News & Trends

What’s happening — or coming up next — in the meetings and events world and beyond.

How to Make Subvention Programs Work Harder

A recent study shows that the current funding model to encourage group business falls short in significant areas beyond economics.

BY Kate Mulcrone November 18, 2025

Candy Retailers Come Together for a Confectionery Convention

Retailers gathered in Kentucky in April to collaborate on the making, packaging, and marketing of candy.

BY Michelle Russell November 17, 2025

This Week on the Convene Podcast: Building Year-Round Communities, Designing by Values, and the Art Behind Our Covers

From how a one-day festival fosters global engagement, to David Allison’s insights on values-driven event design, to the creative process behind Convene’s illustrated covers, here’s what’s new on the Convene Podcast.

BY Magdalina Atanassova November 14, 2025

5 Things Corporate Events Are Doing Right

Sure, most corporate events have a bigger budget than association conferences. But what differentiates the best corporate events isn’t their scale or spend — it’s the thinking behind them.

BY Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes November 13, 2025

How Convening Leaders 2026 Is Embracing Sustainability

Thanks to a combination of careful planning and strategic partnerships, PCMA’s annual meeting keeps raising its own standards for event sustainability.

BY Kate Mulcrone November 10, 2025

This Week on the Convene Podcast: Seth Godin on Leadership and AI, Plus Sustainable Swag and Smarter Event Menus

From Seth Godin’s take on how events inspire real leadership, to practical ways to cut food waste, reduce carbon, and rethink event giveaways, here’s what’s new on the Convene Podcast.

BY Magdalina Atanassova November 7, 2025

How to Boost Real-Time Attendee Engagement

Planners shared event engagement strategies in a recent discussion on the PCMA Catalyst community.

BY Convene Editors November 4, 2025

This Week on the Convene Podcast: Smarter Workdays and Rethinking Networking Design

From expert strategies to organize your day and use AI more intentionally, to new research revealing what attendees really want from networking, here’s what’s new on the Convene Podcast.

BY Magdalina Atanassova October 31, 2025

6 Experts on Keeping DEI Alive at Events

Industry leaders share their practical approaches for making events inclusive — from digital accessibility to balancing celebration with difficult conversations — even as DEI faces backlash.

BY Magdalina Atanassova October 29, 2025

This Week on the Convene Podcast: Smarter AI Use and Solving Travel’s Talent Crunch

From an early adopter’s approach to AI to how events can help close a 43-million-worker gap in travel and tourism, here’s what’s new on the Convene Podcast.

BY Magdalina Atanassova October 24, 2025

Have We Moved the Sustainability Bar?

According to AmEx Global Business Travel’s 2026 Global Meetings & Events Forecast, planners recognize that their attendees expect their events to be sustainable. But how are they delivering on that expectation?

BY Michelle Russell October 23, 2025

5 Metrics to Focus on for Greener Meetings

The American Chemical Society’s ambitious event sustainability initiatives include reducing energy as well as food and plastic waste.

BY Kate Mulcrone October 21, 2025

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