders 2021. Recipients receive: Complimentary registration to Convening Leaders 2021 and a one-year PCMA professional membership.

Deadline: November 9, 2020

This scholarship supports up to five (5) universities seeking to engage with PCMA. Scholarship will provide benefits to 1 Faculty member and 20 Students per university program. Students receive: Complimentary registration to Convening Leaders 2021. Faculty members receive: Complimentary registration to Convening Leaders 2021, and a one year PCMA faculty membership.

Deadline: November 9, 2020

Awarded to up to two (2) PCMA student chapters to be used for educational programming. The winning chapters will receive a $1,000 financial award.

Deadline: November 9, 2020

This scholarship supports four (4) individuals each year with at least 3 years of career experience in the business events industry. Recipients receive: a continuing education stipend of $7500, Convening Leaders 2021 registration, one-on-one coaching with Deborah Sexton, registration, housing and airfare for EduCon 2021, and complimentary membership for 3 years.

Deadline: November 9, 2020

PCMA Foundation will provide twenty five (25) CMP Online Prep Course Scholarships. The CMP Online Course Prep consists of 9 study modules, with practice exams and printable outlines to help individuals study for the Certified Meeting Professional Exam administered by the Events Industry Council. Recipients receive: Access to the CMP Online Prep Course and EIC recommended text books, valued at $611. Recipients will also receive a one-year complimentary membership to PCMA. 

Deadline: November 9, 2020

Exclusive leadership coaching sessions with business events industry leader, Kati Quigley, are available for mid-career professionals looking to repurpose their skills for a new career opportunity. Up to three (3) individuals will be selected to receive ten (10) hours of coaching tailored to the individual’s unique career goals. More information about Kati.

Deadline: November 9, 2020

Interested in attending Convening Asia Pacific: The Global Recovery Forum? The PCMA Foundation supports select individuals to attend the event complimentary either in-person in Sydney or digitally on 10 November, 2020.

• Registration fee USD $99
• Access to all educational sessions
• Conference meals and breaks (applicable for in-person attendees)

Deadline: November 4, 2020

PCMA Foundation will provide one hundred (100) Digital Event Strategist scholarships for the November 3 – December 11 course. The Digital Event Strategist  is designed to help individuals and organizations develop, plan, produce, and measure the results of their digital engagement practices. Recipients receive: Access Digital Event Strategist Course, supplemented with office hours where participants can ask questions of experts, and the exam, valued at $895. Recipients will also receive a one-year complimentary membership to PCMA.

Deadline: October 23, 2020

The Digital Event Strategist certification is designed to help individuals and organizations develop, plan, produce, and measure the results of their digital engagement practices. There are a limited number of opportunities, each valued at over $800 USD.

Brought to you by Tourism Calgary

Deadline: October 23, 2020

20 in Their Twenties recognizes the best and brightest young professionals in the business events industry. Applicants must submit a full application, short video and references. Current employment is not required. Benefits include:

• Complimentary registration, three (3) nights of housing and round-trip airfare for Convening Leaders
• Exclusive opportunities to participate in PCMA events and programs
• Discounted registration to attend Convening Leaders for the two years following your award
• Complimentary registration for EduCon
• Complimentary PCMA membership for one year
• Recognition in a Convene magazine feature article and through a PCMA-issued press release to other industry publications
• Crystal award to display

Deadline: August 24, 2020

The Greater Midwest Chapter of PCMA is pleased to offer (1) tuition-based scholarship exclusively for student leaders within the GMC PCMA Community. Applicants are considered based on academic record, written essay, meetings industry experience, letters of recommendation and GMC PCMA involvement.

• $5,000 tuition based scholarship for the 2019-2020 academic year. Funds are distributed directly to your college or university

Deadline: April 30, 2020

PCMA and Louisville Tourism believe in the power of the humanitarian and instilling compassion throughout the world. In recognition of Louisville officially being declared a “Compassionate City”, this scholarship is focused on recognizing humanitarian and social impact efforts. The Humanitarian Scholarship is more than just an event based scholarship, it is an all-encompassing program looking to foster and promote those who are doing good in the business events industry. Qualified applicants will be individuals who lead, or develop, programs and initiatives in at least one of the following sectors: Inclusion, Empowerment, Social Innovation and/or Cause Awareness.

• Complimentary registration and three nights housing at 2020 PCMA Convening Leaders in San Francisco.
• Three nights housing and registration for Convening Leaders 2020
• Ticket to PCMA Foundation’s Party with a Purpose at Convening Leaders 2020
• PCMA membership for one year
• Invitations to attend hosted activities by Louisville Tourism during Convening Leaders 2020
• $1000 in support of the charity of your choice
• Invitation to attend the 2020 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards in Louisville, KY
• Ticket to the 2021 PCMA Foundation Visionary Awards
• Recipient’s application will be automatically entered as a nomination in the Community Advocate of the Year award category for the 2021 PCMA Visionary Awards. This does not guarantee selection as a finalist or winner of the category.

Deadline: Dec. 6, 2019

This scholarship supports up to five San Francisco based universities seeking to engage with PCMA. The scholarship will provide the following benefits to 1 Faculty member and 3-5 Students per university program

• Complimentary registration at PCMA Convening Leaders (2020)
• PCMA membership for one year
• Access to exclusive networking events at Convening Leaders
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes tour at Convening Leaders

*Participants must submit a recap of their learnings to their faculty member

Deadline: October 7, 2019

This scholarship program, supported by SmithBucklin, supports up to five (5) individuals each year who will be entering their Junior or Senior year at University in Fall of 2019.

• $1000 tuition award
• Complimentary registration, roundtrip airfare, and 4 nights housing at PCMA Convening Leaders (2020)
• Complimentary registration at PCMA Education Conference (2020)
• Shadow opportunity with the SmithBucklin Team in the DC or Chicago office (Summer 2020)
• PCMA membership for one year

Deadline: October 7, 2019

Tuition-based scholarship, supported by Canadian giving, awarded to up to ten (10) undergraduate students.

• $2000 tuition award

Deadline: October 7, 2019

This scholarship program, supported by Visit Houston and PCMA Foundation, supports up to five (5) Medical Business Event Professionals seeking to engage with PCMA.

• PCMA membership for one year.
• Complimentary registration and three nights housing at 2020 PCMA Convening Leaders in San Francisco.

Deadline: August 9, 2019

Interested in attending the European Influencers Summit? The PCMA Foundation funds select individuals to attend the event complimentary.

• 2 nights hotel accommodation (22 September – 23 September 2019)
• Round trip economy airfare up to 400 euros/460 USD
• Registration fee
  • This is inclusive of ALL educational sessions, conference meals and breaks, networking events and transfers.

Deadline: June 30, 2019