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
Kristi Casale, CMP, DMCP - President -
Vice President of Meetings and CE American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Kelly Jena, CMP, DES - President-Elect -
Meeting Manager American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
Molly Witges, CMP, DES - Immediate Past-President -
Senior Director, Customer Engagement Questex Media Group
Jennifer Sommers - Secretary -
Key Account Director IHG
Tamara Jones - Treasurer -
Senior Director, Conventions & Tradeshows Choose Chicago
Kris Jebson - Director -
Director, Global Sales MGM Resorts International
Christine Melendes, CAE - Director -
CEO PCMA Greater Midwest Chapter
Lindsay Williams, CMP - Director -
Senior Manager, Business Development GES
Colleen Bagnasco, CAE, CMP - Director -
Executive Director, Strategic Event Management Association Management Center
Norma Taylor, CMP - Director -
Regional Director Tourisme Montreal
Phillip Ridley, CMP - Director -
Meeting Operations Manager Emergency Nurses Association
Jacky Meracle, CAE, CMP, DES - Admin -
Director, Chapter Engagement PCMA
Committee Leadership
Awards Committee:
Co-Chair, Becky Williams, Assistive Technology Industry Association
Co-Chair, Barbara Thavis, Hilton
Community Services Committee
Co-Chair, Wendy Carranza, CMP, American Orthopaedic Foot, and Ankle Society
Co-Chair, Patty Olejnik, CED, DES, Maritz Global Events
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity Committee
Chair, Cherai Lewis, Independent
Member Engagement Committee
Co-Chair, Kara Patten, PMP, Maritz Global Events
Co-Chair, Patti Beese, National Restaurant Association
Student Subcommittee
Chair, Colleen Bingle, CMP, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Marketing Committee:
Co-Chair, Angela Jonker, CMP, DES, Emergency Nurses Association
Co-Chair, Sherry Vale, Visit Baltimore
Professional Development Committee
Co-Chair, Joni Opperman, Hilton
Co-Chair, Bonnie Stetz, CMP, National Association of Realtors
Experience Subcommittee
TBD
Sponsorship & Industry Relations Committee
Co-Chair, Bre Glisan, Caesars Entertainment
Co-Chair, Adrienne Nudo, Hawai’i Visitors Bureau
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
2021 Molly Witges
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