CodeMash’s move to make the tech conference more accessible and affordable led to a family-friendly event that spawned the spin-off KidzMash just for attendees' children. Written and read by Jennifer N. Dienst, senior editor at Convene . Read the Article : The Secret to This Tech Conference’s Exponential Growth: https://www.pcma.org/secret-codemash-tech-conferences-exponential-growth/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p...
Apr 16, 2025•5 min•Season 1Ep. 65
In this episode of the Convene Podcast, the team discusses how recent U.S. policies and funding cuts are disrupting the business events industry. From international travel challenges to scientific censorship and declining attendance, hear what’s changing—and what it means for planners, speakers, and global collaboration. Links: · https://www.pcma.org/doge-impact-meetings-industry/ · https://www.pcma.org/trump-administrations-policies-and-cuts-being-felt-by-events-industry/ · https://www.theguard...
Apr 11, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 58
As record-breaking temperatures reach unprecedented levels, event organizers — and their participants — will have to take extra precautions to keep everyone cool, and safe. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene . Read the Article : Events Professionals Offer Advice on Meeting in Extreme Heat: https://www.pcma.org/events-professionals-offer-advice-meeting-in-heat/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...
Apr 09, 2025•13 min•Season 1Ep. 64
In this episode of the Convene Podcast, the global leader on the future of AI and business Dr. Ayesha Khanna shares how AI is redefining business strategy—from operational efficiency to imaginative co-creation. Discover how organizations can use AI to unlock innovation, manage risk, and empower their workforce—ethically and effectively. Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmacon...
Apr 04, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Energy Disruptors: UNITE is an immersive energy sector summit that aims to bring together diverse voices — along with an unexpected infusion of the arts — to spark change. Written and read by Casey Gale, former managing editor at Convene . Read the Article : Harnessing the Energy of ‘Unlike Minds’: https://www.pcma.org/energy-disruptors-unite-summit-diverse-voices/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube:...
Apr 02, 2025•12 min•Season 1Ep. 63
This season has been kindly sponsored by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visit discoverPHL.com to start planning your next life sciences meeting. In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Rory G. Archibald from VisitScotland explores the ethical considerations, data security challenges, and job evolution AI brings to the industry. Tune in to learn how event professionals can navigate AI responsibly and effectively. Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-c...
Mar 27, 2025•40 min•Season 6Ep. 6
This season has been kindly sponsored by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visit discoverPHL.com to start planning your next life sciences meeting. AI is everywhere, but is it truly driving business transformation? In this episode, Augusto Salvatto explores the gap between AI hype and real-world impact, the importance of machine learning over generative AI, and how organizations can take practical steps to adopt AI strategically. Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/...
Mar 20, 2025•29 min•Season 6Ep. 5
This season has been kindly sponsored by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visit discoverPHL.com to start planning your next life sciences meeting. In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Chantal Sturk-Nadeau and Veemal Gungadin break down key findings from the most recent Pulse Check survey (at the time of recording the working title was State of AI in Business Events 2025 report), including AI adoption trends, the "efficiency trap," and how event planners can shift from cost-cut...
Mar 13, 2025•25 min•Season 6Ep. 4
This season has been kindly sponsored by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visit discoverPHL.com to start planning your next life sciences meeting. AI is transforming contract management, but what are the legal risks? In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Jill Blood explores how event planners can use AI for legal insights while staying compliant and ethical. Learn how to protect your data, navigate AI contracts, and make informed decisions. Follow Convene: LinkedIn Instagram X ...
Mar 06, 2025•33 min•Season 6Ep. 3
This season has been kindly sponsored by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visit discoverPHL.com to start planning your next life sciences meeting. In this episode of the Convene Podcast, we explore with Paula Rowntree, Head of Events at the Australian Psychological Society, the evolving role of AI in associations—how it’s reshaping member engagement, streamlining operations, and unlocking new revenue streams. Follow Convene: LinkedIn Instagram X Subscribe to our newsletters : pcm...
Feb 27, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 2
This season has been kindly sponsored by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visit discoverPHL.com to start planning your next life sciences meeting. In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Nick Borelli and Zoe Moore explore how AI can help event professionals design more inclusive experiences. From addressing intersectionality to overcoming unconscious bias, they share strategies for fostering accessibility, belonging, and equity in event planning, with the support of AI. Follow Co...
Feb 20, 2025•27 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Honeycomb Strategies has documented the life cycle of swag and its environmental impact. Here are some sustainable alternatives. Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief at Convene . Read the Article : Rethinking Swag at Events Follow Convene: Website LinkedIn Instagram X Subscribe to our newsletters : pcma.org/subscribe-to-pcma-emails Contact Information : For anything podcast-related, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org. Sponsorships and Partnerships : R...
Feb 12, 2025•5 min•Season 1Ep. 62
As funding and support for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives decline in the U.S., event professionals consider the consequences for meetings, destinations, and associations. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene . Read the Article : How Is the DEI Backlash Impacting the Events Industry? Follow Convene: Website LinkedIn Instagram X Subscribe to our newsletters : pcma.org/subscribe-to-pcma-emails Contact Information : For anything podcast-related, reach out to Mag...
Feb 05, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 61
In this episode of the Convene Podcast, we discuss the evolving role of convention centers, from their economic impact on cities to their innovative designs fostering community connections. Links: · Why Are Cities Still Spending Big on Convention Centers? · Convene Talk ep 50 · Trends Report 2025: Help — and Bleisure Time — Wanted · Trends Report 2025: Meeting and Event ‘Destination Dupes’ Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/ Episode Transcript Meet the Convene Editors : ·...
Jan 31, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Discover how Convene 4 Climate is shaping the future of sustainable business events. In this episode, Jaimé Bennett shares insights on co-locating events, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and creating actionable solutions for a regenerative economy. This season has been kindly sponsored by Madrid Convention Bureau. Learn more about how to make your next meeting Madrileño at esmadrid.com/mcb . Guest Information : Jaimé Bennett With over two decades of experience in the business events i...
Jan 30, 2025•21 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Fundraising Con Ganas, a two-day conference geared toward helping small- and medium-sized Latinx-focused nonprofits, addresses an industry inequity and ensures that what participants learn has organization-wide impact. Written and read by Casey Gale, managing editor at Convene . Read the Article : Empowering Latinx Nonprofits in the Fundraising World Follow Convene: Website LinkedIn Instagram X Subscribe to our newsletters : pcma.org/subscribe-to-pcma-emails Contact Information : For anything po...
Jan 29, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 60
Links: · December 2024 Cover Story: How Events Can Foster Emotional Engagement · Unlocking Us Podcast: Brené with Priya Parker on The Art of Gathering · WeWork: or The Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn · RIP Remote Year: Shutting down after nearly 10 years · How the US Is Destroying Young People’s Future | Scott Galloway | TED Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/ Episode Transcript Meet the Convene Editors : · Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief · Barbara Palmer,...
Jan 24, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 56
In this episode, Josephin Van Waasen, Head of Content and Community at PCMA EMEA, shares how PCMA EMEA is redefining events through its initiatives. From fostering safe spaces to building audience-centric programs and embracing multigenerational perspectives, learn how these initiatives drive engagement, innovation, and actionable insights for the business events community. This season has been kindly sponsored by Madrid Convention Bureau. Learn more about how to make your next meeting Madrileño...
Jan 23, 2025•25 min•Season 5Ep. 5
This episode has been kindly sponsored by Visit Phoenix. To learn more about them and the intriguing tagline "The desert made us do it", go to visitphoenix.com/meetings . Our usual approach to Convene ‘s Annual Industry Forecast is to cast a wide net, gathering a variety of data related to the business events industry, including travel, lodging, technology, and the workplace. This year, we took a different tack. Instead of those wide-ranging forecasts, Convene editors wrote succinct trends repor...
Jan 22, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Links: · Designing Neurodiverse inclusive events: Creating accessible experiences for all · Scott Galloway Tees Up His Predictions for 2025 Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/ Episode Transcript Meet the Convene Editors : · Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief · Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor · Jennifer N. Dienst, Senior Editor · Casey Gale, Managing Editor · Curt Wagner, Digital Editor · Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor Follow Convene: Website LinkedIn Instagram X ...
Jan 17, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 55
In this episode, we explore CEMA’s innovative event strategies. In this episode, Brian Mason, VP of Strategy and Operations, shares insights on integrating AI, fostering collaboration, and creating impactful events. Learn how AI is streamlining operations, explore the risks taken at Summit 2024, and hear about CEMA’s plans for growth and global connections in 2025. This season has been kindly sponsored by Madrid Convention Bureau. Learn more about how to make your next meeting Madrileño at esmad...
Jan 16, 2025•28 min•Season 5Ep. 4
This episode has been kindly sponsored by Visit Phoenix. To learn more about them and the intriguing tagline "The desert made us do it", go to visitphoenix.com/meetings . With another post-pandemic year under their belts, business event organizer respondents to this year’s Meetings Market Survey seemed to be on steadier ground — dealing with less uncertainty but still struggling with pressing challenges largely outside of their control. Their survey responses reflect an acceptance of difficult m...
Jan 15, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 58
This episode has been kindly sponsored by Visit Phoenix. To learn more about them and the intriguing tagline "The desert made us do it", go to visitphoenix.com/meetings . Links: · Amal Clooney at Convening Leaders 2025 · Clooney Foundation for Justice Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/ Episode Transcript Meet the Convene Editors : · Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief · Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor · Jennifer N. Dienst, Senior Editor · Casey Gale, Managing Editor · Curt W...
Jan 10, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 54
In this episode, Carolyn Ray and Kristi Casey share some of the innovative strategies behind PCMA edUcon 2024. From hands-on workshops and creative keynote formats to the choice of session topics, learn how the PCMA team's approaches are reshaping event education and empowering professionals to elevate their skills and leadership potential. This season has been kindly sponsored by Madrid Convention Bureau. Learn more about how to make your next meeting Madrileño at esmadrid.com/mcb . Guest Infor...
Jan 09, 2025•55 min•Season 5Ep. 3
At Convening Leaders 2025, five Main Stage speakers will encourage the audience to expand their own thinking. Convene spoke with Kishore Mahbubani, former UN Security Council President and authority on geopolitical shifts, about using business events as platforms for global understanding and collaboration. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene . Read the Article : CL25 Speaker Kishore Mahbubani on the Coming Asian Century Follow Convene: Website LinkedIn Instagram X Subscr...
Jan 08, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 57
This episode has been kindly sponsored by Visit Phoenix. To learn more about them and the intriguing tagline "The desert made us do it", go to visitphoenix.com/meetings . Links: · Scott Galloway at Convening Leaders 2025 · How the US Is Destroying Young People’s Future | Scott Galloway | TED · CL25 Main Stage Speaker Scott Galloway on What’s Ahead for 2025 · Trump’s climate threats rattle world’s biggest science meeting · Convene Talk on Navigating Controversial Speakers Get News Junkie: https:/...
Jan 03, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Links: · Kishore Mahbubani at Convening Leaders 2025 · China Books Review: Kishore Mahbubani on “Living the Asian Century: An Undiplomatic Memoir” · Exploring APAC’s Event Evolution with Florence Chua: Unbound, AI Innovation, and Sustainable Connections · How Events Can Drive Climate Action: Paul Dickinson on Sustainable Change, Carbon Offsets, and Convening for Climate · Liz Cheney at Convening Leaders 2025 Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/ Episode Transcript Meet the ...
Dec 20, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 52
In this episode, we dive into PCMA Labs with Lucio Vaquero, exploring how these innovative workshops empower event professionals with hands-on learning. We discuss the importance of mentorship programs for addressing talent gaps and highlight Convening LATAM 2025 set to transform the region. This season has been kindly sponsored by Madrid Convention Bureau. Learn more about how to make your next meeting Madrileño at esmadrid.com/mcb . Guest Information : Lucio Vaquero With over 20 years of exper...
Dec 19, 2024•35 min•Season 5Ep. 2
How software company Avalara turned networking on its head and delivered business and bonding at its FUSE partner conference. Part three of Convene 's September-October cover and CMP series, written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene . Read the Article : Architects of Connection Designing ‘A Beautiful Nesting Ground’ for Deeper Relationships Event Attendees ‘Don’t Want to Waste Their Time Anymore’ Follow Convene: Website LinkedIn Instagram X Subscribe to our newsletters : pcma....
Dec 18, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Links: · Brené Brown at Convening Leaders 2025 · The power of vulnerability | Brené Brown | TED · Maximizing Impact with Michael Bungay Stanier: How Event Planners Can Lead with Curiosity and Coaching · Brené with Michael Bungay Stanier on Dare to Lead Podcast Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/ Episode Transcript Meet the Convene Editors : · Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief · Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor · Jennifer N. Dienst, Senior Editor · Casey Gale, Managing Editor...
Dec 13, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 51
