Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1483470
7 B M & T ••• November/December 2022 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com ten, creating meaningful experiences where passion, purpose and commerce come together. We are the world's largest community for Business Events Strategists, providing senior-level education, networking, and market intelligence for the global business events industry. Our 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 communica- tions for senior-level event marketers and industry professionals. Visit us at pcma.org . ABOUT PCMA FOUNDATION The role of the Foundation of PCMA is to support the mission of PCMA through fundraising and grant-giving focused on scholar- ships, education and research that will advance the business events industry. Annually the Foundation funds over $900K in impact, and since 1985 has funded over 2,500 scholarships, 100 research studies and education programs, and $2.7M in charitable giving. DESTINATIONS INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES TIAC PARTNERSHIP Destinations International, the world's largest resource for official des- tination organizations and convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) announce a partner- ship to elevate awareness of the role and impact of destination organiza- tions in Canada, to advise Destinat-ions International members of emerging issues affecting Canadian destination organ- izations, and to support development of resources that empower destination organizations to become more effective advocates within their own communi- ties. " D e s t i n a t i o n s International has 48 destina- tion members in Canada and is continuing to grow throughout the country," said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International. "This partnership will signifi- cantly bolster Destinations International's advocacy programs in Canada and will ensure that the collective voice of destination organiza- tions is represented in Ottawa and the regions." In May of 2022, Destinations International announced Canadian Destinations Leadership Council, an industry group consisting of chief executives from nearly 50 Canadian destination organizations that meets three times a year. The council serves as a forum for executives from Canada's destination organizations to collabora- tively elevate the voice of Canadian destinations and organize to tackle key issues affecting the destination organization industry. Founded in 1930 to encourage the development of tourism in Canada, TIAC serves today as the national private-sector advocate for this once $105 billion sector. Based in Ottawa, TIAC takes action on behalf of Canadian tourism businesses and promotes positive measures that help the industry grow and prosper. TIAC is responsible for representing tourism interests at the national level, and its advocacy work involves promoting and supporting policies, programs and activities that will benefit the sector's growth and development. "As the only Canadian organization representing the full cross- section of the tourism industry in Canada, we are delighted to enter into this new partnership with Destinations International, the leader in professional development for destination management organizations," says Beth Potter, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). "We are aligned in our goal of making our respective members as successful as they can be, and this partnership enables us to work together to achieve just that. We look forward to the greater collaboration between our organizations that will ultimately drive job growth, economic impact, and the prosperity of all our members." "As the stewards of tourism in their communities, destination organizations in Canada need a voice that represents their specific interests at the national level," said Michael Crockatt, president and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. "Bringing together the expertise of two powerful organizations—Destinations International and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada—ensures that Canada's destination organizations will have that national advocacy voice in their corner. This agreement emerges from the key view that tourism is a shared community value and a significant economic contributor, from coast to coast to coast." For more information, visit (www.destinationsinternational.org . ABOUT DESTINATIONS INTERNATIONAL: Destinations International is the world's largest resource for offi- cial destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. Destinations International represents a powerful forward-thinking, collaborative association; exchanging bold ideas, connecting innovative people and elevating tourism to its highest potential. For more information, visit www.destination- sinternational.org.