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January 2012 PCMA is betting big on hosted-buyer programs in 2012.Here’s why.
PCMA is placing added emphasis on its expanded schedule of hosted-buyer programs—across North America and around the world. If you haven’t crossed paths with one yet, a hosted-buyer program is where sup- pliers pay the way for buyers—in this case, meeting planners—to attend a conference or trade show, in exchange for business appointments with those suppliers.
PCMA will be bringing hosted-buyer groups to the fol-
lowing upcoming meetings and trade shows: IMEXFrankfurt, May 22–24 PCMA Education Conference, June 10–13, San Antonio
AIBTM, June 19–21, Baltimore Convene Forum, July or August, specific date and location TBA IMEXAmerica, Oct. 9–11, Las Vegas EIBTM, Nov. 27–29, Barcelona PCMA 2013 Convening Leaders, Jan. 13–16, Orlando
Of course, many of these shows have their
TAKING FRANKFURT BYSTORM: PCMA hosted buyers to IMEX Frankfurt 2011 included (from left to right) Anthony Celenza, Aida Campbell,PCMA’s Michelle Stoddard, Mark Page, Kathy Callender, and Margo Price.
“PCMA believes that the hosted-buyer model is a
great opportunity for planners to meet with a wide vari- ety of suppliers, with a couple days out of the office, and with education as well,” said PCMA Specialist for Global Initiatives Michelle Stoddard, who coordinates PCMA’s hosted-buyer programs.
own hosted-buyer programs, so why should you choose to apply through PCMA? “The benefit of coming with PCMA is that membership cama- raderie, and that you are building the global PCMA community,” Stoddard said. “You’re going with your peers, and you’re able to interact with a small number of buyers and build relation- ships with them.” The number of hosted buyers who can be at each show varies by the event, as do the
requirements to attend. Some events are open to both PCMA members and non-members, while others are open only to PCMA members, among other restrictions. For more info about these hosted-buyer programs— and how to qualify—visit http://bit.ly/pcma-hosted -buyer or email executiveadministration@pcma.org.
SO HOT RIGHT NOW: To learn more about hosted-buyer programs, specifically as they relate to the newAIBTM and IMEX