PCMA Convene Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

This season has been kindly sponsored by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visit discoverPHL.com to start planning your next life sciences meeting.

In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Chantal Sturk-Nadeau and Veemal Gungadin break down key findings from the most recent Pulse Check survey (at the time of recording the working title was State of AI in Business Events 2025 report), including AI adoption trends, the "efficiency trap," and how event planners can shift from cost-cutting to value creation.

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn 

Instagram 

X 

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

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 the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visit discoverPHL.com to start planning your next life sciences meeting.

AI is transforming contract management, but what are the legal risks? In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Jill Blood explores how event planners can use AI for legal insights while staying compliant and ethical. Learn how to protect your data, navigate AI contracts, and make informed decisions.

Follow Convene:

LinkedIn

Instagram

X

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

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

In this episode, Josephin Van Waasen, Head of Content and Community at PCMA EMEA, shares how PCMA EMEA is redefining events through its initiatives. From fostering safe spaces to building audience-centric programs and embracing multigenerational perspectives, learn how these initiatives drive engagement, innovation, and actionable insights for the business events community.

This season has been kindly sponsored by Madrid Convention Bureau. Learn more about how to make your next meeting Madrileño at esmadrid.com/mcb.

Guest Information:

Josephin van Waasen

Josephin is the strategic and forward-thinking Head of Content & Community, EMEA at PCMA. With a track record of successful roles within the global business events industry, Josephin has effectively utilized her creative and tactical thinking to deliver impactful, audience-centric content strategies across various channels, audiences and regions. Her accomplishments at PCMA include developing, managing, and delivering education concepts for Convening Leaders, Convening EMEA and the Labs, as well as smaller ad hoc programs that enhance the skills of the global PCMA community and raise PCMA’s global profile.

Episode Transcript

Follow Convene:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

X

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

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

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WorldatWork’s Courtney Mesmer developed a speaker coaching program to improve the participant experience at her organization’s annual conference. That initiative not only transformed the conference but rippled throughout the organization.

By Barbara Palmer, deputy editor of Convene.

Read the Article:

Inside WorldatWork’s Speaker Coaching Program

4 Ways to DIY a Speaker Coaching Program

CMP Series Article

Follow Convene:

Website:        pcma.org/convene

LinkedIn:        linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene

Instagram:     instagram.com/pcmaconvene

X:                   twitter.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

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This season, hosted by Magdalina Atanassova, Convene’s digital media editor, offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse into Convening Leaders 2024, held in sunny San Diego this January 2024.

This episode is brought to you by Visit Kingston.

Guest Information:

·      Anh Nguyen, CMP

Anh Nguyen, CMP, is the co-founder of Spark Event Collective and an esteemed leader in event management. With over 18 years of diverse experience, she excels at creating engaging event experiences and building thriving communities. Known for her meticulous planning and leadership, she has been recognized as an industry innovator, significantly contributing to the evolving landscape of virtual and hybrid events.  

·      Shawn Cheng

Shawn Cheng, a seasoned event strategist and personal brand advisor, is renowned for transforming events into growth catalysts. His successful track record spans DAHLIA+ Agency, MCI, and currently, Curious Bear Management, where he elevates clients' visions. An influential industry advocate, Shawn inspires others through his strategic insights and profound commitment to authentic storytelling and personal branding.   

Follow Convene:

Website:        pcma.org/convene

LinkedIn:        linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene

Instagram:     instagram.com/pcmaconvene

X:                   twitter.com/pcmaconvene

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

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

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Links:

·      Introducing TED’s new tagline

·      Ideas change everything — and what's next for TED [video]

·      TED is 40 — here's how it all started [video]

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

Episode Transcript

Meet the Convene Editors: 

·      Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief

·      Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor

·      Jennifer Dienst, Senior Editor

·      Casey Gale, Managing Editor

·      Curt Wagner, Digital Editor

·      Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor

Follow Convene:

Website:     pcma.org/convene

LinkedIn:     linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene

Instagram:  instagram.com/pcmaconvene

X:                twitter.com/pcmaconvene

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

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This season, hosted by Magdalina Atanassova, Convene’s digital media editor, offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse into Convening Leaders 2024, held in sunny San Diego this January 2024, alongside the PCMA staff.

This episode is brought to you by Visit Kingston.

Guest Information:

·      Jennifer Bishop

Jennifer Bishop brings more than 19 years of experience at PCMA in her role as Strategic Director, Business Development, working with various team members to develop PCMA’s partnership program and sponsorship opportunities.   

Episode Transcript

Follow Convene:

Website:        pcma.org/convene

LinkedIn:        linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene

Instagram:     instagram.com/pcmaconvene

X:                   twitter.com/pcmaconvene

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

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fifteen years ago, she coached speakers for the first major TEDx event. Hayley Foster has since built that initial experience into a successful business, helping speakers to focus on what makes their message unique and their presentation authentic.

By Michelle Russell, editor in chief of Convene.

Read the Article:

From Skeptic to Sought-After TEDx Speaker Coach

‘Programming Stellar Content That Connects With an Audience’

CMP Series Article

Follow Convene:

Website:        pcma.org/convene

LinkedIn:        linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene

Instagram:     instagram.com/pcmaconvene

X:                   twitter.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

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This season, hosted by Magdalina Atanassova, Convene’s digital media editor, offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse into Convening Leaders 2024, held in sunny San Diego this January 2024, alongside the PCMA staff.

This episode is brought to you by Visit Kingston.

Guest Information:

·      Jennifer Bishop

Jennifer Bishop brings more than 19 years of experience at PCMA in her role as Strategic Director, Business Development, working with various team members to develop PCMA’s partnership program and sponsorship opportunities.   

Follow Convene:

Website:        pcma.org/convene

LinkedIn:        linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene

Instagram:     instagram.com/pcmaconvene

X:                   twitter.com/pcmaconvene

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

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

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Note: In the conversation, we refer to “Carolina”. We speak of Carolina Goradesky, Head of Global Sustainability at PCMA.

Links:

·      Earth Day 2024: Ending Single-Use Plastic

·      Earth Day 2024 Official Website

·      A Sustainability Pulse Check for Events

·      Net Zero Carbon Pledge for the Events Industry

·      “Banishing Plastic” – on Convene cover

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

Episode Transcript

Meet the Convene Editors: 

·      Michelle Russell, Editor in Chief

·      Barbara Palmer, Deputy Editor

·      Jennifer Dienst, Senior Editor

·      Casey Gale, Managing Editor

·      Curt Wagner, Digital Editor

·      Magdalina Atanassova, Digital Media Editor

Follow Convene:

Website:     pcma.org/convene

LinkedIn:     linkedin.com/showcase/pcma-convene

Instagram:  instagram.com/pcmaconvene

X:                twitter.com/pcmaconvene

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

Music: Inspirational Cinematic Piano with Orchestra

 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.