CEMA Newsletter: September 2025
Streamlined Membership, Stronger Community
Brian Mason, MBA
VP, Strategy & Operations | CEMA
The Events industry is constantly evolving, and here at CEMA, we are no different. At Summit this year, we announced new membership changes that will take effect in January 2026.
PCMA and CEMA are moving to a streamlined membership model unified under a cohesive structure.
The following updates were shared with members in the PCMA Town Hall session last week:
These are the member categories that you will self-select on renewal or joining:
- Corporate Event Marketer
– In-house professionals managing events within corporate organizations. - Business Events Organizer/Strategist
– Agencies and Third-Party members who spend 51% of their job responsible for the strategy or execution of events. - Industry Partners
– Individuals who provide services, products, technology, or venues supporting the production, delivery, or enhancement of business, corporate, and brand events; as well as Agency and Third-Party members who work primarily in a sales or service role. - Faculty, Student & Emeritus categories are also available.
Dues Adjustment: A 10% increase will go into effect January 2026 —the first since 2008—supporting improved benefits, digital content, networking, and global offerings.
Group Discounts for Corporate Events Marketers & Business Event Organizers/Strategists:
- Five to nine members: 10% off | 10+ members: 15% off.
- There are no longer limits on the number of team members a company/agency can have as members.
- We no longer require new IPs to bring an event marketer to the organization.
This new tiered model aligns membership benefits with members’ career stages and professional functions—delivering more personalized value, strengthening engagement, and supporting long-term retention.
View more information and FAQs on the new membership categories.
Community
Member Spotlight: Molly Danis
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got involved with CEMA?Â
I was excited to be invited by PRA to attend CEMA Summit this year.Â
Can you share a memorable way that CEMA has expanded your network or created new professional opportunities?Â
Heading to Austin, I was a bit nervous as this was the first conference I’ve attended as a true attendee (as opposed to being the one planning the event). Everyone I met onsite was friendly and welcoming. The welcome reception and networking opportunities were a great way to introduce myself to people in the industry.Â
What are you currently learning about (either professionally or personally)?Â
I’m in the midst of dog obedience and training with my adorable, but hyper Cavapoo. Open to resources and tips if anyone has any to share!Â
What are you most passionate about outside of work?Â
Outside of work I love to travel and spend time with the people I love.Â
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?Â
Never be afraid to ask questions and think outside the box.Â
What challenges are you facing in your day-to-day and how are you and your team collaborating to turn those challenges into opportunities?Â
Our business portfolio is evolving, and I think it’s important to be open to new ideas and being creative with how we move forward with decisions.Â
Molly Danis is a Senior Events Manager at SAP, where she focuses on logistics and operations. Her favorite part of the job is seeing months of planning turn into memorable, in-person experiences. Molly feels fortunate to work alongside a team she considers not only colleagues, but also close friends. A proud Washington State University alum with a degree in Business Marketing—go Cougs!—she brings creativity, collaboration, and a passion for people to every project. Outside of work, Molly enjoys reading, going on long walks with her dog, Otto, and helping out at her mom’s antique store.
Advisory Board Applications Open October 1
We’re excited to share that applications for the CEMA Advisory Board will open on October 1! This is your opportunity to help shape the future of our community, provide valuable insights, and represent the voice of our members. Keep an eye on your inbox and our website for details on how to apply.
Learning
Are you interested in hosting a Study Tour in 2026?
Fill out this form to submit your event or idea for consideration.
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The Best of CEMA Summit 2025: Rethink Your Event Strategy with AI
Our latest webinar dove into using AI to work smarter, sharing practical insights and tips you can apply right away. Watch the full session here and catch up on what you missed!Â
CEMA Connects: Master the Repeatable Events Formula with Cvent
New speaker announced! Camille Arnold, Director of Experiential Marketing at Splash, demonstrates how scaling repeatable events transformed the company’s strategic portfolio into a high-impact model. Details »
Hilton’s Big Three Hospitality Headlines Right Now!
From groundbreaking research to a legendary reopening, here are the developments making waves at Hilton.
Hilton’s latest research reveals what’s really driving attendance at in-person events today. The World’s Most Welcoming Events Playbook is a free resource tackling everything from Gen Z’s dress code anxiety to the rising need for quiet zones. Based on insights from 1,000+ professionals, Hilton’s Playbook confirms what many suspected: in-person events remain essential, with 87% of professionals planning to travel for work events in the next year.
As meetings evolve, one legendary hotel returns to shape the future. Waldorf Astoria New York opened after a meticulous restoration. This NYC landmark now features 375 redesigned rooms and more than 43,000 square feet of meeting space. Featuring some of the city’s most renowned heritage venues, the restoration preserved the original Art Deco detailing while updating these spaces with the latest technology.
Looking ahead to 2026, Signia by Hilton Indianapolis will debut as the city’s tallest hotel, offering 800 rooms, 90,000 square feet of meeting space, and skywalk access to the convention center and Lucas Oil Stadium. With great proximity to major cities such as Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago, Louisville and St. Louis, this is a budget-friendly destination to keep an eye on.
Ready to explore these opportunities?
Contact Jessica Colmenares, Director of Corporate Group Sales
510.363.6432 | Jessica.Colmenares@hilton.com
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Glenn Stress
Marriott International
As the head of B2B Global Events & Programs for Marriott International, Glenn Stress is the creative force behind the brand’s global B2B customer engagement strategy. Based in New York City, Glenn leads with a deep understanding of the meetings and events landscape. His approach is rooted in purpose, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and innovation. Â
A passionate advocate for neurodiversity, Glenn has been instrumental in shaping Marriott’s approach to neuroinclusive events. Through his collaboration with the Neu Project, he helped develop adaptable best practices and industry-wide guidelines that make hospitality more welcoming for all.Â
Glenn is a trusted voice in the travel and hospitality industry. He serves on the boards of the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association and the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), reinforcing his commitment to equity and representation in travel and events.
He is driven by the impact his work has on both the business and the broader community—creating platforms such as www.MarriottBonvoyEvents.com that foster innovation and collaboration for meeting event professionals.
Whether he’s launching a new initiative or reimagining the customer journey, Glenn Stress is redefining what it means to connect, engage, and inspire in the world of meetings and events.
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 7-9, 2025 | Las Vegas, NV
CEMA Study Tour: IMEX America 2025
This is your chance to see, learn, and connect in one of the most dynamic industry settings in the world. Apply today for your all-access pass to go behind the scenes of what’s working right now in event strategy.
Details »
Networking Dinners for Event Marketers Only
CEMA Regional Exchange Â
San Jose, CA | September 23 | Register »
Boston, MA | October 13 | Register »
Austin and Philadelphia coming soon! Â
11:00am CDT | October 1, 2025
New Industry Partner Onboarding Webinar
Unlock the full value of your CEMA membership. Learn how to navigate engagement guidelines, build stronger relationships, and maximize visibility through sponsorship opportunities.
Details »
11:00am CDT | October 21, 2025Â
CEMA Town Hall
Review 2025 highlights, share updates on current initiatives, and provide a preview of priorities for 2026. This session is designed to keep you informed, engaged, and connected with the direction of our community and the industry.
Details »Â
MEMBER BENEFITS
What will you learn next with your CEMA member benefits?
PCMA Institute’s annual subscriptions are included in your CEMA membership and grant you unlimited access to a digital library. You can also take advantage of a 20% discount on certificate courses, including Event Accessibility Strategist, Women Who Lead, and more!
When Science Shows Us How to Market Events
Record-breaking attendance at two global scientific conferences — despite funding cuts and travel barriers — proves the power of strategic positioning, clear value delivery, and resilient community building.
Read full story »
📌Stay ahead with PCMA Convene — your source for industry news, trends, and insights. Explore our latest coverage and complete the 32nd Annual Meetings Market Survey for a chance to win a $250 gift card.
INDUSTRY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Cvent is a leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider with 5,000+ employees and 24,000+ customers worldwide. Founded in 1999, the company delivers a comprehensive event marketing and management platform and offers a global marketplace where event professionals collaborate with venues to create engaging, impactful experiences.
Cvent is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C., and has additional offices around the world to support its growing global customer base. The comprehensive Cvent event marketing and management platform offers software solutions to event organizers and marketers for online event registration, venue selection, event marketing and management, virtual and onsite solutions, and attendee engagement. Cvent’s suite of products automates and simplifies the event management lifecycle and maximizes the impact of in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. Hotels and venues use Cvent’s supplier and venue solutions to win more group and corporate travel business through Cvent’s sourcing platforms. Cvent solutions optimize the event management value chain and have enabled clients around the world to manage millions of meetings and events.
For more information, please visit Cvent.com.
INNOVATION NATION
First impressions matter—and at conferences, that starts with check-in. Traditional lines waste space, time, and resources. With Wicket, guests and staff pair IDs and credentials to their faces, increasing security and making check-in up to 300% faster. Turn the entry point into a seamless first impression and let your attendees focus on the event from the start. Learn how some of the largest conferences in the US have transformed their check-in experience with facial authentication.