PCMA Convene Podcast

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

In this Season 11 episode, Yush Sztalkoper reframes how event professionals should think about engagement, learning, and ROI by introducing the concept of human capacity. Drawing on decades of experience designing high‑stakes global events, she explains why today’s information‑dense, AI‑accelerated world is pushing events beyond what people can realistically receive, and how the five domains of human capacity—wiring, regulation, energy, processing, and belonging—quietly shape every attendee experience. 

Links:

•       Capacity Reflection — a web-based guided lens individuals can use to see clearly where strain is concentrating across the Five Human Capacity Domains, so they understand what may be obscuring access to potential before jumping to solutions.

•       Know Your Audience — a web-based guided lens for event professionals to understand who is arriving in the room, what they are carrying, and how conditions will affect access to learning, connection, and engagement.

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 effects of anti-DEI policies are being felt by associations representing minority professionals, particularly when it comes to their events. Here’s how the National Black MBA Association is navigating those changes and other macroeconomic shifts.

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

Read the Article: 

Minority Conferences Face Lower Attendance: https://www.pcma.org/minority-conferences-face-lower-attendance/ 

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, cultural strategist José Luis Piñeiro explores why brands are becoming the new belief systems—and why events now function as modern rituals. Drawing from philosophy, positive psychology, and more than 35 years of designing transformative experiences, José unpacks how live events create belonging, identity, and collective meaning in an age shaped by AI, distraction, and constant change.

Links:

• Table of Cultural Elements: https://www.pcma.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Tabla-Cultura-4.3_DIC-2025-ingles.pdf

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, wellness coach and event strategist David T. Stevens explains why wellbeing is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a core performance driver for modern events. From agenda design and sleep to inclusive menus and meaningful social connection, he shares practical ways planners can boost learning, connection, and ROI by designing for human energy—not just programming space.

Links:

·       Return on Wellness Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBxOmsCbLumRZ_5mu2myA011kb6EnPy9b&si=uMi8fNzXfLtKZG9p

·       Unlocking the Power of Sleep for Event Professionals | Dr. Audrey Wells on Return on Wellness: https://youtu.be/FZ6sQbDZt04?si=NnRnTX1JFuyK_58N 

·       Freeman Research: https://www.freeman.com/resources/from-expo-to-experience/

·       Olympian Meeting White Paper: https://www.prevuemeetings.com/all-webinars/increase-roi-by-increasing-wellness/

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

Creativity strategist Natalie Nixon on how a fundamental reframing of our notion of productivity could transform your meetings.

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

Read the Article: 

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  

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 team is joined by Tanya Popeau, Head of Global Sustainability at PCMA, to unpack the rise of what she calls the “anti‑anti sustainability movement”—a quieter, more intentional commitment to climate action that’s thriving beneath the noise. From the business case for sustainable events and long-term corporate resilience to the role of AI, innovation, and human-centered design, this conversation explores why sustainability isn’t going away—and how event professionals can drive profit, purpose, and meaningful change at the same time.

Links:

·       Climate Denial Comes to Washington: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/climate/climate-denial-comes-to-washington.html

·       Hope is contagious and science is king: 10 big lessons on ending the fossil fuel era: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/01/santa-marta-colombia-climate-conference-ending-fossil-fuel-era

·       ‘Rebranding What Sustainability Is’: https://www.pcma.org/rebranding-what-sustainability-is/

·       Learn more about Convene 4 Climate: https://convene4climate.org/ 

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 

Industry stakeholders share strategies for creating low-waste events and making a sustainable impact.

Written and read by Jennifer N. Dienst, senior editor of Convene.

Read the Article: 

Practical Tips for Reducing Food Waste at Events: https://www.pcma.org/practical-tips-reducing-food-waste-events/

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 Convene Talk episode, the team digs into Inhospitable, a new report from UNITE HERE examining how immigration policy, labor shortages, and declining travel demand are converging to reshape the U.S. hospitality industry. Drawing on fresh data and firsthand accounts from workers in Washington, D.C., Miami, and beyond, the conversation explores what a drop in international visitors, flat hotel revenue, and workforce instability mean for destinations, planners, and the broader meetings ecosystem.

Links:

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

·       Inhospitable: How U.S. Immigration Policy is Harming the Hospitality Sector: https://unitehere.org/project/inhospitable/

·       U.S. Travel Association condemns travel advisory issued for World Cup: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/US-Travel-condemns-travel-advisory-issued-for-World-Cup

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 

Preventable food waste and high food costs are a combination that no budget-challenged event professional wants on their plate. But research demonstrates that when planners and venues work together, the result can be a win-win-win: less food waste, improved efficiency, and better bottom lines all around.

Written and read by Jennifer N. Dienst, senior editor of Convene.

Read the Article: 

Coming to the Table: How the Events Industry Is Tackling Food Waste: https://www.pcma.org/coming-to-the-table/

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

Food waste remains one of the most persistent—and solvable—challenges facing the events industry. In this Convene Talk episode, the team unpacks Convene’s April cover story on food waste, exploring new research from recent business events, real-world lessons from planners, venues, and chefs, and why communication may be just as important as measurement. From right-sizing portions and rethinking abundance to aligning stakeholders across the entire event lifecycle, this conversation highlights practical strategies that can reduce environmental impact, control costs, and reshape how attendees experience food at meetings and conferences.

Links:

·       April Cover Story - Coming to the Table: https://www.convene-digital.org/convene/library/page/april_2026/52/

·       How to Make Your Biggest Line Item Have the Greatest Impact: https://www.pcma.org/podcast-make-your-biggest-line-item-have-greatest-impact/

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