PCMA Recognizes Visionary Business Event Leaders
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Music City Center President and Chief Executive Officer Charles Starks is the recipient of the Professional Convention Management Association’s 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award honors individuals who have made a lasting impact on the business events community through leadership, mentorship, and sustained contributions to convention management.
With 8,400 professional and student members and 100,000 business event stakeholders worldwide, PCMA is the global leader in business events.
“This industry has been incredibly challenging and rewarding, and I’m immensely grateful to my PCMA clients, colleagues, and peers for believing I’m worthy of this award,” Starks said.
Starks hospitality career began when he was only 14 years old. After college and years of experience at several Nashville-based hotel companies, he joined the Nashville Convention Center. During his tenure, he garnered support for a new building, led his team through construction, and achieved positive year-over-year gains in convention center operations. Since Music City Center opened in 2013, the facility has hosted 2,678 events and generated $4.6 billion in direct economic impact for the greater Nashville region.
Outside the convention center, Starks has served on many professional, civic, and community boards, including those of the Nashville Downtown Partnership, Greater Nashville Hospitality Association, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville, Nashville Sports Council, and University of Tennessee Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management. He is also a member of the International Association of Venue Managers and PCMA. Most recently, he served as Chair of the Board of Directors and Trustees for PCMA.
“It’s been a privilege to be part of this industry and to give back whenever possible. I’m proud of not only the work I’ve done but the relationships I’ve developed over the years,” added Starks.
Starks is one of four PCMA Lifetime Achievement Honorees recognized Thursday night at the group’s 2026 Visionary Awards ceremony. The event, held in Washington, D.C., celebrated other business event professionals through eight additional award categories.
For more information on the PCMA Visionary Awards, visit https://foundation.pcma.org/visionaryawards/.
About Music City Center
Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, Music City Center is a 2.1 million-square-foot convention center with more than 353,000 square feet of exhibit hall space, two ballrooms, 60 meeting rooms, and a covered parking garage with 1,800 spaces. The mission of MCC is to create significant economic benefit for the greater Nashville area, while focusing on community inclusion, sustainability, and exceptional customer service, through conventions, trade shows, and community events.
