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Last night, the PCMA Education Foundation honored some of the meetings industry’s brightest at the Visionary Awards ceremony, held at the Marquis Washington, D.C.
From the red carpet to the awards program and the swinging after party featuring Sauce the Band, the evening was a black-tie night to remember for the more than 1,000 business events leaders in attendance.
“Our 2017 honorees and award winners’ accomplishments serve as inspiration to both industry veterans and novices alike,” said PCMA President & CEO, Deborah Sexton. “Each an expert in their profession—always endeavoring to lead the advancement of their organizations and the business events industry.”
Announced in 2016 and celebrated last night were the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees. The honorees were:
- Martin (Marty) Balogh, Associate Executive Director, Meetings and Travel Group, American Bar Association – 2017 Meeting Professional Honoree
- Carol Krugman, MEd, CMP, CMM, Chair of the Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Events, Metropolitan State University of Denver – 2017 Educator Honoree
- Barry Smith, President & CEO, Metro Toronto Convention Centre – 2017 Supplier Honoree
In addition to handing out the Lifetime Achievement Awards, PCMA also honored four outstanding meetings professionals with the 2017 Professional Excellence Award. The awards were broken down into four “best of the year” categories including meeting planner, event designer, supplier and community advocate.
Danielle L. Urbina, CMP, Director of Meetings and Exhibits with the American Society of Anesthesiologists, was named the Meeting Professional of the Year for her professional excellence in her contributions to ASA, PCMA and the business events community. In addition to her work leading ASA’s national meetings and headquarters conference center to new levels, Danielle manages ASA’s growing international meetings initiatives. As a passionate and dedicated meetings professional and mentor, her work continually contributes to the future of the meetings industry.
Megan D. Tate, CMM, Vice President, Meeting & Event Planning Manager with Wells Fargo, was named the Event Designer of the Year for her innovative event design. Between the general sessions, breakouts and evening events, Megan’s event strategy made the Petco Leadership Summit all about the people rather than the company. The partners that attended last year’s summit returned back to their stores with a renewed passion for who they are and what they do—the mark of a well-designed and executed meeting.
Jennifer L Erney, CMP, CASE, Director of Global Accounts – Meetings & Events with Accor Hotels and most recently with ALHI, was named the Supplier of the Year for her professional excellence in her contributions to her organization, PCMA and the business events community. From increasing a client’s share by 500 percent to earning her CHSE, CASE, CMP and soon-to-be CMM certification – Jennifer is a true advocate in the meetings and business events industry.
Peter C. O’Brien, CASE, Global Account Executive with Marriott Global Sales Organization Community, was named the Community Advocate of the Year for his development and management of unique and impactful programs that benefited the community. His contributions include adopting DC Greens as the Capital Chapters Charity of the Year, implementing Service in Sync at the Greater DC Food Bank and reinstating the popular USO Care Package assembly.
Heartfelt congratulations go out to all of this year’s honorees and award winners. You can learn more about PCMA and this year’s Visionary Awards at pcma.org.