With 3,800 participants registered for the event in person and 4,500 registered in total, PCMA Conventing Leaders (CL25) landed in Houston for the first time in 70 years of history of the collection agreement and industry professionals Commercial events at its annual meeting held this year of this year of January 12-15 this year. In comparison, the leaders of the 2024 concession attracted more than 4,200 industry professionals in San Diego. This year theme: Go beyond your orbit.
“Because we summon people, we have the power to use commercial events to have an impact on economic and social change,” said Sherrif Karamat, president and chief executive officer of CEMA and CEMA. “Commercial events are what we do, but why we do them, this is the place where magic occurs. Our profession is extremely precious for society, and increasing the level of our profession is to have our place in society. We can make a difference when we reject beyond the borders. »»
TSNN group content vice-president Danica Tormohlen was on the ground, meeting event planners and suppliers. The four -day event was filled with networking, education sessions, backstage visits, F&B, celebrity speakers, live music, booty and more.
What was new and notable in 2025? Here is a list organized with some of our favorite moments.
1. badges. The badges of this year’s event understood only the first names, no surnames. In addition, all the lanyards were of the same color and included monitoring devices. The lanes were not coded by color to distinguish between suppliers and buyers. Some participants we talked about appreciated these changes, but others said it was difficult to quickly identify prospects. What is a success? Consult this bound in this subject.
2. Improved safety. For general sessions on the main scene with high-level celebrities and speakers, participants had to go through metal detectors and bag controls. Also new this year, bag policy: only bags less than 4.5 inches per 6.5 inches have been authorized.
3. Beginning of the Sunday session. For the first time, the general opening session of the PCMA with the professor and animator of Podcast de Nyu, Scott Galloway, took place Sunday evening at 6:45 p.m., after the receptions of the chapter from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. after the End of the Galloway session at 8 p.m., the participants left the ballroom for the opening party from 7:45 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
4. 2025 predictions. Galloway shared his predictions for the coming year. “The technology company or the IA company of 2025: I believe that it will be meta,” he said. “The biggest data frame that humans produce is actually Meta (which includes Instagram, Facebook and Whatsapp).”
5. Ready for takeoff. The interior and exterior opening party of the George R. Brown Convention Center presented a show of ferris wheels and drones. The best place to see the drone show: the Ferris wheel.
6. Dare to direct. During an opening speech on January 13, Brene Brown, a successful author and research professor at the University of Houston, was questioned about the value of the meetings. “I cannot overestimate how important what you do is – I really can’t,” said Brown, a native of Texan and Houston of fifth generation, who works as a leadership consultant for leading companies , especially Microsoft, Disney and Pixar. “The heart rate of what we do is connect – bring people together in relationships and create this experience where people feel seen and heard.”
7. Political information. During a speech on January 14, the former American representative Liz Cheney spoke of the need to defend your values, regardless of the cost. Cheney, a republican for life, was the most rowed woman in the American House of Representatives in May 2021, when the members of the House voted to withdraw her from her management position following her frank criticisms from Donald Trump that the 2020 elections were faked. When asked if she would do something differently, she said to the public: “Do not vote for Trump.”
8. First American non-north president. Neil Brownlee, head of commercial events with VisitCotland, who joined the Board of Directors and Administrators of the PCMA for the 2018-2021, will serve as president in 2025-The first non-Nor-American non-northern in the history of the PCMA for Direct the Board of Directors. It is the second DMO chair in a row.
9. Accessibility at the front. With the kind authorization of Visit Richmond, the PCMA provided interpreters in American sign language as well as translation and transcription services for each session. The PCMA has also offered accessibility visits to the event space led by experts with various accessibility needs. The guides offered practical advice and examples of the real world to help create welcoming events for all.
10. The district. From destinations and hotels to entrepreneurs and congress centers, the Hall B3 district presented around forty companies. The sponsors have offered a variety of activations, including personalized tote bags, personalized perfumes, baristas serving slats, etc.
11. Technological district. In the Grand Ballroom, the technological district included 15 technological companies, such as Swapcard, Clarity and Rainfocus. The region has also offered a technological scene with sessions and the Spark fair where participants could know more about the PCMA AI tool developed by event professionals for event professionals.
12. Analysis of feelings. The PCMA has deployed more than 70 aircraft to follow the analysis of feelings for each activation of the sponsor, said the CEO and co-founder of Zenus, Panos Moutafis. He told TSNN that the best four sponsors had received daily reports with usable information. (Stay listening for our full interview Moutafis.)
13. Bathroom Take-over. Back in 2025, Montreal worked with the cabinets to offer a high -end bathroom experience at the Congress Center. The cabinets provided soap with fragrant hand and hand cream, style mousse, hair voice, hair brushes, dental wire, rinking rinses, nail files, Tips Q, sanitary products, combs, mints, cotton cotton, a makeup move, etc. Related: Rest: an overview of the Bathroom Activation on PCMA CL24
14. Main internship. In 2025, the PCMA teamed up with Clarity for its production and staging. They offered exclusive backstage visits so that participants can get closer to advanced AV technology.
15. Reserved seats. During the general sessions on the main scene, the PCMA offered seats reserved before the members of the PCMA board of directors, chapter presidents, sponsors and other VIPs. Headquarters included sofas, tables, amortized chairs and more.
16. Cool activations outside the district. Two of our favorites: the interior skating rink by visiting Anaheim and the dirty soda bar, which presented a non -alcoholic mixture of soda, flavored syrups, fruit juice and cream.
17. Run fun and walks. At 6:30 am on January 14, some early elevators ran and traveled a 5 km around the Discovery Green in front of the Congress Center. The other well-being options included yoga and a sound bath.
18. OVS photo. The PCMA and its sponsors provided several nice places around the congress center for photo sessions.
19. Go Bananas. Held at the Daikin (formerly minute Maid) Park which is the home of the Astros of Houston, the closing reception presented a breathtaking performance of the triple winner of a Grammy Award and Multi-Platine solo Gwen Stefani. Located a few blocks from the Congress Center, the baseball stadium was transformed into a comfortable and intimate place, with a VIP section in advance.
20. Meetups. On January 13, the women’s women in industry gathered for a network of women in the exhibitions of North America in The Four Seasons. For the second consecutive year, the group offered a one -hour networking opportunity to the PCMA.
Ahead
Concerning Leaders 2026 is scheduled for January 11 to 14 in Philadelphia.
Photo credits: Whatever the media group, Danica Tormohlen and Spotmyphotos