In this episode of the Convene Podcast, sustainability leader Thiago Araujo makes a compelling case for Latin America’s vital role in the global events industry’s journey to net zero. From carbon offset strategies to rethinking economic and social impact, discover practical steps event professionals can take—wherever they are.

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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 of the Convene Podcast, we sit down with Deanna Nwosu, a 25-year industry veteran and internal events strategist at REI, to explore what it really takes to grow a meaningful, purpose-aligned career in the fast-changing world of events. From breaking into the industry to becoming a confident leader, Deanna shares candid insights on mentorship, collaboration, strategic thinking—and why being open to pivots might be your most valuable superpower.

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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 technology tools are helping organizers wrap their arms around participants’ emotional responses to their events.

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

Read the Article:

Using Emotional AI to Track Attendee Sentiment in Real Time: https://www.pcma.org/using-emotional-ai/

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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, our editors unpack how new U.S. border policies, rising visa wait times, and shifting international perceptions are dampening event attendance and travel. Discover what planners are doing—and not doing—to address the growing uncertainty impacting global participation at major U.S. events.

Links:

· An Increasingly Bleak Travel Forecast for the U.S.: https://www.pcma.org/bleak-travel-forecast-us/

· Understanding Your Rights at Customs: What to Do If You’re Detained: https://www.lawsb.com/understanding-your-rights-at-customs-what-to-do-if-youre-detained/

· Arriving with Ease in the United States for IPW: https://www.ipw.com/arriving-ease-united-states-ipw

· ECA Tariff Resource Center: https://www.exhibitionsconferencesalliance.org/policy-priorities/eca-tariff-resource-center

· TikTok videos: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjxC8vP7/; https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjxQKKnd/; https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjxCHBpS/

· U.S. Entry Guide on International Inbound Travel: https://www.ustravel.org/how-enter-united-states-guide-international-visitors

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:

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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 do we lead with heart in a world of constant change and generational diversity? In this episode of the Convene Podcast, Anushka Polius, Director, Marketing Operations at GES, joins us to explore how trust, empathy, and authentic communication can close the gap between younger professionals and seasoned leaders. Tune in for a conversation on leadership, purpose-driven work, and why soft skills are becoming the ultimate differentiator in the age of AI.

Follow Convene:

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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 episode has been kindly sponsored by Visit Phoenix. Learn more at visitphoenix.com/meetings.

How entrepreneur Imani Ellis — who will speak this afternoon in a fireside chat — has built a first-of-its kind community for Black creative professionals by focusing on connection.

Written and read by Barbara Palmer, deputy editor at Convene, with excerpts from the original interview with Imani Ellis.

Read the Article:

Designing an Intimate Conference for 10,000: https://www.pcma.org/designing-intimate-conference-10000

Follow Convene:

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

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

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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

Is AI making us better—or just busier? In this episode of the Convene Podcast, we explore surprising research on how AI boosts productivity but drains motivation. From ethical use to emotional impact, the team shares insights for event professionals navigating AI in a rapidly changing landscape.

Links:

· Research: Gen AI Makes People More Productive—and Less Motivated: https://hbr.org/2025/05/research-gen-ai-makes-people-more-productive-and-less-motivated

· The Science of Aha! Moments: Designing Events for Maximum Inspiration: https://www.pcma.org/science-of-aha-moments-designing-events-inspiration/

· Can I Say That?: https://www.amazon.com/Can-Say-That-Poornima-Luthra/dp/1292737131/

· How two major newspapers published a summer reading list with books that don’t exist: https://www.poynter.org/commentary/2025/chicago-sun-times-summer-reading-list-ai/

· OpenAI rolls back update that made ChatGPT a sycophantic mess: https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/04/openai-rolls-back-update-that-made-chatgpt-a-sycophantic-mess/

· Reddit - ChatGPT induced psychosis: https://www.reddit.com/r/ChatGPT/comments/1kalae8/chatgpt_induced_psychosis/

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

What does it really mean to choose yourself—and build a business from it? In this candid episode of the Convene podcast, DeShawn Wynn shares her path to entrepreneurship, how she developed a "winning mindset," and why success requires internal clarity, external support, and the courage to pivot.

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