 The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Education Foundation’s 4th Annual Partnership Summit brought together meeting professionals from all industry segments to focus on issues ranging from creating branded event experiences to forging lasting business relationships. This year’s edition of this annual summit received rave reviews from attendees. "What an amazing event!" said Mary Pat Heftman, Senior Vice President, Convention for the National Restaurant Association.
The PCMA Education Foundation annual event, which attracted nearly 200 industry leaders, was held May 31-to-June 3 at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas. "It was great to be with so many meetings and convention industry leaders in a setting where you could expand your professional development, have a little fun and do a little business," added Heftman.
 The 2007 Summit was hosted by the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Irving (Texas) Convention & Visitors Bureau. Attendees included some of the country’s most senior level meeting corporate and association professionals as well as supplier partners. "The Partnership Summit is a unique opportunity for meeting professionals and supplier partners to get to know each other and learn together," said PCMA Education Foundation Chair Gerhard E. Seibert, CHA, of the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
The Summit included two general sessions, informal roundtables, networking events, and off-site adventures including race car driving at Texas Motor Speedway, a day at the ranch, culinary lessons, and wine-making— all of which were conducive to getting to know fellow participants in a unique way.
"I had the great privilege to attend the recent PCMA Partnership Summit and what an outstanding event it was," said Lisa Sykes, Director, Meeting Services and Committees at DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar. "All of the details and activities were well thought out and first-class, with no stone unturned to make the experience memorable for everyone. The opportunities to network with old and new friends were plentiful, and two very diverse but interesting education programs were held—both offering many take-away nuggets of information."
 Don Neal, President of Echelon Marketing Group, a division of IXI Corporation, led an interactive and hands-on session on how to create a branded event experience, one attendee at a time. Participants explored how a focus on attendees helps create better events and delights other stakeholders such as partners, vendors, service providers and staff.
And for everyone who’s ever thought "Life Would Be Easy If It Wasn’t For Other People," Connie Podesta led an upbeat session that engaged the entire audience on how to create and maintain successful relationships "We’re thrilled with the positive feedback from this year’s event—which many agree was the best ever— and are already planning next year’s Summit," added Seibert. The 5th Annual Partnership Summit, to be held May 1-4, 2008 at ME Hotel in Cancun.
In addition to the two Host Sponsors, the 2007 PCMA Partnership Summit was made possible by participating  sponsors, including Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, Canadian Tourism Commission, Gaylord Hotels, GES Exposition Services, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott International, San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Tourism Toronto, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, American Airlines, AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions, Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, Exposoft Solutions, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Visit Florida, Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hawaii Convention Center, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Leading Authorities, Inc., Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts, Tourisme Montreal, PSAV Presentation Service, and Tourism Vancouver. |
