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 PodcastConvene Talk: 2025 Salary Survey - Pay Gaps, Workload Strain, and Why Agency Drives Satisfaction
What’s really behind event planners’ pay dissatisfaction, when most still love the industry? In this Convene Talk, we unpack highlights from our 2025 Salary…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: Reaching Your Sustainability Goals Starts With Your RFP
A panel of experts offer their advice on how to write RFPs that enable planners and their partner venues to collaborate on producing events with a smaller…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: Quishing at Events - QR Code Scams, Attendee Trust, and Practical Safeguards for Planners
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: How the Society of Women Engineers Earned a Gold Award for Events
This 50,000-member association designed a record-breaking annual conference by focusing on inclusivity and safety. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: SXSW 2026 Without a Convention Center: Neighborhood “Villages,” Constraints, and Smarter Brand Activations
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Series: How LA Tourism Champions DEI: Adam Burke on Empowering Small Businesses and Inclusive Growth
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: What Planners Need to Know About Using AI in the Hiring Process
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: Why Bleisure (Done Right) Sparks Better Ideas and Better Events
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Series: From Compliance to Inclusion: Frank M. Wächter Explains the European Accessibility Act
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: Can Work Be Fun?
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: Fyre Festival 2 Fizzles: Lessons in Trust, Influencers, and Why Events Need Professionals
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Series: How Radical Joy Shaped the WorldPride Human Rights Conference
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: CSR Professionals Survey the Political Landscape for DEI
A recent survey reveals how corporate citizenship professionals are adjusting to DEI backlash while remaining true to their company’s commitment to its values…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: When Weird Works (and When It Doesn’t): Lessons From the World’s Wildest Science Conference
What happens when researchers trade lecture halls for campgrounds, five-minute rhymed papers, and walk-up songs? In this Convene Talk, the editorial team…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Series: How Events Can Foster Belonging in Divided Times: A Conversation with Cameron Curtis
This season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Anaheim. Go to VisitAnaheim.org/meetings to learn more. In this powerful episode, Cameron Curtis, Executive…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: ‘We’re Not Changing What We Do’: Standing Strong Amidst DEI Backlash
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: Inside Create & Cultivate: How Women-Only Business Festivals Are Reinventing Networking and Events
The women-focused festival Create & Cultivate has grown into one of the largest business events of its kind, blending celebrity keynotes, AI-powered…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Series: Designing for Belonging with Devon Montgomery Pasha: How Empathy, Data, and Values Drive Better Events
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: How REI Co-Op’s Events Are Inclusive in Nature
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: From Pledges to Action: What Two Sustainability Reports Reveal About the Future of Events
In this Convene Talk, the editorial team unpacks the Honeycomb Strategies State of the Sustainable Events Industry: Summer 2025 Trends & Risks Report and the…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Series: Why Fear Fuels DEI Backlash — and What Event Organizers Can Do About It: Conversation With Poornima Luthra
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: DEI Done Differently
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: Standing Their Ground - How the Events Industry Is Navigating the DEI Backlash
When a recent U.S. executive order labeled diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts “immoral and illegal,” some organizations quietly swapped out the…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: Crossing Borders to Address Attendee Safety Concerns
Two associations have moved their conferences from the U.S. to Canada due to rising sociopolitical tensions — and despite financial consequences. Here is how…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: Did the Pandemic Age Our Brains? What It Means for Events, Well-Being, and Connection
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: This Medical Meeting Builds Wellness Into the Program
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: The Big Beautiful Bill: What the U.S. Policy Shift Means for the Events Industry
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: Will This Be the Greenest Convention Center on the Planet?
The Austin Convention Center has set its sights on becoming the first zero-carbon convention center certified by the International Living Future Institute…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: BookCon’s Comeback and the Rise of Offline Book Communities
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: Taking Library Services on the Road
At the 2024 Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS) Conference, library professionals showcased innovative ways they bring books, resources, and…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: How Extreme Weather Is Disrupting Events — And What Planners Can Do About It
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: A New Event Embraces Neurodivergence
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…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: Why Airports and Airlines Deserve a Bigger Role in Business Events
Airports aren’t just gateways—they can be game changers for event professionals. In this Convene Talk we explore how planners are underutilizing airports and…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: How ASCRS Rebooted Its Awards Ceremony to Increase Audience Engagement
The American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery transformed its annual meeting awards program into something far less ceremonial and far more engaging…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: When the Show Goes On: Planning Events After a Natural Disaster
The rise of extreme weather events means planners are more often going to face the difficult decision of whether to move forward with an event at an affected…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: Time-Smart, Not Time-Stressed: Productivity Habits That Actually Work for Event Professionals
Is your to-do list running your day? In this episode of the Convene Podcast, the team unpacks the top time-management strategies from expert Max…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Series: How to Negotiate with Confidence: Collaboration, Communication, and Executive Presence with Alex Carter and Anne Marie Nest
In the last Season 7 episode, we talk with two powerhouse guests — Alex Carter, Columbia Law professor and best-selling author of Ask for More, and Anne Marie…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: Meetings in Flux
Results from our recent pulse survey of event organizers reveal a lack of clarity about what sweeping U.S. policy changes may mean for events, what comes next…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: How to Cope With Cognitive Overload in Uncertain Times: Productivity and Mental Clarity for Event Pros
In this Convene Talk episode, we unpack how the “hidden tax” of cognitive ambiguity is eroding leadership clarity — and what to do about it. From time-blocking…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Series: The Truth About Company Culture: Communication, Values, and Generational Growth with Sherron Washington
In this Season 7 episode of the Convene Podcast, we are joined by Sherron Washington — a global speaker, author, marketing and communication strategist, and…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: Building a Circular Economy in Events: How Two Major Meetings Reimagined Sustainability
Business events have long been designed with this one-off/single-use mentality. How can we adopt more of a reduce, reuse, recycle approach? Written and read by…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Interview: Why Latin America Could Lead the Sustainable Events Revolution
In this episode of the Convene Podcast, sustainability leader Thiago Araujo makes a compelling case for Latin America’s vital role in the global events…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Series: How to Build a Career on Your Terms with Deanna Nwosu: Mentorship, Pivots, and Purpose-Driven Growth in Events
In this episode of the Convene Podcast, we sit down with Deanna Nwosu, a 25-year industry veteran and internal events strategist at REI, to explore what it…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: Using Emotional AI to Track Attendee Sentiment in Real Time
How technology tools are helping organizers wrap their arms around participants’ emotional responses to their events. Written and read by Barbara Palmer…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: How Tariffs, Visa Delays, and Travel Uncertainty Are Reshaping the Events Industry
In this Convene Talk episode, our editors unpack how new U.S. border policies, rising visa wait times, and shifting international perceptions are dampening…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Series: Bridging the Generational Gap at Work with Anushka Polius: Building Trust, Embracing Change, and Leading with Authenticity
How do we lead with heart in a world of constant change and generational diversity? In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Anushka Polius, Director, Marketing…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: Designing an Intimate Conference for 10,000
This episode has been kindly sponsored by Visit Phoenix. Learn more at visitphoenix.com/meetings. How entrepreneur Imani Ellis — who will speak this afternoon…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: Does AI Boost Productivity or Kill Motivation? Exploring the Hidden Costs of Working with AI
Is AI making us better—or just busier? In this episode of the Convene Podcast, we explore surprising research on how AI boosts productivity but drains…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Series: How Choosing Yourself Can Lead to a Thriving Business: Lessons from DeShawn Wynn
What does it really mean to choose yourself—and build a business from it? In this candid episode of the Convene podcast, DeShawn Wynn shares her path to…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: Measuring Emotion
While meeting organizers understand the primary role that emotional engagement and experiential factors play in their events, they find those things difficult…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: What’s New at edUcon 2025: Innovation, Inclusion, and Immersive Learning in Bourbon City
This episode has been kindly sponsored by Louisville Tourism. Learn more at GoToLouisville.com/meeting-planners/. In this episode of Convene Talk, we unpack…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Series: Executive Presence, Career Pivots, and Leading with Intention: Insights from Bill Reed
In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Bill Reed shares practical advice on career advancement, mindset, and the discipline behind leadership. Learn how to…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: How to Make Belonging the Centerpiece of Your Events
DEI expert Ritu Bhasin shares seven tips for creating authentic, inclusive, and emotionally resonant event experiences. Written and read by Michelle Russell…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: How Medical Meetings Adapted: Lessons from Ophthalmology Conferences in a Post-Virtual World
In this episode of Convene Talk, the team explores how medical associations like the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: Expert Tips for Better Virtual Communication
Organizational behavior expert Andrew Brodsky on why it’s worth your time to think more deliberately about how you use technology to communicate. Written and…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: What TED’s Turbulent 2025 Says About the Future of Events, Immersion, and Uncertainty
In this episode of Convene Talk, the team explores how external disruptions — from global tariffs to political chaos — seep into even the most elite events…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: Rearchitecting a Trade Show
A new expo hall design used experiential zones to take attendees on an architectural journey. Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief at Convene…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: How Safety, Politics, and Perception Are Reshaping Destination Selection for Events
In this episode of the Convene Podcast, the team unpacks a new research report from Destinations International and Future Partners that explores how…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Article: Addressing ‘Prolifically Problematic’ Food Waste at Meetings
The most commonly wasted foods are bread, pastries, and fruit — a great place for planners to begin developing food-waste prevention practices. Written and…
PCMA Convene PodcastConvene Talk: Rethinking the Trade Show Experience: Data, Design, and Human Connection
Are trade shows still relevant in the digital age? In this episode of the Convene Podcast, the team explores how trade shows are evolving beyond transactional…