transform together with education programming
The future of events is at PCMA edUcon in Detroit, and we want you to be a part of it! Join 1,000 of your trailblazing peers for education programming that promises to power up your experience design, build up your personal brand, and skill up your business strategy.
Discover what’s next for your career with innovative learning platforms ranging from hands-on tech learning laboratories, “ask-me-anything” expert encounters, peer-to-peer idea exchanges, interactive sessions and panels, and so much more.
Learning formats include:
- Hands-on tech learning laboratories
- Ask-me-anything expert encounters
- Peer-to-peer idea exchanges
- Interactive sessions and panels
- And more!
YOUR EXPERIENCE DESIGN
Engage with concepts, strategies and technologies that transform attendees into participants and events into experiences. Use design thinking to improve the end-user experience for event participants and partners. Gather what you need to invigorate and innovate events.
Sessions include:
- Budget Hackathon: 100 Crowdsourced Ideas for Negotiating and Saving Money on Your Events | Format: Idea Exchange | Speaker: Amber Sheerin, Program and Event Director, Michigan Library Association
- Demystifying AI: A Primer on Basics, Popular Tools, and Ongoing Learning | Format: Information Exchange | Speaker: Sara Olán-Peterson, Owner, Convene OPS
- Designing Events with Emotional, Cultural and Artificial Intelligence | Format: Learning Lab | Speakers: Nick Borelli, Marketing Director, Zenus; Zoe Moore, Strategic EDI Consultant, Moore Consulting Agency
- How to Conduct an Experience Design Audit | Format: Learning Lab | Speaker: John Nawn, Co-Founder / Chief Strategist, The Event Strategy Network
- Improving Attendee Value by Designing for Synthesis | Format: Learning Lab | Speaker: Beth Surmont, VP of Event Strategy & Design, 360 Live Media
- Insight to Implementation: Measuring DEI in Events | Format: Post-Conference Course | Speakers: Dax Callner, Experiential Marketer, DAC Strategy; Felecia Fierro, Field Marketer, Acceldata; Rachel Boucher, Head of Content, Event Marketer; Zoe Moore, Strategic EDI Consultant, Moore Consulting Agency
- Putting the I in Inclusion — an immersive exploration of bias and strategies to morph it into inclusion | Format: Learning Lab | Speaker: Rachel Podolsky, Independent Planner
- The Art of F&B Planning: A Multidimensional Approach | Format: Information Exchange | Speaker: Tracy Stuckrath, CSEP, CMM, CHC
Brought to you Louisville CVB
PCMA ELI Live Training:
- The Foundations of Experience Management (More Info )
YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
Navigate the diverse career pathways open to you. Understand how to manage expectations and become an advocate for your personal and professional growth. Learn how to stand out, even within the context of a team. Position your achievements in a way that leads to raises and promotions.
Sessions include:
- Come Alive: The Power of Purpose and Reinvention | Format: Pre-Conference Course | Speaker: Yvette Simpson, Founder & CEO, Yvette Simpson, LLC
- It’s Levels to This: Elevating Your Brand to Advance Your Impact | Format: Learning Lab | Speaker: Sherron Washington, MarComm Strategist & CEO, The P3 Solution
- Managing Up: Positioning Yourself for Success with Your Boss & Stakeholders | Format: Information Exchange
- Remote But Not Forgotten: Self-promotion Strategies That Won’t Turn off Supervisors | Format: Information Exchange | Speaker: Sherron Washington, MarComm Strategist & CEO, The P3 Solution
- The Solution Room: Harness the Power of Collective Wisdom to Unlock Your Blocks | Format: Idea Exchange | Speaker: Tess Vismale, Founder, CEO, iSocialExecution, Inc.
YOUR BUSINESS STRATEGY
Sharpen your negotiation strategies. Leverage the power of partnerships to increase impact while decreasing spend. Analyze what makes events successful and learn how to make data-driven decisions. Increase the positive impact your work has on internal and external stakeholders.
Sessions include:
- Building a Sustainable Production Plan: Strategies for Event Production | Format: Learning Lab | Speaker: Carter Dunham, VP of Sales, Production Resource Group (PRG)
Brought to you by Visit Portland - Event Measurement: Calculating & Demonstrating Event ROI | Format: Learning Lab | Speaker: Vinnu Deshetty, Founder & CEO, EVA
- From Overinflated to On Target: Controlling Production Budgets | Format: Information Exchange | Speaker: Carter Dunham, VP of Sales, Production Resource Group (PRG)
- Fundraising Feud | Format: Information Exchange | Speaker: Tony Rissley, Owner/CEO, Expo Auctions
- Intergenerational Exchange: Bi-directional Mentorships, Career Advancement, and Helping Each Generation Level Up | Format: Idea Exchange | Speakers: Tess Vismale, Founder, CEO, iSocialExecution, Inc.; Kristi Casey, PCMA Education Strategist
- Is Your Meeting Trauma Ready? | Format: Information Exchange | Speaker: Tess Vismale, Founder, CEO, iSocialExecution, Inc.
- Navigating the Future: Implications of Emerging Technologies for Me and My Organization | Format: Information Exchange | Speaker: Richie Karaburun, Clinical Associate Professor, New York University
- PCMA Business School: How to Enhance Your Decision-Making Skills & Develop High-Quality Forecasts | Format: Learning Lab | Speaker: Gaylen Paulson, Associate Dean, Executive Director, Texas Executive Education, McCombs School of Business
Brought to you by Austin CVB & McCombs School of Business - PCMA Business School: Negotiation & Collaborative Decision-Making | Format: Learning Lab | Speaker: Gaylen Paulson, Associate Dean, Executive Director, Texas Executive Education, McCombs School of Business
Brought to you by Austin CVB & McCombs School of Business - The Community-Based Event and the Quest for Business Impact | Format: Learning Lab | Speaker: John Nawn, Co-Founder / Chief Strategist, The Event Strategy Network
- The Culture Catalyst: Shifting Leadership Perspectives with Data | Format: Idea Exchange | Speaker: Matthew Kalb, VP of Client Experience, T3 Expo
PCMA Event Leadership Institute (ELI)
Pre- & Post-Con Live Training
Sunday, June 23, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
CMP Test-Taking Prep
INSTRUCTOR: Carolyn Browning, CMP, CMM, HMCC
PRICE: $495 | CAPACITY: 50
Embark on a journey to conquer the CMP exam with confidence! This dynamic workshop is your essential guide to mastering the CMP International Standards and study materials, ensuring success whether you’re taking the exam in-person or online. Say goodbye to exam jitters as we equip you with invaluable test-taking strategies and delve deep into the core subject areas (domains) of the CMP exam. Through engaging practice sessions, we’ll hone your question analysis skills and empower you to craft a personalized study blueprint tailored to your needs. Don’t let the daunting prospect of a standardized test hold you back—join us and unlock your path to CMP exam triumph!
This course is for:
- Meeting and event professionals seeking expert guidance to successfully sit for the CMP exam.
- Successful exam applicants eager to refine their study focus and boost exam readiness.
- Professionals in need of continuing education credits for their CMP application, craving insider insights on effective study methods.
The study materials for this session are the recommended exam reading:
- Event Industry Council’s Manual, 9th edition
- Professional Meeting Management 6th edition
- Event Industry Council’s APEX Glossary
Learning Objectives
- Understand the structure and content of the CMP International Standards, including the key domains covered in the exam.
- Develop effective test-taking strategies tailored to the CMP exam format, enhancing confidence and reducing test anxiety.
- Analyze sample exam questions to identify common question types, refine critical thinking skills, and improve question interpretation accuracy.
- Create a personalized study plan based on individual strengths and weaknesses, incorporating recommended resources and study techniques to optimize exam preparation.
After edUcon, continue your learning journey with the full-length CMP Exam Prep course. Registered post-conference participants will receive a $495 voucher to use towards the course.
The Foundations of Experience Management
INSTRUCTOR: Kevin White
PRICE: $495 | CAPACITY: 50
Unlock the best practices for exceptional experience management across Strategy, Management, Infrastructure, and Delivery—the four pillars that underpin unforgettable events. Through dynamic sessions infused with practical exercises, you’ll gain invaluable insights and actionable strategies to revolutionize your projects. Equip yourself with the tools to implement best practices seamlessly, ensuring every event leaves a lasting impact. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your expertise and position yourself and your organization for success!
This course is for:
- Emerging meeting and event professionals looking to level up their big-picture expertise
- “Teams of one” who’d like to experience how peers may be approaching these key foundations
- Team managers who wish to sharpen their project-based skills
Learning Objectives
- Develop effective systems for both design and risk management strategies.
- Focus on time, people, quality, and financial management essentials.
- Understand technical systems crucial for successful event delivery.
- Learn practical on-site execution best practices.
After edUcon, continue your learning journey with the full-length Event & Meeting Management Fundamentals course. Registered post-conference participants will receive a $495 voucher to use towards the course.
Wednesday, June 26, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
From Vision to Value – Strategic Event Design, ROI, and Stakeholder Alignment
INSTRUCTOR: Tammy Moore, Sr. Director, Product Innovation, PCMA
PRICE: $295 | CAPACITY: 50
Unlock the power of your expertise and propel your career forward with our exclusive 3-hour training session designed specifically for seasoned business event professionals. You already excel at crafting unforgettable experiences, but now it’s time to take your skills to the next level.
In this immersive workshop, we’ll dive deep into advanced strategies for program development, ROI assessment, analytics, and stakeholder engagement. By participating, you’ll not only enhance your confidence but also gain invaluable insights to become a trusted advisor with your stakeholders. Armed with strategic thinking and tangible value-driving techniques, you’ll align your events with organizational goals like never before, ensuring your continued success in this dynamic industry.
This course is for:
- Business event professionals with a firm grasp of event management skills who want to think more strategically
- Event and meeting professionals who want to be seen as trusted advisors rather than “order-takers.”
Learning Objectives
- Learn to elevate event planning skills by creating experiences that directly support organizational goals.
- Equip yourself with tools to accurately measure event ROI, showcasing the value of your efforts to stakeholders.
- Discover techniques to effectively align events with stakeholder expectations, enhancing overall event success and becoming a trusted advisor.
After edUcon, continue your learning journey with the full-length Advanced Event Strategy & Design Certificate course. Registered post-conference participants will receive a $295 voucher to use towards the course.
Enhancing Events with AI & How to Hack the Adoption Curve
INSTRUCTOR: Nick Borelli, Marketing Director, Zenus
PRICE: $295 | CAPACITY: 50
Transform from AI-curious to AI-savvy in just 3 hours with our exclusive training session explicitly crafted for event professionals. Delve into the fascinating world of AI, unlocking its potential and discovering how it can revolutionize the event landscape. From understanding AI fundamentals to exploring its practical applications in every phase of event planning, you’ll gain invaluable insights to enhance efficiency and elevate experiences. Through hands-on activities, you’ll actively engage with AI technologies, empowering you to seamlessly integrate them into your event strategies. Prepare to be inspired and equipped to champion AI adoption within your organization and be a catalyst for positive change and innovation like never before.
This course is for:
- Emerging and experienced meeting and events professionals interested in experimenting with new technology
- Business event professionals who want to learn how AI tools can streamline operations and save time during the event planning process
Learning Objectives
- Explore the intricacies of AI, delving into its workings and assessing its current maturity level, all while navigating the ethical, legal, and privacy considerations that come with its adoption.
- Embrace design thinking methodologies infused with AI to unlock new realms of possibility, propelling you toward ambitious goals with unparalleled depth and innovation.
- Discover real-world examples of AI applications across event strategy, planning, engagement, and data analysis, immersing yourself in hands-on demonstrations of tools that will revolutionize your work.
- Embark on a transformative hands-on learning journey, tackle an AI adoption challenge in teams, and bridge the gap between theory and practice as you craft your first AI-driven event strategy experience.
After edUcon, continue your learning journey with the full-length Enhancing Events with AI Certificate course. Registered post-conference participants will receive a $295 voucher to use towards the course.
Check back often!
edUcon 2024 Schedule of Events
All times are in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
| Sunday, June 23 | |||
| 8:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | Hospitality Helping Hands | |
| 10:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. | Pre-Conference Meetings | |
| 10:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. | Pre-Conference Workshops | |
| 11:00 a.m. | 7:30 p.m. | Registration Desk Open | |
| 5:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | First Timer's Reception | |
| 6:30 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. | Opening Reception | |
| Monday, June 24 | |||
| 6:30 a.m. | 7:30 a.m. | Foundation 5K Fun Run/Walk | |
| 7:00 a.m. | 7:45 a.m. | Soundbath | |
| 7:00 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | Registration | |
| 9:00 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | Mainstage | |
| 10:15 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. | The Hub | |
| 10:30 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. | Education Sessions | |
| 9:00 p.m. | Midnight | Give Back Bash | |
| Tuesday, June 25 | |||
| 7:00 a.m. | 7:45 a.m. | Soundbath | |
| 7:00 a.m. | 7:45 a.m. | Get FIT with the Foundation - Bootcamp | |
| 7:00 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | Registration Desk Open | |
| 8:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. | The Hub | |
| 9:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. | Education Sessions | |
| 7:00 p.m. | 10:00 p.m. | Networking Reception | |
| Wednesday, June 26 | |||
| 8:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Registration | |
| 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Post-Conference Workshops | |
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