Convening Leaders 2026 to Feature Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, as Main Stage Keynote Speaker

SEPTEMBER 4, 2025

CONVENING LEADERS 2026 TO HONOR HISTORY WHILE RESHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE GLOBAL BUSINESS EVENTS COMMUNITY

Celebrating PCMA’s 70th Anniversary in the City of its First Conference

Convening Leaders 2026 to Feature Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, as Main Stage Keynote Speaker

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – Convening Leaders 2026(CL26) will mark a milestone moment as PCMA celebrates its 70th anniversary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the city where the association held its first conference in 1956. The annual gathering will celebrate the association’s history while focusing on the bold ideas, strategies, and innovation shaping the future of the global business events community.

Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor-in-Chief of The Economistand one of the world’s most influential voices on global economics and policy, will deliver the Main Stage keynote on Monday, January 12.

Minton Beddoes, the first female editor in The Economist’s 182-year history will inspire participants to explore the intersection of business, AI and innovation - an essential dialogue as the business events industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace.

Sherrif Karamat, CAE, PCMA and CEMA President & CEO stated, “As we return to our founding city, CL26 is both a celebration and a call to action to reshape what’s possible for the next generation of the global business events community. Ms. Minton Beddoes will undoubtedly provide participants with the geopolitical and economic context we need to make strategic decisions amidst the current economic climate.”

CL26 is scheduled for January 11-14. Registration is open. Members only registration rates conclude September 18, 2025.

# # #

CONTACT

Meghan Risch

Chief of Staff, Vice President, Corporate Communications

Email: mrisch@pcma.org