“Power of Purpose: Business Events Industry Week,” is PCMA’s new branding for what was traditionally the Visionary Awards but now co-locates with other events such as Destinations International’s Destination Showcase, IAEE’s Woman’s Leadership Forum, and many more events, all in one week, March 23-25 in Washington, DC. It is a call to action to help move the business events industry forward, past the pandemic. It coincidentally is occurring as many jurisdictions in the country are lifting safety protocols such as mask mandates and vaccination requirements. To me it’s powerful symbolism of getting back to business but still dealing with a shifting environment.

…it will still be incumbent upon us as a community to keep health and safety in the forefront to elevate the industry and differentiate us as professional business event strategists.

Last December, PCMA’s COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard Survey indicated about 60% of the planners that responded planned to require proof of vaccination for their events. In PCMA’s September survey, about 40% of planners indicated they would require proof of vaccination. It will be interesting to see how this trend holds through the next few months with official health protocols loosening. Even so, it will still be incumbent upon us as a community to keep health and safety in the forefront to elevate the industry and differentiate us as professional business event strategists.

The next few months are quite busy. Almost immediately after Business Events Industry Week we will be hosting our annual Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID), on April 7 at the Ronald Regan Building and International Trade Center. While we will be offering a day of education and advocacy awareness, like last year, we will also be conducting virtual “Hill Visits.” Advocating to Congress on issues of vital importance to our industry is so critical. Representatives from other Chapters across the country will be joining us to lend their voices to ours as a united message to Congress.

Spring is just around the corner, and it represents a season of new beginnings. I feel the same way with Business Events Industry Week and GMID just around the corner. Together, we are building a new beginning for our meetings and events, one step at a time. I hope to see many of you at one of the events during Business Events Industry Week and the Chapter’s GMID event. Spring has truly sprung!

Marcus Eng, CMP, DES | 2022 PCMA Capital Chapter President