PCMA Convene Podcast

This season has been kindly sponsored by Louisville Tourism. Go to GoToLouisville.com/meet to learn more.

In this episode, author, speaker and founder of Sober Life Rocks, Laura Nelson shares why event planners need to rethink alcohol-centric networking and create spaces that welcome everyone—whether they drink or not. From practical tips for offering non-alcoholic options to strategies for balancing socializing and wellness, this conversation is a must-listen for planners committed to DEI and attendee wellbeing.

Links:

·       The Inclusive Event Planner (free download): https://lauranelsonspeaks.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 code of conduct for events should go beyond preventing harassment and set the standard for treating fellow participants with respect.

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

Read the Article: 

Setting the Tone for Civility: https://www.pcma.org/setting-the-tone/

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, Guinness World Record holder and endurance athlete Natalie Dau shares the mindset, tools, and truths she learned from running 1,000 km—twice—through unpredictable terrain and extreme conditions. Ahead of her keynote at Convening APAC, she explains how leaders can build a platform, not a pedestal, and how vulnerability becomes a superpower for mobilizing teams, communities, and audiences.

Links:

Follow Natalie Dau: https://nataliedau.com/ 

Register for Convening APAC: https://conveningapac.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 Louisville Tourism. Go to GoToLouisville.com/meet to learn more.

Discover how the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) turned plant-based dining into an immersive learning experience for thousands of attendees. In this episode, Julie Holtgrave shares the behind-the-scenes story of creating a large-scale culinary activation, overcoming unexpected challenges, and inspiring healthcare professionals to integrate culinary medicine into their practice. Learn practical tips for planners on designing engagement-driven events and why food can be a powerful tool for education and connection.

Links:

·       This Medical Meeting Builds Wellness Into the Program: https://www.pcma.org/medical-meeting-build-wellness-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  

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 speedy win at the Convening Leaders 2026 Spark Hackathon was the result of years of combined experience and experimentation among three strangers.

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

Read the Article: 

More Than Hacking It: https://www.pcma.org/more-than-hacking-it/

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, Senior Editor Jennifer N. Dienst speaks with Chef Alexa Williams, a graduate of the Philabundance Community Kitchen training program and a line cook at Fork in Philadelphia. Alexa shares how a SNAP-eligible, food-bank-based program gave her technical kitchen skills, ServSafe certification, emotional resilience and a path into one of the city’s most respected restaurants.

Links:

Learn more about Philabundance and the Philabundance Community Kitchen: https://www.philabundance.org/

Filling a Hospitality Talent Gap While Giving Back: New Initiative Uplifts a Community: https://www.pcma.org/philabundance-kitchen-kickstart/

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 Louisville Tourism. Go to GoToLouisville.com/meet to learn more.

ReFED’s Jacquelyn Chi joins us to unpack where events can cut the most food waste—starting in the RFP. From portion sizing and plate strategy to donation partners and liability myths, this episode delivers practical steps that save money, reduce emissions, and increase community impact. 

Links:

·       Solution Provider Directory: insights-engine.refed.org/solution-provider-directory

·       Insights Engine: insights.refed.org/

·       From Surplus to Solutions report: refed.org/downloads/refed-us-food-waste-report-2025.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

We live in a polarized world. How can events bring people together and restore civility without glossing over our differences and challenges?

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

Read the Article: 

Bridging Our Divides: https://www.pcma.org/bridging-our-divides/ 

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, Convene 4 Climate’s foundational partners from Destination Canada, Meet in Ireland, Marina Bay Sands and United Airlines share how they are moving beyond performative sustainability to collective, regenerative climate action in business events. Learn how they embed sustainability by design, collaborate across borders, and take clients on a shared journey toward lower-carbon, higher-impact meetings.

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 Louisville Tourism. Go to GoToLouisville.com/meet to learn more.

In this episode, MeetDenmark’s Lene Midtgaard unpacks simple, taste-first nudges that make event catering more sustainable—default plant-forward menus, smarter buffet design, and language that wins over flexitarians while keeping meat as a small option. 

Links:

• Plant-Rich Dining Experiences for Conferences and Meetings. A Guide for Kitchen and Serving Staff: https://tinyurl.com/GuideMeetDenmark
• Guide and podcasts to plant-based food experiences MeetDenmark: https://www.wonderfulcopenhagen.dk/meetdenmark/hjem/guide-og-podcasts-til-plantebaserede-madoplevelser

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