PCMA Names Board Members, Offers Internships

The Professional Convention Management Assn. board of directors has elected John Patronski, executive vice president of industry development at GES Exposition Services, chairman for a two-year term.

Also named to two-year terms were:

• Chairman-elect Gerhard E. Seibert, area vice president for the Hilton Hawaiian Village;
• Secretary-treasurer Joseph Popolo Jr., president of Freeman; and
• Immediate Past Chair Sheila Stampfli, president of Courtesy Associates.

Named to three-year terms as professional member trustees were:

• Susan Katz, True Value director of corporate events, and
• Martin Balogh, director of meetings and travel for the American Bar Assn.

Named to two-year terms as supplier partner trustees were:

• David Olender, Gaylord Entertainment vice president of sales administration;
• Susan Iris, a Canadian Tourism Commission vice president; and
• Robert Dirks, Hilton Hotels senior vice president of sales strategy and development.
• Charles W. Ahlers, president of the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, and
• David Townsend, senior vice president for Marriott Intl.

The new members will take office after PCMA's annual meeting in Philadelphia Jan. 8–11. Eleven incumbents will continue to serve on the board, most in positions that expire in 2007.

The association also recently announced that it would offer two to four annual paid internships to PCMA faculty members. Internship expenses will be funded by a PCMA Education Foundation grant of $70,200.

"Learning never stops, even for teachers," said PCMA Senior Director of Education Glen Ramsborg. "It's a unique opportunity for educators to enhance their hands-on experience and develop relationships with meeting professionals or suppliers."

Faculty interns will spend one week with their chosen meeting organization or supplier during the summer and a second week on-site with their host organization at an annual meeting. The grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.