Event Strategy & Design

From the physical set-up to the way you orchestrate sessions and interaction, we help you put the latest smart thinking into practice to create environments and experiences that have an impact.

How ASCRS Rebooted Its Awards Ceremony to Increase Audience Engagement

The American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery transformed its annual meeting awards program into something far less ceremonial and far more engaging, based on audience insights.

BY Michelle Russell May 14, 2025

A New Event Embraces Neurodivergence

The launch of a new event, designed to celebrate and support those who identify as having brains that are wired a little differently, provides insights for designing neurodivergent-friendly meetings.

BY Barbara Palmer May 6, 2025

Will This Be the Greenest Convention Center on the Planet?

The Austin Convention Center has set its sights on becoming the first zero-carbon convention center certified by the International Living Future Institute.

BY Barbara Palmer April 21, 2025

Climate Psychology and the Events Industry

Acknowledging what people may think and feel about climate change is the first step in making meaningful progress in the events industry and beyond.

BY Michelle Russell April 17, 2025

Rearchitecting a Trade Show

A new expo hall design used experiential zones to take attendees on an architectural journey.

BY Michelle Russell April 17, 2025

No Wasted Food, No Wasted Dollars

A planner asks: Can I ask a venue to donate food if I am below my F&B minimum?

BY Barbara Palmer April 17, 2025

Conference Bags That Change Lives

Seattle’s Refugee Artisan Initiative provides employment and job skills training to refugees, while diverting thousands of pounds of textiles and other materials from local landfills.

BY Barbara Palmer April 17, 2025

Measuring Emotion

While meeting organizers understand the primary role that emotional engagement and experiential factors play in their events, they find those things difficult to measure. We’ve set out to explore how to define, design and how to quantify emotional engagement and make meaningful improvements as a result.

BY Convene Editors April 2, 2025

Visit Detroit Named PCMA Visionary Awards Finalist for Hosting NFL Draft

For the first time, the PCMA Foundation accepted group nominations for the Professional Excellence Award categories as part of its annual Visionary Awards program. Here’s how the Visit Detroit team became an Impact Award finalist.

BY David McMillin March 26, 2025

Group Effort Nets RIMS Meetings Team Visionary Awards Finalist Nomination

For the first time, teams — not just individuals — could be nominated for Professional Excellence awards as part of the PCMA Foundation’s Visionary Awards this year. Convene spoke with the leader of the RIMS team, a finalist for Experience Design of the Year.

BY David McMillin March 26, 2025

How AAPA’s Conference and Meetings Team Created the Made in Houston Marketplace

Here’s how the events team at the American Academy of Physician Associates was named a finalist for the Professional Excellence award in the category of Experience Design of the Year, part of the PCMA Foundation’s Visionary Awards program.

BY David McMillin March 26, 2025

Meet Tanya Popeau, PCMA’s New Head of Global Sustainability

Convene talked with Popeau about her experience in leading initiatives with a strategic focus on innovation, what excites her about her new role, and where she looks for inspiration.

BY Barbara Palmer March 24, 2025

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