PCMA Convene Podcast

· Booking a Controversial Event Speaker? Here’s How to Prepare for the Unexpected

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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

Convene Talk on Navigating Controversial Speakers: Strategies for Event Planners to Mitigate Risks and Foster Open Dialogue

PCMA Convene Podcast

10/18/24 • 21 min

Links:

· Navigating Political Polarization at Your Events

· Why Organizations Are Choosing to Meet in Controversial Destinations

· Moving Your Meeting Amid Rising Reproductive Rights Concerns

· The Freeman Trust Report

· Survey Explores Speaker and Planner Dynamics

Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/

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

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5 Events Industry Predictions

Contact Information: For anything podcast-related, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Convene Article: 5 Events Industry Predictions

PCMA Convene Podcast

10/16/24 • 9 min

Trade-show organizer Greg Topalian looked back at trends he predicted a decade ago and offered five more for the next 10 years during his presentation at ECEF.

By Michelle Russell, editor in chief of Convene.

Read the Article:

Follow Convene:

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.

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Convene Series: How Events Can Drive Climate Action: Paul Dickinson on Sustainable Change, Carbon Offsets, and Convening for Climate

PCMA Convene Podcast

11/14/24 • 28 min

In this episode, sustainability pioneer Paul Dickinson discusses the power of the events industry to drive climate action. He explores corporate responsibility, system-level changes, and how intentional convening can build connections and solutions. Tune in to learn how events can inspire meaningful progress on climate issues.

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:

Paul Dickinson

Paul founded CDP in 2000 with an ambition of creating a global economic system that operates within sustainable environmental boundaries and prevents dangerous climate change. Paul previously co-founded Rufus Leonard Corporate Design and EyeNetwork, which was the largest video-conference booking service in Europe.

‘Events Are the Thinking Machine of the World’

Additional Resources:

Follow Convene:

Website: pcma.org/convene

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene

Instagram: instagram.com/pcmaconvene

X: twitter.com/pcmaconvene

Subscribe to our newsletters: pcma.org/subscribe-to-pcma-emails

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Convene Interview: Mastering Business Strategy with Abir Haddoud - The Power of Focus and Feminine Leadership

PCMA Convene Podcast

11/15/24 • 23 min

An interview, hosted by Michelle Russell, Convene’s editor in chief.

Guest Information:

· Abir Haddoud

Abir’s journey from a small Algerian village to the global stage is a testament to resilience, ambition, and the power of strategic thinking. Abir learned early on that all things are possible when you align your actions with a clear purpose.

For Abir, strategy is not just a tool for business—it is a guiding principle in life. Having a clear strategy is essential to achieving anything, whether in personal development, business transformation, or leadership. Her ability to apply strategic thinking to both her career and life has been key to her success (and to her Clients), and she believes that anyone can achieve great things with the right plan in place.

· Convening EMEA 2024 Presentation

Links to mentioned resources:

· Convening EMEA 2024 Knowledge Nugget

Follow Convene:

Website: pcma.org/convene

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene

Instagram: instagram.com/pcmaconvene

X: twitter.com/pcmaconvene

Subscribe to our newsletters: pcma.org/subscribe-to-pcma-emails

Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Convene Talk: How Medical Meetings Adapted: Lessons from Ophthalmology Conferences in a Post-Virtual World

PCMA Convene Podcast

05/16/25 • 17 min

In this episode of Convene Talk, the team explores how medical associations like the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists adapted during COVID-19 and continue to evolve. From virtual education and subject-matter expert access to hybrid programming, cost-saving strategies, and the growing importance of captioning and flexibility, this discussion unpacks the long-term shifts reshaping medical events.

Links:

· https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/when-the-world-went-virtual-how-ophthalmology-s-conferences-stayed-on-track

· https://www.pcma.org/expert-tips-for-better-virtual-communication/

Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/

Meet the Convene Editors: https://www.pcma.org/contact/

· Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief

· Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor

· Jennifer N. Dienst, Senior Editor

· Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/

· https://www.convene-digital.org/convene/library/item/april_2025/4264229/

Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

Convene Talk: Rethinking the Trade Show Experience: Data, Design, and Human Connection

PCMA Convene Podcast

04/25/25 • 23 min

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 exchanges to deliver meaningful, data-informed, and emotionally engaging experiences. From AI-powered matchmaking to facial recognition technology and immersive booth design, learn how organizers and exhibitors are redefining ROI—return on investment and emotion.

Links:

· https://www.pcma.org/using-emotional-ai/

· https://www.thedrum.com/news/2025/03/31/what-shoptalk-2025-tells-us-about-the-evolution-the-trade-show

· https://www.eventmarketer.com/article/things-never-seen-trade-shows-shoptalk-2025/

· https://www.inc.com/shama-hyder/3-ways-to-create-a-standout-exhibit-at-a-conference-or-trade-show/91170312

· https://www.tsnn.com/experts-opinions/are-trade-shows-worth-it-private-equitybacked-companies-want-proof

Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/

Meet the Convene Editors: https://www.pcma.org/contact/

· Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief

· Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor

· Jennifer N. Dienst, Senior Editor

· Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/

Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

Convene Article: Unlocking the Event Housing Block Dilemma

PCMA Convene Podcast

04/23/25 • 10 min

This episode has been kindly sponsored by Louisville Tourism. Learn more at GoToLouisville.com/meeting-planners/.

Over this past year, representatives from major hotel brands and housing services providers met for three PCMA roundtable conversations to discuss housing booking challenges — and potential solutions.

Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief at Convene.

Read the Article:

Unlocking the Event Housing Block Dilemma: https://www.pcma.org/unlocking-event-housing-block-dilemma/

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/

· Women in tech groups 'can’t run on inspiration alone'

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.

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

Convene Talk on Empowering Women: Overcoming Funding Challenges and Advancing Inclusive Leadership

PCMA Convene Podcast

10/25/24 • 27 min

Links:

· How do we Close the Climate Girls’ Gap for a More Equitable Green Transition?

· [Podcast] Outrage + Optimism: US Election Special

· Women in the Workplace 2024: The 10th-anniversary report

· Advancing Women in the Business Events Industry

· Do Stricter Return-to-Office Mandates Make Sense?

· Champagne Cruz reel – 5 days a week in the office

· NASA's 'Hidden Figures' awarded Congressional Gold Medal for groundbreaking work

Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/

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:

The Business of Events 2025: Master. Mind.

Contact Information: For anything podcast-related, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Convene Series: Exploring APAC’s Event Evolution with Florence Chua: Unbound, AI Innovation, and Sustainable Connections

PCMA Convene Podcast

12/12/24 • 45 min

Discover how PCMA’s APAC team is redefining event design with the Business of Events conference. Gain insights into crafting meaningful connections across diverse regions and how technology shapes the future of events.

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:

Florence Chua

With over 25 years of experience working in Asia Pacific, including 11 years in China and several years in other countries, Florence is well attuned to the diverse cultures and markets in the region.

At PCMA, her focus is on growing the PCMA in the region and aligns with stakeholders to advance the industry.

Sustainability in Business Events Industry

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