The first 2023 GMC PCMA Student Day with IUPUI was held on March 24th at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 21 people registered, 17 in-person and four virtual participants. There were five virtual panelists and four in person panelists representing all areas of hospitality and meetings management, associations, meetings management companies and CVBs. Panelists fielded questions from virtual and in-person attendees. The in-person component also included a tour of the IMS prior to the program and a job fair immediately after.

Panelists included:

Virtual Participant Panel

Beth Hayson (facilitator), Associate Executive Director, Continuing Education, Meetings and Exhibitions, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Nathalie Johnson, Senior Meetings Manager, American Association of Neurological Surgeons

Lauren Gaydosh – Director of Group Sales, Hilton Cleveland Downtown

Erin DeFouw – Events Director, Americas’ SAP Users’ Group

Cathy Ryan, Founder & President, Passport Meetings

Patty Olejnik, Meeting Event Manager, Maritz Global Events

In Person Participant Panel:

Roberta Tisdul, CMP – Director of Destination Experience, Visit Indy

Joni Wallman – Events Manager for Sigma Theta Tau International, The Honor Society of Nursing.

John Killacky, Managing Director, National Sales & Marketing – Bartha

Mandi Bender, Vice President of Operations – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum