The principal purpose of the Greater Midwest Chapter of the Professional Convention Management Association shall be to increase the effectiveness of meetings and conventions through member industry education and promotion of the value of the meetings industry in the Midwest Region.
Board of Directors
Molly Witges - President -
Director, Strategic Solutions Maritz Global Events Inc.
Kristi Casale - President-Elect -
Senior Director of Meetings and CE American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Kelly Jena - Treasurer -
Meeting Manager American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
Jennifer Sommers - Secretary -
Key Account Director IHG
Chris Gowe - Immediate Past President -
WellBeing Leader Maritz Global Events Inc.
Mia Friel - Director of Marketing -
Director of Meetings American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Kris Jebson - Director of Membership Engagement -
Director, Global Sales Mgm Resorts International
Tamara Jones - Director of Community Service & IDE Taskforce -
Director, Association Sales Choose Chicago
Bob Kobosky - Director of Awards -
Vice President Global Accounts ConferenceDirect
Christine Melendes - Director of Professional Development -
Senior VP, Events & Strategic Projects Association for Corporate Growth
Norma Taylor - Director of Sponsorship & Industry Relations -
Regional Manager Tourisme Montreal
Frank Passanante - 2021 PCMA Board Liaison -
Senior Vice President - Hilton Worldwide Sales - Americas Hilton Worldwide
Committee Leadership
Awards Committee:
Co-Chair, Patricia Olejnik, CED Association of Legal Administrators
Co-Chair, Barbara Thavis, Hilton
Community Services Committee
Co-Chair, Wendy Carranza, CMP, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
Co-Chair, Aileen Laracuente Rivera, CIS, MS Total Hospitality Industry Solutions
Member Engagement Committee
Chair, Lindsay Williams, GES – Global Experience Specialists
Student Subcommittee
Chair, Colleen Bingle, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Regional Subcommittee
Chair, Wendy Freiwald, ACT/EXPOCAD
Marketing Committee:
Co-Chair, Alli Shebeck, DMCP, PRA Business Events
Co-Chair, Julianne Touhy, American Bar Association
Professional Development Committee
Co-Chair, Joe Wilush, onPeak
Co-Chair, Sherry Vale, Visit Baltimore
Experience Subcommittee
Chair, Bonnie Stetz, CMP, National Association of Realtors
Sponsorship & Industry Relations Committee
Chair, Roz Stuttley, CMP, Choose Chicago
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity Taskforce
Chair, Yolanda Simmons Battle, CMP, AHIMA
Past Presidents
2020 Rachael Riggs
2018 Murray Ryan
2016 Hilary Rosenthal
2014 Julie Mullins
2012 Katie Bender
2010 Scott Romane
2008 Paul Miller
2006 Andrea Field
2004 Lora Stanley
2002 Louise Polchelski
2000 Nancy Kay Olson
1998 Dick Barton
1996 Paul Jay
1994 Charles Watts
2019 Douglas Dvorak
2017 Sandy Reynolds
2015 Catherine Mills
2013 Colleen Donohoe
2011 David Almond
2009 Michael McCurry
2007 Teri Jarvie
2005 John Folks
2003 Teri Tonioli
2001 Laurie Fitzgerald
1999 Laurie Behncke
1997 Lisa Sykes
1995 Diane Dale
1993 Barbara Connell