Please enjoy the following post from our Latin America Sales Rep, Sandra Reed:

As I concluded the PCMA Convening Leaders in Austin, Texas in January, I realized how important our industry is for local communities. Events unite people of different countries, languages and cultures and meeting planners connect the hotels, convention centers, airlines, taxis, buses, restaurateurs, bars and many other suppliers…Planners unite people!

Meetings industry participants at the Convening Leaders Conference were welcomed by an icon from Austin (Matthew McConaughey), ate brussel sprouts for lunch, and attended seminars presented by professors of the University of Texas in Austin. We learned of new trends in the industry and shared ideas with colleagues or potential clients while snacking on chocolate covered bacon!  A quaint hospitality suite offered local brewed beers, while we mingled with colleagues from other states and countries. This was not only enjoyable but educational, as I brought back new ideas.

Local, regional, global …it is all happening at the same time. It is not only one destination promoting itself but it is the entire meetings industry from many parts of the world coming together.

Meeting planners or meeting organizers are business strategists, as they not only promote meetings, but entire communities.  Planners must sell their business planning talent as a strategist, uniting communities by selling opportunities and marketing strategies that will increase everyone’s experiences and knowledge.

Thank you Austin for hosting the meetings industry and giving us a piece of Texas to take back home.  I am sure many of us left with new ideas on how to better serve our communities.