PCMA Selects Host Cities for Convening Leaders for Next Four Years
June 6, 2023
PCMA has selected the future host cities and dates for Convening Leaders (CL), the association’s annual flagship education and networking event, for 2024-2027. San Diego has been tapped to host the event in January 2024, followed by Houston in 2025, Philadelphia in 2026 and Miami in 2027.
“The business events industry plays a critical role in bringing people together that drives economic growth and social good for individuals, organizations and communities” said PCMA and CEMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat. “Each of these destinations has a unique identity and offers a diverse range of experiences for our participants. We look forward to bringing our global community together to learn, connect and innovate for the future.”
Convening Leaders 2024: Jan. 7-10, San Diego, Calif.
Hosted by the San Diego Tourism Authority, CL24 will be held at the San Diego Convention Center.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Convening Leaders to our beautiful city in 2024,” said Julie Coker, president and CEO, San Diego Tourism Authority. “San Diego’s stunning beauty, combined with our diverse culture and vibrant atmosphere, fosters an environment of innovation and collaboration that perfectly aligns with the forward-thinking nature of Convening Leaders. We can’t wait to welcome participants from around the world and embrace them with San Diego’s warmth, charm, and welcoming spirit.”
Convening Leaders 2025: Jan. 12-15, Houston, Texas
Hosted by Visit Houston and Houston First Corporation, CL25 will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
“We look forward to hosting the premier gathering of meeting professionals in the country when Convening Leaders comes to Houston in 2025,” said Michael Heckman, president and CEO, Houston First Corporation. “Not only is Houston a great destination enjoyed by millions of visitors annually, but our George R. Brown Convention Center campus is the perfect place for event professionals to collaborate and be inspired while also enjoying the world-class culinary and cultural offerings of the nation’s most diverse city,”
Convening Leaders 2026: Jan. 11-14, Philadelphia, Pa.
Hosted by Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), CL26 will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, just in time for America’s 250th birthday celebration, with Philadelphia as its centerpiece. It will also be PCMA’s first time back in the City of Brotherly Love since 2006.
“We couldn’t be more excited to launch America’s semi-quincentennial in 2026 than by hosting Convening Leaders in the city that founded our nation,” said Gregg Caren, PHLCVB president and CEO. “250 years after America’s first convention, we will again convene with the brightest minds in the business events industry to spark innovation and growth opportunities. There is a real sense of pride in saying that Philadelphia will be the host site of the FIFA World Cup, the MLB All-Star Game and now, PCMA’s flagship event in 2026.”
Convening Leaders 2027: Jan. 10-13, Miami, Fla.
Hosted by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, CL27 will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
“The privilege and opportunity to host Convening Leaders is directly attributable to our city and county leaders who invested over $640 million to reimagine and significantly expand the Miami Beach Convention Center coupled with the eagerly anticipated completion of a new on-campus host hotel,” said David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. “PCMA and its members are at the epicenter of our meetings, conventions and trade show ecosystem. This will be our and our partners’ time to shine.”
As the world’s largest community for business events strategists, PCMA provides senior-level education, networking and market intelligence for the global business events industry. Headquartered in Chicago, the organization boasts 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.
Registration Convening Leaders 2024 is set to open June 26. To learn more, go here.
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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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