VISIT SCOTLAND’S head of business events has become the first person from outside North America to be made chair of PCMA – the Professional Convention Management Association.
Neil Brownlee was inaugurated at PCMA’s Convening Leaders conference which came to a close yesterday in Houston, Texas.
Brownlee has 35 years of experience in hospitality and business events industry starting in hotel including brands such as Langham Hospitality Group and Rock Forte. He joined tourism promotion body Visit Scotland in 2008 and has headed the business events team for the past 14 years.
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Brownlee was sworn in alongside chair elect Kelly Ricker, chief operating officer, Global Technology Industry Association, and takes over from Leonard Hoops, president and CEO at Visit Indy.
Brownlee and Ricker will work together over the year alongside PCMA’s Board of Directors and Trustees, to continue promoting business events as catalysts for positive global economic and social transformation and to gain wider recognition and understanding of the industry.
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“I am honoured to begin my tenure as chair of PCMA, the first non-North American do so, building on the leadership of my friend and colleague and Immediate past chair, Leonard Hoops. I am also delighted to be working alongside the talented and dynamic Kelly Ricker, and Sherrif Karamat’s outstanding PCMA team.
“I am passionate about the role that business events can play in promoting social and economic progress and intend to use this year and our global voice to position business events as change makers. It is my aim to represent all members of our globally diverse community as we work together to drive impactful and meaningful change worldwide.”
