What Happens at Party With a Purpose...

Roy Benear
Senior Vice President
Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau




In our industry, we all know that conventions inject their host communities with a significant economic boost, which drives the local economy, supports public programs and keeps hotels busy. What’s special about the PCMA Annual Meeting: Convening Leaders, though, is that through Party With a Purpose (PWAP), which takes place tonight from 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. at Tryst, at the Wynn, we’re all able to directly impact the lives of real people in each community.

How do we do it? PCMA donates proceeds of ticket sales to a local charity; this year, it’s St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, dedicated to healing and caring for abused, abandoned, and neglected children. And every year, through PWAP, we also raise money for the PCMA Education Foundation, PCMA’s Network for the Needy.

It’s a good cause, and it’s a great party - so great this year that it's already sold out! The Austin CVB is signing on again in 2011 as the official live music sponsor, and Austin rockers, Skyrocket, are back by popular demand. Skyrocket will perform your favorite hits from the 70s and 80s (got a request? Tweet it to @MeetAustin, using the hashtag #AustinRocks, and you could win a call-out from the stage before Skyrocket plays your song! Careful, though – you sure you want everyone knowing that you love Devo?). We’ve created a campaign this year to help you get to know Skyrocket; they’re blogging from the road as they drive their vintage bus from Austin to Vegas. Check it out.

By participating in PWAP, we’re proud to say that the Austin CVB has helped to grow this annual event and increase the amount PCMA donates to each charity.

This year, you can benefit, too. Austin CVB representatives and our partners (Continental Airlines, Radisson Austin Hotel & Suites, Austin Convention Center, Marriott Courtyard and Residence Inn Austin Downtown, Hilton Austin, and Hyatt Regency Austin Downtown on the Lake) will be on site at PWAP, handing out a limited number of poker chips. Find and collect a chip from each of us, then bring your chips to the Austin area at PWAP and you’ll be entered to win a weekend in Austin, an Amazon Kindle, and more. Talk about a win-win.