Shows / PCMA Convene Podcast
PCMA Convene Podcast
Since 1986, Convene has been delivering award-winning content that helps event professionals plan and execute innovative and successful events. Join the Convene editors as we dive into the latest topics of interest to — and some flying under the radar of — the business events community.
Episodes
PCMA Convene PodcastSeries: Forward Thinking at 40: Dave Lutz on the Ideas That Still Matter
This season has been kindly sponsored by Louisville Tourism. Go to GoToLouisville.com/meet to learn more. In this Season 12 episode, longtime contributor Dave…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: Outdoor Recreation Professionals Find Inspiration in Duluth
Restoration of lands and waters and access to the outdoors were through lines in the 2026 National Outdoor Recreation Conference’s educational program. Written…
PCMA Convene PodcastSeries: From Print to AI: Michelle Russell on Leadership, Media Change, and the Value of Events
This season has been kindly sponsored by Louisville Tourism. Go to GoToLouisville.com/meet to learn more. In this Season 12 episode, longtime Editor in Chief…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: Conference Rooms That Talk Back Create New Opportunities for Engagement
At the Strategic Management Society’s annual conference, interaction is not an afterthought — it is how members present research, develop ideas, and build…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: This Tech Titan Is Giving Networking a Home
HubSpot’s annual conference gathers thousands of meeting attendees under one roof. This year, the tech company has redesigned its approach to networking with…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: Are You Putting the Right Voices on the Stage?
Bringing in big-name speakers doesn’t always translate into engaged audiences or big crowds. Speakers who deliver industry expertise with authenticity make…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: The Surprising Power of Speaking From the Heart
Ditching generic keynotes for real talk on important topics unlocked a deeper level of connection with the Women in Travel Summit audience. Written and read by…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: Meetings, Made Personal
Event organizers are redesigning their meetings to add the kinds of interactive speaking, learning, and networking experiences that are hard to create online…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: DEI Under Pressure
Political backlash and potential legal action continue to be a concern for organizations whose events fall under a DEI umbrella. Here’s what to know from a…
PCMA Convene PodcastInterview: Own Your Voice: Elizabeth Maxson on Turning Marketing—and Events—Into a Business Case the C-Suite Can't Ignore
In this interview, CEMA Summit speaker Elizabeth Maxson, Chief Marketing Officer of Contentful, shares how she's built credibility for marketing — and by…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: How the New PCMA Axis Platform Helps Event Planners Deepen Their Industry Connections
PCMA’s new community digital forum helps members to stay continuously connected and grow their professional networks, thanks to its mobile-first design and AI…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: Beyond a Code of Conduct: How to Plan for Civility at Events
An expert who assists in harassment and toxic conflict management for organizations and networks shares some best practices for planners. Written and read by…
PCMA Convene PodcastTalk [REPLAY]: How Geopolitics, Travel Disruptions, and Rising Costs Are Reshaping Global Meetings
Travel volatility, geopolitics, and safety concerns are changing how meetings are planned. In this Talk Replay episode, the Convene team discusses what it…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: Learning as an Art Form
These educators integrate art into teaching strategies, so it’s only natural that their own continuing education program at their society’s annual conference…
PCMA Convene PodcastTalk [REPLAY]: Do We Still Need Event Swag? Sustainable Giveaways That Build Connection (and Ditch the Waste)
Is swag still worth it—or just landfill with a logo? In this Talk Replay episode, the Convene editors debate whether business events need giveaways at all, and…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: Thinking Like an Artist
Business and art are considered unrelated disciplines, but artists and event organizers share a common goal, says entrepreneur and educator Nir Hindie…
PCMA Convene PodcastTalk [REPLAY]: How U.S. Policy Shifts Are Impacting Global Events and Scientific Conferences
In this Talk Replay episode, the Editorial team discusses how recent U.S. policies and funding cuts are disrupting the business events industry. From…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: Factoring Art Into Meeting Design
Two conferences — the Joint Mathematics Meetings and Bridges — help mathematicians explore the connection between math and art. Written and read by Michelle…
PCMA Convene PodcastTalk [REPLAY]: Impact of Convention Centers: How Modern Design, Community Impact, and Sustainability Are Transforming Communities
In this Talk Replay episode, the Editorial team discussed the evolving role of convention centers, from their economic impact on cities to their innovative…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: How We Process Art
Art lights up social networks in our brains. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor of Convene. Read the Article: How We Process Art…
PCMA Convene PodcastInterview: The Quiet Advantage: Why Presence Is an Event Leader's Greatest Competitive Edge
In this Interview, Business Events Summit keynote speaker Jesse Israel shares insights on how event professionals can navigate uncertainty, make clearer…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: The Art of Connecting
How Adam Rosendahl’s Late Nite Art workshops use storytelling, music, and drawing to help attendees break down barriers, connect in new ways and unleash…
PCMA Convene PodcastInterview: The Business Case for Friendship: Why It Belongs at Every Business Event with Shasta Nelson
In this Interview, Business Events Summit keynote speaker Shasta Nelson, leading expert on human connection and author of The Business of Friendship, explores…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: ‘Every Action Matters’
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastInterview: Preparing for the Future: How Event Leaders Can Thrive in Uncertainty and AI-Driven Change with Shawn DuBravac
In this Interview, Business Events Summit keynote speaker, author, futurist and economist Shawn DuBravac shares why the most successful organizations aren’t…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: At the Heart of It
How the European Society of Radiology used a combination of the latest technology tools to create an immersive digital experience for medical imaging…
PCMA Convene PodcastInterview: From Event Execution to Business Strategy: How to Create Experiences That Drive Real Outcomes with Sarah Reed
In this Interview, CEMA Summit speaker Sarah Reed shares why event leaders must move beyond checklists and start thinking like strategic business partners…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: Preserving Their Stories
More than 700 professionals who work in African American museums and cultural institutions gathered in Charleston last summer for a vibrant exchange of ideas…
PCMA Convene PodcastInterview: Leading Events Under Pressure: How to Navigate Risk, Complexity, and Uncertainty with Deborah Caldwell
In this Interview, CEMA Summit speaker Deborah Caldwell shares hard-earned lessons from navigating some of the most challenging moments in the industry—from…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: Registration Lags as Math Scholars Look to Boycott Major Congress in U.S.
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle [SPECIAL]: Art for Events’ Sake
Being intentional about integrating art into the design of a program gives the participant experience an added dimension. Written and read by Michelle Russell…
PCMA Convene PodcastInterview: Beyond Bigger Events: Dan Preiss on Smarter Event Design, Audience Engagement, and Measurable Impact
In this Interview, CEMA Summit speaker Dan Preiss shares how leading organizations are rethinking event strategy—from aligning every decision to a clear “North…
PCMA Convene PodcastSeries: The Hidden Stress Crisis in Events — What Angelika Bazarnik’s Research Reveals
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: The Benefits of ‘Cognitive Estrangement’ in Meeting Design
A global creative leader at IDEO walked event organizers through three mindsets that innovation and design-thinking experts use to create extraordinary…
PCMA Convene PodcastInterview: Breaking the Invisible Prison: How Event Leaders Can Make Better Decisions Under Pressure with Rashmi Airan
In this Interview, Business Events Summit keynote speaker, author, and leadership expert Rashmi Airan unpacks the concept of the “invisible prison” and the…
PCMA Convene PodcastSeries: Burnout Isn’t About Doing Too Much—It’s About Doing What Doesn’t Matter, with Laura Gassner Otting
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: How the Spokane Convention Center Turned a Reception Into a Site Inspection
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastTalk: How Art Transforms Events: Designing Meaningful, Human-Centered Meeting Experiences
In this episode of Convene Talk, the Editorial team dives into the powerful intersection of art and events, exploring how creativity can transform meetings…
PCMA Convene PodcastSeries: The Missing Piece in Event Design: Somatics & Nervous‑System Wellness with Kelly‑Jean Moore
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: How One Medical Meeting Weaves Social Impact Into the Program
The American Thoracic Society’s mission to promote public respiratory health goes hand in hand with community service initiatives at its annual international…
PCMA Convene PodcastTalk: Surprise, Humor, and Humanity: How Great Keynotes Become Unforgettable
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastSeries: Designing for Attention: Play, White Space, and Movement with Natalie Nixon
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: How Federal Immigration Raids Are Impacting the Hospitality Industry
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastInterview: AI Isn’t the Point: Designing Human Connection in Business Events with Álvaro Meléndez
In this Interview, Álvaro Meléndez challenges event professionals to rethink artificial intelligence not as a productivity tool, but as a powerful collaborator…
PCMA Convene PodcastSeries: Return on Regulation: Designing Event Conditions That Protect Human Capacity with Yush Sztalkoper
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: Minority Conferences Face Lower Attendance
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastInterview: Brands as Belief Systems with José Luis Piñeiro: How Events Become Rituals That Shape Culture
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastSeries: Wellness Is a Performance Strategy: Designing Events Around Human Energy with David T. Stevens
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: More Time for Being Human
Creativity strategist Natalie Nixon on how a fundamental reframing of our notion of productivity could transform your meetings. Written and read by Barbara…
PCMA Convene PodcastTalk: The Anti‑Anti Sustainability Movement: Why Climate Action in Events Is Quietly Accelerating
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: Practical Tips for Reducing Food Waste at Events
Industry stakeholders share strategies for creating low-waste events and making a sustainable impact. Written and read by Jennifer N. Dienst, senior editor of…
PCMA Convene PodcastTalk: How Immigration Policy Is Reshaping Hospitality, Travel, and Meetings in the U.S.
In this Convene Talk episode, the team digs into Inhospitable, a new report from UNITE HERE examining how immigration policy, labor shortages, and declining…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: Coming to the Table: How the Events Industry Is Tackling Food Waste
Preventable food waste and high food costs are a combination that no budget-challenged event professional wants on their plate. But research demonstrates that…
PCMA Convene PodcastTalk: How Events Can Cut Food Waste: Measuring, Communication, and Smarter F&B Planning
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: Grounds for Gathering
This association for groundskeepers makes it a practice to co-locate their annual event with a trade show, doubling the educational and networking…
PCMA Convene PodcastTalk: How Geopolitics, Travel Disruptions, and Rising Costs Are Reshaping Global Meetings
Travel volatility, geopolitics, and safety concerns are changing how meetings are planned. The Convene team discusses what it means for planners, destinations…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: Setting the Stage for Difficult Conversations at Events
Sometimes, difficult discourse isn’t about sharing conflicting perspectives but addressing serious issues your group shares in common. An Opening General…
PCMA Convene PodcastInterview: Nir Hindie on How an Artist Mindset Can Transform Events, Leadership, and Innovation
In this Interview, deputy editor Barbara Palmer talks with Nir Hindie, entrepreneur, educator, and creator of the Business Artistry leadership approach ahead…
PCMA Convene PodcastArticle: ‘Disagree With Ideas, Don’t Dehumanize People’
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastInterview: The Decade of Disorientation - What Event Leaders Need from the 2026 Skills Horizon
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…