PCMA visionary award presenter AAPA creates the manufactured

The PCMA Foundation has accepted group nominations for the first time in decades of visionary history in three professional excellence award categories – the Impact Award, Experience Design of the Year and Digital Experience Strategist of the Year – acknowledging many of this effort to groundbreaking achievements.

“By introducing team and group nominations, we will respect the collective talent, creativity and dedication that drives our industry forward,” said Meredith Rollins, Chief Community Officer of PCMA PCMA and Executive Director of PCMA Foundation. “This enhancement ensures that the people behind the most impactful experiences, whether in one organization or across multiple, are due to their due recognition.”

Before the ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 10 Convene Talk to Anthony Maggiore, CMP, CED, CED, Senior Director of Conference and Conferences of Anthony Maggiore, CMP (AAPA) to learn that the latest initiatives for AAPA’s annual gatherings are a team effort, and they have won recognition from finalists of the year’s Experience Design.

A pop-up store – There are stories to share

Whenever Anthony Maggiore spends a day strolling in Chicago, he notices a group of shoppers stretching down the street at limited-time pop-up retail locations. Margojol told Convened.

He believes that the same concept can enhance the participant experience of AAPA’s annual gatherings – the Houston Market debuted in 2024 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. However, it’s not just a product; it’s about people. AAPA worked closely with Visit Houston to develop signage that shared the owner’s narrative.

“When you enter that space, you’re not just going into a retail space, but you’re entering a story,” Maggiore said. “These business owners are happy to say why they’re passionate about the products they create.”

Manufacturing of Houston Market debuted at the George Brown Convention Center at the AAPA conference in May 2024.

In addition to giving attendees a chance to discover a boutique in Houston, something happened during the show that made Maggiore happy: It provided a chance for boutiques to discover a community of doctors.

“When the fair opened, business owners had a conversation with our members,” he said. “So, the public often doesn’t understand the value of PAS in the healthcare field. Their education, expertise and skill levels are underestimated. Not only can we share these incredible stories of small businesses with our members, but we also have to share stories of PA with our local communities, which is really special.”

The nominated AAPA team includes Cindy Stickles, CEM, Director of Conference and Exhibitions, and CEM’s Heather Teplitz, Exhibition Sales and Sponsorship Manager. Although the teams of three groups seem relatively small, their backgrounds create a broad range of perspectives, including engaging in large-scale nonprofit medical experiences, food performances and company activations. Throughout the show, Teplitz handled much of the work of collecting contracts and insurance, as Stickles worked with Freeman to educate these vendors on the nuances of working in a conference environment and their standard pop-up retail experience. Maggiore, who calls himself an “anti-leader who loves to do busy work”, is happy to roll up his sleeves to help with anything that needs to be done.

“Cooperation is the essence of the business event industry,” Maggiore said. “For this particular nomination, a team member who has brought this idea into life so relentlessly isn’t for me. Everything in this industry is done through partnerships and teamwork. Nothing is done in the silo. I hope that in the future, more and more people will be drawn with them to their teammates.”

David McMillin is the former Convene Editor and freelance writer.