PCMA Teams Up With Travel Group

Sometimes two associations are better than one. The Professional Convention Management Assn. and the Assn. for Corporate Travel Executives have decided to collaborate on educational initiatives and research programs.

Deborah Sexton, PCMA president and CEO, said, “Through our expanded relationship with ACTE, we are sharing best practices, aligning industry standards, casting a wider educational net and finding solutions of common value. This relationship stands to benefit the members of both organizations.”

ACTE president Richard Crum added, “ACTE is pleased to partner with PCMA on developing education curricula that are both thought-provoking and relevant to industry leaders.”

Both associations will lend a hand at each other's meetings in 2009.

A PCMA representative will join ACTE's Education Steering Committee, serving as a meetings industry education partner for the ACTE Annual Conference April 5-7 in Washington, D.C. Georgetown University McDonough School of Business, Business Travel News and the Society for Government Travel also will provide educational opportunities for ACTE attendees.

In turn, ACTE will lend its corporate travel expertise by leading at least one educational session at the PCMA Annual Meeting Jan. 11-14 in New Orleans.

Further collaboration will include ACTE promoting the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation by offering its members PCMA's CMP Online Prep Course.

“Collaborating with similarly positioned industry groups like ACTE will enable PCMA to continue to deliver and expand upon its industry leading education,” Sexton said. “This partnership will help both PCMA and ACTE members address the evolving needs of our increasingly sophisticated industry.”