CEMA Newsletter December 2022

Adam Charles

Executive Vice President, Agency & Professional Services, Freeman

Adam prides himself on having established and maintained long-serving relationships with clients, staff, and partners.

He builds creative, supportive, and collaborative environments that empower employees to challenge themselves to put the client at the center and constantly strive for continuous improvement.

Adam has 30 years of global experience in the marketing sector including extensive experience in live events. He has led a diverse array of projects including corporate and public events, as well as broadcast, music, sports, and theatrical productions. Adam was the producer of the Closing Ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. From 2007 to 2018 Adam was based in China, working on global brand experience projects in one of the biggest and most dynamic markets in the world. Adam oversaw Freeman’s business in Asia Pacific before relocating to the USA in mid-2018 to manage brand experience in North America, EMEA, and APAC.

Introducing the new Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center

Located in Southern California and sitting on San Diego Bay, this new build hotel will feature 1,600 rooms and nearly 500,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event space.  Construction is underway and the expected opening date is Memorial Day Weekend 2025.  The sales team is taking leads for arrival after January 1, 2026.

In addition to the hotel’s spectacular guest rooms and event space, planners will be amazed at the abundance of outdoor event venues that are designed for social experiences.  Whether it’s the outdoor Great Room Atrium or over 135,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space, your guests will have a true “So Cal” experience.

CEMA Leaders and Board outline direction

for 2023 at December Town Hall

A CEMA all-members Town Hall was held on Monday December 19, to provide an update on 2023 plans, priorities, and activities, and to introduce our new Advisory Board members.

2022 Chairman Paul Coulter, President, Priority Concepts Group, kicked off the town hall with a quick recap of the year’s accomplishments, citing the tremendous success of CEMA Summit 2022 – the largest attendance in CEMA history with more than 200 new members. Coulter also shared the perspective that the path forward for the association would build on 2022 traction across three pillars:

• Thought Leadership – sustaining and growing CEMA’s reputation as the industry leader in event experience
• New infrastructure – through PCMA integration, with a focus on communications, technology, and financial strength
• Quality growth – continue to attract seasoned event executives and rising stars across all industries

Coulter introduced Junior Tauvaa, the new Chief Business Officer for PCMA and CEMA. Tauvaa outlined both short-term priorities and long-range areas of focus for the association. Immediate priorities include re-building the CEMA team, with three new roles reporting to Tauvaa: a membership manager, an events manager to coordinate Summit and other yearly events, and a VP of operations who will work to ensure that CEMA delivers on its vision and strategy and remains financially stable. Tauvaa also stressed the value and importance of leaning into PCMA shared services – financial, communications, and IT, to optimize operations and drive efficiencies.

Tauvaa outlined four long-range areas of focus:

• Sustaining CEMA’s excellence in thought leadership and education
• Conserving and nurturing CEMA’s unique culture
• Continuing to pursue quality growth (over quantity)
• Maintaining financial health and sustainability

CEMA Interim Director Karen Galatis, gave a brief overview of the key end-of-year activities and news. In particular, she stressed the importance of getting 2023 membership renewals in from every member. All members should have received renewal notices by now.  She advised people with corporate memberships to check with their lead member to ensure renewals were being processed. Questions about membership renewal should be sent to membership@cemaonline.com.

Galatis shared that the CEMA team has been working to create more consistent and predictable communications to ensure members are staying informed of upcoming activities and have adequate lead time to be able to participate. As an example, she emphasized that the signature CEMA Connects sessions will be taking place monthly and following a pre-set schedule.

Galatis also reminded the group that CEMA is hosting an all-day CEMA@CL23 program exclusively for members during PCMA Convening Leaders 2023 – Tuesday, January 10 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The CEMA program includes a 2023 Visioning Sprint Session, hosted by Storycraft Lab, a Fireside Chat with Monique Ruff-Bell, the Head of Events for TED Conferences, and a one-of-a-kind “Fishbowl” discussion — an informal, interactive peer conversation in which we’ll share stories of where we’ve stepped outside of our comfort zones to try something new. CEMA members can register for the program, or for the entire conference here.

She then introduced Donna Rogers of Visit Salt Lake, who gave a warm, enthusiastic pre-CEMA Summit welcome, and an overview of all the amenities and opportunities SLC will offer CEMA members attending CEMA Summit ’23.

Incoming CEMA Board Chairwoman Colleen Bisconti closed out the Town Hall by thanking the Advisory Board members who are rolling off the board for their strong leadership:

• Gordon Stake, Managing Partner, Event Marketing Partners
• Karen Cooper, Senior Manager, Event Strategy, HP
• Julie Lynch, Strategic Events and Programs, F5
• Karen Galatis, Event Marketing Consultant, and Interim Director for CEMA

She also re-emphasized the 2023 Advisory Board mandate to grow value to members. To watch the full Town Hall video click here.

CEMA provides a wealth of opportunities to connect, share and learn from the best professionals in the business that can help you grow and thrive professionally. It’s also a platform for you to build and promote your personal brand.

It’s Time to Renew Your Membership!

CEMA provides a wealth of opportunities to connect, share and learn from the best professionals in the business that can help you grow and thrive professionally. It’s also a platform for you to build and promote your personal brand.

“Being an event executive can feel like flying solo but knowing I can always count on my CEMA colleagues, I can handle just about any challenge.” Angie Smith, Atlassian.

Are you ready to sharpen your skills, build your network and master your future? Renew Today by contacting membership@cemaonline.com 

CEMA at Art Basel Miami Beach 

From November 28-30, MC² hosted several CEMA board members at Art Basel Miami Beach in Miami, Florida for the premier art show’s illustrious 20^th anniversary. Over the course of the week, they were introduced to some of the most captivating art pieces while embracing the city grounds through numerous brand activations tailored to the magic of art from Design Miami to the Vice House providing an experiential, immersive perspective to art. CEMA participants experienced a VIP perspective receiving full access to on-site tours, tailored networking events, and more.

As an MCH Group company, MC² was able to provide an intimate connection to the show organizers and their fellow sister companies, Art Basel and Expomobilia, while sharing project management and I&D facts around its own provided services alongside another sister company. Such services across the 50,000 square foot convention center were extensive including coordination, management and oversight of the entire fair operations, productions, and logistics.

We hope to see you all in Miami Beach next year!

Introducing New 2023 CEMA Advisory Board

Group Will Focus on Creating Exceptional Value for Exceptional Professionals

The Advisory Board will continue to create industry-leading educational content and high-impact professional networking opportunities, while driving groundbreaking thinking to help advance the events industry.

Congratulations to the newly elected Executive Committee members including:

Chairwoman (One-year term): Colleen Bisconti, VP Events & Experiences, IBM

Vice Chairwoman (One-year term): Amy Walter, Head of Global Event Strategy, Atlassian

Secretary (One-year remaining on term): Richard Steinau, Senior Vice President, Bellwether

Financial Advisor (Two-year term): Gary Murakami, Vice President of Sales and Industry Relations, Teneo Hospitality Group

Past Chairman (One-year term): Paul Coulter, President, Priority Concepts Group

Newly elected Advisory Board Members at Large (two-year term)

• Advisory Board Member at Large (Two-year term): Sara Straw, Director, Strategic Events, RingCentral
• Advisory Board Member at Large (Two-year term): Leslie Hasvold, Senior Director, Global Event Management & Strategy, Illumio
• Advisory Board Member at Large (Two-year term): Brian Mason, Senior Director of Strategic Events, Salesforce
• Advisory Board Member at Large (Two-year term): Jodi Morrison, Vice President Operations, Lenos Software

The following Advisory Board Members will be completing the second year of their two-year term in 2023:

• Courtney Bales, Chief of Staff, Global Events & Oracle Studio, Oracle
• Bridgette Birdie, Senior Director, Global Events, RMS, A Moody’s Analytics Company
• Kathleen Castaillac, Sr. Director, Global Event Marketing, Splunk
• Stefanie Maragna, Global Technology Marketing Executive
• Ben Nazario, President, MC-2
• Dan Shuman, Sr. Director, B2B Strategy, Marriott International