AUSTIN, TX – The Austin Convention and Visitor's Bureau (ACVB) is proud to announce that it will host the Professional Convention Management Association's (PCMA) Convening Leaders annual meeting January 8-11, 2017.

“We are absolutely thrilled to host for the first time in Austin, arguably the most important event in our industry,” said Bob Lander, President and CEO of the ACVB. “We have been working on securing this bid for well over three years, and look forward to showcasing Austin's creative, collaborative, and innovative culture to the industry's leading meeting professionals and attendees from around the world. It really says something about the growth of Austin as a destination when we are next in line after host cities like Orlando (2013), Boston (2014), Chicago (2015) and Vancouver (2016).”

The 2017 meeting will attract approximately 4,000 attendees and generate an immediate economic return of an estimated $11 million. The overall economic impact of this group's meetings is usually felt for years in the host city because planners often return to the area for their own meetings. According to PCMA, cities that host the meeting have the potential to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in future business.

“We are excited to have Austin host Convening Leaders in 2017,” said Deborah Sexton, PCMA President and CEO. Austin is a high energy destination and the Austin Convention Center is located in the heart of a vibrant downtown scene, supported by an expansion of new hotel offerings.  PCMA has previously held a fall board meeting and our summer Education Conference in Austin and our attendees walked away inspired by all this city has to offer. In 2017 our PCMA Convening Leaders attendees will experience this unique city and convention center that nurtured SXSW from its early beginnings to the blockbuster event it is today – we can't wait. “

The January 8-11, 2017 meeting will be held at the LEED Gold certified Austin Convention Center, located in downtown Austin and steps away from the renowned entertainment district. The center is a gigabit rated building and continues to lead the industry with high tech capabilities and services.

“I am extremely pleased that PCMA's Convening Leaders Annual Meeting is coming to Austin,” said Mark Tester, Director of The Austin Convention Center.  “As PCMA is known throughout the meetings industry as a leader in innovation, we are excited to showcase the Austin Convention Center as a hallmark of innovation while showing the world that Austin is a top-tier meetings destination.”