August 2026 GMC Newsletter
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President’s Message
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Dear GMC Chapter Members,
August is National Wellness Month. I want to take a moment to reflect on what well-being truly means for us as professionals, individuals, and leaders.
The business events industry demands a lot from us; time, energy, creativity, and a constant drive for accomplishment. While ambition and professional development are important, they must not come at the expense of our well-being. Real, sustainable success relies on maintaining a healthy balance between our careers and personal lives.
This month, I encourage each of you to take a step back and check in with yourselves:
- Are you giving yourself enough time to rest and recharge?
- Are you creating space to gain perspective on where you are and where you want to go professionally?
- Are you making time for the people, hobbies, and experiences that genuinely bring you happiness?
Sometimes, the most productive thing we can do is pause. Stepping away whether for a vacation, an afternoon off, or even a quiet hour without distractions can provide us with clarity, creativity, and renewed energy. When we allow ourselves to rest, we return with sharper insight into our goals and a better understanding of the professionals and leaders we aspire to be.
Wellness is not a one-size-fits-all concept. For some, it may mean exercise or mindfulness; for others, it could be learning something new, spending quality time with loved ones, pursuing an artistic passion, or simply giving yourself permission to say “no” when your schedule is full. What matters most is being intentional about caring for yourself, rather than just focusing on your to-do list.
In honor of National Wellness Month, I invite you to take on this challenge:
- Set one personal goal that supports your own well-being.
- Revisit your professional goals with fresh eyes and evaluate whether they align with the life you envision, not just the next achievement.
- Support your colleagues by respecting boundaries, encouraging time off, and fostering a culture where wellness is a shared priority.
In the Greater Midwest Chapter of PCMA and the business events industry, we achieve our greatest success when our members feel supported, valued, and well. Thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence, both within our chapter and beyond. We truly appreciate everything you do for the Greater Midwest Chapter and the industry as a whole. I hope this month inspires you to invest in yourself, find balance, and rediscover the things that bring you joy.
Wishing you a restorative and meaningful end to your summer!
Phillip C. Ridley, CMP
President, PCMA Greater Midwest Chapter
Director, Meetings & Events
Emergency Nurses Association
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TODAY!
GMC PCMA Webinar: Industry Impact & Moving Forward
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Date: August 5, 2026
Time: 12:00 pm CDTBring everything together in TODAY’S highly interactive workshop experience. Participants will collaborate to design and explore future scenarios, testing ideas and strategies against a range of possible outcomes. By engaging directly with uncertainty, attendees will strengthen their ability to adapt, innovate, and make informed decisions regardless of what the future holds. Attend the webinar live to earn 1 EIC credit!
Register Here!
To help ensure a strong finish and maximize the value of this workshop, we encourage all participants to watch the previous webinar sessions before attending. The final workshop is designed to build on the concepts, tools, and discussions introduced throughout the series, bringing everything together in a highly interactive experience.
Previous webinars:
May 27, 2026: Level Setting In Uncertainty
June 30, 2026: Macro Forces Driving Uncertainty
July 22, 2026: Processes for Forward Thinking
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Pickleball Recap
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2027 Board Nominations Now Open!
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GMC PCMA is seeking nominations from chapter members for the 2027 Board of Directors and Officers.The open board positions for 2027 are:
*President-elect
*Director (Supplier) – 2 positions open
*Director (Professional/Planner)You may nominate individuals (including yourself) through
Monday, August 24, at 11:59pm.
Make My Nominations
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2026 CARE Education Event
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C.A.R.E. Education Event | September 15, 2026
Obama Presidential Center, 6001 South Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL
3:00 PM – 7:30 PMWe are excited to announce that registration for the 2026 C.A.R.E. Education Event is now open! Registration is limited, and we expect this event to sell out. Planners can request to be hosted and suppliers can host planners with our new registration packages.
Museum admission is included in the registration fee.
To receive museum admission, attendees must participate in the education program session beginning at 4:15 PM.
Learn More and Register Here
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Congratulations to the Q2 Star of the Quarter!
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 Congratulations to Cassie Mancera, MBA, Meetings Manager at the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, on being awarded the GMC Star of the Quarter Award for Q2 2026!
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2026 Awards Nominations
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 GMC PCMA volunteer committee members are the reason GMC is one of the most successful and active of all PCMA chapters. Their commitment to our chapter and the business events industry continues to drive innovation, connection, and growth within our community.
Every year, we celebrate individuals who have gone above and beyond to make a lasting impact on our chapter with our Annual Awards. Nominations for our 2026 Awards will open in August. We encourage your to keep an eye on our website and submit your nominations when the form opens!
Learn More About GMC PCMA Awards
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Call for 2026 Bowl Bash Wine Pull & Silent Auction Donations
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 We are seeking donations of wine, spirits, and champagne, as well as silent auction items to help raise funds at this year’s event. Whether it’s a favorite bottle of wine, a gift card, unique experience, event tickets, or specialty item, your generosity will help ensure the Bowl Bash is a success and our community continues to thrive.
Silent Auction Donations:
Contribute items such as experiences, services, tickets, or gift cards. Please note: all items should be digital. If donating a physical item or basket, please plan to arrange shipping after the event.
Complete Silent Auction Form
Wine Pull Donations:
Provide a bottle (or more!) of wine, spirits, or champagne to be featured in our popular wine pull. If you would like to provide a monetary donation toward purchasing wine, there is a place in the form for that.
Complete Wine Pull Form
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Thank You to Our Newsletter Sponsor
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Ready to connect your events + education strategy?
Our new Member Growth Playbook walks through 4 actionable plays to help you align teams, streamline workflows and measure what truly matters. 
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Thank You to Our Sponsor
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Thank You to Our Sponsor
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2026 Sponsorship
Opportunities Now Open!
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Increase your brand’s visibility and connect with your target audience through event sponsorship. Supporting an upcoming event is a great way to foster genuine relationships and strengthen brand recognition.Check out the 2026 Sponsorship Prospectus HERE!
Contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
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Calendar of Events
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Save the date for upcoming events:
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Thank You to Our GMC PCMA Sponsors
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Don’t Forget to Follow Us
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Please like our Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn profiles. Invite others to follow and be sure to re-post content that we share throughout the year. |
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Thank you to everyone who joined us on July 30 for the GMC PCMA Pickleball Tournament in Chicago! Over 200 attendees took part in this exciting event.
