The proposed 2027 board for the association has Bank of America’s senior vice president and Asia Pacific head of global events, Deborah Caldwell, as its chair-elect and Marina Bay Sands’ vice president of sales and MICE, Ong Wee Min, as secretary-treasurer.
Assuming they are elected, the pair would be the first amongst the board’s executive based in the Asia Pacific in PCMA’s 70-year history.
Caldwell is based in Hong Kong, while Min is based in Singapore.
Should the proposed 2027 board be approved by PCMA’s members, Caldwell will be chair of the board in 2028.
“PCMA is strongest when we bring together leaders from across the globe who are committed to a bold vision for the business events industry,” said PCMA CEO, Sherrif Karamat.
“The proposed slate brings experience, strategic insight and a clear commitment to service.
“Collectively, their leadership will help us advance Vision 2030, deepen the value we deliver to our community and continue shaping PCMA’s next chapter.”
The move to elect Caldwell to head up the board follows the election of Neil Brownlee, head of business events at Visit Scotland, as chair for 2025, becoming the first PCMA board chair from outside North America.
Incidentally, it was Brownlee, now immediate past chair and nominating committee chair, who delivered the proposed board to Karamat, ahead of its presentation to the association’s membership.
“Our industry continues to evolve, and PCMA’s vision of being the platform for the global business events industry requires strategic leaders who anticipate change, bring people together and create value for the communities we serve,” said Brownlee.
“This proposed slate reflects the depth of talent across our industry and the leadership needed to move PCMA and the global business events community forward.”
New members proposed for the PCMA board in 2027 are Vanessa Claspill from Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Aleta Harris from the American Medical Association, Vicki Hawarden from the American Geophysical Union, Kit Lykketoft from Wonderful Copenhagen, Paul Mockler from Fáilte Ireland, Ben Nazario from MC², Joey Nevin from the San Francisco Giants and John Rubsamen from Out & Equal.
