PCMA ANNOUNCES CONVENING LEADERS’ FUTURE HOST CITIES

PCMA ANNOUNCES CONVENING LEADERS’ FUTURE HOST CITIES

Las Vegas to Host in 2028; New Orleans to Host in 2029

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — Sherrif Karamat, CAE, President & CEO, PCMA and CEMA, today announced Convening Leaders, the organization’s annual flagship education and networking event will be hosted by Las Vegas in 2028 followed by New Orleans in 2029. Convening Leaders sets the tone for the year ahead — testing new ideas, taking bold risks, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in business events, so that the broader meetings and events industry can learn and adapt.

More than a conference, it is a live laboratory for the global meetings industry — where PCMA models experimentation, champions emerging practices, and creates the conditions for candid, high-stakes learning. What happens at Convening Leaders does not end, rather the ideas tested, and the risks taken across the four-day experience ripple across the industry throughout the year.

“Convening Leaders is where leaders and key decision makers connect; it’s where we challenge conventional thinking, re-imagine the possible, and give every participant—regardless of where they are in their career—the tools, acumen, networks, and inspiration to support how they can work differently,” said Karamat. “It is where our global industry comes together to do business, learn, and be transformed by the experience. We take seriously the responsibility of being the gathering that kicks off the industry’s year. That means being willing to take risks, constant experimentation with formats, and to model the kind of boldness we ask the global industry to bring to their own events. What we test at Convening Leaders, the industry learns from—and that is a standard we hold ourselves to every year.”

Convening Leaders 2028 | January 24-27 | Las Vegas, Nevada

2028 will mark the fifth year for Las Vegas as a host city. Previous years include 1966, 1975, 2011 and 2022. The cities’ extensive convention infrastructure, global air access, and dynamic hospitality community continue to make it an attractive location for the annual gathering.

Steve Hill, President & CEO, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority noted, “Las Vegas is proud to once again host Convening Leaders in 2028 at MGM Grand. With unmatched scale, exceptional service and a city built for meetings and events, Las Vegas is uniquely positioned to deliver an impactful experience for the global business events industry. We look forward to welcoming PCMA participants to a show that sparks new ideas, builds meaningful connections and showcases the best of what only Las Vegas can offer.”

“Las Vegas continues to set the standard for world-class meetings and events, and we’re honored that MGM Grand will serve as the host venue for Convening Leaders 2028,” said Stephanie Glanzer, Chief Sales Officer & Senior Vice President of MGM Resorts International. “Convening Leaders brings together some of the most influential professionals in the global business events industry, and we recognize the tremendous opportunity and responsibility that comes with hosting this community. As one of the largest meetings and convention operators in the world, MGM Resorts looks forward to welcoming attendees to our resort and showcasing the exceptional hospitality, innovation and experiences that make Las Vegas a premier destination for meetings and conventions.”

Convening Leaders 2029 | January 7-10 | New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans will also claim the five-time Convening Leaders host city having previously hosted in 1968, 1976, 1990 and 2009. The destination brings its own distinctive character as a celebrated meetings destination renowned for its culture, cuisine, and welcoming hospitality.

“New Orleans is honored to welcome Convening Leaders in 2029, returning two decades after the event was last held here in 2009 during a pivotal moment in our city’s recovery following Hurricane Katrina,” said Walt Leger III, President & CEO, New Orleans & Company. “PCMA and its members played a foundational role in helping rebuild our meetings industry, forging partnerships that have stood the test of time. Having had the privilege to serve alongside industry leaders as a member of the PCMA Board, I’ve seen firsthand the organization’s commitment to innovation and excellence across our industry. Today, New Orleans is not only a story of resilience, but of reinvention—where we continue to invest in world-class infrastructure, elevate the participant experience, and lead with the culture and authenticity that defines us. As we look ahead to 2029 and beyond, we are proud to showcase a city that is more connected, more dynamic, and more ready than ever—truly Built to Host.”

Jim Cook, President & CEO, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center noted, “Convening Leaders is one of the most influential gatherings in the global meetings industry, and we look forward to welcoming PCMA and its members back to New Orleans in 2029. Bringing the industry’s top professionals together at the Convention Center creates an opportunity to showcase both our facility and the collaborative spirit that defines meetings and events in New Orleans.”

Miami, FL is the host destination for Convening Leaders 2027, scheduled January 10-13. Registration will open in August 2026.

About PCMA
PCMA, PCMA Foundation and CEMA educate, inspire, and listen, creating meaningful experiences where passion, purpose and commerce come together. We are the world’s largest community for Business Events Strategists, providing senior-level education, networking, and market intelligence for the global business events industry. Our mission is to drive social and economic progress through business events. Headquartered in Chicago, IL PCMA has 17 North American Chapters, regional communities in APAC, EMEA and LATAM, and members in 72 countries and communities. The Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA), a PCMA subsidiary, advances strategic event marketing and marketing communications for senior-level event marketers and industry professionals. Visit us at pcma.org.

About PCMA Foundation
The role of the Foundation of PCMA is to support the mission of PCMA through fundraising and grant-giving focused on scholarships, education and research that will advance the business events industry. Annually the Foundation funds over $900K in impact, and since 1985 has funded over 2,500 scholarships, 100 research studies and education programs, and $2.7M in charitable giving.