Impressively, our Heartland Chapter has 13 members who have belonged to the Chapter 20 or more years. Their contributions to our Chapter have been, and continue to be, invaluable. We benefit from their shared wisdom, experience, and advice.

In today’s edition of The Pulse, we feature one of our 20-plus-years members: Kate Turner.

Read on to learn about Kate’s favorite author, favorite movie, fondest Chapter memory, tips for young meeting professionals, and more!

Kate Turner, CMP

Director of Meetings

International Association of Fairs & Expositions

I originally joined the PCMA Heartland Chapter because:

I was looking for more information. I had no training in being a meeting planner before our planner quit. I was currently an administrative assistant to the CEO and they asked me if I wanted to go to Idaho. That is how I got promoted. After a year and a half of just following what had been done before me, I asked if I could join an association. They said yes. I researched different ones and decided on PCMA.

A side note, my employer has always paid my dues. I was worried this year because of all the challenges presented by COVID-19. All our spring meetings were canceled because of limits on group sizes except one that was happening right as everything started canceling in the US. Most of our members have had their entire events and rentals shut down. I asked about paying my dues, and without hesitation, my CEO said absolutely, “Of course you can renew! PCMA provides you so much valuable information that we need now, more than ever.”

The committees I have served on during my 20-plus years as a member include:

For our Heartland Chapter I have served several years as the Co-Chair for the Emerging Leaders Committee. Plus, I volunteered once to be on the national Membership Committee.

My fondest memory during my many years as a Chapter member is:

I really enjoyed getting more involved and having an excuse to go to the Chapter meetings.  Before joining a committee, I only attended the national convention, so really only saw our Chapter members once a year. By going to the Chapter meetings, I have met so many more people and made so many more friends.

An extra special memory: Early on I really did not know many people. I had to cancel attending Convening Leaders because my daughter who was only about a year old was having a procedure at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City.  It was not super serious, but scary for a new parent. Some of the Chapter members reached out to me just to make sure I had everything I needed while I was in town, without really knowing me.

My advice to a young professional embarking on their event planner/meetings business journey is:

Get involved early. You will meet so many more people. You will get much more out of it than what you put in. Even if it seems like it takes time, it is so worth it.

Other valuable resources beyond PCMA for meeting professionals include:

Right now, I cannot keep up with all the new information out there. I read every newsletter I can get trying to make sure we are moving our convention and meetings forward in a safe way.  Other than PCMA resources I have probably participated in more free webinars from Meetings.net than any other.

The biggest change in me as a professional since joining the Chapter is:

Trying to be more outgoing and meet more people. The people in the Chapter have been great, introducing me to new people.

My favorite book author is___, because:

I am not sure on this one because I have probably 10 books that I have started but not finished.  Maybe I will do that this fall when my house is quieter.

The number of states in the U.S. I have visited:

I think it is only 34.

My favorite movie of all-time is:

My Girl.

My next splurge purchase/treat is going to be:

A trip – anywhere, but most likely Louisville with my girlfriends. Bought a package at the Chapter event in January that I cannot wait to use.