Recap 2025: A Year of Momentum for the Greater Midwest Chapter

The Greater Midwest Chapter has had an incredible year so far—building energy, hosting dynamic events, and strengthening connections across our membership. With the dedication of our committee and volunteers, we’ve already executed six events and three webinars, with four more events still in progress. Our volunteers meet regularly on planning calls, ensuring that every detail aligns to deliver meaningful experiences for our community.

Here’s a look back at our highlights from 2025 so far!

Chapter Leaders Reception at PCMA Convening Leaders – Houston

We kicked off the year in Houston at PCMA’s Convening Leaders with the annual Chapter Leaders Reception. This gathering never fails to unite our Midwest community at one of the industry’s biggest stages. With over 350 attendees, the atmosphere was filled with energy and collaboration. A huge thank you to our Registration Sponsor, Discover Philadelphia, for making it possible for so many planners to attend and connect!

March Awards Recognition Event & Luncheon

Following, we took the time to recognize our hard-working volunteers at the March Awards Recognition Event and Luncheon. This year we went back to a Lunch style event and were able to toast to our incredible winners. We had a panel of incredible minds of the industry sharing how they achieved their previous awards and how those experiences within PCMA have brightened their career. The panel featured Angie Ranalli (San Diego Tourism Authority, 2003 Richard A. “Dick” Daignault Award), Hilary Rosenthal (Sheraton Grand, 2012 GEM Award), Phillip Ridley (Emergency Nurses Association, 2017 Pillar Award), Colleen Bagnasco (Association Management Center, 2024 Robert J. “Bob” Donovan Award) and then celebrated our 2024 award winners:

• GEM Award: Martha Gomez, Choose Chicago
• Pillar Award: Sheila Provenzano, Visit Denver
• President’s award: Jennifer Salerno, Royal Sonesta Hotels of Chicago
• Richard A. “Dick” Daignault Award: Molly Witges, Freeman
• Robert J. “Bob” Donnovan Award: colleen Bagnasco, Association Management Center
• Spirit Award: Brittany Smiley, The Meeting Planner

Celebrating the big and small moments is important to our community and it was so incredible to have the support of all our sponsors:

• Venue Partners: Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile and Encore
• Education: Visit Anchorage
• Photo Booth: Destination Reps
• Photography: MK Photography
• Table Sponsors:  Association Management Center, Atlanta CVB, Choose Chicago, Choose Chicago, Hilton, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Louisville Tourism, Meet Hawaii, San Diego Tourism Authority, Visit Denver, Visit Indy

GMC Pickleball Classic – A Smash Hit!

After celebrations, we served up a success first GMC Pickleball Classic. With 38 teams and over 70 cheerleaders, the courts were alive with competitive spirit and camaraderie. Attendees fueled up on a Portillo’s lunch (thanks to Experience Columbus), beverages from Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, and cornhole fun courtesy of Visit Indy. We are grateful to our sponsors for helping making each serve worth it – 

• Presenting Sponsor: Visit Seattle
• Cabana Sponsors: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and The Palm Beaches
• Court sponsors: Accor, Choose Chicago, Event Transportation Systems, Visit Houston
• Locker-room Sponsor: Destination Reps
• Water Station: Meetings Calgary
• Foursome Sponsors: AV Chicago Inc., Caesars Entertainment National Meetings & Events, Loews Hotels, Louisville Tourism, Visit Baltimore, Visit San Diego

DEI Education Event – Leading with Impact

The year continued to start off our very busy fall with our DEI Education Event in September. DEI Education is an initiative the GMC has proudly continued our chapter’s commitment to in championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our industry. Our education was sponsored by our continuous supporter, Destination Toronto, and kicked off with Michael Dominguez, President & CEO, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) sharing his experience with navigating diversity throughout his career. His insights were met with the breakout conversations and panel moderated by Cie Armstead, Owner & Principal of Owlservations, LLC, including Tyronne Stoudemire (Hyatt Hotels Corporation), and Sharon White (National Association of Realtors). The attendee’s engagement helped to bring these conversations to the forefront. Thanks to our sponsors—including Destination Toronto, Meet Chicago Northwest, AV Chicago, and Choose Chicago—we were able to foster important conversations that empower our members to carry this work forward into their own organizations.

Milwaukee Mingle – Expanding Our Reach

Also in September, we took GMC beyond Chicago with the Milwaukee Mingle, paired with Destination Reps’ Destination Celebration and Milwaukee’s Bike Night at Harley-Davidson. With over 60 registered attendees, this expansion event was a lively success, enhanced by sponsorship from Visit Milwaukee, Visit Fort Worth, and AV Chicago.

Webinars – Knowledge Without Borders

Virtually, we also held three webinars! As a free resource for members and an option for those who don’t live nearby or have busy schedules, we worked hard to put together an impressive line up – In June, we were provided insight into AI Powered Event Planning: Tools, Ethics and ROI by Brittany Conway, a super user supplier from Visit Indy. In August, we had a conversation around Sustainability Redefined: Pioneering Strategies for Impactful Events that was led by Bth Surmont, and engaged Ellie Gurley and Patrick Macellaio both sharing insights as a client and a venue on providing the important questions for us to ask to help build the sustainability conversation. In September, Donna Johnson who is Vice President of Strategic Business Operations at MCI USA led the conversation on Navigating the New Era of Pricing Transparency. She helped to bring to light important conversations and to have them often and early to have transparent pricing contracts and conversations. 

Looking ahead, we’re not slowing down yet! There’s still so much to look forward to in 2025. Thank you to our members, volunteers, and sponsors for making this momentum possible. We can’t wait to see you at our upcoming events!

• October 21 @ 10 am– 1 pm: Behind the Scenes: American College of Chest Physicians Annual Meeting (CHEST 2025)
• November 12 @ 5 pm– 8 pm: Bowl Bash 2025 (discounts for anyone attending Fashion Show!)
• December 3 @ 6 pm– 7:30 pm: GMC Holiday Mixer
• December 4 @ 8:30 am– 11 am: Association Forum Holiday Showcase – Meeting Planner Track (Register through Association Forum to attend)