Posted on: January 8, 2018
By: Allen Wallace, wallacej7@mailbox.sc.edu, 803-777-5667

The HRTM Event Planner student organization has been awarded 2017 Student Chapter of the Year by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA). The club is one of 18 student organizations affiliated with USC’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management and gives students the opportunity to get involved on campus and make new friends while gaining experience relative to their career goals and interests.

The chapter received a $1,000 scholarship from The PCMA Education Foundation in recognition of the chapter’s hard work, dedication, and contributions to the meetings and hospitality industry. The scholarship will be used to help fund club activities such as industry travel and conference expenses, special events, guest speakers and member recruitment activities. This is the second Student Chapter of the Year award for the group, according to current President Delane Toole, who applied for the honor on behalf of the organization.

“We were selected based on our records, activeness, high attendance at meetings, and just being awesome,” Toole says. “We focus on bringing in industry guest speakers, volunteering at local events, and touring venues regularly to get a better idea of the event planning industry.”

Toole is joined as a student leader of HRTM Event Planners this year by Ivana Ferro, Ali Goodwin, Zahria Barber, Katherine Helms and Annabeth Canfield. Sandy Strick serves as faculty advisor for the group.

Several members are attending the PCMA Convening Leaders Conference Jan. 7-10 in Nashville, and will be recognized as award winners there in front of more than 4,500 colleagues from all over the United States.

Students interested in joining the HRTM Event Planners can visit their Facebook group page or contact Membership Director Ivana Ferro at ivanaferro12@gmail.com.