Chapter News

March 2025 Newsletter

March 2025 GMC Newsletter

President’s Message

Spring is in the air!

In honor of Women’s History Month , we celebrate the incredible contributions of women in the events industry, whose creativity, leadership, and resilience continue to shape and elevate the business events community. Later this month we will honor six women in the Chapter who have gone above and beyond to make a lasting impact in our community.

Your Chapter leaders are diligently working on curating educational content for all the upcoming events for the year.  View the events schedule to save the dates. Business event strategists (planners) attend the awards event complimentary – use this link to secure your spot!​​​

Stay inspired, stay connected, and keep being the driving force behind unforgettable events. As Business Event Strategists and Suppliers, we are shaping the future of meetings and events through our collaboration and partnerships. Together, we’re creating attendee experiences that show the value of face-to-face meetings.

Key highlights within this months newsletter include:

  • Spring Student Day
  • 2024 Chapter Award Recipients
  • Upcoming Event Alert: Tuesday, March 18, 11:30am, Chicago Marriott Magnificent Mile

Thank you for being a member of the PCMA Greater Midwest Chapter.

A close up of a signature
Dawn Amaskane, CAE, CMP
President, PCMA Greater Midwest Chapter

​​​Vice President, Governance and Meetings
American Osteopathic Association

2024 Award Recipients

We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our 2024 GMC Award winners. These individuals have exemplified excellence and dedication in our industry.

We also extend our congratulations to the PCMA Foundation Visionary Award Nominees:​

  • Lifetime Achievement Honoree: Carol McGury​

  • Professional Excellence Awards Finalists: Anthony Maggiore (Experience Design of the Year) and Ronnette Phillips (Supplier of the Year)​

Your commitment and contributions have significantly impacted our community, and we are proud to honor your accomplishments.

Awards Event

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Honor the GMC colleagues recognized for their achievements throughout 2024. Hear from former award recipients through an educational panel discussion followed by lunch and award recognition.

Planners – attend this educational luncheon event complementary.  Add your name to the hosted planner form. 

Date:
Tuesday March 18th, 2025
11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Location:
Chicago Marriott Magnificent Mile
540 Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611

Visit the Awards Luncheon Event Page for details and registration!

Table sponsorships available

Student Engagement Days

PCMA Greater Midwest Chapter is partnering with area schools to host a series of student engagement days throughout the year, designed to introduce students to the many career opportunities within the hospitality industry.

We’re kicking things off with our first Student Day in collaboration with DePaul’s School of Hospitality and Sports Business! Join us in Chicago on Friday, April 4th at DePaul’s Daley Building (14 E. Jackson Blvd) for a full day of learning, networking, and an exclusive visit to McCormick Place, the largest convention center in the country.

The day will feature two engaging panel discussions with industry professionals:
🎤 Career Building & Mentorship Panel – Gain insights on career development and professional growth.
🎤 Vendor Spotlight Panel – Explore lesser-known career paths within the industry.

A networking breakfast and lunch will be provided, and we’ll wrap up the day with a closing reception at McCormick Place, sponsored by OVG Hospitality.

When: Friday, April 4th, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Where: DePaul University – Richard M. Daley and Maggie C. Daley Building
14 E. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604 (3rd Floor)

🔗 Registration is free! Follow this link to sign up. All interested students are welcome, and we encourage you to become a PCMA student member (also free)!

Can’t make this one? Stay tuned—more Student Engagement Days are coming soon!

Member Mondays

The Marketing Committee wants to show off our members!  Fill out our Member Monday form to be featured on our social media channels this year!

Please follow, like, and share our social media posts on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Mentor/Mentee Program

Are you a student or new to the industry and looking for someone to share their experiences and help you make connections? The GMC PCMA mentorship program can be your secret weapon for breaking into the world of events and hospitality. By connecting with a mentor you can expect to gain insider knowledge, practice interview skills, and start building that all-important network.Are you an industry professional with a depth of knowledge that you are eager to share with others that are just getting started? This could be your chance to give back and help mentees navigate the ins and outs of our industry.

Our mentee/mentor program is open and we are looking for mentees and mentors to sign up NOW! Please visit the mentee/mentor page to learn more about the program and fill out the appropriate form to get involved!
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Calendar of Events / Sponsorship Opportunities

The 2025 events calendar will be finalized in the near future. Below is a preliminary view of what is forthcoming:
  • Tuesday, March 18 – Awards Event
  • Thursday, April 3 – Global Meetings Industry Day
  • September – DEI Educational Event
  • October – Experiential Event in collaboration with the CHEST Show at McCormick Place
  • Wednesday,  November 12 – Bowl Bash Annual Auction Fundraiser
  • Wednesday, December 3 – Holiday Mixer
  • Thursday, December 4 –  Association Forum Meeting Planner Track powered by PCMA Greater Midwest Chapter
  • Spring/Fall – Student Engagement Days
  • Virtual Webinar Series: April, May, June, July

Sponsorship Opportunities: As the 2025 event schedule is finalized, there are many sponsorships available for organizations to network with business event strategists in the Midwest region. Please contact [email protected] ​​​​to learn more about sponsorship opportunities

THANK YOU PCMA GMC SPONSORS

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greatermidwestpcmagmailcomMarch 2025 Newsletter