Mission
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.
Value Statements
Selfless Service: Exist in service to the profession and members.
Integrity: Display integrity in action.
Transparency: Respect through open communication.
Innovation: Open-minded to unique ideas.
Collaboration: Empower the business events community through collaboration and common interests with other organizations.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Commit to creating and sustaining a community that promotes and values diversity, equity and inclusion.
Board of Directors
Phillip Ridley, CMP - President -
Director, Meetings & Events Emergency Nurses Association
Joni Opperman - President-Elect -
Assistant Managing Director, Association Group Sales Hilton Worldwide Sales
Ronnette Phillips - Secretary -
Director of Sales, Association Hilton Worldwide Sales
Michelle Scherer, CMP, DES - Treasurer -
Strategic Event Manager American Association of Endodontists
Dawn Amaskane, CMP, CAE - Immediate Past-President -
Vice President, Governance and Meetings American Osteopathic Association
Anthony Maggiore III - Director, Planner -
VP, Event Strategy American Academy of Physician Associates
Marissa Ritter - Director, Planner -
Director: Meetings and Convention Services Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
Joe Kordecki - Director, Supplier -
Vice President of Sales & Strategy Viper Tradeshow Services, Inc
Earla J. Jones, MS, CMP - Director, Planner -
Events Director American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
Tim O'Brien - Sponsorship Liaison -
Director of National Accounts Hotel Nikko San Francisco
Jaime Smith, CMP - Marketing Liaison -
Business Development Executive Event EQ
Hannah Lier - Administrator -
Executive Director Impact AMC
Committee Leadership
Awards Committee:
Co-Chair, Jennifer Pesicka, Hilton Worldwide
Co-Chair, Lori Adlesick, Choose Chicago
C.A.R.E. (Community, Access, Respect, Empowerment) Committee:
Co-Chair, Kevin Brown, American Hospital Association
Co-Chair, Krista Lebrun, American Institute of Steel Construction
Member Engagement Committee:
Co-Chair, Cathy Ryan, Passport Meetings
Co-Chair, Kathy Sinnen, Wespath Benefits and Investments
Co-Chair, Sheila Provenzano, Visit Denver
NextGen Committee:
Co-Chair, Charlie Wasson, American Institute of Steel Construction
Co-Chair, Rockkeeya Brooks, American College of Surgeons
Marketing Committee:
Co-Chair, Robin McWilliams, Motion + Power Manufacturers Alliance
Co-Chair, Moriah Hathaway, T3 Expo
Professional Development Committee:
Co-Chair, Ronny Kay, American Society of Nephrology
Co-Chair, Ryan Shehu, Visit Detroit
Sponsorship & Industry Relations Committee:
Co-Chair, Jackie Bellan, Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists
Co-Chair, Adrienne Nudo, Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau
Past Presidents
2025 Dawn Amaskane
2024 Yolanda Simmons Battle
2023 Kelly Jena
2022 Kristi Casale
2021 Molly Witges
2020 Rachael Riggs
2019 Douglas Dvorak
2018 Murray Ryan
2017 Sandy Reynolds
2016 Hilary Rosenthal
2015 Catherine Mills
2014 Julie Mullins
2013 Colleen Donohoe
2012 Katie Bender
2011 David Almond
2010 Scott Romane
2009 Michael McCurry
2008 Paul Miller
2007 Teri Jarvie
2006 Andrea Field
2005 John Folks
2004 Lora Stanley
2003 Teri Tonioli
2002 Louise Polchelski
2001 Laurie Fitzgerald
2000 Nancy Kay Olson
1999 Laurie Behncke
1998 Dick Barton
1997 Lisa Sykes
1995 Diane Dale
1996 Paul Jay
1994 Charles Watts
1993 Barbara Connell