The First Timers Experience was held on Sunday in the Pennsylvania Convention Center’s dramatic Grand Hall, which was created by renovating the historic Reading Terminal Trainshed.

Convening Leaders 2026 Kicks Off

We’re thrilled to welcome you to Philadelphia, the place where PCMA got its start 70 years ago, and kick off three days of learning from and connecting with the brightest minds in the events business. Convene checked in with Convening Leaders first-timers to see what they’re most excited about this year.

Jay Kiew will open his session by breaking down what it truly means to lead in an era where digital disruption and AI move at supersonic speed.

Jay Kiew on Navigating Change

The Convening Leaders 2026 Main Stage keynoter will help attendees understand new ways to transform disruptions into opportunities.

Jahkini Bisselink bridges generational gaps by converting Generation Z values into actionable strategies that help organizations prepare for and lead in the future.

Setting the Stage for Jahkini Bisselink

Here’s a preview of what the Gen-Z expert will share on the Convening Leaders Main Stage this morning and later this afternoon in a Master Class on how organizers can better engage this next-gen cohort — and why wellbeing is the most important metric for events for all participants, regardless of age.

Amanda Armstrong's session will help planners ask better questions, plan more strategically, and avoid surprises.

3 Common Planner Assumptions About AV

AV is one of the biggest expenses planners wrestle with when it comes to budgeting for events. This Tuesday session will help untangle in-house AV and hotel partnerships for organizers so they can plan with clarity.

With Freeman’s support, CES exhibitors built environments that allowed attendees to engage directly with products, content, and brand messaging.

Think ‘Presence’ vs. ‘Space’

Exhibitors are looking for different ways to show up at your event — and to make a bigger statement without a bigger booth. Here’s how to rethink your exhibitor offerings.

Claire Smit

Claire Smith Announces Retirement

The former PCMA Chair of the Board will retire from her position as the Vancouver Convention Centre’s vice president, sales and marketing, in April.

Whether they are generally bullish or bearish on what's next for meetings, industry insiders agree that the rising cost of events is the top challenge they face.

What’s Ahead for the Events Industry in 2026?

In our recent Meetings Market Survey, Convene asked planners: Are you more worried or more excited about the future? We then put the question to a group of global event professionals. Here’s what they all said.

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