What do viral You Tubers, decorated Olympians, and a #1 New York Times bestselling author/organizational psychologist have in common? These are just a few of the inspiring speakers on the docket for PCMA’s Convening Leaders 2023 event. And they very well may hold a few of the keys to unlocking the future of the events industry.
As 2023 kicks off, one of the most celebrated educational and networking opportunities will commence at the award-winning Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC). PCMA’s signature annual Convening Leaders program will fittingly gather at one of the nation’s busiest convention centers for a few days of unparalleled networking and education. This convention center is the perfect backdrop because, just like the GCCC, PCMA is an epicenter for the power of face-to-face meetings.
Known as the world’s largest community for Business Event Strategists, PCMA has been providing education and best practices to the global business events industry for more than six decades. Originally founded as the Professional Convention Management Association in 1956, PCMA held its very first signature Convening Leaders event that same year. This flagship annual event has become the siren song that calls executive members of the event industry together to do a deep dive for the year to come. And this year’s line-up of keynote and educational speakers promises a soundtrack that is both informative and wildly inspirational.
Take Adam Grant. He is a familiar face on the PCMA stage, as well as the New York Times #1 Bestseller list. Grant is an exciting speaker. His keynote last year, “Why Do We Have to Worship at the Altar of Hustle?”, was both titillating and on pulse with the industry. It focused on the Great Resignation and quiet quitting before these terms became the norm. This year’s topic, “Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World” is sure to ignite conversation. The topic mirrors his Amazon Goodreads Choice award nominee book of the same name. With a focus on how to go against the norm of group mentality and instead embrace new ideas, diverse perspectives and build cultures, it promises to be another powerful kick-off. More importantly, it provides fodder for decision-makers and industry leaders on how to think outside of the box for the new future of event planning.
Which leans nicely into this year’s PCMA Convening Leaders event banner of “Ignite Your Path.” After helping rebuild an industry that has been hit especially hard, PCMA is priming the road ahead for its members. This year’s Convening Leaders is blazing forward with their roster of unique speakers, detailed education, and connectivity events that encourage more of this forward thinking.
“We live in a time that presents a new set of challenges for the industry—uncharted territories, unknown opportunities and perils, and unsolved problems,” says PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat, CAE. “This is the time for us to challenge our own thinking, embrace data and new experiments to increase value. Through our phenomenal lineup of speakers like Adam Grant and our three days of immersive programming and networking, Convening Leaders 2023 will inspire and challenge participants and prepare us to navigate the headwinds of today and tomorrow.”
Inspiration is expected at another of their anticipated and surprising keynotes. “Embrace Uncertainty to Reach your Full Potential” is a collaborative discussion with speakers Allyson Felix, Thomas Brag, and Ammar Kandil. Felix is the most decorated track and field Olympian in US history. Boasting 13 gold medals, three silvers, and three bronze medals, she is unquestionably a pillar of focused success. Brag and Kandil make up a portion of the viral YouTubers Yes Theory. If you’re unfamiliar, you must not be one of their over one-million followers. A small group of friends that started out challenging themselves to do 30 things they’ve never done in 30 days, became social media sensations about the power of pushing yourself.
While this trio may seem like an odd match, these three speakers share a common foundation of conquering their fears by following their hearts. Yes Theory’s kernel motto of Seek Discomfort leans heavily into that concept. The nuanced layering of these three perspectives is expected to yield another keynote that keeps people talking long after the stage is empty.
The deep dives don’t end there. Other thought-provoking and sensitive topics will also be tackled. Macro trends like inflation, demand vs supply, and economic squeezes will be addressed during the “2023 Outlook for the Business Events and Hospitality Industry” panel. Some heavy hitters are slated for this time slot. Chris Nassetta, CEO of Hilton Worldwide, Ben Erwin, President and CEO of Encore, and Matthew Slaughter, Dean of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, will be moderated by Carly Fiorina, who is a powerhouse in her own right. Uncomfortable fears about the future will be faced head-on so that the audience can take away a feeling of preparation for the times ahead.
And the all-important discussion of inclusion awareness will be presented during the “Make People Feel Valued by Speaking the Language of DEI,” covered by Greg DeShields (CHE, CDE), Executive Director, Tourism Diversity Matters. Here attendees will be educated on how to champion diversity through mindful communication, best practices, and awareness. His presentation is expected to help attendees demystify roadblocks around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, while helping them keep the business of hospitality inclusionary.
Three of the foundational bricks of PCMA Convening Leaders 2023 are Leadership, Future, and Impact. If the keynotes tick those boxes, the remainder of the programming certainly reinforces them. Whether it’s the Hosted Buyer appointments or the Chapter Receptions, the GET FIT with the Foundation physical events or its Party with a Purpose, each experience plants new seeds. The networking and other events are the organic impact that will leave a lasting patina of fingerprints on the attendees. Within the borders of the planned activities, limitless possibilities exist amongst peers. There they will collaborate with likeminded individuals in open discussions that will help drive business forward. Attendees will hear about new trends, examine new demands, and acquire new tools and skillsets to help them tackle their specific business challenges. These sparks are igniting the path for the approximately 2,500 attendees that are expected to join this year’s event.
PCMA’s vision has always been crystal clear. They want to “drive global economic and social transformation through business events.” The way they get there is to continue to education, inspire, and create meaningful experiences where “passion, purpose and commerce come together”. They truly believe in giving their members both roots and wings. And over four days at the beginning of 2023, they will do exactly that through thoughtful content, non-conforming presentations, and just a little happy discomfort.
PCMA Convening Leaders 2023 “Ignite Your Path” blazes from January 8 – 11, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio.
