PCMA Nominating Committee

Call for Volunteers

The PCMA Nominating Committee is composed of experienced leaders who demonstrate due diligence, awareness, and a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives. Together, they are responsible for selecting a strategic, knowledgeable, and diverse Board of Directors and Trustees that aligns with PCMA’s vision.

For the 2026 nominations cycle:

- Neil Brownlee, Immediate Past Chair of the PCMA Board, will serve as Chair of the Nominating Committee (this appointment is confirmed).
- Up to ten (10) additional positions on the committee are available. Qualified candidates for these roles will be assessed and selected by the PCMA Governance Committee based on established criteria.

Applications Open: Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM Chicago Time
Applications Close: Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM Chicago Time

Participation & Time Commitment:

- 2 – 3 video conference calls and one 3 day in-person meeting in Chicago (Approximately 35 volunteer hours).
- Committee members must be available for and participate in in-person interviews and final deliberations in Chicago between Sunday, August 23, 2026 – Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

Selection Criteria: To be considered for this opportunity, you must submit a current resume along with your application, which includes responses to four (4) short answer questions addressing the following criteria:

- Connection to the Business Events industry.
- Approach to selecting qualified Board candidates.
- Understanding of Board dynamics and leadership qualities essential for effective governance.
- Board recruitment and service experience.

Conflict of Interest Terms: Candidates who currently hold leadership roles or are employed by organizations that compete with or overlap the mission of PCMA, including membership-based organizations targeting event professionals, may be ineligible if those roles extend into the Nominating Committee term. We encourage you to apply once your current responsibilities have concluded.

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Qualifications for Nominating Committee Members

Applicants must have significant knowledge of the business events industry or demonstrated expertise in evaluating Board candidates.

Ideal candidates will have:

Commitment to PCMA’s Vision: Understanding of PCMA’s mission and long-term goals.
Mindset Awareness: Knowledge of growth vs. fixed mindsets in leadership and their impact on organizational success.
Industry Insight: Awareness of global business events industry trends.
Emotional Intelligence & Collaboration: Strong emotional intelligence and ability to work collaboratively to achieve committee goals.
Global Business Acumen: An appreciation for global business practices ensuring informed and inclusive decision-making.
Commitment to Diversity: The ability to assess diverse candidates for Board representation.
Unbiased Evaluation: A commitment to selecting candidates based solely on criteria established by the Governance Committee, free from bias.

Duties of the Nominating Committee:

The PCMA Nominating Committee plays a vital role in shaping the organization’s leadership by:

- Selecting a diverse and balanced Board: Ensuring the Board reflects a broad range of skills, knowledge, and experiences.
- Aligning with PCMA’s Vision: Understanding PCMA’s long-term goals and identifying evolving organizational needs from a Board composition perspective.
- Promoting collaboration and objectivity: Valuing consensus, cooperation, and participation. Members represent the interests of the entire association, rather than any specific segment or constituency group.

Participation and Time Commitment:

If you agree to be considered for the PCMA Nominating Committee, please review the following expectations:

Time Commitment:

- Service on the committee spans between May – August with 2-3 virtual meetings.
- July and August: Dedicated to evaluating written applications. The time required depends on the number of applicants; for reference, 57 applications were reviewed in 2025.

Mandatory In-Person Meeting:

- Dates: August 23–25, 2026
- Location: PCMA Headquarters, Chicago IL
- During this meeting, the committee will conduct video interviews and finalize the Board slate.
- Attendance is mandatory for all members. Limited funding for airfare and lodging is available upon request.

Candidate Notification: The Chair and committee members are responsible for notifying all Board candidates regarding the outcome of the selection process.

Post-Selection Duties: Once the slate is finalized in August, the committee’s work is considered complete unless the slate is challenged by PCMA membership before October 1.

Selection Timeline

PCMA has set the following timeline for the 2026 application process:

Sunday, April 19 at 5:00 PM Chicago time: Deadline for applications.
April 27 – May 10: Governance Committee reviews applications. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a video interview.
Week of May 18: Video interviews conducted by up to two members of the Governance Committee (if applicable).
By Friday, May 29: All candidates will be notified of their selection status by email.

A Global Leader in Business Events

PCMA, PCMA Foundation and CEMA educate, inspires, and listens, 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 59 countries. 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.