Don't let the polar vortex scare you from trekking to Boston this weekend for the one, the only, the fabulous Professional Convention Management Association Convening Leaders meeting! As the old saying goes, with temps ping-ponging from minus 10 degrees F to almost 50 degrees F according to our house thermometer over the past couple of days, if you don't like the weather in New England, wait 15 minutes.
And you really shouldn't have to venture out into the cold (or maybe warmth by next week, the way things are going), since the Hynes Convention Center is directly connected to the headquarters hotel. Between the educational sessions and the social events, you'll probably be too busy to hit much of the town's highlights (I hope not though! Boston is a pretty special place).
I'm looking forward to finally meeting some people I so far only know virtually, seeing old friends and colleagues, and making some new connections. Oh, and learning some stuff too! PCMA really is my favorite meetings industry event, though MPI is moving up the ladder every year. Because of timing issues, I've had to miss it the past few years, so I'm really looking forward to Convening Leaders coming to my home town—and actually being home to be able to participate!
I'm planning on going to the official PCMA Tweetup, being held Monday afternoon from 5-6 p.m. at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, Second Floor, Left & Right Fields—maybe we'll meet there. Or in the hallways, session rooms, and other nooks and crannies of the Hynes and the official hotels. I'll be easy to spot—I'll be the one with the giant grin on my face!
Safe travels to all who are going to be on the road this weekend, and to those who are planning to check out the hybrid sessions, let me know how they go. It's not the same, but I participated virtually last year, and it was still pretty darned good.