Best PCMA Podcasts (2025)

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Convene Interview [CL26 SPECIAL] Designing Dynamic Digital Experiences: Devon Montgomery Pasha on Hosting CL26 Online 17:17

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4d ago17:17

17:17

In this episode, Devon Montgomery Pasha, the digital experience host for PCMA Convening Leaders 2026, shares her vision for creating an intentional, immersive virtual environment. She explains how her SPARK methodology, rooted in empathy-driven design, shaped the digital experience and reveals how participants can feel connected, activated, and ins…

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Convene Talk: Connecting the Dots at Convening Leaders: Zanny Minton Beddoes, Adam Grant, Trevor Noah & Tabitha Brown 22:37

7d ago22:37

22:37

In this episode, the Convene editorial team previews the main stage lineup at Convening Leaders 2026 — including The Economist editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes, organizational psychologist Adam Grant, actress and entrepreneur Tabitha Brown, and comedian and bestselling author Trevor Noah. They explore how these keynotes and their talks will sha…

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Convene Article: Convention Centers Designed to Meet Local and Group Needs 9:50

8d ago9:50

9:50

More new-build and convention center renovations are designed for integration into the larger community, creating mixed-use spaces for convention-goers and locals alike. Written and read by Jennifer N. Dienst, senior editor at Convene. Read the Article: Convention Centers Designed to Meet Local and Group Needs: https://www.pcma.org/meeting-differen…

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Beyond Restraints: Designing Environments That Prevent Harm 42:54

13d ago42:54

42:54

Send us a text In this powerful episode of the Crisis in Education Podcast, Dr. Paul “Paulie” Gavoni sits down with Bonnie and Thomas Liotta, founders of Creating Champions For Life, for an unfiltered conversation about behavior, safety, and the cost of getting it wrong. The discussion centers on a reality educators and parents can no longer ignore…

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Convene Interview: Franziska Seehausen on Sustainable Innovation, Good Tech, and Designing Systems for Change 25:20

14d ago25:20

25:20

In this episode, designer and Comat Studio founder Franziska Seehausen shares what leadership needs to look like for 2030 and beyond. Franziska breaks down three essential traits for today’s leaders — empathy, trust, and courage — and explains how her own journey from Adidas to systems-focused studio owner shifted her view of sustainability from a …

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Convene Series: Tahira Endean on Measuring Joy, Leading Change, and Designing Events That Connect 52:32

15d ago52:32

52:32

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 attende…

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Convene Article: Budgeting for the New Normal 10:18

16d ago10:18

10:18

A recent PCMA Institute webinar offered strategies for managing expenses in the current market and budgeting for the coming year. Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief at Convene. Read the Article: Budgeting for the New Normal: https://www.pcma.org/budgeting-for-the-new-normal/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/show…

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Convene Talk: How Convening Leaders 2026 Bakes Sustainability Into the Experience 14:04

21d ago14:04

14:04

In this episode, the team previews how Convening Leaders 2026 in Philadelphia is weaving sustainability into every touchpoint—from right-sized F&B and food-recovery partnerships to standardized, reusable show floors, digital signage, walkable logistics, and post-event carbon accounting. We also spotlight behind-the-scenes venue practices that make …

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Convene Series: Rethinking Sponsorships and Exhibitions with Sean Soth and Dan Cole: Building ROI, Trust, and Value in 2026 39:31

22d ago39:31

39:31

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 p…

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Convene Article: What Science Has to Say About How to Use AI 5:41

23d ago5:41

5:41

The evidence is mounting that leaning too heavily on AI can affect our ability to think critically and retain information. Here’s how to stay in the driver’s seat. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene. Read the Article: What Science Has to Say About How to Use AI: https://www.pcma.org/what-science-has-to-say-about-using-ai/ …

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Convene Talk: The Stories We Loved in 2025: Fast Tracks, Inclusive Awards, Accessibility Wins and Everyday Work Joy 20:44

28d ago20:44

20:44

In this episode, the Convene Editors are swapping their favorite Convene stories from 2025 — from events that redefined attendee engagement to stories that challenged how we think about inclusion, accessibility, and workplace culture. Join Jen, Michelle, Barbara, and Kate for a behind-the-scenes look at the reporting that inspired them most — and a…

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Convene Series: Michelle Mason on Rebuilding Association Value: Revenue Models, Retention, and “Conscious Inclusion” 20:47

29d ago20:47

20:47

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…

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Convene Article: Inside a Gathering of Finance Officers 4:38

30d ago4:38

4:38

In April, the Native American Finance Officers Association held its 43rd annual conference in New Orleans, marrying tech and tradition to maximize engagement. Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief at Convene. Read the Article: Inside a Gathering of Finance Officers: https://www.pcma.org/gathering-of-finance-officers/ Follow Convene:…

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Convene Interview: Values Behind the Numbers: David Allison on What the 2025 Salary Survey Reveals About Event Planners 48:25

1M ago48:25

48:25

How can understanding what matters most to people reshape the future of work in events? In this conversation, David Allison, CEO and founder of the Valuegraphics Project, joins Magdalina Atanassova to unpack insights from Convene’s 2025 Salary Survey — from the widening gap between job satisfaction and pay to the deep role of community and recognit…

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Convene Series: Trust, Budgets & Hybrid Impact: MC2’s Ben Nazario & Bruno Silva on Event Marketing That Actually Moves the Needle 43:59

1M ago43:59

43:59

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-br…

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Convene Article: This Negative TikTok Was Turned Into a Teachable Moment 11:35

1M ago11:35

11:35

How a TikTok video berating hotel and conference staff at the National Federation of the Blind’s convention became a learning opportunity. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene. Read the Article: This Negative TikTok Was Turned Into a Teachable Moment: https://www.pcma.org/negative-tik-tok-teachable-moment/ Follow Convene: Li…

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Convene Talk: Inside Convene’s Covers: How Illustrations Bring Ideas to Life 30:29

1M ago30:29

30:29

Every issue of Convene opens with an illustrated cover — a long-standing tradition that captures ideas, not just images. In this behind-the-scenes conversation, the editorial team shares how those covers come to life, from concept to collaboration with artists around the world. Hear how illustration shapes storytelling, why abstract art sparks curi…

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Convene Series: David Allison on Why Values Beat Demographics in Event Design 49:59

1M ago49:59

49:59

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 employ…

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Convene Article: How This One-Day Festival Creates an Engaged Community Year-Round 4:53

1M ago4:53

4:53

Organizers of the Creative Bureaucracy Festival have kept up a digital initiative from the COVID years to extend the festival’s reach globally and to keep the community connected. Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief at Convene. Read the Article: How This One-Day Festival Creates an Engaged Community Year-Round: https://www.pcma.or…

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Keeping Kids in School — and Out of the System 1:07:08

1M ago1:07:08

1:07:08

Send us a text In this episode of the Crisis in Education podcast, Dr. Paul “Paulie” Gavoni sits down with Michael Waller, an attorney and Executive Director of Georgia Appleseed, to talk about the real work of keeping students safe, supported, and out of the criminal justice system. Drawing from legal, educational, and behavioral science perspecti…

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Convene Talk: Do We Still Need Event Swag? Sustainable Giveaways That Build Connection (and Ditch the Waste) 18:48

2M ago18:48

18:48

Is swag still worth it—or just landfill with a logo? In this Talk, the Convene editors debate whether business events need giveaways at all, and what actually delivers value when they do. From “no-swag” charitable gifting and local-maker gift cards to consumables, thoughtful keepsakes, and scent-driven memories, the group shares smart ideas for red…

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Convene Series: Seth Godin on Making Events Magical: Leadership, AI, and the Future of Work 25:32

2M ago25:32

25:32

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…

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Convene Article: 3 Smart Ways to Reduce Food Waste and Cut Carbon Emissions 5:19

2M ago5:19

5:19

From “Meatless Mondays” to “ganging” menus, easy ways to cut the carbon emissions of F&B at events from international science society planner Bel Hanson. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene. Read the Article: 3 Smart Ways to Reduce Food Waste and Cut Carbon Emissions: https://www.pcma.org/3-smart-ways-to-reduce-food-waste/ …

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Convene Talk: Networking, Rebuilt: What Attendees Want vs. What Organizers Deliver (Freeman’s XLNC Deep Dive) 17:40

2M ago17:40

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Freeman’s latest XLNC report reveals a major mismatch: attendees want organizers to curate subject-matter experts and set purposeful topics for networking—while many planners still default to open “white space,” receptions, and chance encounters. In this Convene Talk, we unpack how to architect serendipity with intention (think BrainDate-style prob…

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Convene Article: 8 Ways to Organize Your Workday 5:48

2M ago5:48

5:48

We pair advice from a time-management expert shared during a recent PCMA EMEA virtual Meet-Up with recommendations based on research about AI use. Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief at Convene. Read the Article: 8 Ways to Organize Your Workday: https://www.pcma.org/8-ways-organize-workday/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.li…

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Building Better School Leaders with Mike Caldwell of LinkedLeaders 45:51

2M ago45:51

45:51

Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Paul “Paulie” Gavoni sits down with Mike Caldwell, founder of LinkedLeaders, a national platform dedicated to accelerating the growth and effectiveness of K–12 school leaders. With a shared passion for bringing out the best in people through leadership and behavioral science, Paulie and Mike explore what it reall…

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Convene Talk: Travel’s Talent Crunch: How Events Can Help Close a 43-Million Worker Gap 18:38

2M ago18:38

18:38

The travel industry is booming—but a World Travel & Tourism Council report warns of a 43 million-person workforce shortfall in the next decade. What does that mean for meetings and events? The Convene team digs into where the pinch is already showing, why service roles can’t be automated away, and how pipelines—student outreach, paid apprenticeship…

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Convene Article: An Early Adopter’s Approach for Reining in AI 9:44

2M ago9:44

9:44

When it comes to using AI-generated tools, discipline and focus are powerful things, says entrepreneur and speaker Princess Castleberry. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene. Read the Article: An Early Adopter’s Approach for Reining in AI: https://www.pcma.org/reining-in-ai/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com…

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Convene Talk: Too Many Industry Events? Why Planners and Suppliers Can’t Agree 15:17

2M ago15:17

15:17

As the events calendar fills up with global trade shows, familiar debates resurface: Are there simply too many industry events — or just not enough of the right ones? Convene editors break down insights from a recent article on the topic, discuss how event models may be due for a rethink, and explore why niche, purpose-built gatherings may hold the…

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Convene Article: Science Conferences Bucking the Trend 9:30

2M ago9:30

9:30

Record attendance at two major global scientific conferences — despite domestic funding cuts and travel headaches for international attendees — demonstrates the resilience of the scientific community and strategic thinking on the part of organizers. Written and read by Kate Mulcrone, digital managing editor at Convene. Read the Article: Science Con…

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Convene Talk: 2025 Salary Survey - Pay Gaps, Workload Strain, and Why Agency Drives Satisfaction 19:40

3M ago19:40

19:40

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 Survey: a persistent gap between compensation and job/industry satisfaction and why agency (taking on added duties by choice) correlates with higher morale. We compare director-level compensati…

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Convene Article: Reaching Your Sustainability Goals Starts With Your RFP 11:18

3M ago11:18

11:18

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 footprint. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene. Read the Article: Reaching Your Sustainability Goals Starts With Your RFP: https://www.pcma.org/reaching-sustainability-go…

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Convene Talk: Quishing at Events - QR Code Scams, Attendee Trust, and Practical Safeguards for Planners 22:56

3M ago22:56

22:56

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 pot” demo at a cybersecurity summit to everyday tricks that exploit attendee trust. We share easy fixes planners can deploy now—like printing the full destination URL next to every QR code—p…

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Convene Article: How the Society of Women Engineers Earned a Gold Award for Events 6:30

3M ago6:30

6:30

This 50,000-member association designed a record-breaking annual conference by focusing on inclusivity and safety. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene. Read the Article: How the Society of Women Engineers Earned a Gold Award for Events: https://www.pcma.org/society-of-women-engineers-is-embracing-diversity/ Follow Convene: …

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Preparing Teachers for the Real World: A Conversation with Dr. Greg Rockhold 53:04

3M ago53:04

53:04

Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Paulie welcomes back Dr. Greg Rockhold, a seasoned educator and leader with nearly 30 years of experience and service, including on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Known for his thought-provoking LinkedIn posts, Dr. Rockhold joins to discuss one of his most press…

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Convene Talk: SXSW 2026 Without a Convention Center: Neighborhood “Villages,” Constraints, and Smarter Brand Activations 21:41

3M ago21:41

21:41

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 neighborhoods across Austin. We dig into why constraints spark creativity, what “villages” mean for brand activations and attendee flow, how to balance strategy vs. serendipity, and whether asking at…

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Convene Series: How LA Tourism Champions DEI: Adam Burke on Empowering Small Businesses and Inclusive Growth 22:55

3M ago22:55

22:55

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 …

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Convene Article: What Planners Need to Know About Using AI in the Hiring Process 9:15

3M ago9:15

9:15

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, digital managing editor at Convene. Read the Article: What Planners Need to Know About Using AI in the Hiring Process: https://www.pcma.org/using-ai-in-hiring-process/ Follow Convene: Linked…

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Convene Talk: Why Bleisure (Done Right) Sparks Better Ideas and Better Events 18:23

3M ago18:23

18:23

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 travel and conferences fuels breakthroughs, and how design tweaks—like serendipity paths and simple sticky-note walls—unlock engagement. We also sanity-check the headline stats, discuss ROI vs. r…

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Convene Series: From Compliance to Inclusion: Frank M. Wächter Explains the European Accessibility Act 17:02

3M ago17:02

17:02

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 professional…

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Convene Article: Can Work Be Fun? 9:21

3M ago9:21

9:21

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 by Kate Mulcrone, digital managing editor at Convene. Read the Article: Can Work Be Fun?: https://www.pcma.org/can-work-be-fun/ Follow Convene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma…

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Convene Talk: Fyre Festival 2 Fizzles: Lessons in Trust, Influencers, and Why Events Need Professionals 20:01

4M ago20:01

20:01

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 to a surprise eBay fire-sale—and what it reveals about influencer hype, ethics, and the critical role of professional event planning. We contrast Fyre’s spin with Burning Man’s radical trans…

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Convene Series: How Radical Joy Shaped the WorldPride Human Rights Conference 40:27

4M ago40:27

40:27

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 joy…

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Convene Article: CSR Professionals Survey the Political Landscape for DEI 3:45

4M ago3:45

3:45

A recent survey reveals how corporate citizenship professionals are adjusting to DEI backlash while remaining true to their company’s commitment to its values. Written and read by Michelle Russell, editor in chief at Convene. Read the Article: CSR Professionals Survey the Political Landscape for DEI: https://www.pcma.org/csr-professionals-weigh-in-…

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Should Teachers Be Ashamed? Dr. Gavoni and Dr. Cubbin Square Off 1:02:07

4M ago1:02:07

1:02:07

Send us a text In this episode of The Heart & Science of Leadership Podcast, Dr. Paulie Gavoni sits down with veteran educator Dr. Michael L. Cubbin for a spirited debate on classroom leadership. The conversation was sparked by Cubbin’s critique of Paulie’s article on establishing expectations during the first week of school, and by his own provoca…

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Convene Talk: When Weird Works (and When It Doesn’t): Lessons From the World’s Wildest Science Conference 18:36

4M ago18:36

18:36

What happens when researchers trade lecture halls for campgrounds, five-minute rhymed papers, and walk-up songs? In this Convene Talk, the editorial team unpacks a recent Nature article on the “Woodstock of Biology” — a freewheeling festival near Prague that pushes the boundaries of what a scientific conference can be. From playful formats and outd…

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Convene Series: How Events Can Foster Belonging in Divided Times: A Conversation with Cameron Curtis 29:20

4M ago29:20

29:20

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 confr…

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Convene Article: ‘We’re Not Changing What We Do’: Standing Strong Amidst DEI Backlash 9:18

4M ago9:18

9:18

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 business case for diversity. Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene. Read the Article: ‘We’re Not Changing What We Do’: Standing Strong Amidst DEI Backlash: https://www.pcma.…

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Convene Talk: Inside Create & Cultivate: How Women-Only Business Festivals Are Reinventing Networking and Events 18:13

4M ago18:13

18:13

The women-focused festival Create & Cultivate has grown into one of the largest business events of its kind, blending celebrity keynotes, AI-powered networking, and brand activations that wow attendees and sponsors alike. In this episode of the Convene Podcast, the team unpacks what makes the event so successful, the debates around women-only space…

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Convene Series: Designing for Belonging with Devon Montgomery Pasha: How Empathy, Data, and Values Drive Better Events 38:48

4M ago38:48

38:48

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—no…