PCMA announced a reorganization aimed at aligning the activities of the PCMA Education Foundation and PCMA. The reorganization consolidates the top positions of the Foundation and PCMA education into one post to be headed by current PCMA executive team member Brad Lewis. In addition, the new 2011-2013 PCMA strategic plan will become more member- and education-focused.
According to the association, PCMA’s revitalized education focus is reflected in the new Annual Meeting Program Committee structure, designed to deliver higher-level education on topics of crucial interest to PCMA’s membership and the industry. This is coupled with what the association describes as redoubled efforts to focus on the critical skills needed for members to excel in the meetings industry and to develop their careers.
The effort stems from the new PCMA 2011-2013 strategic plan. The updated key tenets focused on PCMA members and industry education are “Educating Our Profession,” “Building Community,” Leading the Industry” and “Achieving Financial and Operational Success.”
“We believe having the PCMA Education Foundation and the PCMA education department strategically aligned under singular leadership is a very smart move,” said Deborah Sexton, president and CEO of PCMA and the PCMA Education Foundation. “This move allows the Foundation not to miss a beat while energizing the continued, renewed focus on education we’re always trying to do at PCMA.”
The elevation of Lewis to this new role has created other staff changes and promotions at PCMA.
Robert Zak, director of marketing and communications, will now serve as senior director of marketing and communications. Kristin Crane, manager of education, will now become director of education. PCMA team members Stacey Shafer and Erin Shamus will also take on additional foundation responsibilities.
To help build upon the “Building Community” tenet of the new strategic plan, Dorothy Kolpak, formerly a 24-year veteran with Sonesta Hotels and Resorts, was hired as associate director of membership development.
For more information about PCMA and the PCMA Education Foundation, visit pcma.org.
