The Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom in Washington, DC signaling the change in seasons. PCMA has also concluded a busy inaugural Business Events Industry Week which, like Spring, seemed to signal a shift in business events. Everywhere, face-to-face events are returning, and hotel occupancy is creeping up. However, there are uncertainties we are still facing. What are the appropriate safety protocols? How do we deal with new clauses appearing in contracts? How do we successfully plan meetings in half the normal time? These are all things I am feeling and experiencing as I know many of you are as well. Like Spring though, it is a growing process and one that we will get through together.
Our next stop on our road trip together is Global Meetings Industry Day – Meet Safe (GMID), hosted at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on April 7. Advocating for and raising awareness of our industry is so vitally important. It really was one of the main themes I took away from the Business Events Industry Week. We have come a long way since people enter this industry unintentionally. While there are many hospitality and meeting programs in colleges and universities across the world, we need to do more to nurture and grow these programs.
Nature is hard at work restoring life, just as we are hard at work restoring business events.
At GMID, we will look towards the next generation of advocates and discuss the future of the business events industry. I am so pleased Desiree Knight, CAE, CMP, DES, Chair-Elect of PCMA will join us along with several other terrific speakers. I would be remiss to not congratulate our Government Relations and Advocacy Committee, staff, and all of our volunteer leaders for putting together a powerful program. I hope to see many of you at GMID.
My last message to you is one that emphasizes well-being. It is stressful dealing with an ever-changing landscape amidst war, the 24-hour media cycle, and drastically shortened deadlines. We are, if anything, a close-knit community. Support is around and I encourage you to reach out if needed. It is easy to get lost in work, battling your inbox but Spring is here. Take a moment to stop and recognize the beauty around you. Nature is hard at work restoring life, just as we are hard at work restoring business events.
Marcus Eng, CMP, DES | 2022 PCMA Capital Chapter President