PCMA, NEW STRATEGIC PARTNERS – TOURISM VANCOUVER AND VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE ENHANCES PCMA'S GLOBAL INITIATIVES

Chicago, IL (March 28, 2011) – The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) today announced Tourism Vancouver and Vancouver Convention Centre as new Strategic Partners. The Strategic Partnership will further assist in developing PCMA’s global brand in education, business networking and provide cutting edge resources to support all PCMA members.

“Vancouver has been a big supporter of PCMA for many years and we are very excited about what this new Strategic Partnership will mean for our members and the meetings industry,” said PCMA President and CEO, Deborah Sexton. “Vancouver has helped PCMA deliver executive level meetings and business education at our Executive Edge programs, and hosted PCMA’s Leadership Conference (now the Education Conference) back in 2005.” Sexton also added, “Vancouver will play an important role as PCMA grows its global presence and international membership, specifically in the Pacific Rim and Asia markets. ”

Vancouver, alongside the Hawaii Convention Center, is a also a major supporter of the PCMA 2011 International Summit, October 12-14th in Las Vegas, NV, marking the first time it will be hosted in the U.S. in conjunction with the 1st Annual IMEX America.

“Vancouver’s entire meeting, convention and hospitality community is thrilled about this newly elevated relationship with PCMA and the opportunities it will create,” says Dave Gazley, Vice President, Meeting and Convention Sales at the Vancouver Convention and Visitors Bureau.”Vancouver has always truly valued being part of the PCMA family. PCMA members represent the leaders of our industry today and those that will do so in the future. As well, the staff that make up the PCMA team are the best.”

“We’re very excited to align ourselves with PCMA and its important community of meeting professionals,” says Claire Smith, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Vancouver Convention Centre. “Like PCMA, Vancouver is committed to excellence and innovation and this partnership will allow us to work together on a different level to help support and strengthen our industry.”

In 2011 Vancouver’s support of PCMA education and events will also include the upcoming PCMA Education Conference, held June 20-23rd in Baltimore, the PCMA Education Foundation Dinner, April 27th in Washington D.C., and the PCMA Education Foundation Partnership Summit, April 30th – May 3rd in Scottsdale, Arizona. More information about these events is available a pcma.org.

###

About PCMA
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) is the source for education, professional resources and advocacy for the meeting, convention and exhibition industry. Founded in 1957, PCMA represents more than 6000 meeting management professionals from associations, non-profit organizations, corporations, independent meeting planning companies, multi-management firms, and association executives who recognize the importance of meetings to their organization. PCMA provides members with the tools they need to succeed as meeting professionals and to promote the value of the industry to their organizations and the general public. Headquartered in Chicago, PCMA has 17 chapters throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. For additional information, please visit the PCMA Web site at pcma.org.