‘I Am a Chapter Volunteer’

PCMA Events Corporate Global Summit Glasgow, Scotland

Thought Leaders Forum Toronto

Sept. 19–21

Global Professionals Conference Las Vegas

Oct. 11–12

Mark Your Calendar Industry Events

GBTA Convention 2012 Boston

July 22–26 July 22–25

ASAE Annual Meeting Dallas

Aug. 11–14

Incentive Works 2012 Toronto

Aug. 21–22

Pinny for Your Thoughts

PCMA is on Pinterest, the fast-growing social network that allows users to “pin” images and content to an online pinboard. (See a Working Smarter article about Pinterest on p. 38.) So far, PCMA’s profile — found at pinterest.com/pcmahq — has designated boards for the 2012 Education Conference in San Antonio, Convening Leaders 2012 in San Diego, the upcoming Convening Leaders 2013 in Orlando, as well as boards devoted to industry articles, PCMA blog posts, and videos. The more you interact with our pinboards, the more we’ll know about the kind of content you would like to see and to share. So follow us, and repin away!

When I was new to PCMA, I knew the best way to meet people was to get involved. Since my first experience as a GMC (Greater Midwest Chapter) Program Committee volunteer, I have served on the chapter Membership Committee and Board of Directors. I have made wonderful friends because I am a chapter volunteer.

Cookie B. Walner,CMP, CMM, CAE, Manager of Events, American Hardware Manufacturers Association

CHAPTER CORNER

Deconstructing Service- Level Agreements

Debi Scholar, GLP, CMM, CMP, SSGB, CTE, CTT, author of Strategic Meetings Management: The Strategy Quick Reference Guide,

presented “Create a Master Hotel Agreement With Service-Level Agreements (SLAs)” on April 24 at an NYPCMA Chapter event at The New Yorker Hotel in New York City. Scholar’s talk, which reviewed SMM as a way to increase efficiency and demonstrate ROI, discussed how master hotel contracts can reduce risk and how SLAs can be used for quality assurance and to create benchmarking metrics. (For an article by Scholar about SLAs, see convn.org/scholar-sla.)

Rewarding Excellence

PCMA members are among the best and brightest in the meetings and conventions industry. To recognize their outstanding service and achievement, PCMA presents several annual awards: Distinguished Meeting Professional of the Year, Member of the Year, Service Professional of the Year, Educator of the Year, Emerging Leader, Environmental Leadership, Innovation, Outstanding Service to a Chapter, and Spirit Award. Nominations are solicited from members, and awards are presented at Convening Leaders. To nominate a colleague, visit pcma.org/ Membership/Awards-and -Recognition.htm. The deadline for nominations is Aug. 5.

When I was asked to chair the Sponsorship Committee of the Heartland Chapter, I was nervous, but I knew it was time to get involved. I’m now treasurer, and there is nothing so great as volunteering for a PCMA chapter to further one’s career in the industry. I’ve learned so much from my extended pool of colleagues and have been touched by their kindness.

Ronda Vaughn,CMP, Director of Meeting Services, Optimist International

PCMA.ORG JUNE 2012 PCMA CONVENE 13