On November 2, 2005, the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) sponsored its First Annual “Service in Sync” program, which brought the meetings industry together to give back to local communities.

PCMA Chapters across the United States and Canada participated in community service projects, including volunteering at food banks, assembling USO care packages for those serving in the military, holding food drives, cooking and serving meals to cancer patients, teaching interviewing and computer skills, making care packages for children displaced by Hurricane Katrina, and hosting fundraisers to support various local charities.

Service in Sync is a new addition to the PCMA Network for the Needy program, which promotes volunteerism through the meetings and convention industry and is sponsored in part by a generous grant from GES Exposition Services.

The Greater Midwest Chapter, the Canada West Chapter, and the New England Chapter sorted and boxed up food at their local food banks. Their efforts helped to package 11,000 meals for those in need of emergency food assistance.

New England Chapter members who participated described the experience as “fun and fast paced, and a great way to learn about what the food banks really do.” PMCA staff members participated alongside members of the Greater Midwest Chapter.

The Capital Chapter, representing the Washington, DC region, organized a trip to Fort Belvoir, VA where they spent the morning and early afternoon boxing up care packages for those serving in the U.S. military.

Network for the Needy Chair Peter O’Brien explained their effort: “While there has certainly been no shortage of ‘worthy causes’ for charitable volunteerism this year (such as Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma), we did not want to forget the thousands of men and women who continue to serve our country in Iraq.

Operation USO Care Package was a wonderful vehicle to send a personal ‘thank you’ to those volunteering their lives for America, and a great opportunity for our Chapter to unite in support of ‘Service in Sync.’”

A few Chapters organized activities that focused on youth services. The New York Chapter spent the evening assembling care packages for children displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Through a program called ‘Feed the Children,’ members filled shoe boxes with items such as games, school supplies, and toiletries.

The Rocky Mountain Chapter organized a craft party at the Denver Children’s Hospital. The Northern California Chapter spent the day landscaping and building a bike path at the Edgewood Center for Children and Families.

“Those in the meetings and convention industry are very passionate about giving back to the communities that have made them successful,” explained PCMA Manager of Community Services Sarah Corradino. “Service in Sync is one of many ways that PCMA members support their local communities throughout the year.”

Next year’s Service in Sync event will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 2006. For further information on the event, please contact Sarah Corradino at scorradino@pcma.org.