The Professional Convention Management Association is pumping up the volume for Convening Leaders 2018 – the leading event for business events professionals, taking place January 7-10 at Nashville’s Music City Center. Under the theme “Amplifying Engagement,” PCMA puts the spotlight on engagement as one of the most critical elements for connecting audiences. In an era dominated by digital distractions, the Convening Leaders’ program is set to provide more than 4,500 industry professionals with invaluable knowledge and insights to successfully exceed attendee expectations; and ultimately, drive business success.
High profile speakers at the event include Neri Oxman, an award-winning designer who looks to nature for practical design solutions; Gen. Stan McChrystal, former general and visionary credited for his work during the war in Afghanistan and against Al-Qaeda in Iraq; and Bill Strickland, president and CEO of the Manchester Bidwell Corporation. Immediately following their presentations, conference host, Nick Ross, former BBC broadcaster, will help the audience connect the dots between their big picture concepts and the business events industry.
Deborah Sexton, PCMA president and CEO, said, “We’ve entered the new school of engagement—one where business event organizers must amplify their attendee’s engagement at every turn. Our 2018 Convening Leaders participants will learn how to electrify their experiences, elevate their conference’s brand and truly engage with their audience. As always, we’ll be transparent in how to scale and replicate the innovations we showcase.”
At the new ‘Future of Face-to-Face’, an immersive learning environment that looks at the role of participant engagement through the lens of the future of events, delegates can benefit from facilitated conversations with experts, a variety of different learning activities, the latest in event technology and innovative education sessions.
PCMA’s popular Business School sessions, a major draw for attendees, will address topics ranging from marketing for strategic growth, innovation, financial acumen, change management and design thinking. Wednesday’s program will feature Business School speaker Natalie Nixon, University of Penn lecturer and design strategist. Taking inspiration from Nashville, Natalie will explore how organizations can use music as a catalyst for innovation.
“Braindates” also returns in 2018. These one-on-one or small group learning experiences enable delegates to share knowledge with each other. They will be able to make offers and requests for knowledge on topics of interest.
During Convening Leaders, delegates will benefit from three days of orchestrated networking opportunities. These include the Sunday night’s opening reception @BarNashville, the World’s Biggest Bar, where delegates will be joined by special guests Clare Bowen (Scarlett O’Connor) and Charles Esten (Deacon Claybourne) from the hit TV show Nashville; Tuesday night’s Celebration closing reception, where Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members Steve Cropper, Duane Eddy and Billy Cox (who played bass for Jimi Hendrix) will be on hand to tell stories and answer questions; the Music City Green Room, where delegates can interact over snacks, drinks and of authentic music.
The night will close with one of country music’s biggest and most respected acts, multi-Grammy award winning, Little Big Town. The group has five number one songs, eight Country Music Awards and eight Academy of Country Music Awards. On the last day of the event, Convening Leaders will join the spirit of Music City through an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Human Image of a Musical Instrument in the shape of a guitar formed from more than 3,000 people attending the event.
For more info or to register, visit conveningleaders.org.
