News & Trends

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

3 Ways Convene Used PCMA’s Spark AI Tool

On June 26 at EduCon, PCMA President & CEO Sherrif Karamat will announce a new generative AI tool specifically for the business events industry, developed by Gevme in collaboration with PCMA. Convene has taken it for a test ride. Here’s how it worked.

BY Magdalina Atanassova June 25, 2023

The New Era of Gathering: Embracing ‘Generous Authority’

Get ready for Priya Parker to get to the heart of — and reimagine — what you do for a living.

BY Magdalina Atanassova June 25, 2023

How to Book a Braindate at PCMA EduCon 2023

Engage in one-on-one conversations with peers on industry challenges and shared interests through a Braindate session.

BY Convene Editors June 25, 2023

The Long-Awaited Opening of a New Museum Coincides with Juneteenth

Two decades in the making, the International African American Museum and gathering space in Charleston, South Carolina, will trace the untold stories of enslaved Africans brought to the U.S.

BY Jennifer N. Dienst June 19, 2023

Convene On Site: Breaking With Convention in Seattle

An inside look at Summit, Seattle’s latest convention center space.

BY Barbara Palmer June 17, 2023

On Site: What’s New for Meetings in New Orleans

While in New Orleans, a city known for its longstanding and colorful traditions, Convene Senior Editor Jennifer N. Dienst finds a wave of revitalization is forging a new kind of visitor experience.

BY Jennifer N. Dienst June 16, 2023

A New Funding Model for Hotel Development

The Indianapolis City Council will take over financing for a convention center hotel. Is this a sign of things to come?

BY Michelle Russell June 16, 2023

5 Ways to Use AI to Help Spark Event Session Ideas

Artificial intelligence is the new power tool for events, but keep in mind its limitations — and be ready to verify and edit the information it gives you.

BY Beth Surmont June 12, 2023

Want Better Pay? Take a Hike

A new Stanford study suggests that women can get more out of what they want in negotiations, including salary discussions, if they step away from the negotiating table and go for a walk instead.

BY Michelle Russell June 12, 2023

Should You Break the Bank to Hire a Celebrity Speaker?

More seats remain empty at keynote and main sessions. Here’s why featuring celebrities probably isn’t the answer to filling them — and what audiences care about instead, according to research from Freeman.

BY Barbara Palmer June 12, 2023

What the Back-to-the-Office Challenge Has to Do With In-Person Events

We asked The Empathy Advantage: Leading the Empowered Workforce authors Heather E. McGowan and Chris Shipley for their insights on what an empowered workforce portends for events.

BY Michelle Russell June 10, 2023

Does Leading With Empathy Mean You’re a Pushover?

We asked The Empathy Advantage: Leading the Empowered Workforce authors Heather E. McGowan and Chris Shipley to share how to lead teams with greater empathy — and why that doesn’t make you ineffectual.

BY Michelle Russell June 9, 2023

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