PCMA Convene Podcast

As funding and support for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives decline in the U.S., event professionals consider the consequences for meetings, destinations, and associations.Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene.Read the Article: How Is the DEI Backlash Impacting the Events Industry?Follow Convene:Website LinkedIn Instagram X 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 the Convene Podcast, we discuss the evolving role of convention centers, from their economic impact on cities to their innovative designs fostering community connections. Links:·      Why Are Cities Still Spending Big on Convention Centers?·      Convene Talk ep 50·      Trends Report 2025: Help — and Bleisure Time — Wanted·      Trends Report 2025: Meeting and Event ‘Destination Dupes’ Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/ Episode Transcript Meet the Convene Editors: ·      Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief·      Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor·      Jennifer N. Dienst, Senior Editor·      Casey Gale, Managing Editor·      Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor Follow Convene:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramX Contact Information: For anything podcast-related, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org. Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

Discover how Convene 4 Climate is shaping the future of sustainable business events. In this episode, Jaimé Bennett shares insights on co-locating events, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and creating actionable solutions for a regenerative economy.This season has been kindly sponsored by Madrid Convention Bureau. Learn more about how to make your next meeting Madrileño at esmadrid.com/mcb.Guest Information:Jaimé BennettWith over two decades of experience in the business events industry, Jaimé is a seasoned executive and passionate leader dedicated to fostering collaboration, mentorship, a sustainability by design approach and driving diversity and inclusion. Her career has been built on a commitment to empowering emerging professionals and creating transformative connections that shape the future of business events.Through Jaimé’s work at PCMA and beyond, she remains focused on advancing the business events industry by empowering professionals and organizations to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and interconnected world.Episode TranscriptFollow Convene:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramXSubscribe to our newsletters: pcma.org/subscribe-to-pcma-emailsContact 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

Fundraising Con Ganas, a two-day conference geared toward helping small- and medium-sized Latinx-focused nonprofits, addresses an industry inequity and ensures that what participants learn has organization-wide impact.Written and read by Casey Gale, managing editor at Convene.Read the Article: Empowering Latinx Nonprofits in the Fundraising WorldFollow Convene:Website LinkedIn Instagram X 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

Links:·      December 2024 Cover Story: How Events Can Foster Emotional Engagement·      Unlocking Us Podcast: Brené with Priya Parker on The Art of Gathering·      WeWork: or The Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn·      RIP Remote Year: Shutting down after nearly 10 years·      How the US Is Destroying Young People’s Future | Scott Galloway | TED Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/ Episode Transcript Meet the Convene Editors: ·      Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief·      Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor·      Jennifer N. Dienst, Senior Editor·      Casey Gale, Managing Editor·      Curt Wagner, Digital Editor·      Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor Follow Convene:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramX Contact Information: For anything podcast-related, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org. Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this episode, Josephin Van Waasen, Head of Content and Community at PCMA EMEA, shares how PCMA EMEA is redefining events through its initiatives. From fostering safe spaces to building audience-centric programs and embracing multigenerational perspectives, learn how these initiatives drive engagement, innovation, and actionable insights for the business events community.This season has been kindly sponsored by Madrid Convention Bureau. Learn more about how to make your next meeting Madrileño at esmadrid.com/mcb.Guest Information:Josephin van WaasenJosephin is the strategic and forward-thinking Head of Content & Community, EMEA at PCMA. With a track record of successful roles within the global business events industry, Josephin has effectively utilized her creative and tactical thinking to deliver impactful, audience-centric content strategies across various channels, audiences and regions. Her accomplishments at PCMA include developing, managing, and delivering education concepts for Convening Leaders, Convening EMEA and the Labs, as well as smaller ad hoc programs that enhance the skills of the global PCMA community and raise PCMA’s global profile.Episode TranscriptFollow Convene:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramXSubscribe to our newsletters: pcma.org/subscribe-to-pcma-emailsContact 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 episode has been kindly sponsored by Visit Phoenix. To learn more about them and the intriguing tagline "The desert made us do it", go to visitphoenix.com/meetings.Our usual approach to Convene‘s Annual Industry Forecast is to cast a wide net, gathering a variety of data related to the business events industry, including travel, lodging, technology, and the workplace. This year, we took a different tack. Instead of those wide-ranging forecasts, Convene editors wrote succinct trends reports for each sector. We’ve sifted through the research to come up with a few signposts to help you navigate the year ahead, whatever course it takes.Read the Article:Event Attendees as Consumers First, by digital editor Curt WagnerMeeting and Event ‘Destination Dupes’, by senior editor Jennifer N. DienstThe Rise of Humans in an AI World & Will Event Tech Costs Fuel Low-Tech Options?, by deputy editor Barbara PalmerHelp — and Bleisure Time — Wanted & An Eye on AI and the Planet, by managing editor Casey GaleFollow Convene:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramXSubscribe to our newsletters: pcma.org/subscribe-to-pcma-emailsContact 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

Links:·       Designing Neurodiverse inclusive events: Creating accessible experiences for all·       Scott Galloway Tees Up His Predictions for 2025 Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/  Episode Transcript Meet the Convene Editors: ·      Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief·      Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor·      Jennifer N. Dienst, Senior Editor·      Casey Gale, Managing Editor·      Curt Wagner, Digital Editor·      Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor Follow Convene:Website LinkedIn Instagram X  Contact Information: For anything podcast-related, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org. Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this episode, we explore CEMA’s innovative event strategies. In this episode, Brian Mason, VP of Strategy and Operations, shares insights on integrating AI, fostering collaboration, and creating impactful events. Learn how AI is streamlining operations, explore the risks taken at Summit 2024, and hear about CEMA’s plans for growth and global connections in 2025.This season has been kindly sponsored by Madrid Convention Bureau. Learn more about how to make your next meeting Madrileño at esmadrid.com/mcb.Guest Information:Brian MasonBrian Mason is an accomplished global event professional with 20+ years of experience and expertise in event planning and administration, broadcast production, global account management, and large-scale project oversight. His main focuses have been on keynote production, broadcast and film production, and global events.  Episode TranscriptFollow Convene:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramXSubscribe to our newsletters: pcma.org/subscribe-to-pcma-emailsContact 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