News & Trends

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

This Week on the Convene Podcast: Setting the Stage for Difficult Conversations and Navigating a More Complex Global Meetings Landscape

From how one event thoughtfully addressed shared challenges to what geopolitics, travel disruptions, and rising costs mean for planners worldwide — here’s what’s new on the Convene Podcast.

BY Magdalina Atanassova April 24, 2026

Your Most Undervalued Event Strategy? Look Right Outside Your Office.

The best way for you to design events for Gen Z is by engaging Gen Z members of your team or at your organization in the process.

BY Kimberly Hardcastle April 21, 2026

This Week on the Convene Podcast: Disagreeing Without Dehumanizing and Leading With an Artist’s Mindset

From a growing movement to help people navigate disagreements with more humanity, to Nir Hindie’s perspective on how an artist’s mindset can transform events, leadership, and innovation — here’s what’s new on the Convene Podcast.

BY Magdalina Atanassova April 17, 2026

Picking Up the Pace With an AI Assist

Bringing people together strengthens the human capacities — including empathy and trust — that technology alone cannot create. Here’s how even strategists can stay human-centered while they equip themselves and their teams with the skills to leverage AI.

BY Sherrif Karamat April 10, 2026

A Strategic Blueprint for Common Events-Industry Challenges

A comprehensive new PCMA report outlines the many challenges facing associations, corporate event teams, and DMOs — and the skills and strategies needed to navigate them.

BY Barbara Palmer April 10, 2026

This Week on the Convene Podcast: Navigating Political Disruption and the Skills Event Leaders Need in 2026

From how meeting planners outmaneuvered political and economic upheaval to insights from the 2026 Skills Horizon on leading through a “decade of disorientation” — here’s what’s new on the Convene Podcast.

BY Magdalina Atanassova April 10, 2026

How to Make Your Biggest Line Item Have the Greatest Impact

Season 10 of the Convene Podcast shows how F&B has evolved from a meal break to become an essential part of the attendee experience and a reflection of the host organization’s values.

BY Magdalina Atanassova April 6, 2026

Simplifying Global Compliance: New Tools and Strategies for Medical Planners

International compliance is a gray and complex area for medical meeting planners, adding layers of work on top of the rigors of their role. Here’s how they hashed that out during a focus group session at Convening Leaders 2026 — along with some recommended solutions and some resources underway that will provide clarity.

BY Patricia M. Andrade April 3, 2026

Why Retention Is the Real Growth Strategy

Are you running a growth strategy for your event or a replacement strategy?

BY Kimberly Hardcastle April 3, 2026

This Week on the Convene Podcast: Designing Net Zero Events and Why Community Beats Content with Mark Adams

From how the Net Zero Conference embedded sustainability into every element of its design, to Mark Adams’ case for why community — not content — represents the next big opportunity for business events — here’s what’s new on the Convene Podcast.

BY Magdalina Atanassova April 3, 2026

Blazing New Trails

The Professional TrailBuilders Association joined with American Trails to host the latest International Trails Summit, bringing together more than 850 industry professionals for three days in Madison, Wisconsin.

BY Jennifer N. Dienst April 2, 2026

This Week on the Convene Podcast: Setting the Tone for Civility, Designing Inclusive Events, and Leading Through Change

From why event codes of conduct should go beyond compliance, to Laura Nelson’s guidance on sober‑inclusive, wellness‑forward design, to Pauline Nguyen’s insights on self‑leadership and emotional resilience — here’s what’s new on the Convene Podcast.

BY Magdalina Atanassova March 27, 2026

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