PCMA Announces 2025 Board of Directors and Trustees Slate for Membership Approval

Sherrif Karamat, CAE, PCMA and CEMA President and CEO announced he has received the 2025 Board of Directors and Trustees Slate from Immediate Past Chair and Nominating Committee Chair, Desirée Knight, CAE, CMP, DES. 

The PCMA Board includes Directors and Trustees for PCMA and the PCMA Foundation. Board members represent a globally diverse community who support the association’s mission to drive global economic and social transformation through business events. 

Karamat is honored to recognise one of the most globally diverse Boards in PCMA’s history, including representation from the CEMA Advisory Board. 

“PCMA is the platform for the global business events community,” said Karamat. “The proposed Board slate embodies diversity of thought and range of experience essential to our work to lead significant and positive change throughout the world.” 

The following leaders will begin serving a one-year Executive Officer term (2025): 

• Chair: Neil Brownlee, Head of Business Events, VisitScotland 
   
• Chair-Elect: Kelly Ricker, Chief Learning Officer, American Academy of Neurology
   
• Immediate Past Chair: Leonard Hoops, President and CEO, Visit Indy 

Upon PCMA membership approval, the following leader will begin serving a one-year Executive Officer term (2025):

• Secretary-Treasurer: Robin Preston, CEM, DES, Managing Director, Events, The American Institute of Architects 
   

The incoming CEMA Advisory Board Chair will begin serving a one-year Director and Trustee term (2025): 

• Gary Murakami, GTP, GLP, CMP Fellow, CMM, DES, Vice President of Global Sales and Industry Relations, Teneo Hospitality Group 

Upon PCMA membership approval, the following leaders will begin serving a two-year Director and Trustee term (2025–2026): 

• Ari Goldsmith, Vice President of Marketing and Digital Media, KeHe Distributors 
• Dr. Edward Koh, Executive Director, Singapore Tourism Board 
• Ori Lahav, CEO, Kenes Group 
• Walt Leger III, President and CEO, New Orleans & Company 
• Heather Seasholtz, CMP Fellow, DES, Vice President, Operations, CM Event Solutions 

Upon PCMA membership approval, the following leaders will begin serving a second two-year Director and Trustee term (2025–2026): 

• Gregg Caren, President and CEO, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau 
• Dr. Amanda Cecil, PhD, CMP, Professor, Department of Tourism, Event and Sport Management, Indiana University 
• Brian Landers, CDS, Senior Vice President / Team Director, ConferenceDirect 
• Stephen Rose, Head of Global Communication Services, Siemens AG 

The following leaders are serving the final year of a two-year Director and Trustee term (2024–2025): 

• Deborah Caldwell, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific Head of Global Events, Bank of America 
• Patrick Espinoza, MBA, CMP, Director of Sales, Caesars Entertainment, Inc. 
• Fernando Fondevila, MBA 
• Gladys O’Mahony, Vice President, Global Sales Organization, Caribbean and Latin America, Marriott International 
• Peter O’Neil, FASAE, CAE, Principal, Perspective POV, LLC 
• Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, President and CEO, San Diego Convention Center Corporation 
• Panos Tzivanidis, Director, Corporate Events & Services, International Olympic Committee 

In addition, the President and CEO of PCMA and CEMA serves as a Director and Trustee: 

• Sherrif Karamat, CAE, President and CEO, PCMA and CEMA 

The Slate will be deemed confirmed by PCMA members at close of business 1 October 2024 @ 1700 hours Chicago time. Directors and Trustees will assume office immediately following PCMA’s Convening Leaders annual meeting 12-15 January 2025, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.