PCMA Greater Midwest Chapter

Thanksgiving – A Time of Gratitude and Togetherness Thanksgiving represents a time to express gratitude, gather with loved ones, and reflect on the blessings of the year. Across the U.S., families celebrate with traditional meals, parades, and acts of kindness in their communities. The holiday can also be traumatic for those facing food and housing insecurity.  Here are some ways to support local food security efforts • Donate to food banks, pantries, and shelters – Monetary donations go farther than canned goods, but both are welcomed. Winter coats, gloves and hats are also needed.  • Volunteer for meal prep or delivery – Many organizations need help cooking, serving, or delivering meals to seniors, people without housing, and low-income families. • Sponsor Thanksgiving meal kits – Some nonprofits assemble full meal boxes for families to cook at home. Several local Food Banks include: 📍 The Greater Chicago Food Depository   www.chicagofoodbank.org 📍 Loaves and Fishes in Naperville, IL  www.loaves-fishes.org 📍 Nourishing Hope - www.nourishinghopechi.org

Looking for a fresh, fun, and unforgettable spot for your next client event, board retreat, team-building activity, or personal celebration? Explore SPF Lincoln Park — Chicago's premier indoor pickleball facility. Whether you're rallying with coworkers, celebrating milestones, or impressing clients, SPF is the perfect place to mix business with a little friendly competition. s a special perk for PCMA GMC members, mention PCMA GMC to slice $100 off any half or full facility buyouts. 🎾 Book your court, plan your party, and let the fun begin! Contact: Social, Pickleball, Fun 2121 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, IL (773) 572-9411 events@playspf.com 

UPDATED EVENT TIME - 6pm - 7:30pm It’s the season for joy and for cheer, Our Holiday Mixer is almost here! Planners get in FREE (Meet Boston & Visit Indy take a bow!), Use code BOSxINDY2025 and secure your spot now! At Fatpour Tap Works - McCormick we’ll gather with glee With conservations that sparkle like lights on a tree 🌟 But amid all the fun and the festive delight, We’re sharing some magic that truly feels right. ✨ Spread Joy – Donate a Toy! ✨ With ChiGivesBack, Inc., we’re brightening days for each girl and boy. You can help make the season warm, merry, and bright: 🎄 Bring a toy to the GMC Holiday Mixer 📦 Shop the Amazon Wishlist – https://lnkd.in/gV5iFijM 💰 Donate onsite—cash or digital is alright And every donation you bring earns a 🎟️ raffle surprise, So your kindness just might win a holiday prize! ChiGivesBack, Inc. spreads hope across Chicago each year, Let’s lift up their mission and share holiday cheer. ❤️💚 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gXBrpGcd #pcma #pcmagmc #ChiGivesBack

Bots can’t coordinate catering. Algorithms won’t adjust based on curveballs. And no technology on earth can pull off an event like Kalahari! Here, you’ll find real-life experts in every field who provide first-class service and support throughout the planning process. Because going beyond expectations can’t be automated.    Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g7zWZMmM #pcma #pcmagmc #kalahri

Transgender Day of Remembrance honors the memory of transgender individuals whose lives were lost to anti-transgender violence. It is a solemn day to reflect on the ongoing challenges faced by the trans community and to reaffirm our commitment to inclusion, safety, and respect for all. Communities across the U.S. hold vigils, share stories, and raise awareness to promote understanding and advocacy.

The events industry thrives on strong connections. By becoming a mentor, you’ll play a key role in guiding the next generation of event professionals, helping them navigate challenges and opportunities along the way. Share your expertise, give back, and make an impact with the PCMA GMC Mentor Program. Apply today! https://lnkd.in/ePCkgMp #GiveBack #MentorshipMatters

Are you interested in expanding your resume and your network through unique challenges and opportunities? Then look to join one of our PCMA Greater Midwest Chapter committees! Whether a seasoned veteran or an emerging professional, your talent, expertise and energy will help to sustain GMC as one of the strongest chapters of PCMA. If you're still passionate about your current committee and want to stay on please let your committee chair know. Learn more and sign up - https://lnkd.in/gAW2siyp

Mentorship should work for you. From quick check-ins to deep-dive conversations, you and your mentor decide how often and how much to connect. Join the PCMA GMC Mentor Program today and shape a mentorship that fits your life! Complete our form today - https://lnkd.in/ePCkgMp #PCMA #PCMAGMC #FlexibleMentoring #WorkLifeBalance

Join us for our upcoming free virtual webinar- Bridging the Gap: Unifying Events and Education for Enhanced Member Engagement 📅 Tuesday, December 2 🕛 12pm - 1pm CST 🖥️ Zoom Member engagement is key to success for organizations. Dive into the powerful synergy between event managers and continuing education managers, exploring how their collaboration can drive enhanced member engagement and organizational success. We'll explore real-world examples and innovative tools that empower these roles to work together effectively, creating engaging, value-driven events that meet both educational and professional development needs. Whether you're looking to foster stronger member we will provide the insights you need to succeed. Speakers: ✨ Raja V. Akunuru, MBA, Strategic Account Executive, Cadmium ✨ Jennifer Nanni, MBA, MEd, CiU, Senior Director of Membership, American College of Lifestyle Medicine Thank you to Cadmium for sponsoring this webinar session! Registration is free - https://lnkd.in/g44yHrwk #PCMA #PCMAGMC

Join the GMC Chapter at Holiday Showcase! We are excited to support two meeting education sessions on Thursday morning, December 4th. Thursday, December 4 / 8:15am-9:15am Beyond the Booth: Designing for Change Through Neuroscience and Cognitive Insights This hands-on workshop dives into the “why” behind attendee behavior, focusing on the neuroscience and cognitive insights that drive engagement, memory, and decision-making. We’ll explore how to design exhibition experiences that align with how people actually think, feel, and connect. Participants will move from “why” to “how” by translating core human needs (like safety, connection, and curiosity) into actionable design principles. Working in groups, attendees will tackle common exhibition challenges, applying these principles to brainstorm small, testable design experiments. Walk away with a new framework for designing human-centered exhibitions that foster change, spark curiosity, and create lasting impact. Speaker: ✨ Anthony Vade, CED Chief Innovation Officer and Co-founder STRATEGY TABLE PATHWAYS Inc.   Thursday, December 4 / 9:30am -10:30 am Pathways to the C-Suite: Lessons from Events Industry Leaders What does it take to rise to the top in today’s dynamic business events industry? This candid conversation brings together C-suite executives and senior leaders from across the industry — spanning meeting planning, destination management, convention centers, general services, and audio-visual solutions. Panelists will share their personal journeys, pivotal career moments, and the lessons that shaped their leadership styles. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights, inspiration, and strategies to accelerate their own path to executive leadership. Moderator: ✨ Dawn Amaskane, CAE, CMP – Vice President, Governance and Meetings, American Osteopathic Association  Panelists: 🌟 Deborah Ross, CCHP – Chief Executive Officer, National Commission on Correctional Health Care 🌟 Larita Clark – Chief Executive Officer, MPEA 🌟 Cleo Battle – President & Chief Executive Officer, Louisville Tourism 🌟 Chuck Grouzard – Executive Vice President, Business Development, GES 🌟 Robert Parrish – Vice President, Field Sales, Encore Global For more detailed information on both sessions, please refer to our website https://lnkd.in/gGi42f5e #PCMA #PCMAGMC #AssociationForum #HolidayShowcase