PCMA Convene Podcast

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 conn...

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-co...

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 di...

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....

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...

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 unp...

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 e...

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://...

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 professio...

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, Lau...

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 Ins...

In this episode of Convene Talk, the Editorial team dives into the powerful intersection of art and events, exploring how creativity can transform meetings from transactional gatherings into deeply human experiences. Drawing from the June cover story, the conversation spans educator conferences embracing STEAM learning, immersive art exhibits at major associations, music and storytelling as tools...

This season has been kindly sponsored by Destination Madison. Go to VisitMadison.com/pcma to learn more. In this Season 11 episode, long‑time yoga and somatic practitioner Kelly‑Jean Moore explores how event planners can transform attendee experience through simple, nervous‑system‑focused wellness integrations—no gimmicks required. Learn how micro‑practices woven into programming can reset stress,...

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...

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 matte...

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 an...

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/showca...

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 f...

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‑acceler...

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.o...

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...

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 planne...

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/p...

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-c...

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://ww...