PCMA Convene Podcast

Explore essential strategies to secure attendee and business data in an era of growing cybersecurity threats. Join cybersecurity expert Olga Nasibullina and RIMS CIO Michael Peters as they discuss vendor risks, digital hygiene, and proactive measures every event planner should know to protect against breaches, ransomware, and third-party vulnerabilities.

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:

Olga Nasibullina

Olga Nasibullina is an independent advisor to government agencies and private companies on information sharing in cybersecurity field. She is involved in development of trainings for NATO and Google programs.

Michael Peters

Accomplished CIO/CISO executive offering 20+ years of verifiable success in designing, developing, and deploying high-performance, cost-efficient, flexible, and fully scalable technology solutions to meet diverse and complex business challenges. Expert in aligning technology to support and advance overall business strategies and objectives.

Episode Transcript

Additional Resources:

Session 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.

This season has been kindly sponsored by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visit discoverPHL.com to start planning your next life sciences meeting.

In this episode of the Convene Podcast, we explore with Paula Rowntree, Head of Events at the Australian Psychological Society, the evolving role of AI in associations—how it’s reshaping member engagement, streamlining operations, and unlocking new revenue streams.

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn

Instagram

X

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

A quick take on interesting stories from News Junkie.

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

Meet the Convene Editors:

· Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief

Michelle has been Convene's editor in chief for more than two decades. Early in her career, she was a nonfiction books editor at Random House and has also worked as a writer for several startups. She most enjoys spending time with her family.

· Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor

Barbara’s wide-ranging, award-winning work as a journalist includes stints as a science reporter at The Daily Oklahoman; publications director at the global nonprofit World Neighbors; and as the arts and humanities editor at the Stanford University News Service.

· Jennifer Dienst, Senior Editor

Before joining the team in 2020, Jen spent more than a decade contributing to titles in the travel, hospitality, and lifestyle space. She has also had brief interludes in public relations and sales. If not writing, she is probably planning her next trip.

· Casey Gale, Managing Editor

Based in her New Jersey home office, Casey Gale enjoys writing DEI and news pieces as they relate to the meetings and events industry. She spends her downtime reading and playing with her two fluffy office mates — her cats, Hildy and Walter.

· Curt Wagner, Digital Editor

Before joining PCMA Curt Wagner spent 22 years at the Chicago Tribune in various positions, including as a national/foreign copy editor, news designer, and as entertainment editor and TV writer for RedEye newspaper.

· Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor

Magdalina Atanassova, the newest addition to the Convene team, is an award-winning and certified sustainable event prof, resourceful strategist, and amateur artist. Her core trait is love of learning.

Additional Resources:

Read more:

· What Event Attendees Want Now

· Advancing Women Leaders in the Business Events Industry

Follow Convene:

Website: pcma.org/convene

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene

Instagram: instagram.com/pcmaconvene

X: twitter.com/pcmaconvene

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.

This season, hosted by Magdalina Atanassova, Convene’s digital media editor, was recorded at Convening Leaders 2024 in San Diego and dedicated to PCMA’s 20 in Twenties program.

Guest Information:

· Derek Anderson

Derek Anderson, founder of e3 Creative, is dedicated to turning ambitious concepts into memorable and impactful realities through innovative thinking in conference planning and design.

· Chase Brunson, CMP, DES

Chase Brunson is a champion for inclusion and often serves as subject matter expert on DEI best practices within the meetings and events industry. With 10 years of event management under his belt, Chase is currently an Event Manager for the Project Management Institute.

Additional Resources:

· Derek Anderson, Class of 2017

· Chase Brunson, Class of 2024

· Why Event Organizers Need to Be Aware of Transgender Attendees’ Event Journey

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.

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.

The Business of Events 2025: Master. Mind.

Sustainability in Business Events Industry

Episode Transcript

Follow Convene:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

X

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.