PCMA Convene Podcast

In this Interview, Business Events Summit keynote speaker Shasta Nelson, leading expert on human connection and author of The Business of Friendship, explores why friendship may be one of the most valuable—and overlooked—outcomes of business events. Drawing on her research in belonging, trust, and human connection, we discuss why organizations increasingly seek stronger cultures, healthier teams, and more engaged communities—and how event professionals are uniquely positioned to create the conditions where those relationships form.Links:·       The Business of Friendship - https://www.shastanelson.com/booksFollow 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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

A conference for social impact leaders takes a model approach to its own social impact projects in host destinations.Written and read by Michelle Russell, former editor in chief of Convene.Read the Article: ‘Every Action Matters’: https://www.pcma.org/points-of-light-social-impact-leaders/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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  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: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this Interview, Business Events Summit keynote speaker, author, futurist and economist Shawn DuBravac shares why the most successful organizations aren’t the ones with the best forecasts, but the ones built for adaptability. We explore how event leaders can rethink outdated processes, move beyond simply layering technology onto existing workflows, and embrace AI as a tool for transformation—not just efficiency. Links:·       Built for Change: The Planner Advantage - https://www.pcma.org/shawn-dubravac-high-strategic-event-management/·       Digital Destiny: How the New Age of Data Will Transform the Way We Work, Live, and Communicate - https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Destiny-Data-Transform-Communicate/dp/1621573737Follow 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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

How the European Society of Radiology used a combination of the latest technology tools to create an immersive digital experience for medical imaging professionals.Written and read by Kate Mulcrone, digital managing editor of Convene.Read the Article: At the Heart of It: https://www.pcma.org/ecr-25-planet-radiology/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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  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: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this Interview, CEMA Summit speaker Sarah Reed shares why event leaders must move beyond checklists and start thinking like strategic business partners. Drawing on her unconventional start in global contact centers, she explains how to make decisions with imperfect information, prioritize outcomes over perfection, and confidently say no to misaligned ideas. We explore how emotion and human connection can transform events into powerful tools for trust and retention, why perfectly executed events can still fail, and how AI is reshaping the way event teams work.Links:Register for CEMA Summit: https://cemaonline.com/cema-summit/ 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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

More than 700 professionals who work in African American museums and cultural institutions gathered in Charleston last summer for a vibrant exchange of ideas and knowledge.Written and read by Jennifer N. Dienst, senior editor of Convene.Read the Article: Preserving Their Stories: https://www.pcma.org/preserving-their-stories/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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  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: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this Interview, CEMA Summit speaker Deborah Caldwell shares hard-earned lessons from navigating some of the most challenging moments in the industry—from the collapse of Lehman Brothers to large-scale disruptions like typhoons and global uncertainty. We explore how event leaders can plan for the unexpected, stay calm under pressure, and make clear decisions when it matters most. Deborah also dives into the realities of operating across Asia Pacific, the balance between governance and creativity, and why communication is one of the most critical—yet underestimated—leadership skills in events. Links:Register for CEMA Summit: https://cemaonline.com/cema-summit/ 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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

For the first time in four decades, the International Congress of Mathematicians is being held in the United States in July — but a grassroots movement to relocate the meeting is gaining traction and dividing members around the globe.Written and read by Kate Mulcrone, digital managing editor of Convene.Read the Article: Registration Lags as Math Scholars Look to Boycott Major Congress in U.S.: https://www.pcma.org/math-scholars-boycott-major-us-based-congress/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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  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: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

Being intentional about integrating art into the design of a program gives the participant experience an added dimension.Written and read by Michelle Russell, on her last day as editor in chief of Convene.Read the Article: Art for Events’ Sake: https://www.pcma.org/art-for-events-sake/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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  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: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this Interview, CEMA Summit speaker Dan Preiss shares how leading organizations are rethinking event strategy—from aligning every decision to a clear “North Star” to cutting through the noise of overcomplicated measurement. We explore the challenge of fragmented attention, the rise of hyper-personalization through AI, and why the future of events isn’t bigger, but more intentional. Dan also unpacks what’s still hard to measure—like trust and relationship depth—and why human connection will only become more valuable as digital content explodes. Links:Register for CEMA Summit: https://cemaonline.com/cema-summit/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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

This season has been kindly sponsored by Destination Madison. Go to VisitMadison.com/pcma to learn more.In the Season 11 finale, seasoned expert Angelika Bazarnik unpacks why wellness for event professionals is more than yoga breaks and spa days. Angelika reveals what she learned after reviewing 3,000+ articles, why academic research on planner stress has nearly vanished, and the early patterns emerging from her ongoing qualitative study. From stress cycles to broken processes and new tools that actually reduce friction, this episode closes the season with insights every planner needs.Links:·       Participate in Angelika’s research “Exploring Stress in Event Management: A Mixed Methods Study of Professional Experiences and Mitigation Strategies.” - https://www.banquetconsulting.com/phd-research-sign-up·       EVENT-IT is a collection of digital tools to simplify event planning and execution:  https://www.eventtoolkit.app/ 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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

A global creative leader at IDEO walked event organizers through three mindsets that innovation and design-thinking experts use to create extraordinary experiences.Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief of Convene.Read the Article: The Benefits of ‘Cognitive Estrangement’ in Meeting Design: https://www.pcma.org/benefits-cognitive-estrangement/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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  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: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this Interview, Business Events Summit keynote speaker, author, and leadership expert Rashmi Airan unpacks the concept of the “invisible prison” and the four forces that quietly shape—and sometimes sabotage—our decision-making. Drawing from her deeply personal story and years of research, Rashmi introduces practical frameworks like the Clarity Loop and the RISE framework to help event professionals pause, lead with integrity, and make choices they can stand behind. This conversation is a must-listen for leaders navigating uncertainty, managing teams under pressure, and striving to build cultures rooted in trust, courage, and accountability. Links:Rashmi Airan’s All Rise Book: https://rashmiairan.com/book/From Prison to Purpose: https://www.pcma.org/from-prison-to-purpose/Rise Through It: https://rashmiairan.com/speaking/rise-through-itRise to Clarity: https://rashmiairan.com/speaking/rise-to-clarityRegister for Business Events Summit: https://businesseventssummit.org/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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

This season has been kindly sponsored by Destination Madison. Go to VisitMadison.com/pcma to learn more.In this Season 11 episode, we sit down with Laura Gassner Otting to unpack why high-achieving professionals—especially event and meeting leaders—burn out even when they’re successful, capable, and deeply committed to their work. Drawing on research from thousands of professionals worldwide, Laura explains why burnout is more often rooted in misalignment than workload, and how a lack of control, influence, and clarity can quietly drain even the most passionate individuals and teams.Links:·       Venn Diagram Profit - Impact - Freedom: https://www.pcma.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Venn-LGO.pdf ·       Get your copy of Limitless — named by Robin Roberts as one of Good Morning America's favorite books of the year.·       Take the Four Question Quiz to figure out which of the four C's of consonance is missing from your life.·       The Limitless Assessment will provide strategic recommendations about what to do next to find your consonance.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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

A progressive opening reception gave a group of association management industry professionals the chance to mix with local artists — and to see the ins and outs of a convention center in a far more engaging way than a formal facility tour.Written and read by Kate Mulcrone, digital managing editor of Convene.Read the Article: How the Spokane Convention Center Turned a Reception Into a Site Inspection:  https://www.pcma.org/progressive-reception-spokane-convention-center/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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  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: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

The American Thoracic Society’s mission to promote public respiratory health goes hand in hand with community service initiatives at its annual international conference.Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief of Convene.Read the Article: How One Medical Meeting Weaves Social Impact Into the Program: https://www.pcma.org/medical-meeting-weaves-social-impact-into-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/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  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: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this episode of Convene Talk, the Editorial team reflects on the moments that stick—from surprise guest appearances and deeply human storytelling to humor that disarms and connects. Drawing on powerful examples featuring speakers like Trevor Noah, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Diana Nyad, and J.R. Martinez, the conversation explores why authenticity, emotional connection, and the unexpected often matter more than polished perfection. As events evolve in an AI‑driven world, this episode challenges planners to think differently about how to create meaning, memory, and genuine human connection. Links:·       What ‘All the Feels’ Means for Meetings: https://www.pcma.org/all-the-feels/·       How We Do It: Jaimé Bennett on Beginning and Ending an Event With Authenticity: https://www.pcma.org/how-we-do-it-jaime-bennett-pcma-emea-beginning-ending-event-with-authenticity/·       Trevor Noah Wants to Tell You a Story: https://www.pcma.org/trevor-noah-cl-preview/·       How the Spokane Convention Center Turned a Reception Into a Site Inspection: https://www.pcma.org/progressive-reception-spokane-convention-center/ Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/  Meet the Convene Editors: https://www.pcma.org/contact/ ·      Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief·      Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor·      Jennifer N. Dienst, Senior Editor·      Kate Mulcrone, Managing Digital Editor·      Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor 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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra 

This season has been kindly sponsored by Destination Madison. Go to VisitMadison.com/pcma to learn more.In this Season 11 episode, we talk with creativity strategist and author Natalie Nixon about reframing productivity as a Move. Think. Rest. cycle – and how that changes the way we design business events. We explore why attention is really about engagement, the neuroscience behind white space and daydreaming, and how movement infrastructure and playful experimentation can help attendees connect and learn more deeply.Links:·       Receive a free chapter from Move. Think. Rest.: https://www.figure8thinking.com/·       More Time for Being Human: https://www.pcma.org/more-time-for-being-human/ 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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

A new Unite Here report shows how recent U.S. immigration policy and ICE activity are having a direct effect on the hospitality industry.Written and read by Kate Mulcrone, digital managing editor of Convene.Read the Article: How Federal Immigration Raids Are Impacting the Hospitality Industry: https://www.pcma.org/ice-chillng-effect/ 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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  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: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this Interview, Álvaro Meléndez challenges event professionals to rethink artificial intelligence not as a productivity tool, but as a powerful collaborator for designing deeper human relationships. Drawing from his “AI Circus” keynote at Convening LATAM 2026 and his PEPA framework, Álvaro explains why the business events industry is uniquely positioned to lead responsible AI adoption—and why focusing solely on speed, scale, and automation puts the industry at risk. Links:PEPA: A Field Guide for Event Organizers Who Refuse to Be Prey to Bad AI:  https://gamma.app/docs/PEPA-A-Field-Guide-for-Event-Organizers-Who-Refuse-to-Be-Prey-to--xguty9fudunk6kh?mode=docMarketing AI Institute Podcast: https://www.marketingaiinstitute.com/ai-beginners-guide/podcastsFollow 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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

This season has been kindly sponsored by Destination Madison. Go to VisitMadison.com/pcma to learn more.In this Season 11 episode, Yush Sztalkoper reframes how event professionals should think about engagement, learning, and ROI by introducing the concept of human capacity. Drawing on decades of experience designing high‑stakes global events, she explains why today’s information‑dense, AI‑accelerated world is pushing events beyond what people can realistically receive, and how the five domains of human capacity—wiring, regulation, energy, processing, and belonging—quietly shape every attendee experience. Links:•       Capacity Reflection — a web-based guided lens individuals can use to see clearly where strain is concentrating across the Five Human Capacity Domains, so they understand what may be obscuring access to potential before jumping to solutions.•       Know Your Audience — a web-based guided lens for event professionals to understand who is arriving in the room, what they are carrying, and how conditions will affect access to learning, connection, and engagement. 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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

The effects of anti-DEI policies are being felt by associations representing minority professionals, particularly when it comes to their events. Here’s how the National Black MBA Association is navigating those changes and other macroeconomic shifts.Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief of Convene.Read the Article: Minority Conferences Face Lower Attendance: https://www.pcma.org/minority-conferences-face-lower-attendance/ 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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  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: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this Interview, cultural strategist José Luis Piñeiro explores why brands are becoming the new belief systems—and why events now function as modern rituals. Drawing from philosophy, positive psychology, and more than 35 years of designing transformative experiences, José unpacks how live events create belonging, identity, and collective meaning in an age shaped by AI, distraction, and constant change.Links:Table of Cultural Elements: https://www.pcma.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Tabla-Cultura-4.3_DIC-2025-ingles.pdfFollow 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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

This season has been kindly sponsored by Destination Madison. Go to VisitMadison.com/pcma to learn more.In this Season 11 episode, wellness coach and event strategist David T. Stevens explains why wellbeing is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a core performance driver for modern events. From agenda design and sleep to inclusive menus and meaningful social connection, he shares practical ways planners can boost learning, connection, and ROI by designing for human energy—not just programming space.Links:·       Return on Wellness Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBxOmsCbLumRZ_5mu2myA011kb6EnPy9b&si=uMi8fNzXfLtKZG9p·       Unlocking the Power of Sleep for Event Professionals | Dr. Audrey Wells on Return on Wellness: https://youtu.be/FZ6sQbDZt04?si=NnRnTX1JFuyK_58N ·       Freeman Research: https://www.freeman.com/resources/from-expo-to-experience/·       Olympian Meeting White Paper: https://www.prevuemeetings.com/all-webinars/increase-roi-by-increasing-wellness/ 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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

Creativity strategist Natalie Nixon on how a fundamental reframing of our notion of productivity could transform your meetings.Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor of Convene.Read the Article: More Time for Being Human: https://www.pcma.org/more-time-for-being-human/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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  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: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this episode of Convene Talk, the team is joined by Tanya Popeau, Head of Global Sustainability at PCMA, to unpack the rise of what she calls the “anti‑anti sustainability movement”—a quieter, more intentional commitment to climate action that’s thriving beneath the noise. From the business case for sustainable events and long-term corporate resilience to the role of AI, innovation, and human-centered design, this conversation explores why sustainability isn’t going away—and how event professionals can drive profit, purpose, and meaningful change at the same time.Links:·       Climate Denial Comes to Washington: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/climate/climate-denial-comes-to-washington.html·       Hope is contagious and science is king: 10 big lessons on ending the fossil fuel era: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/01/santa-marta-colombia-climate-conference-ending-fossil-fuel-era·       ‘Rebranding What Sustainability Is’: https://www.pcma.org/rebranding-what-sustainability-is/·       Learn more about Convene 4 Climate: https://convene4climate.org/  Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/  Meet the Convene Editors: https://www.pcma.org/contact/ ·      Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief·      Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor·      Jennifer N. Dienst, Senior Editor·      Kate Mulcrone, Managing Digital Editor·      Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor 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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra 

Industry stakeholders share strategies for creating low-waste events and making a sustainable impact.Written and read by Jennifer N. Dienst, senior editor of Convene.Read the Article: Practical Tips for Reducing Food Waste at Events: https://www.pcma.org/practical-tips-reducing-food-waste-events/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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  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: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this Convene Talk episode, the team digs into Inhospitable, a new report from UNITE HERE examining how immigration policy, labor shortages, and declining travel demand are converging to reshape the U.S. hospitality industry. Drawing on fresh data and firsthand accounts from workers in Washington, D.C., Miami, and beyond, the conversation explores what a drop in international visitors, flat hotel revenue, and workforce instability mean for destinations, planners, and the broader meetings ecosystem.Links:·       How Federal Immigration Raids Are Impacting the Hospitality Industry: https://www.pcma.org/ice-chillng-effect/·       Inhospitable: How U.S. Immigration Policy is Harming the Hospitality Sector: https://unitehere.org/project/inhospitable/·       U.S. Travel Association condemns travel advisory issued for World Cup: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/US-Travel-condemns-travel-advisory-issued-for-World-Cup Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/  Meet the Convene Editors: https://www.pcma.org/contact/ ·      Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief·      Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor·      Jennifer N. Dienst, Senior Editor·      Kate Mulcrone, Managing Digital Editor·      Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor 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: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra