The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) has announced the 56th PCMA annual meeting, Convening Leaders, general session and Masters Series speakers. PCMA presents a lineup of engaging, timely speakers that are suited to keep meetings industry leaders on top of their game, ahead of trends and in a position to shape a successful 2012. PCMA Convening Leaders will take place January 8-11, 2012, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif.
This year, the opening general session is split into three, 15-minute keynote sessions. Two of these keynote speakers expand upon on their respective topics during Masters Series sessions later in the schedule.
PCMA member and non-member meetings industry professionals may register for Convening Leaders online. To learn more about registration fees, hotel blocks and more, visit conveningleaders.org/registration.
Monday, Jan. 9
Opening General Session
Rules for Epic Wins that Fascinate
8:30 a.m.
What do naps, games and nine-second spans have to do with meetings? Plenty! Get your creative juices flowing and join top thinkers in outside fields for unique insights into how to design meetings that are more engaging, foster better recall, and generate more action.
Dr. John Medina will take an intriguing look into how we think and learn, and how to help people get the most out of our meetings.
Dr. John J. Medina, a developmental molecular biologist, is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School” — a provocative book that takes on the way our schools and work environments are designed.
Visionary game designer and futurist Jane McGonigal will translate decades of gaming insights to the meetings arena. Learn the art of an “epic win” and how to bring it to your next meeting.
Jane McGonigal is the Director of Game Research and Development at Institute for the Future, a non-profit futures research group based in Palo Alto, Ca. She is the author of The New York Times bestseller, “Reality is Broken.”
In today’s world of seconds-only attention spans, how can you craft messages that instantly captivate your audience? Sally Hogshead, author of “Fascinate,” will reveal the answers using her groundbreaking research study of 7 universal triggers of fascination.
Sally Hogshead is a speaker, author and brand innovation consultant. Clients past and present include Nike, MINI Cooper, Aflac, Cole Haan, Target, Coca-Cola and Godiva.
Masters Series International Business and Culture: Making Sense Through Mythology
9:30 a.m.
Devdutt Pattanaik of the Future Group presents his eye-opening observations on how myth informs culture. Utilizing humor and insight, Pattanaik explains how the failure to understand culture in worldwide business accounts for the major source of misunderstandings and deals gone bad.
Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik is the Chief Belief Officer of the Future Group. Trained in medicine, Pattanaik has written and lectured extensively on the relevance of mythology in modern times.
Masters Series
More Brain Rules for Meetings
1:30 p.m.
Following John Medina’s presentation from earlier in the morning, delve deeper into how we think and learn. Uncover more Brain Rules, including how vision trumps all other sense. Learn how you can produce better results at meetings, work, and home.
Masters Series
Fascination: Your Shortcut to Persuasion
2:45 p.m.
When you fascinate your audience, you can command attention, shape opinions, and get the results you want. Following up on her morning presentation, Sally Hogshead will take you on a journey through advertising, pop culture and neurology to provide tips for immediately persuading your audiences.
General Session
The Social Animal: The Role of our Unconscious Mind in How We Meet and Succeed
4 p.m.
Where does most of the brain’s work get done and most of our important life decisions get made? Join David Brooks in a fascinating new look at the role of our unconscious minds.
David Brooks contributes bi-weekly Op-Ed columnist for The New York Times and is a regular analyst on NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and NPR’s All Things Considered. He is author of “The Social Animial: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character and Achievement.”
Tuesday, Jan. 10
Masters Series
What is Your Everest?
9 a.m.
Jamie Clarke will energize and prepare attendees to look at their goals, face their fears and learn from failures to conquer their toughest challenges.
Jamie Clarke has summited Mount Everest twice and led countless Everest expeditions. He is the co-author of “The Power of Passion,” an absorbing account of his Canadian Everest team’s 1991 and 1994 expeditions.
Masters Series
Outlook 2012: Economic Forecast for the U.S. and the World
1:15 p.m.
Jeff Thredgold will lead an informative and entertaining tour of the U.S. and global economy from past, present, to future. From financial markets and employment to government deficits and retirement, find out what’s happening and how it will impact meetings in the coming year.
Jeff Thredgold is President of Thredgold Economic Associates, an economic consulting and professional speaking company based near Salt Lake City, Utah.
General Session
The One Trend that Will Transform Your World
4 p.m.
Get a fascinating glimpse into the future of our world and how bioscience will completely transform how we live, earn money and form communities over the next 25 years.
Juan Enriquez, one of the world’s leading authorities on the uses and benefits of genomic research, is the co-founder of Synthetic Geonomics Inc.and managing director of Excel Venture Management.
Wednesday, Jan. 11
Closing Luncheon and General Session
Good Vibes are Contagious
12:30 p.m.
Bert Jacobs, co-founder of The Life is Good Company, tells an amusing tale of how he and his brother John – two ordinary guys surviving on peanut butter and jelly – turned $78 and a conversation about “what’s good in the world” into a $100 million clothing and lifestyle business.
Jacobs’ Life is Good Company spreads the power of optimism through its colorful collection of apparel and accessories. Life is Good has reached 100+ million in sales, with products sold in nearly 5,000 retailers nationwide and in 30 countries.
