PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) has revealed the members of its 2025-2026 Asia Pacific (APAC) Regional Advisory Board, a group of 15 industry leaders who will provide crucial insights and guidance to help shape the future of the business events industry in the APAC region. The newly appointed board members come from a diverse array of markets and audience segments within the event sector, making them instrumental in steering PCMA’s strategic direction in Asia Pacific.

PCMA’s APAC Regional Advisory Board plays a pivotal role in fostering connections and collaboration within the industry. These individuals contribute by offering a regional-local perspective on emerging trends and helping to guide PCMA in developing a value proposition that meets the evolving needs of business events across the region.

The Role and Impact of the APAC Advisory Board

Florence Chua, PCMA Managing Director, APAC, shared her thoughts on the board’s vital role: “The APAC Regional Advisory Board members represent a broad perspective from various stakeholder groups. They embody the wide community we convene to advocate on behalf of PCMA. Their insights guide the continuous development of our value proposition, and their passion for the industry drives our purpose. We are grateful for their generous leadership and contribution to better the business events industry.”

This advisory board is more than just a group of thought leaders; they are key collaborators who will help PCMA navigate the ever-changing landscape of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry, ensuring that PCMA’s events and offerings remain relevant, innovative, and impactful.

2025-2026 APAC Advisory Board Members and Their Roles

The newly appointed members serve a two-year term (2025-2027), with some industry veterans continuing their work from previous terms. Here are the appointed leaders:

  • Lisa Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer, BEIA
  • Mala Dorasamy, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre
  • Philip Goh, Head – Global Experience Marketing, Ciena
  • Will Kataria, Country Head, Senior Director

Additionally, some board members are continuing their leadership roles into their final year of a two-year term (2025-2026):

  • Andrew Pennington, Platform and Programs Marketing Lead, JAPAC, Google Cloud
  • Anne Jamieson, Chief Executive Officer, Saxton
  • Kerry Lau, Head of Marketing, ASEAN and SAGE, Oracle
  • Ronald Lim, Co-Founder & Event Producer, Think Tank Productions Sdn. Bhd.
  • Sakurako Ogawara, Director, Head of Japan Event Management Group, MetLife
  • Shelley Ryan, Events & Incentives Manager, FUJIFILM Business Innovation Australia
  • Stuart Frank, Senior Director, Field Events Asia Pacific, Salesforce
  • Tamsyn Barker, Managing Director, APAC, FIRST agency

Some board members have been reappointed for an extended year, continuing their leadership roles:

  • Ben Taylor, CEO, APAC, George P Johnson & Project Worldwide
  • Genevieve Lim, Executive Director, MICE Management, Marina Bay Sands
  • Melissa Holdsworth, Chief Operating Officer, AusIMM

Lastly, the Global Board Liaison for this period is Deborah Caldwell, Senior Vice President, Regional Lead, APAC, Global Events, Bank of America. Florence Chua, Managing Director at PCMA APAC, serves as the staff liaison, ensuring a seamless relationship between the board and PCMA’s regional office.

The Importance of Regional Collaboration

The newly established board will work in tandem with PCMA’s mission to provide regional leadership in driving the growth and development of the Asia Pacific business events industry. The advisory board’s diverse backgrounds ensure that each member brings unique perspectives from various sectors of the industry, ranging from destination marketing and corporate meetings to event technology, exhibitions, and sponsorships.

For PCMA, this collective expertise is invaluable as it seeks to navigate the dynamic landscape of the Asia Pacific region, where business events are rapidly evolving in response to technological advances, shifting demographics, and changing business needs. The strategic direction of the board will focus on advocacy, education, and growth initiatives that help the industry thrive.

Empowering the MICE Industry in Asia Pacific

The APAC Advisory Board members’ primary responsibility is to provide strategic insights to PCMA on industry challenges and growth opportunities across the region. Their guidance will help the organization tailor its programming, resources, and events to better serve the needs of the MICE sector in Asia.

By focusing on key trends such as sustainability, digital transformation, and innovative event formats, the board will help PCMA remain at the forefront of the industry. The board members will also play an essential role in the development of educational initiatives that provide event planners and business professionals with the tools needed to thrive in the ever-changing world of business events.

Connecting the Global MICE Industry

As business events continue to increase in importance across the world, the Asia Pacific region is poised to become a critical hub for international meetings, conventions, and exhibitions. With growing economic importance, and several key destinations already seeing strong tourism growth, the APAC Advisory Board will work on building stronger ties within the global business events ecosystem, allowing PCMA to enhance its offerings to stakeholders across the globe.

The collaborative work of regional leaders, business executives, and global organizations such as PCMA will continue to propel the Asia Pacific MICE industry toward future success. By leveraging regional expertise, the 2025-2026 APAC Advisory Board will help position PCMA as a central player in the development and growth of business events across the entire Asia Pacific region.

Fostering Innovation and Education

In addition to its advisory role, the board will also contribute to the ongoing development of education and knowledge-sharing initiatives for the MICE industry. Through workshops, seminars, and conferences, the advisory board will support PCMA in ensuring that professionals in the industry have access to the most current knowledge and tools necessary for success.

The focus on professional development and innovative practices will help foster a new generation of event leaders who are equipped with the skills needed to navigate the fast-evolving landscape of the business events industry.

Looking Forward: A Bright Future for PCMA in APAC

With the formation of the 2025-2026 APAC Regional Advisory Board, PCMA is set to achieve even greater success in the Asia Pacific market. The organization’s efforts to empower the MICE industry and promote innovative solutions are being guided by this diverse and passionate group of industry leaders.

As the world of business events continues to evolve and become increasingly globalized, PCMA’s APAC Advisory Board will ensure that the region remains at the forefront of this exciting and dynamic sector. With a focus on collaboration, education, and growth, the future looks bright for both PCMA and the Asia Pacific business events industry.

The post PCMA Announces 2025-2026 APAC Regional Advisory Board Members to Drive Business Events Industry appeared first on Travel And Tour World.