PCMA launches ‘Convening Asia Pacific’ forum to support business events industry recovery

Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) will host a one-day hybrid event that will feature workshops to build the practical skills and knowledge event professionals and businesses need to be successful in the recovery phase of the industry. Convening Asia Pacific – The Global Recovery Forum, will be held at ICC Sydney on 10 November and available online.

Karen Bolinger, managing director of APAC in PCMA said this event has drawn on the insights and findings from months of research PCMA has carried out, and the many interviews PCMA has conducted with participants, members and the broader event planner community.

“The content for this event has been designed around the findings from PCMA’s major global and Asia Pacific surveys where we asked buyers and suppliers what skills and information they needed to survive and thrive in their business post-COVID-19. This event is an intensive four-hour programme co-created by event planners and the industry and includes case studies, workshops, and strategic content. While the solutions are always changing and adapting, Convening Asia Pacific will cover the most up-to-date thinking and training.”

PCMA released its Business Events Compass globally in July, providing research-based insights on geographic and industry sector business events recovery opportunities, as well as recommendations for the evolution of participant engagement, business models and expected reskilling needs. In August, PCMA released the COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard survey specific to the APAC region. Common pain points were strategic approaches to budgets, exhibitors and engagement; all key themes to be covered at Convening Asia Pacific.

Sherrif Karamat, PCMA president and CEO said PCMA is committed to helping its members and the industry navigate the next normal. “We invite and encourage all business events professionals to attend Convening Asia Pacific, either in person or remotely. We have a diverse and dynamic business events ecosystem in Asia Pacific and this event offers the opportunity to bring together our region’s most creative and innovative event professionals. By coming together, we can reskill, collaborate and take advantage of opportunities to forge a path forward in this new reality.”

The live-streamed event will cover topics including digital events marketing, participation, risk management and digital sponsorship.