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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.
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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 balancing socializing and wellness, this conversation is a must-listen for planners committed to DEI and attendee wellbeing.Links:· The Inclusive Event Planner (free download): https://lauranelsonspeaks.com/booksFollow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 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 challenges, and inspiring healthcare professionals to integrate culinary medicine into their practice. Learn practical tips for planners on designing engagement-driven events and why food can be a powerful tool for education and connection.Links:· This Medical Meeting Builds Wellness Into the Program: https://www.pcma.org/medical-meeting-build-wellness-program/Follow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 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:· Solution Provider Directory: insights-engine.refed.org/solution-provider-directory· Insights Engine: insights.refed.org/· From Surplus to Solutions report: refed.org/downloads/refed-us-food-waste-report-2025.pdfFollow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 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 for Conferences and Meetings. A Guide for Kitchen and Serving Staff: https://tinyurl.com/GuideMeetDenmarkGuide and podcasts to plant-based food experiences MeetDenmark: https://www.wonderfulcopenhagen.dk/meetdenmark/hjem/guide-og-podcasts-til-plantebaserede-madoplevelserFollow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 season has been kindly sponsored by Louisville Tourism. Go to GoToLouisville.com/meet to learn more.In this episode, Andrew Cooper, Executive Chef at La Quinta Resort & Club and Pyramid Global Hospitality’s 2025 Manager of the Year, shares how sustainability, storytelling, and creativity go hand in hand in a luxury kitchen. From transforming food waste with the Orca, to creating “Is This Really Vegan?” menus that surprise even meat lovers, Chef Andrew shows how sustainability can inspire—not limit—culinary innovation. He also explains how local sourcing, chef empowerment, and storytelling are helping La Quinta redefine what luxury dining means today. Links:Chef Andrew Cooper Presenting the Orca: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-28HBGuDvP/Follow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 season has been kindly sponsored by Louisville Tourism. Go to GoToLouisville.com/meet to learn more.Food and beverage (F&B) remain the biggest line item in most event budgets — and the first place planners hope to cut. In this conversation Eating at a Meeting host Tracy Stuckrath joins us to unpack how to move beyond “cost per plate” and start measuring real F&B value. Tracy shares data-driven strategies to right-size orders, reduce food waste, and negotiate smarter with venues, while also designing inclusive menus that protect attendee safety and reduce legal risk as allergen-labeling regulations tighten. Links:· Eating at a Meeting Podcast: www.eatingatameeting.com· Episode with Tyra Warner - Contracting Food and Beverage During a Pandemic: eatingatameeting.com/51-contracting-food-and-beverage-during-a-pandemic· Episodes with Ryan Gembala: eatingatameeting.com/guests/ryan-gembalaFollow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Spokane. Go to VisitSpokane.com to learn more.In this season finale, Tahira Endean — change management facilitator, author, speaker, university instructor, and curator of IMEX’s education program — shares why joy deserves a place among event KPIs. She explains how measuring joy can reveal true attendee engagement, how creative design can foster belonging, and why leading change with courage matters more than ever for event professionals preparing for 2026 and beyond.Mentioned Links:Intentional Event Design Our Professional Opportunity: https://a.co/d/0SNLN1COur KPI is Joy: How Live Events Catalyze Happiness, Productivity and Trust: https://a.co/d/hDHTjYTFollow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Spokane. Go to VisitSpokane.com to learn more.Sponsorship and exhibition models are evolving fast — and the old “pay-to-play” mindset no longer cuts it. In this episode, Sean Soth, President at Hi-Fidelity Group, Inc., and Dan Cole, Sr. Director, Exposition Sales at AVIXA’s InfoComm, share how event professionals can meet sponsors’ rising ROI expectations, design bespoke activations, and strengthen long-term partnerships through data, collaboration, and trust.Follow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Spokane. Go to VisitSpokane.com to learn more.Associations are under pressure to grow revenue, retain members, and stay relevant—often with fewer resources and more uncertainty. In this conversation, ASAE President & CEO Michelle Mason explains why the old business model is over and what’s working now: prioritizing retention, listening to the real “voice of the member,” reading behavioral data (not just surveys), and designing hybrid, distributed experiences that keep engagement alive year-round. She also shares ASAE’s “conscious inclusion” approach to DEI amid polarization, how to cultivate next-gen leaders without losing institutional wisdom, and why future-focused leadership means taking smart risks on behalf of your community. Follow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Spokane. Go to VisitSpokane.com to learn more.When budgets tighten but expectations don’t, what actually works? MC2’s Ben Nazario and Bruno Silva dig into building trust with stakeholders, stopping scope creep, and balancing high-touch experiences with digital reach. From CES case studies and multi-brand partnerships to global execution, emotional storytelling, and smart uses of AI, they share a practical playbook for corporate event marketers who want strategic impact—not status-quo.Follow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Spokane. Go to VisitSpokane.com to learn more.David Allison joins the Convene Podcast to discuss why relying on demographics leads event planners 90 percent astray — and how understanding attendees’ values instead can transform engagement, loyalty, and community. From defining Power Values like employment security and community, to designing experiences that speak to what people truly care about, David explains how planners can future-proof events by designing for who people truly are and what matters most to them.Mentioned links:Free Guide - How to Engage and Influence Event Attendees: https://www.davidallisoninc.com/eventguideFollow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Spokane. Go to VisitSpokane.com to learn more.Seth Godin joins the Convene Podcast to challenge how we plan, lead, and measure events. In the first episode for Season 9, he unpacks why events are acts of leadership (not management), how AI should free us from tasks so we can create connection and make decisions, and why “doing your job” isn’t the same as “doing the work.” From enrollment over persuasion to designing transformational experiences, Seth shares practical shifts: start small, take responsibility, and build significance that lasts beyond show day.Mentioned links:AI Prompt Decks: https://www.promptdecks.com/Seth’s Blog: https://seths.blog/Follow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 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 inclusion into the DNA of a destination? In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Adam Burke, President & CEO of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, shares how LA is leveraging its diversity to create opportunities for small, diverse-owned businesses through initiatives like Empower LA. From breaking down barriers to entry and providing readiness training, to creating real opportunities within the event supply chain, Burke outlines how LA Tourism is building a more inclusive and resilient future for the city — and what lessons other destinations can take away. Follow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Anaheim. Go to VisitAnaheim.org/meetings to learn more.Accessibility isn’t just about ramps and elevators anymore — it starts long before attendees arrive onsite. In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Frank M. Wächter breaks down what the European Accessibility Act (EAA) means for event professionals, why inclusive digital touchpoints are essential, and how small changes like color contrast and clear headings can make a big impact. From building awareness across teams to preparing for the future with AI-driven tools, Frank shares practical steps event organizers can take to make accessibility part of their intentional design strategy. Follow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 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 unapologetically political and profoundly celebratory? In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Natalie Thompson, Valerie Sumner, and Roberta Sumner share how they created a safe, inclusive, and joyful space at the WorldPride Human Rights Conference. From wellness rooms and volunteer programs to drag performances and community-driven sessions, learn how intentional design can empower marginalized voices, foster allyship, and spark global action. Follow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Anaheim. Go to VisitAnaheim.org/meetings to learn more.In this powerful episode, Cameron Curtis, Executive Director of the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association, joins the Convene Podcast to unpack the tangible ways that inclusion, safety, and allyship show up in real-world event planning. From confronting fear of DEI backlash to rethinking how we communicate with venues and attendees, Cameron offers practical guidance and hopeful perspective for industry professionals navigating today’s challenging landscape. Follow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 season has been kindly sponsored by Visit Anaheim. Go to VisitAnaheim.org/meetings to learn more.In this episode, event strategist and inclusion expert Devon Montgomery Pasha shares why designing for belonging goes far beyond accessibility checklists. She unpacks how empathy-based planning, value-driven data, and asking the right questions—not just demographic ones—can radically transform your events. From registration forms to post-event analysis, Devon offers practical strategies and powerful reminders for making every stakeholder feel seen, heard, and valued. Follow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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 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 what can we do about it? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Poornima Luthra, a globally recognized educator, speaker, and author, whose work unpacks the emotional root of resistance to inclusion efforts in today’s workplaces. Drawing from her latest research and extensive experience across sectors, Dr. Luthra helps us move beyond performative efforts and toward building cultures of true belonging — including in the spaces we design as event organizers.Follow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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
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 Nest, expert in voice, speech, and executive presence. Together, they unpack how negotiation can be reframed as a collaborative problem-solving process — not a confrontation.Links:https://alexcarterasks.com/iBreathe App - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ibreathe-relax-and-breathe/id1296605806https://askformoregroup.com/Follow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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
In this Season 7 episode of the Convene Podcast, we are joined by Sherron Washington — a global speaker, author, marketing and communication strategist, and CEO of The P3 Solution — for a bold and insightful conversation on how organizations can foster meaningful communication across generations and identities.Follow Convene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene Contact 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
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