PCMA Convene Podcast

In this Interview, Business Events Summit keynote speaker, author, and leadership expert Rashmi Airan unpacks the concept of the “invisible prison” and the four forces that quietly shape—and sometimes sabotage—our decision-making. Drawing from her deeply personal story and years of research, Rashmi introduces practical frameworks like the Clarity Loop and the RISE framework to help event professionals pause, lead with integrity, and make choices they can stand behind. This conversation is a must-listen for leaders navigating uncertainty, managing teams under pressure, and striving to build cultures rooted in trust, courage, and accountability. 

Links:

• Rashmi Airan’s All Rise Book: https://rashmiairan.com/book/
• From Prison to Purpose: https://www.pcma.org/from-prison-to-purpose/
• Rise Through It: https://rashmiairan.com/speaking/rise-through-it
• Rise to Clarity: https://rashmiairan.com/speaking/rise-to-clarity
• Register for Business Events Summit: https://businesseventssummit.org/

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

This season has been kindly sponsored by Destination Madison. Go to VisitMadison.com/pcma to learn more.

In this Season 11 episode, we sit down with Laura Gassner Otting to unpack why high-achieving professionals—especially event and meeting leaders—burn out even when they’re successful, capable, and deeply committed to their work. Drawing on research from thousands of professionals worldwide, Laura explains why burnout is more often rooted in misalignment than workload, and how a lack of control, influence, and clarity can quietly drain even the most passionate individuals and teams.

Links:

·       Venn Diagram Profit - Impact - Freedom: https://www.pcma.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Venn-LGO.pdf
·       Get your copy of Limitless — named by Robin Roberts as one of Good Morning America's favorite books of the year.

·       Take the Four Question Quiz to figure out which of the four C's of consonance is missing from your life.

·       The Limitless Assessment will provide strategic recommendations about what to do next to find your consonance.

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 progressive opening reception gave a group of association management industry professionals the chance to mix with local artists — and to see the ins and outs of a convention center in a far more engaging way than a formal facility tour.

Written and read by Kate Mulcrone, digital managing editor of Convene.

Read the Article: 

How the Spokane Convention Center Turned a Reception Into a Site Inspection:  https://www.pcma.org/progressive-reception-spokane-convention-center/

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 episode of Convene Talk, the Editorial team dives into the powerful intersection of art and events, exploring how creativity can transform meetings from transactional gatherings into deeply human experiences. Drawing from the June cover story, the conversation spans educator conferences embracing STEAM learning, immersive art exhibits at major associations, music and storytelling as tools for connection, and interactive workshops that unlock innovation and empathy. 

Links:

·       June Issue: https://www.convene-digital.org/convene/library/item/june_2026/4346343/ 

·       A Connection-Building Exercise That Draws Out Event Participants - https://www.pcma.org/how-to-create-connections-at-events/

·       At the Heart of It - https://www.pcma.org/ecr-25-planet-radiology/

·       Preserving Their Stories - https://www.pcma.org/preserving-their-stories/ 

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 

This season has been kindly sponsored by Destination Madison. Go to VisitMadison.com/pcma to learn more.

In this Season 11 episode, long‑time yoga and somatic practitioner Kelly‑Jean Moore explores how event planners can transform attendee experience through simple, nervous‑system‑focused wellness integrations—no gimmicks required. Learn how micro‑practices woven into programming can reset stress, improve learning, and make conferences more human.

Links:

·       Sarayana Movement & Rolfing: https://kellyjeanmoore.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

The American Thoracic Society’s mission to promote public respiratory health goes hand in hand with community service initiatives at its annual international conference.

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

Read the Article: 

How One Medical Meeting Weaves Social Impact Into the Program: https://www.pcma.org/medical-meeting-weaves-social-impact-into-program/ 

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 episode of Convene Talk, the Editorial team reflects on the moments that stick—from surprise guest appearances and deeply human storytelling to humor that disarms and connects. Drawing on powerful examples featuring speakers like Trevor Noah, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Diana Nyad, and J.R. Martinez, the conversation explores why authenticity, emotional connection, and the unexpected often matter more than polished perfection. As events evolve in an AI‑driven world, this episode challenges planners to think differently about how to create meaning, memory, and genuine human connection.

Links:

·       What ‘All the Feels’ Means for Meetings: https://www.pcma.org/all-the-feels/

·       How We Do It: Jaimé Bennett on Beginning and Ending an Event With Authenticity: https://www.pcma.org/how-we-do-it-jaime-bennett-pcma-emea-beginning-ending-event-with-authenticity/

·       Trevor Noah Wants to Tell You a Story: https://www.pcma.org/trevor-noah-cl-preview/

·       How the Spokane Convention Center Turned a Reception Into a Site Inspection: https://www.pcma.org/progressive-reception-spokane-convention-center/

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 

This season has been kindly sponsored by Destination Madison. Go to VisitMadison.com/pcma to learn more.

In this Season 11 episode, we talk with creativity strategist and author Natalie Nixon about reframing productivity as a Move. Think. Rest. cycle – and how that changes the way we design business events. We explore why attention is really about engagement, the neuroscience behind white space and daydreaming, and how movement infrastructure and playful experimentation can help attendees connect and learn more deeply.

Links:

·       Receive a free chapter from Move. Think. Rest.: https://www.figure8thinking.com/

·       More Time for Being Human: https://www.pcma.org/more-time-for-being-human/

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 new Unite Here report shows how recent U.S. immigration policy and ICE activity are having a direct effect on the hospitality industry.

Written and read by Kate Mulcrone, digital managing editor of Convene.

Read the Article: 

How Federal Immigration Raids Are Impacting the Hospitality Industry: https://www.pcma.org/ice-chillng-effect/ 

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, Álvaro Meléndez challenges event professionals to rethink artificial intelligence not as a productivity tool, but as a powerful collaborator for designing deeper human relationships. Drawing from his “AI Circus” keynote at Convening LATAM 2026 and his PEPA framework, Álvaro explains why the business events industry is uniquely positioned to lead responsible AI adoption—and why focusing solely on speed, scale, and automation puts the industry at risk. 

Links:

• PEPA: A Field Guide for Event Organizers Who Refuse to Be Prey to Bad AI:  https://gamma.app/docs/PEPA-A-Field-Guide-for-Event-Organizers-Who-Refuse-to-Be-Prey-to--xguty9fudunk6kh?mode=doc
• Marketing AI Institute Podcast: https://www.marketingaiinstitute.com/ai-beginners-guide/podcasts

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