Now that business events are starting to return, it’s important that EAs reflect and compare the success of their events to ensure they are getting the best result in a whole new world.
Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) has launched an APAC specific peer-to-peer meeting series to facilitate open conversation between up to 30 industry professionals per session, from corporates through to associations, to discuss their challenges and recovery strategies.
Based on the hugely successful PCMA Community Conversations program in the USA, the APAC version (titled Community Connect) is helping event professionals undertake end-to-end reviews of their events from strategy through to post-implementation. Initially just for members, the APAC PCMA team has opened the sessions up to non-members and is a tangible way the organisation can support regrowth in the region.
PCMA engaged Kirsty Simmonds as an independent consultant to attend the sessions and provide feedback on the quality and format of the events. Simmonds said the Community Connect sessions were highly valued by the participants.
“PCMA’s goal is to create collegiate forums away from participants’ workplace, to problem-solve, inform, educate and support each other, with the goal of accelerating their own practices, and, as professionals, to be at the leading edge for their businesses and clients.
“Friendly, energetic and confidential forums—participants are achieving a lot from their 90-minute power sessions!” said Ms Simmonds.
Karen Bolinger, PCMA Managing Director for APAC, said these sharing forums forge community, encourage peer support and facilitate the development of solutions to the big issues—all of which the industry needs right now.
“With the staggering rate of change going on in the industry, it is vital we talk to each other. These new community-driven sessions allow us to have open and honest conversations in which attendees share practical tips, insights, and new ideas on how to approach all the new aspects of events,” said Ms Bollinger.
