January/February 2023
What event organizers have learned about what their audiences want now.
Cover illustration by Sirin Thada
view digital edition subscribeMedical Society Finds Success by Getting Uncomfortable
After taking a chance on a new format during the pandemic, The Aesthetic Society is reaping the rewards of taking more risks with its annual conference in 2023.
Science Group’s Hybrid Meetings Improve Access and Affordability
The Genetics Society of America’s hybrid format, pricing structure, and content strategy gives global participants a chance to share the science.
Finding the ‘Sweet Spot’ for Anesthesiologist Group’s Annual Meeting
In November 2020, the American Society of Anesthesiologists took its annual meeting entirely online. Here’s what its digital event strategy looks like now.
Captured on (Instant) Film
At the Instant Film Society’s annual PolaCon, they take — and shake — actual Polaroid pictures to preserve the art of fast film.
Acquisition of a Fan Expo Opens Doors for Nonprofit
When Pop Culture Classroom’s main fundraising event, Denver Comic Con, was acquired by Informa Connect in 2021, it freed up the organization to focus on its primary mission.
How Short-Term Activations Can Create Lasting Positive Change
A growing number of destinations seeking to create community experiences since the pandemic are looking at Better Block’s neighborhood pop-up projects.
Breaking Through the Mindset of Digital vs. In-person Events
It’s time to experiment more with hybrid event formats, says Annalisa Ponchia Baccara, director of international congress development at AIM Group International.
AMDA’s Journey to Meeting Back In Person
The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine’s annual conference has undergone several transformations since 2020.Here’s what the society’s meetings manager, Kristin Pichon, has learned about her members as a result.
4 Ideas to Consider When Making Main Stage Contingency Plans
As event professionals hope for a full return to in-person events amid continued uncertainties, having speakers agree to contingency plans is a wise move.
Increasing Post-Session Survey Response Rates
PCMA’s Catalyst community discussed some ways to get attendees to fill out session surveys, and shared ideas on how to celebrate an association’s anniversary.
Should You Supersize Your Screens?
For many tasks, the smaller the screen, the smaller the thoughts. Get the big picture in our latest Meetings and Your Brain column.
What Should Your Hybrid Event Strategy Be?
When planning your hybrid events, start by determining what you want to accomplish. Here are four important questions for planners to consider.
Recovering the Cuisine of Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous chefs are using restaurants and special events to tell the mostly unknown story about Native food in America.
Five Ways to Jumpstart Your 2023 in Better Form
In this time of “The Great Sorting,” Convening Leaders 2023 speaker Daniel Pink said, we have to figure things out for ourselves. Here are his tips to help us find our way.
Charting a Bold New Path for PCMA
For any organization, embracing change is key to transformation.
How Volunteers Can Move Your Event Closer to Your Sustainability Goals
At Greenbuild, Team Human’s person-to-person communication helped educate participants about event sustainability practices, which helped prevent recycling errors.
Moving Events Forward in the Face of Social and Economic Challenges
PCMA convened a roundtable in the American Geophysical Union’s boardroom in Washington, D.C., for the leaders of several associations, DMOs, and convention centers to discuss the impact of travel boycotts and how to navigate social and political challenges.
Magnet Wall Draws Git Merge Attendees to Networking Space
A magnet board at a GitHub tech conference not only engaged participants but reinforced the collaborative spirit of their community.
8 Ways to Plan Face-to-Face Events for 2023
Hint: It’s not about getting your pre-pandemic groove back.