Aries

Ruled by Mars, you are the go-getter, get it done fast person. If it’s a rush job you’re at your best as you love action and working at full speed. However, patience can be in short supply when you get overwhelmed. Breathe. Appreciate your staff, even if they don’t get as much done as fast as you can. 

Taurus

Ruled by Venus, you love comfort, aesthetics and sensuality. You are a luxury person who wants the best jobs, with the most class and flare. Bare bones budgets and minimalism are not your thing. But you always find a way to add a flare even to the tightest budgets. 

Gemini

Since you are the twins, ruled by Mercury, the mind, you can get things done and juggle all those details with ease.  Complicated events are a challenge you enjoy as sorting it all out is like solving a puzzle, which stimulates your mind. Delegate one thing to your helpers, as few people are as good at multi-tasking as you are.

Cancer

Ruled by the Moon, you lead with your heart. You want everyone to be happy and as comfortable as possible. You aim to please, but go easy on the “yes I cans” as even your big heart can only accommodate so much. Appease your clients with kindness, but know that the wants of everyone can seldom ever be met.

Leo

The King or Queen of the Zodiac is ruled by the Sun as your charm always shines bright. You want the big jobs, with the opulent flare and impressive presentations that haven’t been done before. Drama is your friend, so a client who wants simple is probably better off with a planner who isn’t keen on making a big statement.

Virgo

You are the detail person of the Zodiac, also ruled by Mercury, but with a more practical flair. Big events with many working pieces are your forte, as you juggle all those details with ease. Your head spins them all into a lovely spider web. Just don’t let too many details get you down, or design more complex plans than needed as you can shut down and get stuck.

Libra

Also ruled by Venus, Zen-like beauty is your thing. Every detail must result in “pretty” or you’re a wreck. Color, flowers and the “look” drive your vision. Someone who wants quick and dirty is not for you. Elegant, refined and memorably lovely is your thing. Beer and pizza-style events make you shudder.

Scorpio

Pluto, the ruler of the underworld, is your planet. Known as the Phoenix rising from the Ashes, you like moody themes. Maybe Halloween or treasure hunts or mystery nights are your thing, whereas lunch and a meeting will bore you to tears. In any case, you’ll look for the unusual as your preferred venue, or dream of them when doing the more mundane events.

Sagittarius

Ruled by Jupiter, Sagittarius is about abundance, international travel, higher education, legal and publishing—a big plate of territory.  The archer is an explorer and adventure is their favorite thing. Their events are usually large scale and with and unusual twist. Give them a challenge and they will rise to the occasion.

Capricorn

Saturn, a serious business person, rules Capricorn. They take their work very seriously and would not dream of letting you down or doing anything unprofessional. Corporate planning is their forte. This sign is sure to impress anyone.

Aquarius

The water bearer, ruled by Uranus the rebel, never likes to do the same thing twice. Taking a new look is in their nature. Adding a twist here and there so things don’t get boring is mandatory. You can count on them to find the road less traveled and give you something truly different.

Pisces

Finally Pisces, ruled by Neptune the mystic, would be great at planning spiritual, new age, romantic and dreamy events. Harmony is key. With a flare for the “mood” of an event, they can charm anyone with their visions and skills. Be sure to talk to them quietly when you want to make changes, as they are very sensitive to the energy around them.

Yvonne Walker, the Astro Healer, has been a practicing astrologer for over 35 years.

Are you one of 1,600 people gathering in St. Louis for Destinations International 2019 Annual Convention at America’s Center July 23–25? If this is your first time in the city or you haven’t been there in a while, Kitty Ratcliffe, president of Explore St. Louis, has some surprises waiting for you. Even if you are a local, you may uncover some hidden gems you didn’t know were in your city.

More: St. Louis Arches Upward as a Hub of Culture, Sports and Natural Wonder

Packing It In

Core conference activities have been condensed into 2 1/2 days from the traditional three. That means limited time to get your “Meet Me in St. Louis” vibe on. Smart Meetings asked Destinations International President and CEO Don Welsh to share some highlights, starting with a keynote Tuesday afternoon from marketing researcher Ryan Estis on how to initiate change, improve performance and deliver growth. “This will be a high-energy event,” Welsh said.

That thought-provoking exercise will be followed by a welcome party at Ballpark Village, where the first-ever Destinations International house band will perform. Yep, it just so happens that Tempest President and Chief Creative Officer Gregg Shapiro is also a touring musician, and he joined forces with Tourism Economics President Adam Sacks to audition band members from the ranks of DI members. The premiere for this emerging talent will be at the opening night reception.

Visitors may also get a glimpse of phase two of a $260 million development going in next to Busch Stadium that will include a Live! by Lowes hotel.

Education sessions commence in full on Wednesday with a total of five keynote speakers and 50 concurrent sessions covering everything from marketing to security and social media. “There will be lots of areas for shirtsleeve, impromptu sessions,” Welsh promised.

The networking continues that evening with an open night for exploring (more on that later).

Thursday is another full day of education at America’s Center, starting with a world tour of diversity and inclusion best practices from London-born, New York-based writer Arwa Mahdawi. Later in the day, Brian “The Points Guy” Kelley will share his road warrior strategies.

Finally, a special reception at the original Anheuser-Busch Brewery will send everyone home filled with local food, sights and sounds. Welsh is looking forward to getting his taste of authentic St. Louis brisket and raising a glass of Budweiser when it is all over. 

Explore Like a Local

Photo credit: America Convention Center

For tips on how to make the most of that one open night in your schedule, we talked to Brian Hall, chief marketing officer with Explore St. Louis. His advice? Pack your walking shoes and comfortable clothes. Whether you are staying at Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch, Courtyard St. Louis Downtown/Convention Center, Marriott St. Louis Grand, Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Louis Downtown, Hotel St. Louis or Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, you are not far from the action. “Everything is walking distance,” he said. “You are going to want to get out and explore.”

In fact, to motivate people to get out and about, a sponsored walking challenge will award prizes to those who have the most steps.

Fun destinations include The Gateway Arch, a 630-foot monument to progress with a tram that takes visitors to the top for views of the river city. The historic marker been transformed with a $380 million investment that includes The Museum at the Gateway Arch, which tells the story of the city’s pivotal role in westward expansion. “It is amazing to see the impact a little real estate deal known as The Louisiana Purchase played in paving the path from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean,” he said.

For a completely different kind of gallery experience, Hall suggested putting City Museum on your list. The 100-year-old warehouse has been transformed into a huge Instagram opportunity. From castles and tunnels to slides and a Ferris wheel, something surprising is around every corner. “It blows people’s minds,” he said.

When you have worked up an appetite, Hall suggests pointing those walking shoes toward Sugarfire Smokehouse, next door to the convention center, where chef-driven ’cue awaits with award-winning smoked brisket. Don’t forget to top that tender meat with one of their signature sauces, including coffee BBQ, St. Louie sweet and white BBQ (loaded with horseradish and vinegar). “They have the best barbecue pork slider in the Midwest,” he proclaimed.

Hall’s favorite place to belly up to the bar? Schlafly Tap Room, in a historic building on Locust Street, a short mile from downtown. He recommends the IPA, but raspberry Hefeweizen and coffee stout should also be on tap at the craft brewery.

The secret sauce for this city, however, is the warmth and friendliness of the locals, Hall said. “Don’t hesitate to ask a St. Louisian for advice,” he urged.

5 Must-See St. Louis Spots

For a list of authentic experiences, Smart Meetings called a St. Louisian in the travel, incentive and motivation business: David Peckinpaugh, president of Maritz Global Events. The company’s headquarters is in Fenton, Missouri, a half-hour drive via I-55. Following are his top five suggestions for the Gateway to the West.

  1.  Visit the Gateway Arch and go to the top.
  2.  Eat at Eleven Eleven Mississippi in Lafayette Square.
  3.  Check out the museums in Forest Park. (My favorite is the Art Museum!)
  4.  Take the tour at Anheuser-Busch.
  5.  Explore the City Museum.

Laura Coburn, Inns of Aurora Director of Serenity and certified Ayurveda Health Counselor, provided three mantras to help planners conquer the day—from the morning to the evening. “Our minds are built to think, it’s what they do. Our thoughts create our words, and our words become our actions. The mantra we chose will steer our thoughts in a purposeful direction,” Coburn says.

1. Morning Mantra While Getting Ready for Work:

In the morning, I like to choose a mantra that will inform how I move through my day. One of my favorites is, “Walk slowly; tread lightly; be kind.” When we slow our pace, we are more effective and make wiser choices than when we are rushing about. Treading lightly can apply to the impact we leave in our wake. It reminds us to be mindful of the energy we are giving off and expending. We can apply this to the environment as well as interpersonal relationships. Being kind is always a good idea—one never knows what someone else may be struggling with. It also boosts our self-esteem.

2. Afternoon Mantra to Promote Focus and Productivity:

In the afternoon, I stay productive and focused by using the mantra, “Just this, just now.” I like this because I tend to get overwhelmed when I have too much on my plate. It’s hard for me to see the forest for the trees. Saying to myself, “just this,” helps me clear away the clutter and focus on the task at hand. “Just now” helps me hunker down and lean in, even if I only have 10 minutes to make a dent in a deadline.

3. Evening Mantra to Wind Down from the Day:

At the end of the day, I know I need to let go to allow for optimal sleep. If my mind is particularly busy I track back through my day, recall each event and “put it to bed.” Once I finish this ritual, I say to myself over and over, “Now I rest. Now I digest. Now I heal.”

For more from Inns of Aurora, check out our article on eight hotels that are pulling out all the stops to give planners better sleep.

Is Paris is still the ooh-la-la meetings magnet? In a word, oui. International Congress and Convention Association, in its annual ranking, called it the world’s top destination for international meetings in 2018. In fact, the City of Light set a new attendance record for itself, averaging nearly 600 attendees per convention. Pacific World Global Destination Index echoed that finding, naming Paris tops for incentives and conferences in Europe.

More: Group Activities from Pacific World’s 2019 Top Destinations

A recent visit underscored why. World-class meeting venues and hotels. Excellent transportation network served by three airports. And the food! There are nearly 120 Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, scores more that are Michelin recommended, and gorgeous patisseries and traiteurs (caterers and prepared food take-outs) on virtually every block.

That said, here are some practical tips about choosing where and when to meet in Paris.

Location, Location, Location

Hyatt Regency Etoile Paris; photo credit: Matthew Shaw
Palais des Congres

In a city of 2.2 million, even with its efficient Metro subway and bus system, getting around can eat up time better spent on enjoying the city’s many attractions or in official sessions. A tried-and-true strategy to deal with challenging logistics, of course, is to base your attendees as close to the meeting venue as possible. That’s why a choice such as newly renovated, 995-room Hyatt Regency Etoile Paris makes sense; Paris’ only skyscraper hotel affords awesome aerial views of Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, has 35 meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 2,800 attendees and is directly connected to Palais des Congres Paris (344,000 sq. ft. of event space, including four auditoriums, 85 meeting rooms and 20 breakout rooms).

The other major convention space is Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, home to Paris Convention Centre, the biggest in Europe. It’s been undergoing major upgrades since 2015 that will be complete next year. It offers a whopping 2.4 million sq. ft. of customizable space. Closest major hotel is Mercure Paris Vaugirard Porte de Versailles, in the former workshop of racecar great Amédee Gordini. It has 91 guest rooms and 10 meeting rooms.

Check the Calendar

Paris, like other world capitals, hardly has an off-season. But just as important as selecting a meeting time is doing as much due diligence as possible to see what else is going on during your stay—including scheduled strikes and demonstrations. During our visit, Avenues des Champs Elysee was shut down from Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre museum on a sunny Sunday and lined with police vehicles in anticipation of a political demonstration by the Yellow Vests.

This year, Paris is celebrating the 130th anniversary of several of its icons this year. Special events are unfolding at the Eiffel Tower, majestic Hilton Paris Opera (268 guest rooms, 8 meeting rooms), Moulin Rouge and the Paradis Latin.

? Smart Tip: Hiring a Parisian DMC can certainly smooth out things such as transportation and help you plan a smooth meeting, event or conference, but don’t overlook free resources. Chief among these is the website of Paris Convention & Visitors Bureau. In addition to being a font for Paris news and tips—such as top terraces and gardens for events—it offers a complimentary online tool for sourcing venues, service, accommodations and more.

Middle: Sports journalist Ashley Fox and Marin Bright, Smart Meetings CEO

When event professionals met at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC in the nation’s capital on Thursday, inspiration was in the air. Ideas worth stealing ranged from the signature scent to top vendors in the room and the innovative F&B—which started with the opening reception at Dirty Habit. Personalized service is an example of what is possible at a boutique hotel meetings experience, explained Greg Leinweber, general manager of the landmark property, which broke ground in 1839 as home of the U.S. Postal Service.

Although Marin Bright, founder and CEO of Smart Meetings, started hosting networking business events a decade ago, she is obsessed with continuing to showcase new ways of connecting people and sharing educational moments. “We are focused on keeping you on your game,” said Bright before introducing sports journalist Ashley Fox.

Lessons from the Sidelines

Fox focused on the seminal moments—good and bad—in our lives. Resiliency is the sum-total of how we react, persevere and overcome to continue to pursue success.

Ashley Fox

Her father’s 45 seconds came when he was a new head basketball coach at Duke University in his late 20s and the team lost a heartbreaking game. He was fired and developed a difficult relationship with sports writers who kept asking him about that moment. “You can imagine that made it difficult when I told them I wanted to be a sports journalist,” she quipped.

Fox’s father was a role model. After his tragic coaching debut, he started a sports marketing company and went on to be named in the North Carolina Hall of Fame. She studied him and athletes who found ways to move beyond inevitable disappointments for tips that could help her career. These insights are also valuable for event professionals who have to continue delivering even when it literally rains on their meeting.

“The highest performers are physical freaks of nature,” she said. They are also regimented and thrive under strict schedules. “Consistency of schedule is important to get to the highest level of glory,” she said. “That is true for us mere mortals as well.”

Here are the things she learned:

1. Believe in the impossible.

How did a little girl from North Carolina grow up to be a leading NFL analyst in the male-dominated world of ESPN when everyone, including her parents, urged her to go to business school? She found the highest-ranking female in the industry and wrote her a hand-written note asking for advice. She got a note back commending her enthusiasm and encouraging her to never compromise. A week later Fox started her first professional role.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t,” she said. And on the other side, when you see someone who needs encouragement, she suggested you give it to them. “You never know how impactful that can be.”

2. Relationships determine results.

True relationships take time and putting your phone down, but is the only way we grow our careers and as people. “Who you know opens the door, but how you do what you do is what make it work,” she said.

3. Balance professional and personal integrity.

Just as Fox had to learn how to balance family and work, she learned that integrity is one of the only things we can control. It is what shapes our reputations and personalities.

4. Listen

Listening is as active of an endeavor as talking. Being open to the wisdom of others rather than showing off your knowledge or demanding attention is how you learn, she said. Whether you are in the green room at a football stadium or with clients, they will respect you for being open to their ideas.

When Fox was laid off suddenly, she realized that her ESPN career didn’t define her. “My belief in the impossible and my ability to build and nurture relationships, my integrity and my ability to listen does define me,” she said. She went on to write a documentary and speaks all over the country, sharing her realization.

“I moved forward. That is how you get through the seminal moments,” she said.

san francisco

At San Francisco Travel’s annual lunch at the expanded Moscone Center for 1,000 people, President and CEO Joe D’Alessandro unveiled a new brand and logo that brought attention to the creativity and diversity of the meeting city.

“It reminds people of the promise of San Francisco,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Howard Pickett.

The new branding was developed by Miles Partnership and Destination Analysts with an eye to the global appeal. A total of 25.8 million visitors came to the city in 2018. International visitor spending was up that year by 2 percent with the largest growth coming from China. More room nights are on the books for 2019 than ever before because of the expansion, D’Alessandro said.

“We started at home, interviewing members of San Francisco’s hospitality industry, our own advisory boards, local residents and San Francisco Travel staff,” Pickett said.

Researchers conducted focus groups with travelers and meeting planners in the United States and abroad, monitored social media and analyzed trends. They looked at preconceptions—and misconceptions.

The resulting description of travelers to the city were defined this way: “Visitors to San Francisco are as diverse as San Francisco itself. Regardless of who they are or where they’re from, they share a universal love of free-spirited expression, curiosity and adventure. They appreciate sophistication without pretension. They embrace the bold and welcome the new. And they engage in being part of change by supporting different views—even those that may vary from their own.”

Pickett described the new image as “a narrative that defines San Francisco in an emotional, resonant way.”

Lynn Bruni-Perkins, vice president of marketing communications, explained the approach as bold, welcoming and optimistic. “It showcases our scenic beauty and our inner beauty.”

“It deeply connects visitors to their favorite destination and ours: San Francisco,” D’Alessandro said.

Taco Bell enthusiasts are rejoicing, as they’ll now be able to take their loyalty a step further, from merely eating Taco Bell, to living Taco Bell. Starting today, you can book a stay at Taco Bell’s 70-room accommodation, The Bell: A Taco Bell Hotel & Resort, in Palm Springs, California. It will feature a “Freeze Lounge,” inspired by Taco Bell’s “Mountain Dew Baja Blast.”

Guests can stay in The Bell—which will temporarily take over V Palm Springs—August 8-12.

This may be the first fast food restaurant to have a pop-up hotel, but in no way is it a novel idea. The pop-up hotel trend has been going on for some time now, and the brakes won’t be pumped any time soon.

Pop-Ups in Empty Spaces

The East Coast-based WhyHotel began in 2017, and plans have been made to extend to the West Coast, their first location being Houston, which is scheduled to begin accepting its first guests in late 2019. WhyHotel’s operation is unique and their form of “popping up” is economically friendly.

New apartment buildings are nearly empty during their lease-up phase, as they don’t allow tenants to move in during construction. WhyHotel has taken advantage of this by alternatively using those apartment rooms as hotels until the apartments are fully leased. This method reduces the need to build new hotels and take up yet more space in often already congested cities.

“In the United States, at any point in time, there are hundreds of thousands of vacant, new-built apartments,” Jason Fudin, chief executive officer and co-founder of WhyHotel, told GlobeSt.com. “This is due to the units being delivered to market all at once, upon completion of the complex, since residents can’t move into a building that’s still under construction. It then takes about a year for a residential building to fill up. The WhyHotel model takes advantage of this underlying inefficiency, putting vacant apartments to work during the lease-up period.”

Pop-Ups in Remote Places

Travel experience company Black Tomato has created a pop-up hotel accommodation unlike any other. The concept rests on the idea that if you “blink, you’ll miss it.” Locations for group retreats are nearly limitless, as all planners have to do is contact Black Tomato with a location anywhere—you can get as remote as you please—on the planet and they’ll do their best to make it a reality.

Bubble Tents in the Atacama Desert, Chile. Credit: Black Tomato

Black Tomato specializes in creating hyper-personalized travel experiences, so creating a one-of-a-kind stay in an off-the-grid location is right up the company’s alley. It isn’t often—if ever—that groups shack up in dome tents on salt flats in Bolivia, yurts in Namibia’s Kalahari Desert, or bubble tents in the Atacama Desert in Chile. Once the stay is over, the entire set-up is broken down and made to look as though you were never there. That’s trip personalization taken to the extreme.

In 2016, New York-based TerraVelo started Terra Glamping, or glamorous camping, which can create the perfect corporate retreat anywhere in the United States and Canada. The company’s first location was in California wine country, where a glamping hotel featured 10 safari-style tents. The following year the company began a pop-up operation during summer at Gateway National Recreation Area, with five glamping sites in the park’s Fort Tilden area. They now offer glamping opportunities in the greater New York City Area, Hamptons, Catskills and more.

pcma educon 2019 los angeles

The largest-ever PCMA EduCon conference kicked off on a high note this week at JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live. 

R&B legends En Vogue dropped in on the opening reception at The Novo in L.A. Live. But even before they took the stage with their classic “You’re Never Gonna Get It” at the popular concert venue, guests were starstruck by the residential-style offerings of pot pies and baked potatoes from Wolfgang Puck Catering. The surprise and delight led to lots of connections being made and some pretty impressive dance moves. 

Fresh Ideas

That harmonious theme continued at the opening session, when songwriter John Ondrasik, the talent behind the songs “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” and “100 Years,” shared the secrets for creating inspired songs and events.

How do you follow a success while avoiding being part of the one-hit-wonder club? “You can’t just regurgitate the same event,” he said. His tricks for repeating the 45 minutes it took to write the song that put him in the limelight 25 years ago also work for event planners trying to up their game for the next annual conference.

“Every great idea starts as a thought, and you never know when it will come,” he said. Ondrasik advocates putting yourself in different environments, where you don’t feel comfortable.

Combined with collaboration (think of the competitive and productive magic of two of the world’s most talented songwriters in the room coming up with Beatles songs), listening and trusting your gut, that new perspective is a path to creating the kind of event you would want to attend.

More: PCMA Pulled Back Curtain on Attendee Behavior

Hacking Homelessness

In a city where $8 billion is being spent on infrastructure, thereby expanding the convention center and the hotel where the event is taking place, PCMA invited Jamie Murdock and Donna Kastner to share their hackathon process to tackle an issue that plagues many cities—homelessness. Groups were broken into teams and spent a day with experts on the topic, brainstorming ways the industry can be part of the solution.

Proposals included an app that would allow women and children to access hotel rooms before they end up on the street, a toolkit with resources planners can access to develop meaningful CSR programs and supporting hospitality employees who may be at risk so they can advance their careers.

“This is just the start of the conversation,” Murdock pledged as he announced that 5,000 Bombas socks would be donated to the homeless after the company participated in the hacking session.

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
Photo by Pedro Kümmel on Unsplash

As we officially welcome summer, things are really heating up—especially in Europe. Although there have been a series of heatwaves in Europe over the past few years, meteorologists expect one in the coming days that will shatter historic records. Temperatures in France and Spain are expected to reach at least 104 degrees F, and experts warn against the “heat island” effect of concrete and asphalt in cities that traps heat. Geneva could reach temperatures of 98 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday, while national records for the hottest June are set to be broken in Germany, Austria and France.

There have even been projections of heat-related deaths, especially for the old, young and those without homes or air conditioning. A climate scientist at Potsdam University, Stefan Rahmstorf calls heatwaves “silent killers” and reveals that 2018’s hot summer in Germany has been estimated to have caused at least 1,000 excess deaths. Rahmstorf also points out that “the hottest summers since 1500 AD in Europe were: 2018, 2010, 2003, 2016, 2002.” Are these seemingly extreme bouts of heat becoming the new normal for mainland Europe?

Cities Help Citizens Stay Cool

France has postponed school exams scheduled to take place at the end of this week until next week, due to the heat wave and a concern for students’ safety. In Paris, they have opened up swimming pools, “cool rooms,” additional water fountains and set up mist machines to help citizens and tourists stay cool. Brussels has also taken action as they stopped horse-drawn carriages for tourists over concern for animal safety. The poster below was posted by The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé) on Twitter to help citizens help themselves:

In an effort to stay cool, one man outside Dusseldorf, Germany reportedly stripped naked in front of the frozen food section at a supermarket. While we don’t recommend that tactic, here are some smart tips for planners and attendees meeting in Europe in the coming weeks to stay safe during the heatwave:

  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Don’t overexert yourself.
  • Stay indoors if possible.
  • Wear a hat and sunscreen.
  • Limit your alcohol intake.

PCMA EduCon 2019 Los Angeles

To really influence attendees, event professionals need to be intentional about the experiences they design. But how do you know what innovations will work? At PCMA EduCon 2019 this week at JW Marriott Downtown L.A. Live, PCMA Foundation and Steelcase Event Experiences released an in-depth study of the behavior of attendees from PCMA Convening Leaders 2019 at David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. The report, “5,000 People, 5,000 Personal Journeys,” is a collection of reactions—positive and negative—to everything from multi-track sessions to creative networking ideas.

“We offered ourselves as a case study for how people act in the open,” said Meredith Rollins, chief community officer and executive director, PCMA Foundation. Researchers followed attendees around to see their expressions during Braindates and at water refill stations. “We shared the good, bad and ugly,” she said.

Elements of Success

This candid survey of attendee reactions to experimental programming at PCMA’s January event put the spotlight on education pathways that can enhance business events experiences.

The authors narrowed in on six elements to design highly engaging, innovative and memorable face-to-face, open space environments at business events.

“We put ourselves on the line,” said Sherrif Karamat, PCMA president and CEO. The goal was to use the data to improve PCMA events and gatherings around the world by sharing data in a transparent way.

Following are the insights that form the building blocks of engaged meetings:

  • Supporting Diverse Needs: Business event professionals should determine where their audience falls on the spectrum of wanting something for everyone versus one path to success. Offering many options can be valuable when the audience has varying experience levels, but it can also overwhelm and lead to analysis paralysis.
  • Enabling Meaningful Experiences: On the continuum of informational versus experiential, some participants may have higher engagement with interactive experiences, while others are more interested in traditional education methods.
  • Accommodating Connection Strategies: Most attendees at a discussion of the findings reported that they fell somewhere in the middle on the use of organic, unplanned networking opportunities compared to structured, planned networking. “There is no right answer,” said Kimberly Condon, a researcher with Steelcase.
  • Enabling Learning Strategies: Striking the right blend of formal learning with informal learning and aspirational content with business practice content was seen as the challenge. Some participants may engage with motivational education content, while others are looking for a more tangible ROI in ideas they can take back to their workplace.
  • Supporting Participant Well being: Business events professionals must determine where their event falls on the spectrum between creating a supportive environment for each individual or for the audience as a whole.
  • Designing for a Journey: Here, the spectrum is designing by default—utilizing pre-existing gathering spaces—or designing for a specific journey and experience by creating work, networking or waiting lounges.

At the next PCMA Convening Leaders in San Francisco in January 2020, researchers will focus on connection strategies and engaging experiences and look for ways to connect the results findings from a recent Meetings of the Future project PCMA funded with Marriott International.

“These are findings members can take back to their offices and apply to their events,” said Carol McGury, 2019 chair of PCMA Foundation Board and executive vice president of event and education services at SmithBucklin Corporation.