PCMA Ascent

PCMA Ascent

Promoting a Vibrant Environment for All Event Professionals

  • Ascent is an initiative by PCMA and Convene to promote equity and inclusion across the business events industry.
  • Ascent seeks to empower those individuals facing barriers from unique life experiences, ensuring that all voices have the support and platform to succeed in the events industry.
  • Ascent strives to motivate and to educate decision-makers on the business case and best practices for inclusive workplaces and events.
  • We believe that greater inclusion across the industry will foster new voices to strengthen our leadership, our businesses, and our world.
  • By working together toward inclusion for all within our workplaces and at the events we produce, we will enact meaningful social change.
  • Our CEO Promise has been signed by over 100 industry leaders. Add your name.
PCMA Ascent

At PCMA, our mission is to advance the business events industry by promoting inclusivity and creating a vibrant, equitable environment where every professional has an equal opportunity to thrive. Through our ASCENT initiative, we are committed to empowering individuals facing barriers from unique life experiences, ensuring that all voices have the support and platform to succeed in the events industry.

The ASCENT program is dedicated to providing equal access to education and professional development, equipping individuals with the necessary skills and resources to unlock their full potential. The Ascent Pathway 100 program selects 100 recipients annually, offering tailored support to help them grow, innovate, and contribute to the continued progress of the industry.

If you are passionate about advancing your career and overcoming obstacles in the event industry, we invite you to apply for the Ascent Pathway 100 program. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants will receive notification of their status within fifteen business days.

Benefits Include:

  • Special access to learning and skill building courses and content with PCMA Event Leadership Institute  
  • Complimentary access to two (2) learning courses– one (1) self-paced course and one (1) facilitated course – and 30% discount on additional courses  
  • Complimentary access to the complete learning library including on-demand videos, articles, webinars, and lessons covering various aspects of event planning, management, and execution 
  • Invitation to two (2) online group sessions with PCMA Mentors on a leadership topic
  • Invitation to Ascent Pathway education program and Meet Up at Convening Leaders and at edUcon to learn and network with fellow Ascent Pathway 100 participants and program partners.  
  • Recognition in one (1) PCMA Convene article distributed via e-newsletter and social post to PCMA community  
  • Special 20% course discount to share with the participant’s organization 
  • All benefits available for 12 months following notice of acceptance to Ascent Pathway 100

In Partnership with

Grant provided by the

ASCENT RESOURCES

ON-DEMAND SESSIONS & WEBINARS

Webinar: What to Do When Things Go Wrong: Crisis Management, Security, & Risk Mitigation Insights from Disaster Experts
Extreme weather events, protests, shooting, cyber attacks, and other natural or human-made disasters are now a fact of life for event professionals. Knowing how to mitigate, prepare for and respond to crises is an evolving challenge, but also an opportunity to shine as a trusted advisor. Hear from our expert ...

Webinar: What to Do When Things Go Wrong: Crisis Management, Security, & Risk Mitigation Insights from Disaster Experts

Length:
01:12:26
Clock Hours:
1
Webinar: Pathways to Success: Insights & Guidance for Next Gen Events Professionals
Join us for an empowering webinar designed specifically for emerging event professionals. Equip yourself with the tools and guidance you need to excel in your career through: - Practical advice from fellow next gen professionals - Strategies, resources, and solutions for event professional success - Burning questions answered in our ...

Webinar: Pathways to Success: Insights & Guidance for Next Gen Events Professionals

Clock Hours:
1
Accessibility Webinar Tile for Library
Unlock the secrets of making events "accessible for every body"! Moderated by Joshua Klipp, Principal, Founder & Certified Access Specialist at Made Welcome, and featuring a panel of industry experts, this eye-opening discussion dives into the urgent need for accessibility in digital and in-person business events. Join this new webinar, ...

Webinar: The How and Why of Accessible Events: Case Studies from the Field

Length:
01:13:21
Clock Hours:
1
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The Ascent CEO Promise

PASS THE MIC

Looking to make your next business event more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming? There’s no better place to start than with your speakers. We’ve hand-picked a few who may fly under the radar in the speaker circuit but raise the bar in making events more diverse — and way more interesting.

Rania Anderson

Rania Anderson

Founder and president of The Way Women Work, executive coach, author
Zontee Hou

Zontee Hou

Founder of Media Volery, co-leader of the Convince & Convert consulting team
Bozoma Saint John

Bozoma Saint John

Marketing and advertising executive
Abby Wambach

Abby Wambach

Retired soccer star, advocate for pay equity and inclusion
Heather E. McGowan

Heather E. McGowan

Future of work strategist, adviser, and thought leader
Aurora Dawn Benton

Aurora Dawn Benton

Founder Astrapto, sustainability strategist, consultant

Supported by:

ASCENT LUMINARIES

The Luminaries series is part of the PCMA Ascent initiative, which seeks to promote inclusion and diversity across the business events industry.

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