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PCMA appoints Neil Brownlee as Chair

Marios Koutentakis, Marketing & Communications
2 minutes • January 15, 2025

Neil Brownlee, Head of Business Events at VisitScotland, has been inaugurated as the 2025 Chair of PCMA at Convening Leaders, which took place in Houston from 12-15 January 2025.

Neil Brownlee, Head of Business Events at PCMA Convening Leaders 2025

Neil Brownlee, Head of Business Events at PCMA Convening Leaders 2025

The first-ever non-North American Chair of PCMA

Neil Brownlee

Neil, who has a wealth of experience gleaned from his over 35 years’ experience in the international hospitality and business events industry, was sworn in alongside Chair Elect Kelly Ricker, Chief Operating Officer, Global Technology Industry Association. He assumes the role of Chair from PCMA Immediate Past Chair Leonard Hoops, President and CEO at Visit Indy.

Neil and Kelly will work together over this coming 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. 

Neil Brownlee said: “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.”

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He joined VisitScotland Business Events in 2008 and has been Head of Business Events at the organisation for the past 14 years.

About Neil Brownlee

Neil has over 35 years’ experience in the international hospitality and business events industry. He began his career in the hotel industry, working for brands in the UK and US such as Langham Hospitality Group and Rocco Forte Hotels. He joined VisitScotland Business Events in 2008 and has been Head of Business Events at the organisation for the past 14 years. In 2018 he joined the PCMA Board of Directors. Since then, he has served as EMEA Advisory Board Member and Secretary–Treasurer, before being appointed Chair Elect in 2024, and Chair in 2025.

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PCMA is the world’s largest community for Business Events Strategists, providing senior-level education, networking, and market intelligence for the global business events industry.

About PCMA

PCMA, PCMA Foundation and CEMA educate, inspire, and listen, creating meaningful experiences where passion, purpose and commerce come together. PCMA is the world’s largest community for Business Events Strategists, providing senior-level education, networking, and market intelligence for the global business events industry. Their 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 59 countries. The Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA), a PCMA subsidiary, advances strategic event marketing and marketing communications for senior-level event marketers and industry professionals.

Find out more about PCMA at pcma.org.

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