CEMA Newsletter: August 2025

Dear CEMA Community, 

As I reflect on our recent 35th CEMA Summit, I’m still energized by what we experienced together. This year’s gathering wasn’t just our most well-attended yet—it was a defining moment for our community, our purpose, and our future. With 821 attendees, including more than 385 first timers, we demonstrated the growing demand for meaningful connection, relevant insights, and bold leadership in event marketing. It also reflected the incredible momentum of our organization, which has recently surpassed 1,000 members—with a thriving community made up of 60% event marketers and 40% industry partners. 

Set against the vibrant, creative backdrop of Austin—a city that reflects the very spirit of innovation and bold thinking that defines our community—the Summit embodied everything our profession stands for: experiential engagement, thoughtful design, and the power of place to inspire new ideas. We’re deeply grateful to Visit Austin for helping showcase the city’s dynamic energy and cultural richness, and to the Fairmont Austin team for providing a world-class setting that allowed our conversations, connections, and experiences to truly flourish. 

CEMA has always been at the forefront of advancing the practice of event marketing—and this year’s Summit elevated that purpose to new heights. From the return of Innovation Nation to the debut of new Spark tools designed to empower better wellness planning and vendor discovery, innovation was front and center. We also introduced the Top 100 Event Marketers campaign, celebrating both rising stars and established leaders who are driving this industry forward. The Summit was also a platform for reflection and transparency, as our Town Hall explored CEMA’s journey since integration with PCMA and previewed a new, simplified global membership model set to launch in 2026—designed to provide greater value and clarity to our corporate event marketing community. 

As Chair of the Advisory Board, I have the distinct honor of working alongside an extraordinary group of individuals who serve with me on the Advisory Board with passion, purpose, and a shared commitment to advancing our industry. Their contributions go far beyond strategic insight—they generously give their time, lend their expertise, and lead with both heart and vision. Through their thought leadership and volunteerism, the Advisory Board plays a critical role in shaping the direction of CEMA, strengthening our community, and elevating the impact of event marketing. 

I’m also profoundly grateful for the dedication of the CEMA staff, specifically Brian Mason, VP of Strategy & Operations, and Mykayla Smith, Manager of Strategic Events & Membership, and PCMA executive leadership. Their tireless work brought our collaborative vision to life. Together, we didn’t just host a summit—we created an experience that sparked new thinking, deeper relationships, and transformative ideas that will influence far beyond the days we spent together. 

True to our values, this year’s Summit also underscored our commitment to community. With the help of the PCMA Foundation and the “Do Good, Feel Good” initiative, CEMA contributed $5,000 to the Central Texas Food Bank to support local flood relief efforts—demonstrating that our industry’s reach extends well beyond the business of events. 

To those who joined us: thank you. Your presence, passion, and perspective were the heartbeat of the event. And to those who could not attend—you were missed. I hope you could feel the momentum from afar. If this Summit was any indication, the path forward for our profession is bright—and CEMA is ready to lead the way in shaping the next chapter of event marketing. 

This moment is not a peak, but a launchpad. We’re more committed than ever to elevating the conversation, creating space for authentic leadership, and continuing to push our discipline forward. I invite each of you—members and non-members alike—to stay engaged, contribute your voice, and be part of what’s next. We’ll see you in Toronto in 2026. 

With gratitude,
Gary Murakami
2025 Chair, CEMA Advisory Board