QR codes make events smoother—but they’re also a growing attack surface. In this Convene Talk, we unpack quishing (malicious QR code scams), from a live “honey pot” demo at a cybersecurity summit to everyday tricks that exploit attendee trust. We share easy fixes planners can deploy now—like printing the full destination URL next to every QR code—plus the FTC’s top tips, verification habits that actually stick, and how to keep QR convenience without sacrificing safety. Links: · Even scam experts...
Oct 03, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 81
This 50,000-member association designed a record-breaking annual conference by focusing on inclusivity and safety. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene . Read the Article : How the Society of Women Engineers Earned a Gold Award for Events: https://www.pcma.org/society-of-women-engineers-is-embracing-diversity/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconven...
Oct 01, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 89
How do you reimagine a city-wide icon when its central venue is gone? In this Convene Talk, the team unpacks SXSW 2026 and its pivot to badge-specific neighborhoods across Austin. We dig into why constraints spark creativity, what “villages” mean for brand activations and attendee flow, how to balance strategy vs. serendipity, and whether asking attendees to set goals up front is fair. Links: · Four Insights on SXSW’s Evolving Brand Activation Landscape for 2026: https://www.eventmarketer.com/ar...
Sep 26, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 80
This season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Anaheim. Go to VisitAnaheim.org/meetings to learn more. What does it take to embed diversity, equity, and inclusion into the DNA of a destination? In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Adam Burke, President & CEO of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, shares how LA is leveraging its diversity to create opportunities for small, diverse-owned businesses through initiatives like Empower LA. From breaking down barriers to entry and providi...
Sep 25, 2025•23 min•Season 8Ep. 6
Both employers and job candidates are using AI resources to streamline the hiring process — but sometimes this can backfire. Written and read by Kate Mulcrone, digital managing editor at Convene . Read the Article : What Planners Need to Know About Using AI in the Hiring Process: https://www.pcma.org/using-ai-in-hiring-process/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medi...
Sep 24, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Is packing every minute of a business trip actually killing creativity? In this Convene Talk, we unpack the “leisure boom,” why adding white space to work travel and conferences fuels breakthroughs, and how design tweaks—like serendipity paths and simple sticky-note walls—unlock engagement. We also sanity-check the headline stats, discuss ROI vs. reflection time, and explore why Gen Z says their best ideas happen away from the desk. Practical takeaways for planners and travelers included. Links:...
Sep 19, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 79
This season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Anaheim. Go to VisitAnaheim.org/meetings to learn more. Accessibility isn’t just about ramps and elevators anymore — it starts long before attendees arrive onsite. In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Frank M. Wächter breaks down what the European Accessibility Act (EAA) means for event professionals, why inclusive digital touchpoints are essential, and how small changes like color contrast and clear headings can make a big impact. From building ...
Sep 18, 2025•17 min•Season 8Ep. 5
Bree Groff’s book Today Was Fun explores how maximizing joy at work leads to a team culture that fosters intentionality, care, and courtesy. Written and read by Kate Mulcrone, digital managing editor at Convene . Read the Article : Can Work Be Fun?: https://www.pcma.org/can-work-be-fun/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X:...
Sep 17, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 87
Remember Fyre Festival? It tried to make a comeback. In this Convene Talk, the team breaks down the short, doomed saga of “Fyre Festival 2”—from phantom venues to a surprise eBay fire-sale—and what it reveals about influencer hype, ethics, and the critical role of professional event planning. We contrast Fyre’s spin with Burning Man’s radical transparency, revisit the Andy King debate, and explore how AI deepfakes are fueling a new wave of fake events. Links: · Is Fyre Festival 2 happening? Mexi...
Sep 12, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 78
This season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Anaheim. Go to VisitAnaheim.org/meetings to learn more. What does it take to design an event that is both unapologetically political and profoundly celebratory? In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Natalie Thompson, Valerie Sumner, and Roberta Sumner share how they created a safe, inclusive, and joyful space at the WorldPride Human Rights Conference. From wellness rooms and volunteer programs to drag performances and community-driven sessions, le...
Sep 11, 2025•40 min•Season 8Ep. 4
A recent survey reveals how corporate citizenship professionals are adjusting to DEI backlash while remaining true to their company’s commitment to its values. Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief at Convene . Read the Article : CSR Professionals Survey the Political Landscape for DEI: https://www.pcma.org/csr-professionals-weigh-in-on-dei-politics/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube...
Sep 10, 2025•4 min•Season 1Ep. 86
What happens when researchers trade lecture halls for campgrounds, five-minute rhymed papers, and walk-up songs? In this Convene Talk, the editorial team unpacks a recent Nature article on the “Woodstock of Biology” — a freewheeling festival near Prague that pushes the boundaries of what a scientific conference can be. From playful formats and outdoor experiments to questions about inclusivity, outcomes, and design principles like MAYA (“most advanced yet acceptable”), we ask: when does weird en...
Sep 05, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 77
This season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Anaheim. Go to VisitAnaheim.org/meetings to learn more. In this powerful episode, Cameron Curtis, Executive Director of the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association, joins the Convene Podcast to unpack the tangible ways that inclusion, safety, and allyship show up in real-world event planning. From confronting fear of DEI backlash to rethinking how we communicate with venues and attendees, Cameron offers practical guidance and hopeful perspective for ...
Sep 04, 2025•29 min•Season 8Ep. 3
How DEI is embedded in Minneapolis’ DNA and blueprint for future growth and why other destinations — and the events ecosystem — need to better convey the business case for diversity. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene . Read the Article : ‘We’re Not Changing What We Do’: Standing Strong Amidst DEI Backlash: https://www.pcma.org/minneapolis-not-changing-what-we-do/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram....
Sep 03, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 85
The women-focused festival Create & Cultivate has grown into one of the largest business events of its kind, blending celebrity keynotes, AI-powered networking, and brand activations that wow attendees and sponsors alike. In this episode of the Convene Podcast, the team unpacks what makes the event so successful, the debates around women-only spaces, and how such formats are reshaping the future of networking. Links: · How Create & Cultivate Built a Business Event Women Want to Attend Ev...
Aug 29, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 76
This season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Anaheim. Go to VisitAnaheim.org/meetings to learn more. In this episode, event strategist and inclusion expert Devon Montgomery Pasha shares why designing for belonging goes far beyond accessibility checklists. She unpacks how empathy-based planning, value-driven data, and asking the right questions—not just demographic ones—can radically transform your events. From registration forms to post-event analysis, Devon offers practical strategies and pow...
Aug 28, 2025•39 min•Season 8Ep. 2
While some companies are backing off DEI, the outdoor retailer makes inclusivity a through line at its internal events. Written and read by Jennifer N. Dienst, senior editor at Convene . Read the Article : How REI Co-Op’s Events Are Inclusive in Nature: https://www.pcma.org/rei-coop-events-are-inclusive-in-nature/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://me...
Aug 27, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 84
In this Convene Talk, the editorial team unpacks the Honeycomb Strategies State of the Sustainable Events Industry: Summer 2025 Trends & Risks Report and the Convene 4 Climate inaugural report, comparing their insights on KPIs, mentorship, supply chain ethics, and the shift toward measuring positive impact. From innovative tools like the Sustainable Traveler Impact Companion System to the role of trust and local sourcing, this discussion explores where the industry is making progress — and w...
Aug 22, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 75
This season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Anaheim. Go to VisitAnaheim.org/meetings to learn more. What’s really driving the backlash against DEI — and what can we do about it? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Poornima Luthra, a globally recognized educator, speaker, and author, whose work unpacks the emotional root of resistance to inclusion efforts in today’s workplaces. Drawing from her latest research and extensive experience across sectors, Dr. Luthra helps us move beyond performati...
Aug 21, 2025•28 min•Season 8Ep. 1
Diversity, equity, and inclusion remain central to the work of events professionals. You just need to read between the lines of session titles and marketing campaigns. Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief at Convene . Read the Article : DEI Done Differently: https://www.pcma.org/dei-done-differently/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https:/...
Aug 20, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 83
When a recent U.S. executive order labeled diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts “immoral and illegal,” some organizations quietly swapped out the language — while others doubled down on their commitments. In this behind-the-scenes conversation, the Convene editorial team discusses our August cover story on how the events industry is responding to the backlash. Links: · DEI Done Differently: https://www.pcma.org/magazine-issue/august-2025/ · Convene Series: How to Build a Career on Your...
Aug 15, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 74
Two associations have moved their conferences from the U.S. to Canada due to rising sociopolitical tensions — and despite financial consequences. Here is how they arrived at those decisions. Written and read by Kate Mulcrone, managing digital editor at Convene . Read the Article : Crossing Borders to Address Attendee Safety Concerns: https://www.pcma.org/crossing-borders-attendee-safety-concerns/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.ins...
Aug 13, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 82
A new study reveals that our brains may have aged nearly six months during the pandemic—regardless of whether we had COVID-19. In this Convene Talk episode, the team explores what that means for our industry, how meetings support brain health, and why live experiences are more essential than ever. Links: · Pandemic aged our brains – even those who never caught Covid, study finds: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/covid-health-brain-health-impact-b2793636.html · An Events Industry Leader’...
Aug 08, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 73
How a conference for lifestyle medicine practitioners takes a page from its own prescription pad. Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief at Convene . Read the Article : This Medical Meeting Builds Wellness Into the Program: https://www.pcma.org/medical-meeting-build-wellness-program/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@conven...
Aug 06, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 81
In this episode of the Convene podcast, the editorial team breaks down the bill’s potential impact on the U.S. events industry — from wins like expanded Pell Grant access and airport modernization, to major concerns over Brand USA’s 80% funding cut. Tune in as we unpack the ripple effects on international attendance, workforce development, global competitiveness, and more. Links: · The $80 Million Mistake: How America Just Defunded Its Own Influence: https://www.gatheringpoint.news/p/the-80-mill...
Aug 01, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 72
The Austin Convention Center has set its sights on becoming the first zero-carbon convention center certified by the International Living Future Institute. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene . Read the Article : Will This Be the Greenest Convention Center on the Planet?: https://www.pcma.org/greenest-convention-center-2/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.co...
Jul 30, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 80
In this episode, the Convene team explores why the beloved book convention is making a comeback, what it says about shifting cultural habits, and how in-person literary gatherings are reemerging as powerful community hubs. Plus, ideas for how event organizers can take inspiration from this trend to better engage younger audiences. Links: · BookCon Will Return in 2026: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/trade-shows-events/article/98044-bookcon-will-return-in-2026.html · De...
Jul 25, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 71
At the 2024 Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS) Conference, library professionals showcased innovative ways they bring books, resources, and support to communities often left behind — from Alzheimer’s caregivers to incarcerated youth. But funding and recognition remain key challenges. Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief at Convene . Read the Article : Taking Library Services on the Road: https://www.pcma.org/bookmobiles-outreach-services/ Follow Convene: Link...
Jul 23, 2025•6 min•Season 1Ep. 79
In this episode, the Convene team explores new research on the rising number of weather-related disruptions — from storms and heatwaves to wildfires — and the mounting financial and operational risks for event organizers. The conversation offers insights into how planners can strengthen resilience, advocate for data-informed decisions, and turn challenges into leadership opportunities. Links: · Mapping the impact of extreme weather on global events and mass gatherings: Trends and adaptive strate...
Jul 18, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 70
The launch of a new event, designed to celebrate and support those who identify as having brains that are wired a little differently, provides insights for designing neurodivergent-friendly meetings. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene . Read the Article : A New Event Embraces Neurodivergence: https://www.pcma.org/neurodivergence-event-design-differently-wired-minds/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagra...
Jul 16, 2025•12 min•Season 1Ep. 78
