The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) has named Ping He, director of global sourcing and partnership development at event management firm Experient, as the inaugural recipient of its new "Global Meetings Executive of the Year Award," Experient announced last month.
According to PCMA, the Global Meetings Executive of the Year Award is given to a meeting planner who has demonstrated "a vision, commitment and passion for the advancement and education of the global meetings industry." He or she must regularly conduct global meetings; show a vast knowledge of cultural customs and global business norms; and demonstrate success in advancing his or her organization's success.
He — who was honored on May 23 at the IMEX Awards Gala Dinner in Frankfurt, Germany — joined Experient in 2003 and has played an "instrumental" role in expanding its global meetings management capabilities, the company said. In 2011 alone, her efforts helped Experient conduct business in 37 countries and 102 global cities.
"Under Ping's stewardship, our global business development efforts, brand recognition and global industry partnerships have exploded," said Experient President Rick Binford. "We are now working with our clients all around the world to elevate the overall effectiveness of their global meetings strategies."
Among He's achievements and contributions: winning major Fortune 200 accounts; conducting business at major global venues such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics; participating as speaker and moderator at the PCMA 2009 Annual Meeting and International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) China seminar; speaking regularly with global suppliers such as Hyatt, Hilton and Global Alliance; authoring articles on international topics; and serving as a member of the IAEE Asia Council.
"Throughout her time with Experient, Ping has criss-crossed the globe numerous times, serving as a sought-after global business speaker, author, thought leader and educator," Binford said. "And when it comes to passion, Ping simply sets the standard. I am most pleased that we have had the privilege of sharing 'our' Ping with the global industry at large."