Association Forum – Holiday Showcase – Meeting Planner Track Sessions

The PCMA GMC Professional Development Committee, in partnership with our friends at Association Forum, recently hosted two standout meeting planner track education sessions—and both were well attended, energetic, and filled with thoughtful, engaging conversations.

The day kicked off with Beyond the Booth: Designing for Change Through Neuroscience and Cognitive Insights, an interactive workshop led by Anthony Vade, Chief Innovation Officer and Co-Founder of STRATEGY TABLE PATHWAYS Inc. This hands-on session encouraged attendees to think differently about how people experience exhibitions by exploring the psychological drivers behind attendee behavior. Participants examined how attention, memory, emotion, and psychological safety influence openness to change, then translated those insights into practical, human-centered design principles for exhibitions. Using this framework, attendees brainstormed and developed small, actionable “experiments” to address common exhibition-floor challenges, ultimately reframing experience design as an ongoing process that aligns attendee needs with exhibition goals.

The second session of the day, Pathways to the C-Suite: Lessons from Events Industry Leaders, was a full house and sparked dynamic discussion throughout the room. Moderated by Dawn Amaskane, CAE, CMP, President of the PCMA GMC and Vice President of Governance and Meetings at the American Osteopathic Association, the panel brought together senior leaders from across the business events ecosystem for a candid conversation about leadership, growth, and career evolution.

Panelists included Deborah A. Ross, CCHP, Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care; Larita Clark, Chief Executive Officer of MPEA; Cleo Battle, President and Chief Executive Officer of Louisville Tourism; Chuck Grouzard, Executive Vice President of Business Development at GES; and Robert Parrish, Vice President of Field Sales at Encore Global. Together, they shared personal career journeys, pivotal moments, and lessons learned, offering attendees perspective on the diverse pathways that lead to executive leadership across the industry. The conversation highlighted key leadership traits and strategies that support long-term growth and adaptability, while also providing practical advice on building credibility, expanding professional networks, and positioning oneself for future senior leadership roles.

Together, these two sessions delivered meaningful education, inspired thoughtful dialogue, and reinforced the power of learning from one another as an industry.

Holiday Showcase – GMC Holiday Mixer

The Holiday Mixer was the perfect way to round out Holiday Showcase, bringing together an incredible turnout of PCMA GMC members and industry friends for a relaxed, festive evening. FatPour Tap Works was filled with holiday décor, plenty of laughter, and the kind of meaningful conversations that remind us why this community is so special.

We were thrilled to have the support of our Planner Registration Sponsors, Visit Indy and Meet Boston / Signature Boston, whose generosity helped kick off the evening on a welcoming note. The celebration continued with our Reception Sponsors, Pond Ripple Media and Visit Anchorage, who helped create an atmosphere that encouraged connection, conversation, and holiday cheer throughout the night.

PCMA GMC also extends a special thank-you to Visit Anchorage for the cuddly teddy bear giveaways and to Shepherd for the Starbucks gift cards—giving everyone in attendance a little “cup of cheer” that added an extra smile to the evening. Guests also enjoyed fun moments at the photobooth, sponsored by Tampa Bay, capturing memories from a night full of joy and camaraderie. We’re grateful to Shepard Tradeshows, our Gift Card Sponsor, for adding a thoughtful touch, and to Viper Tradeshows, our Signage Sponsor, for helping guide attendees through the celebration with style. 

It was one of those nights where everyone genuinely enjoyed being together, and we’re incredibly thankful to our sponsors, members, and guests who helped make the Holiday Mixer such a memorable way to celebrate the season. 

Don’t forget to check out the photos by MK Photography here.