My New Year’s “Cleanse” for the Last 15 Years: PCMA Convening Leaders

Post written by Missy Johnson, Principal, MJMeetings, LLC | Meetings Consultant | Gourmet Food & Wine Enthusiast | Sports Fan

Every year the second week of January is circled on my calendar and blocked off. It has been since January 2000 when I became a member of the Professional Convention Management Association.

PCMA’s annual meeting, titled Convening Leaders, is the highlight of my new year. It’s in Vancouver, British Columbia this year.

Of course I enjoy the senior professional-level education that’s offered and the eye-popping opening/closing receptions that showcase the latest and greatest trends in our industry.

But the real draw is the amazing networking opportunities that happen over four straight days of focused, face-to-face time with 4,000 of my closest friends and peers in the industry.

We all love and appreciate the opportunity that PCMA provides for us to see one another, share ideas and reconnect. PCMA is very intentional about structuring the conference agenda with tons of built-in networking time with longer than average refreshment breaks, “can’t miss” evening receptions and bite-size learning opportunities that encourage engagement. They do this because members continually request and appreciate it!

Let’s be honest, there’s just something inspiring about being able to share a giant, collective ‘hug’ with the ones who truly understand you and your workplace stressors. (Did you know that Meetings Professional is consistently listed as one of the Top 10 Most Stressful Professions?)

As much as we can connect by phone, email and online social platforms throughout the year, looking someone in the eye and really connecting face-to-face is so much more powerful. It’s the special power of meetings, conferences, conventions and seminars. The educational content is important and meaningful too, but the connections are so much more lasting and valuable.

So over the next week I’ll be learning, engaging, networking and socializing with some of my ‘besties’ and I’ll come back feeling rejuvenated, focused, inspired and connected. It’s the best way I can think of to do a New Year’s ‘cleanse’ for the mind, body and soul.

Vancouver…and Convening Leaders…here I come!