The Vancouver Convention Centre, Tourism Vancouver and the local hospitality community will welcome the Professional Convention Management Association’s (PCMA) flagship education conference, Convening Leaders. Now open for registration, PCMA’s 60th annual Convening Leaders conference will bring 4,000 industry-leading meeting planners and suppliers to the Vancouver Convention Centre.
The three days of unparalleled networking and education between January 10 and 13, 2016 will showcase the latest innovations in event technology, meeting design and business event strategy. In addition to contributing an estimated $6.2 million in direct spending to the BC economy, the convention represents millions of dollars of potential future meetings business for Vancouver.
Deborah Sexton, PCMA President and CEO said, “The LEED® Platinum certified Vancouver Convention Centre, located on the waterfront in the heart of downtown Vancouver, is the perfect venue for Convening Leaders. This is the first time PCMA will be holding this program in Vancouver; discovering the city’s unique attributes and vibe will be of extreme interest to PCMA’s diverse audiences.”
Claire Smith, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Vancouver Convention Centre and Co-Chair of the Vancouver Host Committee said, “Hosting the best and brightest in our industry is a tremendous opportunity – PCMA Convening Leaders will be the largest site inspection in Vancouver’s history. Influential decision makers from across North America and around the world will experience Vancouver and our facility first-hand and learn why we are a leading destination for meetings and conventions – one that continues to attract the pinnacle of events, of which we are now proud to include Convening Leaders.”
Dave Gazley, Vice President of Meeting and Convention Sales, Tourism Vancouver and Co-Chair of the Vancouver Host Committee commented, “Bidding on and securing citywide conventions is a highly competitive business – when Vancouver welcomes Convening Leaders in January, we’ll have the sustained attention of the world’s foremost meeting and convention professionals, as well as our industry colleagues. PCMA’s annual meeting puts a spotlight, and microscope, on the host destination. It is an incredible opportunity for Vancouver to pull out all the stops and demonstrate the skill, creativity and passion we put into hosting meetings, conventions and events.”
