Review
New tartan army convenes in Philly
CMW REVIEWS THE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA AS CONVENING LEADERS 2026 MARKS DEFINING MOMENT FOR GLOBAL BUSINESS EVENTS COMMUNITY
P CMA’ s Convening Leaders
2026( CL26) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, delivered a powerful celebration of leadership, legacy, and the future of business events, bringing together its global community at a time of reflection and renewal.
Philadelphia is where it all started for the association – 70 years ago in 1956 – now known as Convening Leaders. Returning to PCMA’ s founding city – as America celebrates its 250th anniversary – was both celebratory and a call-to-action to reshape what’ s possible for the next generation of the global business events community.
CL26 total registration this January came in at 4,211, with attendees representing 43 countries. Among them were over 1,000 first time participants. Sherrif Karamat, president & CEO,
PCMA and CEMA, described CL26 as“ a powerful reflection of who we are and where we are headed as a global community. As we honoured our legacy, elevated new voices, and celebrated those shaping what’ s next, one message was clear – business events are not just about convening – they are about leadership, trust, and solving complex challenges that advance us all. We are committed to challenging conventional thinking, innovation, immersive learning, experimentation and real business connections that propel people, organisations and communities forward.”
Refreshed brand CL26 was the final rollout of PCMA’ s integration of its various brands into a fully refreshed brand. From Main Stage storytelling to immersive on-site experiences, the brand came to life
Left: PCMA AAL reception through a clear focus on leadership, innovation, inclusion, and impact. Spoken word artist, Amara Gabriëla van der Elst translated this refreshed brand into poetry from the Sunday Main Stage.
The Monday afternoon Main Stage revealed the official PCMA tartan and proud Scot Neil Brownlee, outgoing PCMA chair and VisitScotland’ s head of business events, was on stage to model it, together with Gregg Caren, president & CEO, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau and PCMA Board member, and Sherrif Karamat. The specially created tartan’ s thread count includes the numbers 70, 20 and 26 to reference PCMA’ s 70th anniversary and CL26, and the palette reflects PCMA’ s new brand colours.
Board Chair Award During the conference, Ben Goedegebuure, the first non-North American, first European PCMA Board member, was presented with the 2026 Chair Award on the Tuesday Main Stage. Incoming chair Kelly Ricker was also given a big welcome.
Recognising leadership old and new Each year, the Global Student Competition reiterates investment into emerging talent is critical. Creativity, strategic thinking, and passion are demonstrated, ultimately reinforcing confidence in the next generation of business events leaders. The winning team from Johnson & Wales University was recognised on stage.
CL26 also marked the 40th anniversary of the association’ s publication Convene and the Always A Leader platform honoured leaders, volunteers, and visionaries who have shaped PCMA over its 70-year history.
As well as remembering leaders past and their legacy, PCMA continued its investment in the next generation through its 20 in Their Twenties programme, celebrating rising professionals driving change
32 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 141