Education event. Thousands of business events professionals and community leaders participate in Convening Leaders, PCMA’s signature education and networking event. The multi-day program attracts participants from all over the world to explore, through leading-edge education, research and networking, how business events generate economic and social legacies for their businesses and communities.

“We are collaborating with two incredible host city partners, each with their own inspirational story on how they are transforming their organizations and communities through business events,” said Sherrif Karamat, CAE, president and CEO of PCMA. “Caesars Entertainment has demonstrated its commitment to the economic and social power of business events with the opening of Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, while the world is watching how Columbus is using business events as a catalyst for its prosperity as a smart city of the future.”

Caesars Entertainment will host PCMA Convening Leaders 2022 Jan. 9-12, at Caesars Forum, a 550,000-square foot conference center opening in March 2020 in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.

“Caesars Entertainment is thrilled to be partnering with PCMA and honored that Caesars Forum was selected for this important industry event,” said Caesars Entertainment Chief Sales Officer Michael Massari. “CAESARS FORUM, perfect for large corporate and association events, will transform the meetings and events industry in Las Vegas.”

Luci Whiteman, incoming president for PCMA’s Southwest & Pacific chapter, is excited for the opportunity Convening Leaders brings to Las Vegas and to chapter members. “Las Vegas is convenient for many attendees from all over and it’s an exciting place to be,” she said.

Experience Columbus will host PCMA Convening Leaders 2023 Jan. 8-11, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Columbus is consistently ranked as one of the United States’ top cities to visit. Also known as an innovation center, it beat 77 other cities for a $40 million federal grant to reinvent its transportation system and transform how Columbus residents live and access opportunity.

“Columbus is a city on the rise, and we cannot wait to welcome PCMA attendees in 2023 and show them how we are transforming the meetings industry,” said Brian Ross, Experience Columbus president and CEO. “We look forward to working with PCMA to create an unforgettable event that immerses attendees into our creative, diverse and innovative city.”

London Young, president of PCMA’s Power (Pittsburgh, Ohio, West Virginia and Erie Region) chapter, called it a win-win for Ohio. “Ohio has increasingly become top-of-mind as a prime meeting location and Columbus is positioned perfectly to produce a first-rate experience,” she said. “Showcasing our state to this influential group of global meeting industry professionals will certainly bring more convention and business opportunities while delivering a positive economic impact in the process.”

PCMA Convening Leaders 2020, hosted by San Francisco Travel Association, takes place Jan. 5-8 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. PCMA Convening Leaders 2021, hosted by Visit Houston, will take place from Jan. 10-13 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.