Why I'm Excited to go to PCMA's Convening Leaders Annual Meeting in Boston

January 10, 2014

Rachel Wimberly

Rachel Wimberly is Executive Vice President of Business Development at Tarsus Group, US. Follow her on Twitter @TSNN_Rachel.

Every year, one of the industry meetings I really look forward to going to is the Professional Convention Management Association’s Convening Leaders annual event, which runs Jan. 11-14 this week in Boston.

There are several reasons why I am REALLY excited about this year’s event:

1.       It’s in Boston. I absolutely LOVE Boston, and I haven’t been there in a few years. It’s a fantastic city in every way, but I especially love the people, history and Boston has some great convention center venues and hotels.

2.       PCMA always delivers AMAZING educational sessions. There are so many to go to that I’m interested in, I have to really be discerning in figuring out which ones to choose. One of the sessions I am particularly interested in is “Crisis Management: The Boston Marathon Case Study”. The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) was moving into Hynes Convention Center for its annual meeting when two now-infamous bombs shattered the celebration at the Boston Marathon finish line and this session will take a look at how they managed to still hold their event.

3.       I always like that PCMA mixes up their educational offerings – it’s not just all the same type of session. There’s an area called Tech Central where people can check out the latest trends in event technology, there are interactive sessions at the Learning Lounge that will allow people to discuss group topics and there are the PCMA Business School and Masters Series, to name just a few.

4.       PCMA also always has GREAT keynotes, and this year is no exception. Lisa Bodell from Future Think will lead the opening general session and talk about how organizations can get ‘unstuck’ from the status quo. The next morning, Mike Walsh from SpeakInc. Will talk with attendees about how to design their organization for the future and the last day features Salman Khan from the Khan Academy talking about “The One World School House: Education Reimagined”.

5.       PCMA has the BEST hybrid event in the industry. I couldn’t make it to last year’s meeting at the last minute and took part online instead and thought it was extremely well executed. If you can’t make it this year, sign up here to still take part: http://conveningleaders.pcma.org/attend/hybrid-event

6.       The networking is awesome at PCMA. The opening night will be at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Centre with yummy local food and bands, the next night is ‘open hospitality’ and PCMA’s annual “Party with a Purpose”. I’ll be taking in a Boston Celtics game with Reno Tahoe USA and then heading to the party most likely. There are plenty more exciting networking events planned and even the refreshment breaks between sessions are perfectly planned.

7.       Of course, one of my very favorite parts of an industry meeting like this is seeing all the PEOPLE. I love the people in the meetings and trade show industry. I’ve been a part of this community for 8 years now and enjoy every, single minute of it. I can’t wait to see everyone there!

I could go on and on, but I think everyone gets the picture. I’m psyched to be at this meeting and if you want to follow what TSNN is up to there I am TSNN_Rachel on Twitter and the hashtag is #pcmaCL.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact