CEMA Gets a New Leader, Again 

March 28th, 2024 at 10:37 PM EDT

Brian Mason, new head of CEMA

Skift Take

Brian Mason has been named CEMA’s new vice president of strategy and operations, replacing Sandra Marcus who left the association after only nine months.

Brian Mason is the Corporate Event Marketing Association’s (CEMA) new vice president, of strategy, and operations. A longtime CEMA member and former advisory board member, Mason will lead the CEMA team and collaboratively work with its advisory board.

He replaces Sandra Marcus, who left the role after just nine months. 

CEMA Acquired in 2020

PCMA acquired CEMA in December 2020. The deal between the two organizations was signed after members voted in favor of the acquisition.

Then, during IMEX America in 2022, there were two high-profile resignations — executive director Kimberley Gishler and director of programming and member services Olga Rosenbrook. 

Gishler served in the top role for 12 years. She also headed up the PCMA global events team. Gishler was credited with tripling CEMA’s membership and increasing attendance at its events, according to PCMA. 

Salesforce Global Event Strategist

With more than 20 years of experience in event planning and administration, Mason joins the team following more than 14 years as a senior-level global event strategist with Salesforce. He will report to Junior Tauvaa, PCMA’s chief business officer.

“Strategic event leaders today play a key role in driving key KPIs for companies across all industries,” says Mason in a statement. “I am excited to join the CEMA team that cultivates strategic event marketing careers through education, networking, and leadership. I look forward to supporting our event marketing membership, advisory board, and industry partners into CEMA’s next chapter.” 

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