About Belinda

As you know, I am the moderator of this blog. I’d like to share my background with everyone. If you have any questions, or would like to talk about some of my experiences, please send me an email. My email address is bkeota@pma.com.

I am relatively new to the meeting planning industry. I graduated from the University of Delaware’s Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management Program in 2005. While attending college, I was a student member of PCMA for 3 years, and had many great experiences that helped me to get to where I am today.

While in college, I worked for Embassy Suites and the Hotel du Pont doing front office work and work in food and beverage. I also held an internship with Princeton University’s Conference and Visitors Services department. After graduating from college, I moved to Baltimore, and worked for the Pier 5 Hotel in the front office.

Eventually, I grew tired of the long and unpredictable hours in the hotel, and decided to look into other opportunities. One of my professors, who was also the UD faculty advisor for PCMA, mentioned a position that was open at the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) as a Meeting and Events Planner. I applied and have been working for PMA since February of 2006.

At PMA, I am one of three meeting planners who assist the Director of Meetings and Tradeshows with one of the top 200 tradeshows in the country. I also work on several smaller meetings and events, as well as several webinars each year. I really love the work that I do for PMA! The hours are wonderful, I get to travel, and work with wonderful people around the country. Every day is a different experience, and because I am so new to this industry, there is always something new for me to learn.

I was asked to be the Student Committee Chair because I was recently a student, and I have a good grasp as to what the challenges are that face students upon graduating. I’m excited to work with students from several different schools (and I miss college tremendously). I am willing to help anyone who has a question, or would just like to chat about the industry. I am fairly new to all of this myself, but I have many wonderful resources that I can consult in order to help answer any questions that may come my way.

So, that is my story! I hope everyone has a great holiday season, and I look forward to meeting some of you in Toronto and at chapter meetings. Please feel free to contact me at any time!