Chapter News
February 2021 Message from the President
February is here, and this week officially contains Groundhog Day! Nope, it’s not just that feeling that you get every day during quarantine! I’m recording this video after an amazing afternoon meeting with our board and chairs. We discussed plans for 2021, and I tell you those do not include repeating what we normally do,
Awards Committee Update
Please enjoy this audio update from committee chair, Patti Olejnik, CED.
Member Engagement Committee Update
Under the bylaw change Membership Engagement has seen a re-vamp! We’ve taken the three committees previously focused on membership initiatives: Membership, Student Membership, and Membership Engagement outside of Chicago, and combined them all under one committee, Membership Engagement. Under the new structure of Membership Engagement we have three sub-committees. Please read below to find out
Why we Celebrate Black History Month in the Hospitality Industry
The month of February is set aside to recognize the many contributions of Black Americans to this country. Many times, the focus stays on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks and Carter G. Woodson. And never to negate their important mark on our history, there are so many more who deserve
Community Services Committee Update
The Community Services Committee’s mission is to coordinate or create activities and programs to benefit members, local charities as well as overseeing chapter fundraising for our chosen causes. We will engage in partnerships with Midwest charities to create personal volunteer opportunities for chapter members, and to give back to the local community. Due to the
A Dream Not Deferred? Why we celebrate the birth of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
On the third Monday of every January since 1986, this day has been set aside as a day that work, schools, federal buildings, etc. are closed as a day off, it serves as the first federal holiday to honor and recognize the birth of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was an
January 2021 Message from the President
Hi PCMA Greater Midwest Chapter and Happy New Year! We will be trying out some new communication channels in the new year, maybe even a podcast. In that vein, I have recorded my monthly president update via video. Thanks for tuning in! Here are some of the highlights from the video as we kick-off 2021:
2021 Sponsorship Opportunity: Convening Leaders VIRTUAL Chapter Reception
Convening Leaders VIRTUAL Chapter Reception Wednesday, January 13, 2021 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm (CST) – Chapter Reception 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm (CST) – Planner Only Afterparty Location: REMO *193 planners (and counting) & 33 suppliers! Great value prop for a sponsor. Members are attending from all of GMC- PCMA’s member states. 2021
December 2020 Letter from the President
Hello GMC Happy Holidays! This is my last GMC President’s letter, and I am finding it to be bittersweet. It is most definitely sweet, because I am so excited to see what Molly Witges and your 2021 Board of Directors and Committee Chairs have in store for us next year. 2020 bitterly has not been
Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Task Force Update
The Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Task Force continued their conversation series with a two-part event focusing on the millennial perspective on racial justice. The first part, a TED-style event, was featured in the GMC’s November Quarterly Education Webinar. The second event was a lively fireside with industry leaders, followed by a thought-provoking conversation with millennials
PCMA Convening Leaders
PCMA’s Convening Leaders will look a little different this year, but will be filled with the same networking, education, and innovation that we have come to know and love! Register today and keep your calendars free January 11-15, 2021. https://conveningleaders.org
Virtual Student Day
Our industry is ever-changing, so the GMC PCMA Student Committee is hosting a Virtual Student Day on December 9th focusing on virtual platforms and the reality of hybrid events moving forward. Laura Welsh, Chief Executive Officer at Conference Solutions, will lead the discussion focusing on the growing new opportunities in our industry. Students can emphasize
Q4 Star of the Quarter: Alli Shebek
Communications Committee Chairs say: “Alli has been the only committee member all year to constantly step up and volunteer for just about anything, she has always been on top of deadlines for the newsletter and always provides ideas for social media. She also stepped up and will be taking over as co-chair of the Marketing
2021 Board of Directors
Announcing the 2019 GMC PCMA Board of Directors
November 2020 Letter from the President
Hello GMC! It is November, a month anticipated for many reasons but for us, it was to be the month we met in person again at the November 10th Quarterly Meeting. With a heavy heart, I am sharing the news the GMC Board of Directors made the decision yesterday to move this event to 100%
Education Committee Spotlight: Bonnie Stetz
Bonnie is the Director of Conference Content Design at The National Association of REALTORS® and she has had to combine her old skills with new creativity in response to the pandemic and the changes that have come with it. She says, “Having one of the earlier conferences to pivot from in-person to online has afforded
October 2020 Letter from the President
Welcome fall 2020 GMC Members! I am excited to share two upcoming events with you. Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Taskforce – we will host our 3rd community conversation on October 22 from Noon – 1pm CST. Register here. As you know, our goal with this series is to create a safe space to have bold
Nominate a Deserving Colleague Today
It’s that time of year again when PCMA-GMC is asking members to nominate their peers for awards. During the pandemic, we have seen our colleagues stretch and grow to help their organizations move forward. Others have worked their entire careers in meetings/hospitality only to be let go because of the downturn. It is important to
September 2020 Letter from the President
Welcome to September GMC! This fall will be very different than what our typical fall event season, but 2020 is not a typical year. My head spins daily with all that happens in our business and in the world. As someone who focuses on well-being personally and professionally, I find that I am having to
Student Insight Series Webinar Recap
The GMC PCMA Student Committee hosted the first National Student Insight Series on August 26th. There was a fantastic turnout with over 100 students, recent grads, and industry professionals. The highly experienced panelists included Terrance Frederick, Brad Kent, Chirag Patel, Julie Smith, and Joy Womack. Phillip Ridley, the moderator, facilitated the conversation that lead to
Listen to the Recording of the first Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Task Force Webinar
The Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity task force kicked off their community conversations webinar series on August 20 with a session titled “Bold & Brave: Telling Our Stories.” Moderator Cherai Lewis engaged with fellow task force members on how they have seen and experienced racism in the business events industry, and how the events of the
GMC Q3 Star of the Quarter: Kaleigh Gipson
Congratulations to Kaleigh Gipson, GMC Q3 Star of the Quarter Receipient! Each quarter, our chapter recognizes one committee volunteer who has gone above and beyond the call of duty. Our Q3 Recipient of the Star of the Quarter award is Kaleigh Gipson from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Kaleigh is active on the GMC Student Membership
GMC Annual Awards Nominations Open Now
Why do you keep seeing encouragement to nominate a colleague – or yourself – for an award? There are so many reasons to submit a nomination for the 2020 GMC PCMA awards. The nominee receives validation that their time, efforts, and hard work are recognized and appreciated. A public “thank you” goes a long way.
Volunteer from Home with Big Shoulders Fund
The GMC Community Services committee encourages all members to support the Big Shoulders Fund, which serves 20,000 students at 75 elementary and high schools throughout Chicago. “We are thrilled to announce that we have set up e-volunteering opportunities to help support our network of schools and students during this time. Our goals include uploading two
An Update from your Board Secretary
Author: Jennifer Sommers, 2020 GMC PCMA Secretary Hopefully by now you’ve read or heard about several positive changes being implemented by the Greater Midwest Chapter this year. Making these changes gives us the ability to continue laying the foundation of a steady path in 2020 which sets the course to achieve new goals in 2021.
Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity Task Force Update
The newly created Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity Task Force of the Greater Midwest Chapter has been formed to engage the GMC community in open and honest conversations on racial bias and diversity in the industry, and the experiences of Black and POC business event professionals. The task force will host a series of webinars in the coming months,
2020 Awards Nominations Open Now
Recognize the contributions of your colleagues—nominate them for a GMC PCMA Award Nominations for GMC awards are open NOW through November 15. Start planning now to nominate your GMC colleagues. It’s quick and easy, and nominations are powerful. Here are thoughts from a few former GMC award winners about their nomination: When I learned I
August 2020 Letter from the President
Hello GMC Members! Where has summer gone? At times, this summer feels like it is dragging on and other times it is flying by. Thinking about back to school just seems odd to me as a mom. I am not sure why…maybe it is the fact that we did not close out last year like
2021 Call for GMC Board Nominations is now open!
GMC PCMA is seeking nominations from chapter members for the 2020 Board of Directors and Officers.
July 2020 Letter from the President
Hello GMC Members! We made it through half of 2020! July is here. It sure has been a rough year for all of us. No matter what your situation, none of us in this business has had an easy time in 2020. Who could imagine six months ago we would be in this situation? It
Awards Committee Virtual Award
The Awards Committee would like to present a virtual award to each member, friend, and associate of GMC-PCMA for having the strength and the courage to maneuver through these unchartered waters. Although we cannot control the past, we can decide how we will progress forward. Congratulations on your strength, resilience, perseverance, your courage and to
Proposed Bylaws Change – Voting is now closed
Voting is now closed. The resolution passed with 25% of eligible members voting and a 95% acceptance rate. View the recording of our July 15th Town Hall Meeting: https://youtu.be/1GNMOnKGtnk In an effort to further engage our membership and gain flexibility to meet our chapter’s strategic goals, we are suggesting a bylaw change for your
We ❤ GMC Wrap Up
Thanks to all of our wonderful members, we were able to raise almost $7000 for our beloved GMC! Thanks again to our prize donors: Ocean View Bracelet donated by Rhonda Chesney and Blythe Chesney Caesars Entertainment Store Sweepstakes – $150 value Sip in Style: A toast to GMC-PCMA Set of Tiffany Wine Glasses donated by
GMC PCMA Has an Instagram!
Make sure to follow GMC PCMA’s newest addition to social media- our Instagram account! Follow @pcmagreatermidwestchapter on Instagram for all of the latest updates.
June 2020 Letter from the President
Hello GMC Members! June is here and summer is upon us. These months of 2020 will be very different from summers past. Whatever your plans are, please take some time for yourself. Our industry professionals have taken on more stress than anyone should bear, and it takes a toll. I have seen it firsthand and
Q2 Star of the Quarter
Each quarter, our chapter recognizes one committee volunteer who has gone above and beyond the call of duty. Our Q2 Recipient of the Star of the Quarter award is Robert Lutz with CSI DMC! Robert is active on the GMC Events Committee. His committee chairs shared that he has been instrumental in planning our educational
Spread the GMC Love
Get your chances to win here. Our largest online fundraiser EVER is on now! Purchase your tickets and be entered to win any of the over 50 fabulous prizes collectively valued over $10,000*. Tickets are $20 each, 3 for $50, or 7 for $100. *The Sweepstakes is open to residents of the 50 United States excluding New
Student Committee Update
April Fools was no joke for the GMC PCMA Student Committee! The Student Committee hosted two Virtual Panels on April 1, 2020. We are working hard to stay connected with the students during these uncertain times. The first panel was with Northern Illinois University. There were 19 students on the virtual meeting. We had fellow
Back2School Notes of Inspiration Volunteer Opportunity
Back 2 School Illinois has launched its “Notes of Inspiration” Program for the homebound. This is a great program that people can do from the comfort and safety of their own homes. It is a fun activity that encourages creativity as well as allows folks stuck at home to do something rewarding and impactful. For
May 2020 Letter from the President
April showers bring May flowers! Looks like it is happening, and I am personally happy to see some green. I hope this spring experience is lifting your spirits. Weather in the Midwest can test all our nerves this time of year and then add COVID-19 on top of it…it is pushing everyone’s buttons. My hope
June 2020 Webinar
How can you protect your business and still be a good partner? How has COVID-19 forever changed the way we do business? How are we planning for the rest of the year and early 2021 in the absence of a crystal ball? Join us on June 4 for a free virtual education event to reflect