GMC PCMA C.A.R.E. Education Event
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | Obama Presidential Center, Chicago, IL

A sold-out crowd of 240 planners and suppliers joined us at the Obama Presidential Center for our C.A.R.E. Education Event (formerly DEI), our best-attended edition in recent years. 

🎤 Leading Without Armor

Keynote speaker Courtney Stanley challenged us to drop the “armor” we wear at work, including the classic “It’s fine,” and lead with authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy. Her top three habits of empathetic leaders: consistent personal check-ins, emotional intelligence, and a willingness to be vulnerable. Her closing reminder stuck with the room: courage is showing up when you can’t control the outcome.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Huge thanks to our Title Sponsor, Destination Toronto; our Education Sponsor, Visit Denver; and our Presidential Experience Sponsor, Louisville Tourism. Without their generous support, these educational events would not be possible. Thank you also to Visit Omaha (Reception Sponsor), Visit Detroit (Bar Sponsor), Choose Chicago (shuttle and roaming photo ring), and Experience Grand Rapids (Display Table), along with our commercial sponsors Pond Ripple Media, New Orleans & Company, Visit Tampa Bay, and Wilmington and Beaches CVB. A special thank you to MK Photo for event photography and Viper Tradeshow Services for providing our signage.

And thank you to Courtney Stanley, Ink Factory for the live visual notes, and the Obama Presidential Center for hosting us.

See you next year! In the meantime, keep leading without armor. 💛