PCMA Greater Midwest Chapter (GMC) volunteer committee members are the reason GMC is one of the most successful and active of all PCMA chapters. Now is your chance to recognize those members who have gone above and beyond in their contributions to GMC over this past year.
GMC PCMA Awards and Award Winners
Congratulations GMC 2023 Chapter Award Winners
Thank you for joining us at the March 14, 2024 Awards Celebration and Education event!
Thursday, March 14, 2024
1:30pm-6:00pm
McCormick Place: Skyline Ballroom E
Chicago, IL
Education Speaker
Nick Borelli
Designing Radically Inclusive Events with AI
Strategy Consultant, Nick Borelli, leverages his background in experience
design, event tech, and digital marketing to help event professionals reach their full
potential.
His background includes decades of contributions to live and digital
communication helping to facilitate his mission: bringing the world together through
intentionally designed experiences. To further this mission, he has presented on a
wide range of topics internationally, volunteered with numerous industry
associations and contributed to dozens of publications. He has also served as a
board member for a decade with the meetings and events industry non-profit, The
SEARCH Foundation.
Nick has been named a Changemaker by MeetingsNet, awarded International
Volunteer of the Year by International Live Events Association, and has won
numerous marketing awards. He has served as an advisor and ambassador for
associations, conferences, technology companies and many event suppliers.
It might seems counter intuitive, but machines can help us make more human experiences.
Generative AI can give us windows into others’ experience which can help us create a greater sense of belonging for a wider audience.
Discriminative Deep Learning can provide us with the data we need to test how successful our designs are with different groupings of attendees.
With AI being managed by designers leaning on empathy and creativity, your events have the chance to reach new heights.
3 Strategic Takeaways
Demonstrations of AI being used to aid in the most inclusive versions of event staples.
How data can reveal unconscious bias that are holding your events potential back.
Which human skills to focus on to future proof your career in a world with powerful AI tech advancements
Read more about GMC PCMA awards and previous winners below.
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Richard A. ``Dick`` Daignault Award
This award is presented to a gracious and generous supplier partner who provides mentoring, demonstrates integrity, and shows consistent respect for colleagues.
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Robert J. ``Bob`` Donovan Award
This award is presented to an outstanding meeting professional who leads by example, inspires volunteerism, and is committed to the growth of the industry.
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Outstanding Service to a Chapter Award
This PCMA award honors one member who has made an exemplary contribution to the association through its chapter.
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Pillar Award
This award honors a professional or supplier, recognized as an unyielding, dedicated supporter of the chapter through enthusiastic committee involvement, and leadership.
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Broad Shoulders Award
The Broad Shoulders Award is intended to recognize efforts and accomplishments not easily categorized or measured and has only been given out a hand-full times since 1996.
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The GEM Award
Nominated by committee chairs, this volunteer demonstrates passion, and has taken an active role in the achievements of that committee by consistently going the extra mile.
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The President's Award
The President’s Award is the opportunity for the chapter President to honor a truly deserving individual who has contributed to the association in a manner far beyond expectations during the president’s term.
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The Spirit Award
This Spirit Award is recognizes an active chapter member (professional or supplier) who does not reside and/or have a physical office in the greater Chicago area.
Award Descriptions & Previous Recipients
This award was created by the Chapter in 1994 in honor of Dick Daignault, a long time Hilton Sales Representative, a career long member of PCMA, and a dear friend and mentor to his peers, his clients, and his competitors. Dick passed away in June 1994 at the age of 64. This award is presented to a gracious and generous supplier partner GMC member who provides leadership through mentoring, demonstrates integrity, and shows consistent respect for colleagues.
Award Criteria:
• Nomination by GMC PCMA member in good standing or self-nomination
• Minimum 10 years total membership in PCMA and 5 years membership in GMC PCMA
• Minimum of 15 years employment in the hospitality industry recommended
• Not a current member of the GMC PCMA Board of Directors, GMC Awards Committee nor a
previous recipient of this award
• Established supplier in the industry and represents exceptional service
• Has history of active volunteerism in the Greater Midwest chapter level the past 5 years and is an
active industry volunteer overall
Previous Recipients
2022 — Andrea Schmidt
2021 — Beth Bracco
2020 — Leslie Sargent
2019 — Joe Kissinger, CASE
2018 — Jeff Gassaway
2017 — Colleen Brzozowski, CIS
2016 — Bill Martin
2015 — Peggy Murray Hagaman
2014 — Douglas Bennett, CASE
2013 — Donna M. Bongiovanni
2012 — Rosemarie Horcher, CMP, CEM
2011 — Mark Henry*
2010 — Murray Ryan
2009 — Melanie Kuranda
2008 — Brian Hile, CMP, CHME
2007 — Lora C. Stanley
2006 — Serena Melancon
2005 — Mary Patton
2004 — Marlene Hetzel*
2003 — Angie Ranalli, CMP
2002 — Terry O’Brien
2001 — Kathleen Kozminske
2000 — Rhonda Chesney, CMP
1999 — D. Bradley Kent
1998 — Francine Pepitone, CMM
1997 — Barbara Connell, CAE, CMP
1996 — Bill Grusich
1995 — Diane Dale
*deceased
This award was created by the Chapter in 2001 in honor of Bob Donovan, Vice President, Meetings & Travel Services, American Hospital Association. Bob is a career long member of PCMA, and a person who is committed to the continuity and growth of the industry by mentoring new industry professionals, while always maintaining an open door policy. This award is presented to an outstanding meeting professional who leads by example, inspires volunteerism, and is committed to the growth of the industry.
Award Criteria:
• Nomination by GMC PCMA member in good standing or self-nomination
• Minimum 10 years total membership in PCMA and five years membership in GMC PCMA
• Minimum of 15 years employment in the hospitality industry recommended
• Not a current member of the GMC PCMA Board of Directors, GMC Awards Committee nor a
previous recipient of this award
• Established event professional in the industry
• Has history of active volunteerism in the Greater Midwest chapter level the past five years and is
an active industry volunteer overall
Previous Recipients
2022 — Joyce Paschall
2021 — Cherai Lewis
2020 — Angie Silberhorn, CMP
2019 — Bob Kobosky
2018 — Laura Metcalf Jelinek, CAE
2017 — Valerie Geisendorfer, CMP
2016 — Linda Cooper
2015 — Colleen Donohoe, CMP
2014 — Sarah McKinney, CMP
2013 — Jenna T. Cummins, CMP
2012 — Jody Egel, CAE, CMP
2011 — Lora J. DiPadova-Tannehill, CMP
2010 — Deidre I. Ross, CMP, MHA, CAE
2009 — Teri Elliott Jordan, CMP, CAE
2008 — Karen Malone
2007 — Louise A. Pochelski, CMP
2006 — Vicky Betzig, CMP
2005 — Kelly Fox, CMP
2004 — Laurie Fitzgerald, CMP
2003 — Donna Karl, CMP
2002 — Sharon Kremkau
2001 — Robert Donovan
This award was created by the Greater Midwest Chapter in 2003 to honor a professional or supplier who is recognized as an unyielding supporter of the Chapter through dedicated participation, enthusiastic committee involvement, and leadership.
Award Criteria:
• Nomination by a GMC PCMA Chapter committee member in good standing or self-nomination
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience – at least 5 years of which being in GMC
• Current, active member of a GMC PCMA committee
• Not a current member of the GMC PCMA Board of Directors, Awards Committee nor a previous
recipient of this award
Previous Recipients
2022 — Patty Coen
2021 — Jennifer Lynch
2020 — Dionne Maniotes Hulsey
2019 — Sherry Vale, CASE
2018 — Sarah McKinney, CMP
2017 — Phillip Ridley, CMP
2016 — Walden Agustin
2014 — Kris Marinelli Jebson
2013 — Sarah E. Opple
2012 — Rhonda Chesney, CMP
2011 — Bill Martin
2010 — Marjorie E. McCartney
2009 — Donald Jenkins, CASE
2008 — Douglas Dvorak
2007 — Andrew Schorr
2006 — Jeffrey Kincaid
2005 — Deidre Ross, CMP
2004 — Mary Lou Newbold
2003 — Eugene Walker, CMP
2002 — Sharon Kremkau
The Broad Shoulders Award is intended to recognize efforts and accomplishments not easily categorized or measured. From time to time outstanding services, innovative ideas, meritorious actions and leadership need to be applauded and brought to the attention of the GMC membership and the industry in general. This award offers the flexibility necessary to acknowledge those who embody the principles and ideals to which we strive. It is a truly special award that has been given out only several times since its inception in 1996.
Previous Recipients
2022 — Bonnie Stetz
2018 — Barbara Connell, CAE, CMP
2014 — James S. Goodman, CMP
2010 — Marlene Hetzel*
2004 — Peter A. Lombardi
2002 — JoAnn Bedrosian-Ryan
1999 — Patricia A. Carroll*
1996 — Patrick E. Raleigh*
*deceased
The Gem Award is presented to a professional or supplier who is both a newer member of the Greater Midwest Chapter and is currently serving on a Chapter committee. Nominated by committee Chairs and Vice Chairs, this volunteer demonstrates passion, and has taken an active role in the achievements of that committee by consistently Going the Extra Mile.
Award Criteria:
• Nomination by GMC PCMA Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs
• GMC PCMA committee member who has actively served on a committee(s) for 5 years or
less
• Not a current member of the GMC PCMA Board of Directors, GMC Awards Committee nor a
previous recipient of this award
• GMC PCMA Committee member in good standing
Previous Recipients
2022 — Colleen Bingle
2021 — Morgan Prewitt
2020 — Kara Patten, PMP
2019 — Ryan Barth, CMP
2018 — Kimberly Himes
2017 — Sherry Vale
2016 — Kelly Jena
2015 — Kristi Casale CMP, DMCP
2014 — Andrea Carlson, CMP
2013 — Jenna M. Blandi
2012 — Hilary Rosenthal
2011 — Mary Ridderman, CDME, CMP, CHSP
2010 — Kristin Buechsenschuetz
2009 — Sarah D. Cohen
2008 — Yolanda Simmons
2007 — Joe Kissinger
2006 — Dionne Maniotes-Hulsey
2005 — Anne Carey, CMP
2004 — Amanda K. Cecil
2003 — H. Jeffrey Kinkaid
This PCMA award honors one member who has made an exemplary contribution to the association through its network of chapters. Each chapter submits a nominee to national headquarters for consideration. Each nominee will have exhibited dedication to the chapter in areas such as education, communication, membership, and/or community service, and must have demonstrated achievements in mentoring others and inspiring new leaders within the chapter.
Previous Recipients
2021 — Roz Stuttley
2020 — GMC Inclusion, Diversity, Equity Taskforce
2019 — Greg Burton
2018 — Dawn Amaskane, CMP
2017 — Madeja Metcalf, CMP
2016 — Allison Greene
2015 — Keri Kelly
2014 — Jill Formeister
2013 — Tonya Almond, CMP
2012 — Brian Hile, CMP, CHME
2011 — Michael M. McCurry, CMP
2010 — Paul M. Miller
2009 — Teri Elliott Jordan, CMP, CAE
2008 — Rhonda Chesney, CMP
2007 — John Folks
2006 — Scott Romane
2005 — Scott Romane
2004 — Vicky Betzig, CMP
The President’s Award is the opportunity for the chapter President to honor a truly deserving individual who has contributed to the association in a manner far beyond expectations during the president’s term. Each President is allowed to set their own criteria, but this award is not given out every year, as the intent is to reserve it for those special instances when a chapter member has truly risen to an extraordinary level.chapter.
Previous Recipients
2022 — Adrienne Nudo
2020 — Jacky Meracle, CAE, CMP, DES
2018 — Francine Pepitone, CMM, MAS
2013 — Tracy Riggan
2011 — Sandy Reynolds, CMP
2010 — Michael McCurry, CMP
2006 — JoAnna Leon
This award was created by the Greater Midwest Chapter in 2019 to recognize an active chapter member (professional or supplier) who does not reside and/or have a physical office in the greater Chicago area.
Greater Chicago area is defined as the following:
o Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Kankakee & Lake counties in Illinois
o Lake, Porter & LaPorte counties in Indiana
Award Criteria:
• Awarded at the discretion of the GMC Awards Committee based upon direct nomination by a GMC PCMA
member in good standing or by nominations received in one of the chapters other annual awards categories.
• Minimum of 5 years membership in GMC PCMA and 7 years professional experience
• Not a current member of the GMC PCMA Board of Directors nor GMC Awards Committee
• Has actively been engaged on one GMC committee during the current calendar year
• Is a GMC PCMA member in good standing
Previous Recipients
2022 — Jeanne Pluemer
2021 — Stacey DIllon
2020 — Joni Opperman
2019 — Morgan Miller