In this Interview, we talk with Dr Sandra Peter and Dr Kai Riemer, co-authors of the 2026 Skills Horizon report, about why we have entered a “decade of disorientation” and what that means for event leaders. Ahead of their keynote at Convening APAC, they explore values and trust shifts, four key clashes, the “blobs” of future skills, and what grounded leadership looks like now.

Links:

Download The 2026 Skills Horizon: https://plus.sydney.edu.au/horizon/

Sydney Executive Plus, The University of Sydney Business School: https://plus.sydney.edu.au/

Register for Convening APAC: https://conveningapac.org/

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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

Budget cuts, visa headaches, and a six-week government shutdown in the U.S. proved to be no match for STEM and government meeting planners — and one innovative educator who understands the value of conferences.

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

Read the Article:

How 3 Different Meetings Outmaneuvered Shifting Political Winds: https://www.pcma.org/outmaneuvering-shifting-political-winds/

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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 the Convene Podcast, Deputy Editor Barbara Palmer speaks with global innovation strategist Mark Adams, a former Chief Innovation Officer at Vice Media and longtime advisor to major brands, creators, and public figures, ahead of his Convening APAC keynote. Mark shares how his early experiences at the dawn of social media shaped his lifelong work on signal detection, network theory, and digital transformation. He breaks down why the future belongs to communities — not audiences — and explains why the events industry is now positioned for its biggest opportunity in human history.

Links:

Register for Convening APAC: https://conveningapac.org/

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

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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

This episode has been kindly sponsored by Visit Anaheim. Learn more at visitanaheim.org/meetings.

How a sustainability event grew from a small meeting into a global gathering — and embedded its values into every facet of its design along the way.

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

Read the Article:

The Net Zero Conference Walks the Talk: https://www.pcma.org/net-zero-conference-design/

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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

This week on the Convene Podcast, we are joined by award‑winning spiritual entrepreneur and restaurateur Pauline Nguyen ahead of her keynote at Convening APAC. Pauline brings a masterclass in self‑leadership, emotional literacy, and navigating pressure with grace. From understanding the wisdom of emotions to designing truly sensory event experiences, Pauline offers practical, grounding tools for every event organizer.

Links:

Follow Pauline Nguyen: https://pauline-nguyen.com/

Register for Convening APAC: https://conveningapac.org/

Follow Convene:

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

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

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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/

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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 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/

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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