contents


September 2013 Volume 27, Issue 9


COVER STORY/CMP SERIES Welcoming the World 44


— people get excited and they want to be a part of that.’


‘If you make a big deal about it and say, “We have 47 countries represented, our industry is really growing”


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Many North American–based organizations are putting their meetings on the global stage — either holding them abroad or actively recruiting attendees from other countries to come to a meeting on U.S. soil. In this global economy, sharing the knowledge of professionals within specific fields or enter- prises from around the world is necessary to stay relevant. But international meetings are rife with cultural landmines. From registration materials and food-and-beverage to name badges and content, the chances to slip up (at best) and offend (at worst) are many. Here’s what to keep in mind when you invite the world to your meetings. Molly Brennan


Features ENGINEERING ASCE 2014


Breaking Ground Next year, the Panama Canal turns 100 — and will be a focal point of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2014 Civil Engineering Conference in Panama City. Join Convene as we begin a year-long exploration of how a storied organization builds a meeting around one of its industry’s greatest accom- plishments in a still-emerging business destination. Christopher Durso


69 65


Cover illustration by Joe McKendry


2 PCMA CONVENE SEPTEMBER 2013 ONE ON ONE


Sir Richard Branson You could say the sky’s the limit for Virgin Group founder and serial entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson. But that wouldn’t be giving him nearly enough credit. Susan Sarfati, CAE


ROI SURVEY


Scratching the Surface A newConvene epanel survey reveals that the majority of planners use tried-and-true methods — such as post-event surveys — to evaluate their participants’ ROI at their events, but many of them aren’t mining opportunities to gather more meaningful data. Michelle Russell


PCMA.ORG


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