Convene checked in with two associations that produced digital events in 2020 to learn what they are doing differently this year. One leaned into interactive online opportunities for participants while the other went from complimentary registration to an “attainable” pricing model.

When the American Cheese Society Annual Conference meets digitally in July, the organization plans to reimagine its popular in-person sessions, such as ‘Meet the Cheesemaker,’ in a virtual format.

William “Bill” Talbert III, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, discusses how DMOs and events have changed during his 30 years in Miami.

Karen Williams, CTA, plans to retire at the end of June after seven years as president and CEO of Louisville Tourism. It will be her second time retiring from the

Steve Moore, retired president and CEO of Visit Phoenix, reflects on his 46-year career and the changes he has seen in the DMO and events industries.

We have been single-minded in our approach to keeping venues clean and safe for attendees. But we’ve been missing one very important —maybe the most important — thing.

Digital events have their place and will remain an important part of our industry going forward. But it’s our face-to-face events that change the world.

Charitable institutions have long benefited from the community-service efforts of organizations convening in their cities. What happens to those charities when face-to-face events don’t take place for more than a year?

Once considered a counter-culture movement, veganism is now embraced by a worldwide community and has become a multi-billion dollar industry — partly thanks to strategic business event planning.

Recognizing that in-person conversations would be important to the development of the digital financial system, Keynote CEO Moe Levin launched a 2013 event for 300 attendees, some who now are considered pioneers in cryptocurrency. In 2018, 6,000 attended The North American Bitcoin Conference.

The pivot to digital events has constricted many associations’ revenue streams. But the American Society of Hematology bucked that trend by developing a successful new model for sponsors for its virtual 2020 event and a pricing structure for all participants based on a metric that makes sense in an online environment: time.

The digital nomad movement has gained ground during the pandemic, for sure. But it has pre-COVID roots and its pioneers are planning an in-person gathering to help it flourish — and to get destinations’ support.

How the Airbnb Open event, conceived as a ‘World’s Fair for Airbnb hosts,’ demonstrably accelerated the company’s growth.

Treedom, an online company, has created a platform that makes it easy for organizations to engage in the serious work of battling climate change while creating economic opportunity

With anti-Asian American racism on the rise, Hollaback!, a nonprofit organization fighting harassment of all kinds, has seen a big uptick in requests for corporate training, and offers these tips on how to safely intervene when you witness such confrontations.

When Sodexo and Centerplate conducted an online survey in November 2020, they asked 202 event and meeting planners what they value when it comes to food and beverage in the

Marissa King, an expert on social networks and connections, talks to Convene about what the pandemic has done to our professional networks and how the move to digital might impact our connection in the future.

The Main Stage program for the in-person and virtual PCMA EduCon features three speakers — Seth Mattison, Janet Stovall, and Kristin Graham — who will help attendees chart their post-pandemic paths.

The business consultant will focus on using data-driven strategies that cater to consumers in her PCMA EduCon Main Stage presentation for in-person and digital audiences.

The PCMA EduCon Main Stage speaker says challenging companies to commit to diversity, inclusion, and equity should come with specific goals — and consequences.

The emphasis on cleaning and disinfecting venues in the age of COVID-19 is missing a larger point: Reliably healthy and safe environments depend on clean air and a more holistic approach.

The path to the top doesn’t always follow a straight line. For ASPEN CEO and PCMA Groundbreaker Wanda Johnson, it’s what she did with what she learned along the way that’s made all the difference.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community has been the target of hate crimes and discrimination. How can destinations and organizers help attendees from this community feel welcome and safe at in-person events?

We’re seeing a trend that association leadership is more open to making changes to the annual conference than ever before. It’s about time. 

One member of the PCMA Catalyst community shared his experience from the first in-person event he has attended since the pandemic began, saying it was not ‘like riding a bike.’

Her fast-paced career brought Morgan Prewitt many lessons along the way, from when to say ‘no’ to recognizing that no matter how much you feel the imposter syndrome, ‘you belong here.’

If you’re the person responsible for your organization’s meetings and trade shows in 2022, here are the capabilities your leadership is looking for you to master.

The Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin’s business conference returns to an in-person format — and keeps the benefits of digital.

While event organizers are preparing for a return to in-person events, they still must decide if they will or won’t provide audiences digital options. These important considerations can help guide them.