PCMA has announced the host cities for the next four editions of its industry-leading Convening Leaders conference.
Sherrif Karamat, CAE, president and CEO of PCMA and CEMA, revealed that the association’s flagship education and networking event for the years 2024 thru 2027 would be held in San Diego, Houston, Philadelphia and Miami.
“The business events industry plays a critical role in bringing people together that drives economic growth and social good for individuals, organizations, and communities,” said Karamat. “Each of these destinations has a unique identity and offers a diverse range of experiences for our participants. We look forward to bringing our global community together to learn, connect, and innovate for the future.”
Convening Leaders 2024 – January 7-10 in San Diego, California
Hosted by the San Diego Tourism Authority, CL24 will be held at the San Diego Convention Center.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Convening Leaders to our beautiful city in 2024,” said Julie Coker, president and CEO, San Diego Tourism Authority. “San Diego’s stunning beauty, combined with our diverse culture and vibrant atmosphere, fosters an environment of innovation and collaboration which perfectly aligns with the forward-thinking nature of Convening Leaders. We can’t wait to welcome participants from around the world and embrace them with San Diego’s warmth, charm, and welcoming spirit.”
Convening Leaders 2025 – January 12-15 in Houston, Texas
Hosted by Visit Houston and Houston First Corporation, CL25 will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
“We look forward to hosting the premier gathering of meetings professionals in the country when Convening Leaders comes to Houston in 2025. Not only is Houston a great destination enjoyed by millions of visitors annually, our George R. Brown Convention Center campus is the perfect place for event professionals to collaborate and be inspired while also enjoying the world-class culinary and cultural offerings of the nation’s most diverse city.”
Convening Leaders 2026 – January 11-14 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hosted by Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, CL26 will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
As America’s founding and first World Heritage City, Philadelphia will be the centerpiece of America’s 250th birthday celebration in 2026. It will also be PCMA’s first time back in the City of Brotherly Love since 2006, featuring an entirely new destination portfolio.
“We couldn’t be more excited to launch America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026 than by hosting Convening Leaders in the city that founded our nation,” said Gregg Caren, president and CEO, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Convening Leaders 2027 – January 10-13 in Miami, Florida
Hosted by the Greater Miami CVB, CL27 will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
“The privilege and opportunity to host Convening Leaders is directly attributable to our city and county leaders who invested over $640 million to reimagine and significantly expand the Miami Beach Convention Center couples with the eagerly anticipated completion of a new on-campus host hotel,” said David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. “PCMA and its members are at the epicenter of our meetings, conventions, and tradeshow ecosystem. Host cities share the incredible responsibility and opportunity to expose these meeting planners with three key elements – product, sense of place and the overall attendee experience. This will be our and our partners’ time to shine.”