PCMA’s Ascent CEO Promise Gathers support for Inclusive Workplaces, Events
May 30, 2018
The Ascent CEO Promise to create more inclusive workplaces and events will have 100 signatures by the end of May, PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat said today.
More than 50 senior executives have made the commitment since the pledge was unveiled last week at IMEX in Frankfurt by PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association).
Ascent is an initiative by PCMA-Convene to promote inclusion and diversity across the business events industry.
“The momentum tells us that industry leaders understand that there is work to do, and that they’re ready to do it,’’ Karamat said. “Greater inclusion will foster new voices to strengthen our leadership, our businesses, and our world.’’
Ascent seeks to empower those challenged by gender, sexual origination, race, ethnicity or disabilities to find success in the industry. And Ascent strives to motivate and educate decision-makers on the business case and best practices for inclusive workplaces and events.
Those who sign the CEO Promise commit to three initial goals:
- We will make our workplaces and events open and trusting settings.
- We will provide education on barriers to inclusivity, including unconscious bias.
- We will share what we know, what we learn and what needs improvement.
An Ascent Studio at PCMA’s Education Conference, June 10-13 in Cleveland, will provide two full days of sessions around inclusion and diversity topics. Attendees can participate in sessions such as Remove Implicit Bias to Improve Interactions, Beyond Professionalism: Channelling Vulnerability and more. Conference registration is available at pcmaeducon.org/registration.
To help CEOs fulfil their promise to provide workplace education, PCMA-Convene is developing a series of webinars around unconscious bias that can be used in the workplace. Additional resources will be: Education — News and information, best practices, quizzes, video, webinars and face-to-face events; Tools — Training, mentoring, coaching, a curated archive of diverse speakers; and Inspiration — Special stories of challenge and triumph.
Among those who have signed the pledge: Tom Norwalk, President & CEO, Visit Seattle; Isabel Bardinet, CEO European Society of Cardiology; David Peckinpaugh, President, Maritz Global Events; Craig Davis President and CEO, VisitPITTSBURGH and many more. The complete list is available here.
Karamat encourages all industry leaders to visit PCMA.org/promise to sign.
“In the next few months, we will be introducing ways to track our progress,’’ Karamat said. Greater inclusion will foster new voices to strengthen our leadership, our businesses, and our world. By working together, we will cultivate meaningful social change.’’
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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