By Stephanie Spika Hickey, POMA Executive Director
I recently had the opportunity to attend Connect Marketplace in Tampa, Florida, and I came home more excited than ever about the future of the POMA Summit.
One of my biggest goals at Connect was to start the search for our next Summit destination. I met with representatives from 40 convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) to share our RFP for the 2027 POMA Summit and invite them to submit bids. I also requested bids for the 2028 and 2029 Summits so we can get a head start on planning future events and finding destinations that will be a great fit for POMA.
The response was incredibly encouraging. Many destinations were excited about the possibility of hosting POMA and were eager to show me what they could offer our members.
I was also surprised by some of the destinations I met with. There were places I initially didn't think would be a natural fit for POMA, but after learning more, I discovered they have some fantastic opportunities for shooting, fishing and other outdoor experiences. It was a great reminder that sometimes the best destinations aren't the ones you initially expect.
Connect Marketplace also gave me the chance to network with more than just CVBs. I met with entertainment companies, other associations and industry professionals, and I came away with new ideas and plenty of inspiration for future POMA events.
After this trip, I’m more excited than ever about what’s ahead for the POMA Summit.
We'll announce the location of the 2027 POMA Summit before the end of the year. In the meantime, if you have feedback, ideas or questions about future Summit destinations, I'd love to hear from you. Email me at Stephanie@ProfessionalOutdoorMedia.org.