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The PCMA Foundation supports professional success and continued education at every stage in the career journey through awarding scholarships each year.
Questions? Contact [email protected].
Available Scholarships
| Scholarship | Audience | CL Benefits | Education Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-Access Pass | Planners, NextGen, students | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Hosted Buyer Program | Planners | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| HBCU Rising Star Scholarship | Students at HBCUs | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Chapter Leaders Scholarship | Active PCMA Chapter members | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| University Engagement Scholarship | Philadelphia Area Universities | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Faculty Scholarship | University faculty | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Chris Wehking Scholarship | Students & Business event professionals | ✅ Yes | ✅ $5,000 tuition funds/stipend |
| Humanitarian Scholarship | Social impact leaders | ✅ Yes | ✅ $1,000 donation to charity |
| Kati Quigley Coaching Scholarship | Mid-career professionals | ❌ No | ✅ 10 hours coaching |
| Student Chapter Grant | Active PCMA Student Chapters | ❌ No | ✅ $1,000 financial award |
Convening Leaders: All-Access Pass Scholarships
The All-Access Pass Scholarships provide the opportunity to attend PCMA Convening Leaders 2026 in Philadelphia, with full travel and registration support. Up to twenty (20) total recipients will be selected across all three categories. These scholarships are designed for three key audiences in the business events community:
- Planners (10): Professionals currently working as event planners
- NextGen (5): Early-career professionals within the first few years of entering the industry
- Students (5): Current undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a degree in a related field
Benefits:
- Complimentary registration to PCMA Convening Leaders 2026
- Round-trip airfare (up to $500 USD; must be booked through PCMA’s travel agency)
- Four (4) nights of hotel accommodations (Jan 10–14)
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Applicants must fall into one of the three categories: planner, next-gen professional, or student
- Applicants must submit the following: Completed scholarship application form, including applicant personal information and responses to a set of personal statement questions (word limits will be specified in the application)
- Student applicants must also submit an unofficial university transcript
Deadline: September 30
Est. Notification Date: October 27
Convening Leaders: Hosted Buyer Program
*PLEASE NOTE: If you apply for the Hosted Buyer Program, please wait to register until after selections are made. Early Bird rates will be honored if you are not selected.
The Hosted Buyer Program provides the opportunity for fifty (50) qualified business event organizers to attend PCMA Convening Leaders 2026 in Philadelphia. Participants will take part in the Hosted Buyer Program on Sunday, January 11, which includes pre-scheduled appointments with industry suppliers and the Hosted Buyer luncheon.
Benefits:
- Complimentary registration to PCMA Convening Leaders 2026
- Round-trip airfare (up to $500 USD; must be booked through PCMA’s travel agency)
- Four (4) nights of hotel accommodations (Jan 10–14)
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Must be a business event organizer with primary responsibility for planning and contracting destinations and services
- Individuals who participated in the Hosted Buyer Program at Convening Leaders 2025 are not eligible for 2026
- Complete and submit the Hosted Buyer Program application form
- Be available to participate in the required number of hosted buyer appointments with suppliers, taking place on Sunday, January 11
-
Hotel selection is on a first-come, first-served basis
Deadline: September 30
Est. Notification Date: October 27
Convening Leaders: HBCU Rising Star Student Scholarship
Supported by Choose Chicago, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Desiree Knight.
The HBCU Rising Star Student Scholarship recognizes four (4) high-achieving students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who are interested in exploring careers in the business events industry. This opportunity provides access to PCMA Convening Leaders 2026 in Philadelphia, where recipients will engage in networking, education, and exclusive student programming.
Benefits:
- Complimentary registration to PCMA Convening Leaders 2026
- Round-trip airfare (up to $500 USD; must be booked through PCMA’s travel agency)
- Four (4) nights of hotel accommodations (Jan 10–14)
- Access to networking opportunities, educational sessions, and exclusive student programming
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Must be a current undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at a recognized Historically Black College or University (HBCU)
- Demonstrated interest in hospitality, tourism, marketing, communications, business events, or a related field
- Applicant must submit a completed scholarship application form, including applicant personal information and responses to a set of personal statement questions (word limits will be specified in the application)
Deadline: September 30
Est. Notification Date: October 27
Convening Leaders: Chapter Leaders Scholarship
The PCMA Chapter Leaders Scholarship supports up to seventeen (17) active PCMA Chapter members in their ongoing professional development by providing access to PCMA Convening Leaders 2026 in Philadelphia. This opportunity is designed to foster connections, spark new ideas, and strengthen leadership within the business events community.
Benefits:
- Complimentary registration to PCMA Convening Leaders 2026
- Round-trip airfare (up to $500 USD; must be booked through PCMA’s travel agency)
- Four (4) nights of hotel accommodations (Jan 10–14)
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Applicant must submit a completed scholarship application form, including applicant personal information and responses to a set of personal statement questions (word limits will be specified in the application)
Deadline: September 30
Est. Notification Date: October 27
Convening Leaders: University Engagement Scholarship
(For local Philadelphia-area universities)
The PCMA University Engagement Scholarship is designed to strengthen connections between local academic institutions and the business events industry. This opportunity supports one (1) university committed to fostering student and faculty engagement with PCMA and advancing participation in the professional community.
The selected university will receive complimentary registrations to attend PCMA Convening Leaders 2026 in Philadelphia—one of the industry’s leading events for education, networking, and innovation.
Benefits:
- Complimentary registration to PCMA Convening Leaders 2026 for up to 20 students and 2 faculty members
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Must be a Philadelphia-area academic institution
- Applicants must submit the following: Completed scholarship application form, including two personal statements (up to 200 words each prompt)
Deadline: September 30
Est. Notification Date: October 27
Convening Leaders: Faculty Scholarship
The PCMA Faculty Scholarship recognizes up to ten (10) university faculty members who are shaping the future of the business events industry through education. This opportunity allows recipients to attend PCMA Convening Leaders 2026 in Philadelphia, where they’ll engage with industry leaders, explore emerging trends, and bring valuable insights back to their classrooms and institutions.
Benefits:
- Complimentary registration to PCMA Convening Leaders 2026
- Round-trip airfare (up to $500 USD; must be booked through PCMA’s travel agency)
- Up to four (4) nights of hotel accommodations (Jan 10–14)
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Must be currently employed as a faculty member at an accredited college or university, teaching in a program related to hospitality, tourism, business events, marketing, or a related field
- Be teaching:
- At least two (2) classes per semester, OR
- At least one (1) class per academic quarter, OR
- A total of four (4) classes during the past academic year
- Applicants must submit the following: Completed scholarship application form, including two personal statements (up to 200 words each prompt)
Deadline: September 30
Est. Notification Date: October 27
Chris Wehking Scholarship
Chris Wehking was a respected leader in the business events industry who deeply valued connection, opportunity, and service. In honor of his legacy and dedication to empowering others, the Chris Wehking Scholarship supports students and business event professionals who demonstrate strong leadership and a commitment to making a difference in their communities or workplaces.
This scholarship is awarded annually to up to one (1) student and two (2) business event professionals who exemplify excellence, resilience, and leadership in their academic or professional pursuits.
Benefits:
- $5,000 continuing education stipend for courses, certifications, or academic programs
- Convening Leaders 2026
- Complimentary registration
- Round-trip airfare (up to $500 USD; must be booked through PCMA’s travel agency)
- Four (4) nights of housing accommodations (Jan 10–14)
- Unique engagement opportunities with industry leaders
- Complimentary 3-year PCMA membership
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Applicants must submit the following: Completed scholarship application form, including applicant personal information, four personal statements (up to 300 words each prompt), two letters of recommendation, and an unofficial university transcript (if applicable)
- Participate in at least one (1) PCMA volunteer opportunity per year for three years following the scholarship award
- Attend structured meetups for scholarship recipients at PCMA events (e.g., Convening Leaders, EduCon) and informal networking opportunities—virtual or in person
- Be willing to participate in marketing and promotional activities, including sharing career updates related to the scholarship’s impact
Deadline: September 30
Est. Notification Date: October 27
Humanitarian Scholarship
In Partnership With Louisville Tourism
PCMA and Louisville Tourism believe in the power of compassion and humanitarianism to drive meaningful change in the business events industry. Inspired by Louisville’s official recognition as a “Compassionate City,” this scholarship honors individuals who lead or develop initiatives focused on Inclusion, Empowerment, Social Innovation, and/or Cause Awareness.
The Humanitarian Scholarship is more than an event-based award—it’s a holistic program designed to recognize and support professionals making a social impact in their communities or workplaces. Three (3) recipients will be selected annually.
Benefits:
- $1,000 donation made to the charity of the recipient’s choice
- Convening Leaders 2026
- Complimentary registration
- Three (3) nights of housing accommodations
- Invitations to hosted activities by Louisville Tourism
- One (1) ticket to PCMA Foundation’s Party with a Purpose
- Complimentary 1-year PCMA membership
- One (1) ticket to the PCMA Foundation Visionary Awards in 2026
- Automatic nomination for the Community Advocate of the Year category at the PCMA Visionary Awards (Nomination does not guarantee selection as a finalist or winner)
-
Invitation to attend the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards in Louisville, KY in 2026
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Applicants must submit the following: Completed scholarship application form, including one personal statement
- Demonstrate active engagement in leading or developing initiatives that promote Inclusion, Empowerment, Social Innovation, or Cause Awareness
Deadline: September 30
Est. Notification Date: October 27
Leadership Coaching with Kati Quigley
The Kati Quigley Leadership Coaching Scholarship is designed for mid-career professionals in the business events industry who are ready to take the next step in their personal and professional growth. This opportunity recognizes individuals seeking to deepen their leadership capacity and expand their impact within the industry.
Kati Quigley is a respected executive with decades of experience in marketing, strategy, and global events, known for her commitment to developing and mentoring future leaders.
Up to three (3) recipients will be selected annually for this exclusive coaching experience.
Benefits:
- Ten (10) hours of one-on-one leadership coaching with Kati Quigley
- Coaching sessions tailored to support each recipient’s unique career goals, leadership challenges, and personal development
- Exclusive access to mentorship from an industry leader with a track record of empowering mid-career professionals
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Applicants must submit the following: Completed scholarship application form, including applicant personal information and a personal statement
Deadline: September 30
Est. Notification Date: October 27
PCMA Student Chapter Grant
The PCMA Student Chapter Grant supports the development of innovative and engaging educational programming within student chapters. This grant is designed to empower students pursuing careers in the business events industry by encouraging creativity, leadership, and collaboration through chapter-led learning experiences. Up to five (5) PCMA student chapters will be selected to receive a financial award to support chapter programming.
Benefits:
- $1,000 financial award for chapter programming (up to five chapters selected)
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Must be an active PCMA Student Chapter
- Applicants must submit the following: Completed scholarship application form, including applicant personal information and a personal statement
Deadline: September 30
Est. Notification Date: October 27
