Friday, January 24, 2025
Sheriff Karamat, CAE, the President and CEO of PCMA and CEMA, is excited to unveil the 2025 Visionary Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Honorees and Professional Excellence Finalists. Scheduled for Thursday, April 10, during the Business Events Industry Week (BEIW) at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., this event celebrates the foremost contributors to the global business events sector.
Announced at Convening Leaders 2025 in Houston, Texas, the esteemed recipients of the 2025 Visionary Awards include:
2025 Lifetime Achievement Honorees:
2025 Lifetime Supplier Honorees:
Elliott Ferguson has been a prominent figure in the travel and hospitality industry for over 35 years, displaying exceptional leadership and a dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. His involvement in initiatives such as the Tourism Recovery District in Washington, D.C., has elevated the city’s profile as a prime location for business events.
Lyn Lewis-Smith, as CEO of BESydney, has significantly advocated for diversity, inclusion, and gender equity in business events. Her leadership in the Advancing Women in Business Events report, a collaborative effort with PCMA and PwC UK, has provided actionable insights to address leadership gender disparities and enhance industry inclusivity.
2025 Lifetime Educator Honoree:
Professor Donald Getz has been a trailblazer in the academic exploration of event management, enriching the field with his extensive research, publications, and teachings. His texts are foundational for students and educators worldwide, solidifying event management as a recognized discipline.
2025 Lifetime Business Events Strategists:
Carol McGury has influenced the business events industry through her 35-year tenure at Smithbucklin and her role as PCMA’s 2019 Foundation Chair. Her initiatives have supported educational and workforce development, providing scholarships and mentoring opportunities for aspiring event professionals.
David Peckinpaugh has spent over three decades enriching the business events sector, emphasizing the transformative power of events in forging meaningful connections and achieving business success. His leadership at Maritz and involvement with PCMA have been instrumental in championing the value of human potential in the industry.
The 2025 Visionary Awards will recognize these leaders for their pioneering contributions to innovation, education, and inclusivity in the business events arena.
“We look forward to celebrating and honoring the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Honorees and Professional Excellence Finalists as they represent unmatched dedication and remarkable impact for the future of the global business events industry,” said Karamat.
The ceremony will also spotlight the Professional Excellence Finalists across seven distinguished categories, acknowledging their significant contributions to their organizations and their role in advancing professional development within the industry. The categories and finalists are as follows:
IMPACT AWARD:
OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO A CHAPTER OR REGION:
BUSINESS EVENTS STRATEGIST OF THE YEAR:
DIGITAL EXPERIENCE STRATEGIST OF THE YEAR:
EXPERIENCE DESIGN OF THE YEAR:
GROUNDBREAKER:
BUSINESS EVENTS SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR:
Co-hosted by Visit Austin and the Austin Convention Center, the 2025 PCMA Visionary Awards stand as a key fundraising initiative for the PCMA Foundation, channeling proceeds into scholarships and programs that foster industry advancement, benefiting students, faculty, and professionals annually.
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