PCMA Institute

10/06/2026

You’ve been asked to plan your first event. What do you need to know before you start?

It’s tempting to jump straight to the venue, agenda or menu. But first, get clear on three things. Who is the event for? What should they get out of it? And how will you know it worked?

Those answers give you a starting point for the decisions that follow, from where you spend the budget to what belongs on the agenda.

We all need to start somewhere. Learning the fundamentals gives emerging event professionals a foundation to build on. For experienced planners, revisiting them can help you question habits that have become routine.

The next Event & Meeting Management Fundamentals cohort starts October 19. A little more “I know why we’re doing this” can make the planning process feel a lot less uncertain. https://pcma.co/4ziOIek

10/01/2026

“It worked last year” is a tough response when you know your event needs something different.

Maybe attendee feedback supports a change. Maybe your team needs more staff to deliver what’s been promised. You have a recommendation, but getting your client or leadership team to support it has become the sticking point.

Bring that challenge to From Pushback to Buy In on October 20. Early bird pricing ends October 2. Register here: https://pcma.co/4AJGwVY

In this two-hour live, virtual workshop led by Dr. Tanisha King, you’ll work on a real issue you submit ahead of time. Through breakout practice and live coaching, you’ll rehearse part of the discussion before having it at work.

You’ll leave with a plan for what to say, how to support your recommendation and what you need to ask for. You’ll also have a reusable Event Stakeholder Conversation Planner to help you prepare the next time you need someone’s buy-in.

October 20 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. CT
Earn 2 CE hours

09/28/2026

Most agendas get built backward. Rooms are booked, AV is ordered and timing is locked before anyone asks what attendees should walk away with.

Before your next planning meeting, download PCMA Institute’s free 10-question checklist. It’ll help you start with the experience you want people to have. Download here: https://pcmainstitute.org/event-strategy-checklist/

09/09/2026

At some point in your sales career, working harder isn’t the answer. You need a better way to find leads, handle objections, negotiate and turn one-time clients into long-term relationships.

Crystal Chan Busch has made that climb herself, from sales rep to executive director. This September, she’s bringing more than 20 years of business events sales experience to Sales Accelerator, a new on-demand course built around the situations sellers actually face.

If you’re thinking about your next move, be the first to know when Sales Accelerator is available:

This isn’t just another sales training—it’s a comprehensive toolkit that combines time-tested fundamentals with cutting-edge strategies that have proven successful in markets from Macao to Miami.

07/10/2026

Your commute. Your lunch break. Your couch at 11pm.

That's where these courses live now.

From Belong by Design to Event Measurement Analytics... built for wherever you actually are, not where a syllabus says you should be.

No cohort waiting on you. No deadline breathing down your neck. Just you, moving at your speed.

Which one are you starting with? https://pcmainstitute.org/certificate-courses/

03/09/2026

Ex*****on got you here. Strategy is what comes next.

PCMA is introducing the Business Event Strategist (BES) Certification, designed for event professionals who shape strategy, influence stakeholders, and guide critical investment decisions through business events.

This certification recognizes leaders who don’t just deliver events — they drive enterprise results.

Members of the inaugural BES class will gain a powerful career advantage, expanded professional visibility, and the ability to add the BES designation after their name.

Applications open Monday, March 16, 2026.
Learn more and request your application. https://pcma.co/4dcwh2Z

02/19/2026

The industry is changing. Fast.

If you’re still only executing, you’ll feel it.

Want to stay ahead? Build the skills that move you from planner to strategist.
• Understand event tech so you lead the AV conversation.
• Use AI to design smarter experiences.
• Turn event data into decisions that matter.

Three courses. One shift in how you show up.
Technical Meeting & Event Production Course starts February 23 - https://pcma.co/3OhhtpF
Enhancing Events with AI Course starts March 9 - https://pcma.co/3ORJios
Event Measurement & Analytics Course starts April 20 - https://pcma.co/3OzTBgS

This isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about stepping into the room with confidence.

If you’re ready to lead from the front, choose your course and start.

11/11/2025

Your next career move starts here. Access on-demand courses designed for event professionals ready to lead the future. Earn CMP hours, gain new certificates, and make learning work on your schedule. Early Black Friday Deal: Save 30% with code OD30! — including Leading with Strategic Influence, launching Nov 24. Valid Nov 10–Dec 1, 2025. https://pcmainstitute.org/certificate-courses/

10/21/2025

Whether you’re an emerging event professional or a seasoned hashtag , we’ve all felt those nerves before the CMP exam. But what if we told you that with the right prep and confidence, you’ve got this?

That’s exactly what Laure discovered through the CMP Exam Prep Course and you can too! Follow in her footsteps, sharpen your skills, and walk into the exam ready to succeed. https://pcmainstitute.org/courses/certificate-on-demand/cmp-od-exam-prep-course/

💡 Learn at your own pace.
🎓 Build your confidence.
✅ Go ace that exam.

We believe in you — your CMP journey starts here!

10/20/2025

The best event professionals don’t just execute. They influence decisions, drive outcomes, and shape strategy.

Our 5-module online course builds your executive mindset — blending business acumen, financial literacy, and strategic storytelling. Learn how to connect event performance to organizational goals through reflection, real-world application, and progressive skill building.

Transform your impact. Become the strategic leader your organization needs. https://pcmainstitute.org/courses/certificate-on-demand/business-acumen-for-event-professionals/