SPECIAL MEMBER BULLETIN

HURRICANE KATRINA:
PCMA TO PROVIDE INDUSTRY ASSISTANCE

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Many of our friends, colleagues and business partners in the region have been affected by the disaster, and PCMA is now providing an opportunity for those who would like to direct their donations to helping those in our industry. Please read on to learn how you can help and how you can look to PCMA to provide the latest industry information on the region as it is received.

PCMA Establishes Hospitality Industry Relief Fund

To support the meetings and convention industry workforce affected by Hurricane Katrina, the PCMA Foundation has established the Hospitality Industry Relief Fund. This is a coordinated effort involving PCMA and other hospitality related organizations.

Credit Card Payments can be made by using our online secure system. Please click here to donate online now. You will receive an automatic donation receipt by donating online.

Checks should be made payable to the “Hospitality Industry Relief Fund.” A receipt indicating the amount of your donation will be mailed to the name and address on the check.

Mail to:
PCMA HIRF
2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Suite 1001
Chicago, IL 60616
The PCMA Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law.

We encourage you to make a powerful statement on behalf of the meetings industry by pledging your support.

Other Ways to Help

CVBs: If you work for a CVB, please help PCMA spread the word to your members, clients and partners by linking your communications to the Hospitality Industry Relief Fund. To access the Hospitality Industry Relief Fund’s secure online donation form click here: https://www.pcma.org/donations/

For questions contact Sarah Corradino at 312-423-7232 or at scorradino@pcma.org.

For press inquires contact Sandy Eitel at 312-423-7271 or at seitel@pcma.org.

In addition to the Hospitality Industry Relief Fund, PCMA encourages further donations—the need is great. Please visit www.fema.org for list of relief agencies.

Hurricane Katrina Resource Page on PCMA Web Site

Look to the PCMA home page at www.pcma.org for the latest information on the gulf coast region as we receive it from our industry partners in New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama. Click here to access the PCMA resource page.

PCMA Extends Membership Renewals for Gulf Coast Members Affected by Katrina

PCMA will automatically extend the memberships of the affected planner and supplier partners for at least six months. This includes the student and faculty members in the Gulf Coast region.

A Request from the Meeting Planner for the American Red Cross—Washington DC Hospitality Community Only

Leslie Zeck, CMP, Manager of Events & Conferences for the Red Cross has been tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the national headquarters staff, who has been working around the clock to coordinate this massive effort, is well-taken care of. She is reaching out to the hospitality community to seek in-kind donations of lunches, dinners and snacks and sodas for the Washington, DC-based headquarters staff who are managing the operation. In an extreme gesture of generosity, the Washington St. Regis Hotel, for example, has donated box lunches to the Red Cross team. The Red Cross is also seeking donations of complimentary hotel rooms in the Washington, DC area for the staff who don’t have time to go home. To donate hotel sleeping rooms or food to the American Red Cross staff, please contact Leslie Zeck at 202-303-4244 or via email at zeckl@usa.redcross.org.

Links to Information

New Orleans CVB Web Site: http://www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/action/group/contentID/256/sectionID/1/subsectionID/0/

South Mississippi Sun Harold: www.sunherald.com

PCMA’s Hurricane Katrina Resource Page: http://www.pcma.org/source/news/katrina.asp

New Orleans North Shore CVB: http://neworleansnorthshore.com/cms/index.php?id=222

Baton Rouge CVB: http://www.visitbatonrouge.com/

The Gulf Shores (Ala.) CVB: http://www.gulfshores.com/crisis/