Coffee & Conversations is a must see conversational series of industry professionals sharing their stories and offering advice and strategies to those interested in pursuing a career in the meeting planning industry. Episode 3 features Heart Rhythm Society CEO Patricia Blake, FASAE, CAE.

Coffee & Conversations is a product of the Emerging Professionals Committee of the PCMA Capital Chapter. If you know a leader whose story should be featured in an upcoming episode email Dana Johnston, CMP.

As Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Blake leads the 7,000+ member professional society in its goal to end death and suffering due to heart rhythm disorders. Ms. Blake joined HRS in March 2019 and is privileged to continue to expand HRS’ position as the premier global resource for information on heart arrhythmias, which serve over 35,000 constituents across six countries.

Patricia Blake began her association career as a meeting planner for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in Dearborn, Michigan. She relocated to Minneapolis to join the American Academy of Neurology where she ultimately served as the Deputy Executive Director. Pat and her family relocated again to Chicago to serve as the Executive Director for the Emergency Nurses Association. In 2002, she was named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) a 15,000 member professional medical association.

Throughout her career, Pat’s deep understanding of organizational culture and small group dynamics has enabled her to work effectively with member leaders and staff to transform, build and grow each organization she has served. Her strong believe in collaboration and patient focus has served as a cornerstone of her leadership. Ms. Blake served as a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Business Services Board, was named an ASAE Fellow in 2013, served as a Director on the ASAE Board, and is currently the ASAE Foundation Chair and the Chair-elect of ASAE. Ms. Blake is a former Chair and an active member of the Key Professional Associations Committee (KPAC). She is a past Board member and Chair of the Association Forum of Chicagoland and the 2014-15 Shapiro Award recipient.

William A. Scurry, II, MBA, CMP is a highly-motivated individual with over twenty (20) years of strategic event and meeting planning experience. He has managed an impressive list of events with multimillion-dollar budgets, ranging from less than 20 attendees to more than 10,000 attendees. Given his career focus on increasing the visibility of mission driven organizations; his experience, skills, personality, and aspirations, fit the position entrepreneur. He has spent years developing expertise in mission-critical logistics. Mr. Scurry is responsible for overseeing the creative and strategic direction of 7 Pointe Planning and providing a strategic framework for the conceptualization and execution of the clients’ event operations. He is currently developing a boutique brand, Anthony Event Designs, that will specialize in creating stories and multisensory event experiences.

A relentless pursuit of positive outcomes, creativity, and an eagerness to learn has characterized all his professional roles. Mr. Scurry’s experience provides him with the skills and insights to create and deliver event solutions with high quality, meticulous execution, and the highest level of customer service in a fast-paced environment. A personable and influential communicator, he continuously strives for win-win solutions with all stakeholders, illustrative of his strong relationships with vendors and ability to secure preferred rates, dates, and spaces for clients. Mr. Scurry has served as a Project Director, Senior Logistics Director, and Senior Meeting Planner on numerous logistical contracts for several Private- and Public-sector contracts. He supervises meeting planners, logistic coordinators, and other staff to ensure that project activities are performed in accordance with task order requirements and contract schedules.

Mr. Scurry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. He successfully made a transition from Mechanical Engineering to Event and Meeting Planning with the support of a Master of Business Administration degree, with a concentration in Events Management, from The George Washington University in Washington, DC.