SAN DIEGO — The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Convening Leaders Annual Meeting, held January 7-10, 2024 at the San Diego Convention Center, brought together 5,000 industry professionals in person and online for education, networking and memorable programming.
With approximately 45 learning experiences and more than 125 speakers, this year’s event challenged professionals to “think bigger,” finding ways to be bolder, dream bigger, and think deeply about the future of business events. During the morning session on Jan. 8 on the main stage, attendees enjoyed a performance by the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, and Mayor Todd Gloria delivered remarks before PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat took the stage.
“Ten years ago, we set out on a mission. We wanted to transform an industry because we realized that the power we have can transform society,” Karamat said in his opening remarks. “That journey meant that to transform an industry, we had to transform ourselves.”
Karamat stressed the importance of learning how to use AI to advance, address burnout issues among professionals and increase productivity, and that the industry needs to focus on sustainability initiatives.
“Even today, despite all the importance of what we do – think about it, our industry is worth over $1 trillion – it still isn’t recognized,” Karamat said. “If we were a country, we would be the third largest country in terms of GDP. We need to take ownership of that power and we need to make young people understand that our industry has a very bright future.”
Training and keynote speeches
Convening Leaders programming focused on topics important to event planners, including technology and innovation, event strategy and design, DEI and accessibility, and marketing and sales, among other relevant areas.
Artificial intelligence was a hot topic throughout the event. Author and former Google X CCO Mo Gawdat spoke about the rapidly evolving technology proliferating society. He encouraged leaders to identify their strengths and find ways to integrate AI into their AI intelligence efforts to stay ahead of the curve. Next, AI expert Nina Schick took the stage to talk more about AI and highlighted how quickly technology is changing human society. The main takeaway from Gawdat and Schick was that AI isn’t going to take your job, but someone using it to perform the functions of your job will.
Another speech on the main stage was given by President Bill Clinton and 67th Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton held a fireside chat about the challenges facing society in 2024, leadership, and effective decision-making. The two leaders also discussed the importance of face-to-face events as a way to bridge divisions, exchange ideas, and foster connections, as well as the need for leaders to seek solutions together and compromise.
In another session, Ken Holsinger, Freeman’s senior vice president of strategy, and Howard Givner, PCMA’s senior vice president of insights and innovation, exclusively presented the results of a Freeman survey on attendee sentiment in 2024. It was reported that there is a 50% year-over-year decrease in the number of people planning to attend fewer events, with an 11% decrease in the number of people citing budget changes as a reason for attending fewer events. It was also revealed that women and new-generation attendees are particularly impacted by shrinking travel budgets, inflation and perceptions of a venue’s safety.
In the closing keynote, author, actress, and neuroscientist Mayim Bialik spoke about the intersection of work and mental health. Bialik shared a variety of methods for thriving, including quality sleep, nutrition, and breathing techniques to better calm the mind and body. She also spoke about finding a balance between leading with openness and vulnerability and setting healthy boundaries in a world that is increasingly focused on and talking about mental health. Bialik said it’s critical to understand when someone is sharing something with you that requires support that you can’t adequately provide.
A marketplace for industry professionals
The District, the event’s exhibition space, hosted companies showcasing their products and services as well as unique activations and breakout areas. The space featured four themed zones, offering attendees an immersive and easy-to-navigate marketplace.
Attendees enjoyed aura readings at the Caesars Entertainment booth and played pickleball at the Visit Seattle exhibit. Sheriff Karamat and new PCMA President Leonard Hoops played a pickleball game, with Hoops winning. The district also hosted a happy hour event and a PCMA Puppy Park, where attendees could relax and play with dogs.
The District’s Tech Lab sessions have seen an expanded footprint since its launch at EduCon 2023, with tech companies providing real-world solutions to industry challenges for attendees.
Related. Think Bigger with PCMA at its 2024 Convening Leaders Conference
City-wide networking
The opening reception for the event was held at SeaWorld San Diego, sponsored by the San Diego Tourism Board and SeaWorld. Attendees toured the park, which was still aglow with holiday decorations and lights, and enjoyed beverages including hot chocolate in edible cookie cups. The event also gave attendees the chance to get up close and personal with orcas and learn more about the animals during the Orca Encounter show. The reception concluded with a grand fireworks display overlooking SeaWorld.
Companies and organizations also hosted a variety of special events and dinners for employees, customers, colleagues and peers throughout Convening Leaders.
The annual Party with a Purpose, a charity event presented by GES and music sponsor Visit Austin, brought attendees together at Nova San Diego for an evening of live entertainment, dancing and connecting with other industry peers, benefiting the PCMA Foundation.
In total, Convening Leaders 2024 raised over $400,000 for the PCMA Foundation.
The final night of the event featured a performance by R&B group Boyz II Men at the Rady Shell in Jacobs Park, where attendees enjoyed a night of music, a drone show and fireworks to close out the annual event.
Contact Sheriff Karamat at skaramat@pcma.org