Fax machines were so critical in 1998 that it was hard to imagine the meetings industry surviving without them.

A Partly Cloudy Crystal Ball

As we celebrate Convene’s 40th anniversary, we’re looking back into our archive. Here’s how two contributors imagined the future at the turn of this century, writing from a world operating with 56K dial-up computer modems and a fax machine in every office.

Rachel Smith

Rachel Smith, meeting coordinator at Optica, sees onsite inconveniences as part of the adventure of event planning, an outlook that not only helps her navigate challenges more effectively but also allows her to enjoy the unpredictability that makes live events so dynamic and rewarding.

What’s Shaping Live Experiences in 2026?

That’s the question “The Experience Design Report,” based on the survey responses of nearly 450 event professionals, seeks to answer, taking into account everything from educational programming and networking to event tech.

'One lesson from NATO’s 75th Anniversary Summit is that milestones should be designed as experiences, not simply announced as themes.'

Make Milestone Moments Matter

Five events industry experts share how to plan your organization’s milestone, like a significant anniversary, so it honors the past while pointing the way toward the future.

Numerica SkyRide cable cars offer a bird’s- eye view of Riverfront Park. Photo courtesy Troy Walsh

A River Runs Through It

For centuries a gathering place for the native peoples of the Inland Northwest, Spokane has come into its own as a destination for business events today while not losing sight of its origins. Earlier this year, Convene got a behind-the-scenes look at how the city brought its past and present together as it hosted the nonprofit AMC Institute’s (AMCI) Annual Meeting.

Anna Schelling

Anna Schelling, manager, events at GCB German Convention Bureau e.V., thinks that success in events means not waiting for trends but creating spaces where change becomes reality.

A striking feature of the 2025 congress, the heart sculpture was presented after the event to imaging specialist Bracco, where it is now displayed at its worldwide headquarters in Milan, Italy.

At the Heart of It

How the European Society of Radiology used a combination of the latest technology tools to create an immersive digital experience for medical imaging professionals.

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