CHICAGO, IL, Nov. 20, 2008 --Appropriately themed Convening Leaders, the 2009 PCMA Annual Meeting, taking place Jan. 11 - 14 in New Orleans, LA, will bring together over 3,000 meetings industry leaders. This year, in addition to a stellar line-up of General Session speakers and exceptional networking events, PCMA has expanded some of its marquee programs and added new sessions and features to provide attendees with even more opportunities to learn, network, and connect with fellow meetings professionals.

"The PCMA Annual Meeting has long been viewed as the place to be for the industry's best education and to connect with high-level decision-makers," said Deborah Sexton, PCMA President and CEO. "With even more opportunities for attendees to learn and gain solutions to the challenges 2009 will pose, the 53rd PCMA Annual Meeting is poised to exceed all expectations."

Executive Edge: "Master Real-World Negotiations"
Harvard Business School's Deepak Malhotra will lead a select group of meetings professionals in "Master Real-World Negotiations," PCMA's newest Executive Edge program. Participants in this high-level educational program, being offered on both Jan. 10 and Jan. 11, will gain strategies to help them master any negotiation situation. This year, the full-day program is being offered on both Saturday and Sunday, providing more opportunity for industry leaders to take advantage of the education developed in conjunction with top business schools. The Sunday session is currently filled. A limited number of spots remain available for Saturday's session, and $99 hotel rates are available for Friday night only.

PCMA Experientials
Meeting attendees will break out of the traditional classroom setting again this year through "PCMA Experientials." These unique programs integrate local culture and venues into interactive learning situations. New Orleans-specific programs include: "Team Building - Mardi Gras Style" at Mardi Gras World's prop shop; "Improv Your Way to Better Leadership!" at the historic Preservation Hall; and "Advanced Food and Wine Pairing" at world-renowned Antoine's Restaurant. Many of the PCMA Experientials have sold out, but several opportunities to participate in the hands-on, cutting-edge courses remain.

Hospitality Helping Hands - Three Community Service Projects
In addition to all of the educational programming, PCMA is urging attendees to volunteer their time to give back to the families and neighborhoods of the host city. In 2009, more PCMA members than ever will volunteer through three distinctively New Orleans "Hospitality Helping Hands" community service projects. Participants will get their hands dirty rebuilding storm-affected homes, landscaping historic cemeteries, or beautifying the state's largest park, City Park.

"We have seen an increased desire to give back this year, so we expanded the program to three projects," said Sexton. "The St. Bernard home rebuilding project is nearly at capacity, but attendees can still volunteer to help at the cemetery and City Park projects."

PCMA Wellness Center, Including 30-Minute Health Screening Tests
Many begin the new year resolved to renew their focus on health. At PCMA's Wellness Center, attendees will have the opportunity to take care of their mind, body, and spirit through the following services: Seated Massage™ by BodyWorks, the "I Need Some Peace and Quiet Room," and 30-minute health screening tests by BlueAPPLe Health Scans. BlueAPPLe Health Scans normally charges $199 USD for this screening package; however, with pre-registration and a special coupon, attendees can take advantage of this preventive health screening package for just $99. All tests are reviewed by Board Certified Cardiologists and Radiologists. Attendees interested in signing up for a health scan should visit the PCMA Annual Meeting Web site.

Bite Size Learning Lounge
The Bite Size Learning Lounge, also located within the PCMA Pavilion, will provide innovative educational demonstrations addressing some of the industry's hottest topics. Planned demonstrations currently include "Reading Green Labels: How Green Is It, and How Do I Know?" and "Green Standards and Certifications: An Industry Update and What It Means for You." More demonstrations will continue to be added.

New Networking Event
The "PCMA Game Day Tailgate" has been added to the line-up on Sunday, Jan. 11th during the televised NFL divisional playoffs. This fun and casual event will bring together attendees to network while they watch pro football's best teams compete in post-season action.

53rd PCMA Annual Meeting Details
Newly added sessions will address the evolving needs of meetings professionals in the face of global and economic challenges. The meeting's selected general session speakers are poised to speak on industry and world trends: political insider David Brooks will give his take on the new administration, Wharton Professor Jeremy Siegel will speak on the economy and markets, and former UN Ambassador Stephen Lewis will inspire attendees with global stories of "Uncommon Leadership." A complete line-up of speakers, education and networking events can be found at www.pcma2009.org

Attracting more than 60 percent of PCMA members each year, the PCMA Annual Meeting is touted as one of the meetings industry's most comprehensive educational and networking events. As always, the 53rd Annual Meeting will offer a wide variety of educational sessions designed to help attendees enhance their careers and make them essential players within their organizations.

Registration is now open to everyone. Press interested in attending should review the attached media invitation and register through the PCMA Annual Meeting Web site. For more information, visit www.pcma.org or call PCMA at 877/827-PCMA (7262).

# # #

The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) is the professional resource and premier educator for the meetings and convention industry. Founded in 1957, PCMA represents the interests of meeting management executives from associations, non-profit organizations, corporations, independent meeting planning companies, and multi-management firms who recognize the importance of meetings to their organization. PCMA empowers members with the tools they need to succeed as meeting professionals and to promote the value of the industry to their organizations and the general public. Headquartered in Chicago, PCMA has 16 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. For additional information, please visit the PCMA Web site at www.pcma.org.

The role of the PCMA Education Foundation is to support the mission of the PCMA through fundraising and grant giving focused on education and research that will benefit the meetings and conventions industry. Established in 1985, the Foundation supports educational programs to improve professionalism in the meetings industry and to provide a university-level meeting management curriculum. The Foundation funds educational programs for meeting managers, hotels, convention and visitors bureaus, and other members of the meetings industry. It also conducts ongoing research of industry issues and concerns. The Foundation continually funds new programs to encourage the highest levels of professionalism in the meetings industry.