USAEXtra SPORTING VENUES
V O L U M E 4 | ISSUE 4
APRIL 14, 2025
Neil Brownlee (left), PCMA Chair, Director of Business Events, VisitScotland; Andrew Weir (center), President & CEO, Destination Toronto; and Sherrif Karamat, CAE, President & CEO, PCMA, attend the PCMA Foundation’s Visionary Awards at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., on April 10.
ASAE Names Five to 2025 Class of Fellows
By Todd McElwee
ASAE is inducting a quintet of association industry stalwarts into its Fellows program who will join a group of more than 300 professionals to have received the designation. The ASAE Fellows program, established in 1986, celebrates individuals who have demonstrated visionary leadership, a commitment to conscious inclusion, and a sustained impact on their organizations and the community of association professionals, organizers said. Christina Lewellen, FASAE, CAE, President & CEO. Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools; Tara Puckey, FASAE, CAE, CMP, Executive Director, Radio Television Digital News Association; Christopher Urena, FASAE, CAE, Chief Learning Officer, Endocrine Society:
Nikki Walker, FASAE, Strategic Advisor & Global Consultant, MCI; and Aaron Wolowiec, FASAE, CAE, CMP Fellow, Founder and President, Event Garde, comprise this year’s class. They join a group of more than 300 professionals who have received the designation. “Congratulations to the 2025 Class of ASAE Fellows,” said Tonya Muse, FASAE, CAE, 2025 Fellows Selection Committee Chair. “This year’s class represents a diverse group of individuals who are visionary, dedicated, and deeply committed to advancing our profession. Their contributions will undoubtedly shape the future of the association community, and I look forward to seeing the impact they will make as ASAE Fellows.” Lewellen was named the Executive Director of ATLIS in 2019. Her CV includes executive posts with the Association of Proposal Management
Professionals and National Court Reporters Association. She has contributed a variety of pieces for ASAE and is active with the Research Committee. “This recognition reflects not only my career in association management, but more importantly, the shared commitment and passion of the association community I’ve had the privilege to lead and collaborate with,” she told USAE. “The accomplishments and innovation for which I’m being recognized are the result of collective vision, partnership, and purpose, the hallmarks of what makes association work so impactful. The ASAE Fellows award underscores the importance of the work we do together to serve our members and strengthen the communities we support. For these reasons and more, I’m honored to be named an ASAE Fellow.” Please turn to page 5
Inside
Page 2 Geoff Freeman Champions Travel System Upgrades Before House Committee Page 3 HSMAI’s Commercial Strategy Conference Heads to Indianapolis Page 4 A Conversation with Stephen Revetria, President, Giants Enterprises Page 7 Scene at PCMA Foundation Visionary Awards Page 8 Destinations International Releases Destination Reputation Research