PCMA's 51st Annual Meeting in Toronto a Success!
More than 3,100 meeting industry professionals attended the 51st PCMA Annual Meeting at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre January 7-10, 2007.
Saturday and Sunday Highlights
On Saturday, volunteers gave back to the Toronto community with hands-on service projects as part of PCMA's Hospitality Helping Hands program at the Scott Mission and Ina Grafton Gage Home. Click here for a gallery of photos.
On Sunday, Chapter Leaders and faculty took part in specialized workshops. The sold-out education program Executive Edge "Innovation by Design" also got underway at the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management. Click here for a gallery of photos.
1st time attendees and PCMA veterans sat down together for the successful PCMA+ Orientation, while many other PCMA members spent the day studying at the CMP® Cram Course. Click here for a gallery of photos.
On Sunday night, attendees were wowed by the Canadian Tourism Commission's Opening Welcome Reception: "Canada. Keep Exploring" that entertained guests with live ice sculpting, fireworks, confetti, interactive video postcards and an enormous video wall.Click here for a gallery of photos.
Monday Highlights
At Monday's General Session, Marshall Goldsmith was the featured speaker. He advised the audience to lose their obsession with winning, and signed and gave away 1,000 copies of his new book, "What Got You Here Won't Get You There."
Following the Celebrate PCMA Awards Luncheon (click here for a gallery of photos) , attendees enjoyed numerous concurrent sessions including “Evolution or Revolution? The Next Generation of CVBs” and “Listen Up if You Want to Become a World-Class Leader!” Executive Edge also wrapped up with a collage of creative ideas, where attendees learned how to dream up innovative ideas through the design process.
 The evening began with chapter receptions and finished at Party With A Purpose (PWAP), where hundreds gathered at This is London for the PCMA Education Foundation's 14th annual fundraiser. Party goers enjoyed dancing in a fun and relaxing environment with plenty of areas to network and enjoy the club's music and atmosphere. Proceeds from this event benefited YOUTHLINK, a Toronto charity whose mission is to support vulnerable youth in making positive life choices, the PCMA Education Foundation and the PCMA Network for the Needy program. Click here for a gallery of photos.
Tuesday Highlights
Attendees were inspired and entertained at the Tuesday General Session. After the PCMA Education Foundation Board of Trustees chair, John Patronski passed the gavel to 2007 Board of Trustees chair, Gary Seibert, the audience was treated to more of Toxic Audio’s unique sounds and a surprise announcement. Reba Pittman Walker, CEO and general manager, Washington D.C. Convention Center (WCC), announced the WCC exclusive silent auction.
Mike Lipkin, president of Environics/Lipkin, was the featured speaker at Tuesday's General Session. He is an author, motivator and persuasion coach who has worked in 22 countries. He encouraged attendees to be good listeners and explained that when you are perceived as a good listener, others will be more likely to speak to you, bring you ideas and create opportunities for you. Click here for a gallery of photos.
 Hundreds of attendees enjoyed a total of nine experiential learning sessions created by PCMA and L(earn)2 such as "Save the Titanic," where participants donned sailor hats and life preservers as they tried to overcome overwhelming obstacles. Experiential learning sessions began Monday with "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" at the Bata Shoe Museum and "Artistic Food Presentation" at the Fairmont Royal York. To view a gallery of photos, click here.
Click here to contact a member of the L(earn)2 Solutions Team or to fill out a Needs Assessment Form.
PCMA is heading west for the 2008 Annual Meeting in Seattle, and attendees were welcomed to enjoy a taste of next year at the Seattle Kick-off Luncheon. Click here for a gallery of photos.
The Plenary Session “Winds of Change: Five Forces Re-Shaping the Meetings Industry” drew large numbers of attendees interested in discovering what five macro trends will most impact the industry. Click here for a gallery of photos.
 The evening drew to a close with the spectacular “Networking Reception: Ontario - a Destination for all Seasons,” sponsored by Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership, Niagara Parks Commission and Ottawa Tourism. More than 10,000 flowers decorated stunning seasonal rooms that featured more than 200 food items representing the specialties of the regions of Niagara, Ottawa, Toronto and Muskoka. Click here for a gallery of photos.
Wednesday Highlights
Attendees had outstanding choices of education programs including the Masters Series, Crisis Management, and Experiential Learning sessions. As part of the Masters Series, impressive presentations were offered by Dr. Roch Parayre, Managing Director of Executive Development Decision Strategies International, Inc., J.P. Pawliw-Fry, President of the Institute for Health & Human Potential and Dr. Jack Phillips, President of the ROI Institute, Inc. Click here for a gallery of photos.
 Following a luncheon sponsored by Mexico Tourism Board, PCMA Chairman Leigh Wintz passed the gavel to 2007 PCMA Chairman Sharon DelaBarre. With the help of Hospitality Industry Relief Fund Chair Teri Jarvie, Leigh Wintz also presented checks for $104,000 each to the recipients of the fund: Seedco Financial Services’ Restaurant Recovery Initiative and The Build Back the Coast Fund.
 Then the 2007 Annual Meeting closed with a general session featuring Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, with moderator Campbell Brown, co-anchor of NBC's "Weekend Today" show, sponsored by Leading Authorities, Inc. During a lively debate, they discussed the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and other international issues impacting the meetings and convention industry. Click here for a gallery of photos.
 
Did you enjoy Mark Walberg and Toxic Audio at the 2007 PCMA Annual Meeting? Click here for more information on how you can book them for your next event or request a complimentary Toxic Audio CD.
To download PDFs of the official daily publication of the PCMA Annual Meeting, please click on the covers of PCMA Daily 1, 2 or 3 below.
Save the Date for the 2008 PCMA Annual Meeting in Seattle, January 13-16
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