PCMA Convene Podcast

Is swag still worth it—or just landfill with a logo? In this Talk Replay episode, the Convene editors debate whether business events need giveaways at all, and what actually delivers value when they do. From “no-swag” charitable gifting and local-maker gift cards to consumables, thoughtful keepsakes, and scent-driven memories, the group shares smart ideas for reducing waste while deepening attendee connection. If you’re rethinking bags, bottles, and branded pens, this episode gives practical alternatives and guardrails.

Links:

·       7 Wellness-Themed Gifting Ideas:  https://meetings.skift.com/2025/10/13/7-wellness-themed-gifting-ideas/

·       Rethinking Swag at Events:  https://www.pcma.org/rethinking-swag-events/

·       Cowbells and Woolen Slippers — Cherished Handmade Gifts From Events:  https://www.pcma.org/cowbells-woolen-slippers-cherished-handmade-gifts-from-events/

·       Responsible Swag: Rethinking Giving and Receiving at Events:  https://www.pcma.org/rethinking-giving-receiving-events/  

·       Helping the Earth and Creating Community One Tree at a Time:  https://www.pcma.org/treedom-tree-planting-climate-change-events/

·       An Immersive Three Days in Victoria, B.C.:  https://www.pcma.org/immersive-three-days-in-victoria-bc/

Get News Junkie:  https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/ 

Meet the Convene Editors:  https://www.pcma.org/contact/ 

·      Michelle Russell, Former Editor in Chief

·      Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor

·      Jennifer N. Dienst, Senior Editor

·      Kate Mulcrone, Managing Digital Editor

·      Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ 

YouTube:  https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene 

Medium:  https://medium.com/@convenemagazine 

X:  https://x.com/pcmaconvene  

Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team:  https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra 

Business and art are considered unrelated disciplines, but artists and event organizers share a common goal, says entrepreneur and educator Nir Hindie: creating meaningful experiences.

Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor of Convene.

Read the Article: 

Thinking Like an Artist: https://www.pcma.org/thinking-like-an-artist/

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene 

Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine 

X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  

Subscribe to our newsletters: pcma.org/subscribe-to-pcma-emails 

Contact Information: For anything podcast-related, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this Talk Replay episode, the Editorial team discusses how recent U.S. policies and funding cuts are disrupting the business events industry. From international travel challenges to scientific censorship and declining attendance, hear what’s changing—and what it means for planners, speakers, and global collaboration. 

Links:

·        https://www.pcma.org/doge-impact-meetings-industry/

·        https://www.pcma.org/trump-administrations-policies-and-cuts-being-felt-by-events-industry/

·        https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/trump-musk-french-scientist-detained

·        https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00903-9

Get News Junkie:  https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/ 

Meet the Convene Editors:  https://www.pcma.org/contact/ 

·      Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief

·      Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor

·      Jennifer N. Dienst, Senior Editor

·      Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene 

Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine 

X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  

Subscribe to our newsletters: pcma.org/subscribe-to-pcma-emails 

Contact Information: For anything podcast-related, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

Two conferences — the Joint Mathematics Meetings and Bridges — help mathematicians explore the connection between math and art.

Written and read by Michelle Russell, former editor in chief of Convene.

Read the Article: 

Factoring Art Into Meeting Design: https://www.pcma.org/how-we-process-art/

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene 

Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine 

X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  

Subscribe to our newsletters: pcma.org/subscribe-to-pcma-emails 

Contact Information: For anything podcast-related, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this Talk Replay episode, the Editorial team discussed the evolving role of convention centers, from their economic impact on cities to their innovative designs fostering community connections. 

Links:

·      Why Are Cities Still Spending Big on Convention Centers?

·      Convene Talk ep 50

·      Trends Report 2025: Help — and Bleisure Time — Wanted

·      Trends Report 2025: Meeting and Event ‘Destination Dupes’

Get News Junkie: https://www.pcma.org/campaign/news-junkie/ 

Meet the Convene Editors: https://www.pcma.org/contact/ 

·      Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief

·      Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor

·      Jennifer N. Dienst, Senior Editor

·      Kate Mulcrone, Managing Digital Editor

·      Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene 

Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine 

X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  

Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra 

Art lights up social networks in our brains.

Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor of Convene.

Read the Article: 

How We Process Art: https://www.pcma.org/how-we-process-art/

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene 

Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine 

X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  

Subscribe to our newsletters: pcma.org/subscribe-to-pcma-emails 

Contact Information: For anything podcast-related, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this Interview, Business Events Summit keynote speaker Jesse Israel shares insights on how event professionals can navigate uncertainty, make clearer decisions, and create environments where both teams and attendees can thrive. From quieting the noise of self-doubt and burnout to fostering stronger connections and more intentional event experiences, this conversation explores why presence is more than a personal wellness practice. It is a practical leadership skill that helps professionals lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose in an increasingly noisy world.

Links:

·       MGMT – Kids (Official Music Video) - https://youtu.be/fe4EK4HSPkI?si=CF0KfSSWHP2AlDZz

·       The Genius Zone, by Dr. Gay Hendricks - https://www.therealgeniuszone.com/

·       Follow Jesse Israel - https://www.jesseisrael.com/

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene 

Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine 

X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  

Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

How Adam Rosendahl’s Late Nite Art workshops use storytelling, music, and drawing to help attendees break down barriers, connect in new ways and unleash creativity.

Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor of Convene.

Read the Article: 

The Art of Connecting: https://www.pcma.org/art-of-connecting/

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene 

Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine 

X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  

Subscribe to our newsletters: pcma.org/subscribe-to-pcma-emails 

Contact Information: For anything podcast-related, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

In this Interview, Business Events Summit keynote speaker Shasta Nelson, leading expert on human connection and author of The Business of Friendship, explores why friendship may be one of the most valuable—and overlooked—outcomes of business events. Drawing on her research in belonging, trust, and human connection, we discuss why organizations increasingly seek stronger cultures, healthier teams, and more engaged communities—and how event professionals are uniquely positioned to create the conditions where those relationships form.

Links:

·       The Business of Friendship - https://www.shastanelson.com/books

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene 

Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine 

X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  

Contact Information: For any questions, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000 qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

A conference for social impact leaders takes a model approach to its own social impact projects in host destinations.

Written and read by Michelle Russell, former editor in chief of Convene.

Read the Article: 

‘Every Action Matters’: https://www.pcma.org/points-of-light-social-impact-leaders/

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcmaconvene/ 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pcmaconvene 

Medium: https://medium.com/@convenemagazine 

X: https://x.com/pcmaconvene  

Subscribe to our newsletters: pcma.org/subscribe-to-pcma-emails 

Contact Information: For anything podcast-related, reach out to Magdalina Atanassova, matanassova(at)pcma(dot)org.

Sponsorships and Partnerships: Reach 36,000+ qualified meeting organizers with Convene, the multi-award-winning magazine for the business events industry. Contact our sales team: https://www.pcma.org/advertise-sponsorship/

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra