PCMA Convene Podcast

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 hote...

Preventable food waste and high food costs are a combination that no budget-challenged event professional wants on their plate. But research demonstrates that when planners and venues work together, the result can be a win-win-win: less food waste, improved efficiency, and better bottom lines all around. Written and read by Jennifer N. Dienst, senior editor of Convene . Read the Article :  Coming...

Food waste remains one of the most persistent—and solvable—challenges facing the events industry. In this Convene Talk episode, the team unpacks Convene’s April cover story on food waste, exploring new research from recent business events, real-world lessons from planners, venues, and chefs, and why communication may be just as important as measurement. From right-sizing portions and rethinking ab...

This association for groundskeepers makes it a practice to co-locate their annual event with a trade show, doubling the educational and networking opportunities for attendees. Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief of Convene . Read the Article :  Grounds for Gathering: https://www.pcma.org/grounds-for-gathering/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-conve...

Travel volatility, geopolitics, and safety concerns are changing how meetings are planned. The Convene team discusses what it means for planners, destinations, and the future of global events.   Links: ·       Rotary Convention Moves From Honolulu to Dubai to Barcelona: https://meetings.skift.com/2026/04/15/rotary-convention-moves-from-honolulu-to-dubai-to-barcelona/ ·       Think Airfares Are Hig...

Sometimes, difficult discourse isn’t about sharing conflicting perspectives but addressing serious issues your group shares in common. An Opening General Session that acknowledges the challenges your community is experiencing while also uplifting them may require more than a nice speech by an earnest speaker. For the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference, it took a primal scream — and...

In this Interview, deputy editor Barbara Palmer talks with Nir Hindie, entrepreneur, educator, and creator of the Business Artistry leadership approach ahead of his keynote at Convening LATAM. They explore how an artist’s mindset can transform events, leadership, and business culture. Nir shares why creativity alone isn’t enough — and how designing for emotion, meaning, and human experience can tu...

A new movement to give people tools to have more productive and humane disagreements is gaining ground. Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief of Convene . Read the Article :  ‘Disagree With Ideas, Don’t Dehumanize People’: https://www.pcma.org/disagree-with-ideas-dont-dehumanize-people/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/   Instagram: https://w...

In this Interview, we talk with Dr Sandra Peter and Dr Kai Riemer, co-authors of the 2026 Skills Horizon report, about why we have entered a “decade of disorientation” and what that means for event leaders. Ahead of their keynote at Convening APAC, they explore values and trust shifts, four key clashes, the “blobs” of future skills, and what grounded leadership looks like now.  Links: Download The...

Budget cuts, visa headaches, and a six-week government shutdown in the U.S. proved to be no match for STEM and government meeting planners — and one innovative educator who understands the value of conferences. Written and read by Kate Mulcrone, digital managing editor at Convene . Read the Article :  How 3 Different Meetings Outmaneuvered Shifting Political Winds: https://www.pcma.org/outmaneuver...

In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Deputy Editor Barbara Palmer speaks with global innovation strategist Mark Adams, a former Chief Innovation Officer at Vice Media and longtime advisor to major brands, creators, and public figures, ahead of his Convening APAC keynote. Mark shares how his early experiences at the dawn of social media shaped his lifelong work on signal detection, network theor...

This episode has been kindly sponsored by Visit Anaheim. Learn more at visitanaheim.org/meetings . How a sustainability event grew from a small meeting into a global gathering — and embedded its values into every facet of its design along the way. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene . Read the Article :  The Net Zero Conference Walks the Talk: https://www.pcma.org/net-zero...

This week on the Convene Podcast, we are joined by award‑winning spiritual entrepreneur and restaurateur Pauline Nguyen ahead of her keynote at Convening APAC. Pauline brings a masterclass in self‑leadership, emotional literacy, and navigating pressure with grace. From understanding the wisdom of emotions to designing truly sensory event experiences, Pauline offers practical, grounding tools for e...

This season has been kindly sponsored by Louisville Tourism. Go to GoToLouisville.com/meet to learn more. In this episode, author, speaker and founder of Sober Life Rocks, Laura Nelson shares why event planners need to rethink alcohol-centric networking and create spaces that welcome everyone—whether they drink or not. From practical tips for offering non-alcoholic options to strategies for balanc...

A code of conduct for events should go beyond preventing harassment and set the standard for treating fellow participants with respect. Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief at Convene . Read the Article :  Setting the Tone for Civility: https://www.pcma.org/setting-the-tone/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/   Instagram: https://www.instagra...

In this Interview, Guinness World Record holder and endurance athlete Natalie Dau shares the mindset, tools, and truths she learned from running 1,000 km—twice—through unpredictable terrain and extreme conditions. Ahead of her keynote at Convening APAC, she explains how leaders can build a platform, not a pedestal, and how vulnerability becomes a superpower for mobilizing teams, communities, and a...

This season has been kindly sponsored by Louisville Tourism. Go to GoToLouisville.com/meet to learn more. Discover how the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) turned plant-based dining into an immersive learning experience for thousands of attendees. In this episode, Julie Holtgrave shares the behind-the-scenes story of creating a large-scale culinary activation, overcoming unexpected ch...

A speedy win at the Convening Leaders 2026 Spark Hackathon was the result of years of combined experience and experimentation among three strangers. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene . Read the Article :  More Than Hacking It: https://www.pcma.org/more-than-hacking-it/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/   Instagram: https://www.inst...

In this Interview, Senior Editor Jennifer N. Dienst speaks with Chef Alexa Williams, a graduate of the Philabundance Community Kitchen training program and a line cook at Fork in Philadelphia. Alexa shares how a SNAP-eligible, food-bank-based program gave her technical kitchen skills, ServSafe certification, emotional resilience and a path into one of the city’s most respected restaurants. Links:...

This season has been kindly sponsored by Louisville Tourism. Go to GoToLouisville.com/meet to learn more. ReFED’s Jacquelyn Chi joins us to unpack where events can cut the most food waste—starting in the RFP. From portion sizing and plate strategy to donation partners and liability myths, this episode delivers practical steps that save money, reduce emissions, and increase community impact.  Links...

We live in a polarized world. How can events bring people together and restore civility without glossing over our differences and challenges? Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief at Convene . Read the Article :  Bridging Our Divides: https://www.pcma.org/bridging-our-divides/   Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/   Instagram: https://www.insta...

In this episode, Convene 4 Climate’s foundational partners from Destination Canada, Meet in Ireland, Marina Bay Sands and United Airlines share how they are moving beyond performative sustainability to collective, regenerative climate action in business events. Learn how they embed sustainability by design, collaborate across borders, and take clients on a shared journey toward lower-carbon, highe...

This season has been kindly sponsored by Louisville Tourism. Go to GoToLouisville.com/meet to learn more. In this episode, MeetDenmark’s Lene Midtgaard unpacks simple, taste-first nudges that make event catering more sustainable—default plant-forward menus, smarter buffet design, and language that wins over flexitarians while keeping meat as a small option.  Links: Plant-Rich Dining Experiences fo...

For more than 25 years, a Philadelphia food bank has provided low-income residents a pathway to employment in food service. A new partnership with the Philadelphia CVB and Michelin seeks to elevate and expand career opportunities for those students while filling a need in the local hospitality sector. Written and read by Jennifer N. Dienst, senior editor at Convene . Read the Article :  Filling a...

In this episode, we break down the biggest takeaways from Convene 4 Climate — from the growing hunger for collaboration to the need for clearer data, unified standards, and a mindset shift toward innovation‑driven sustainability. Joining the conversation are three leaders helping shape that future: Rachael Riggs, General Manager of Environmental Strategy at Maritz, known for her work in ESG strate...