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If you’re an event professional looking to elevate your impact, expand your network, and explore innovative solutions, edUcon is where your next big idea takes shape—and your next big event finds its partners.

Whether you’re planning your annual user conference, redesigning your event strategy, or sourcing new technology to streamline your operations, edUcon offers the perfect environment to do business, build relationships, and make bold decisions.

Who Will You Meet?
edUcon brings together the sharpest minds and most trusted names in the business events industry—from top tech providers to event production and venue partners. Our sponsor lineup includes industry innovators and solution experts you’ll want to get face time with.

This is your chance to:

• Network with platform partners who can help you scale.
• Source new vendors for your 2026 (and Beyond!) RFPs.
• Discover fresh design, content, and production support.

Think of edUcon as your event strategy marketplace—where relationships are built, challenges are solved, and business is done.

Why You Should Bring an RFP
If you’re ready to rethink, redesign, or refresh your event experience, don’t come empty-handed. Bringing an RFP means you’re not just networking—you’re actively sourcing. You’ll find people ready to respond, ideate, and collaborate right then and there.

You’ll also:

• Get real-time feedback on your project needs.
• Tap into creative perspectives from leaders in tech, strategy, and experience design.
• Leave with new partners—or at least new possibilities.

Pro tip: Share your goals and timelines in advance with our sponsor partners in the PCMA+ app to schedule intentional meetings before things get busy onsite.

Get Hands-On with Tech that Transforms Events
Ready to play, test, and try out the platforms shaping tomorrow’s events? edUcon is your innovation playground.

Get hands-on with tools like:

• Spark – for infusing generative AI into your planning workflows.
• Wordly – for real-time language accessibility and global reach.
• RainFocus – to centralize, personalize, and analyze your attendee journey.
• Swapcard – for powerful event engagement and connection.
• Snapsite – for fast, flexible microsites and event web builds.

Plus, don’t miss our live tech demos and tutorials, where you can ask questions, get under the hood, and explore how the tools work together—not just in theory, but in practice.

Bottom line? edUcon isn’t just about learning—it’s about moving forward. Whether you’re planning your next big move, building out a new strategy, or simply trying to do your job better and smarter, this is the place to make things happen.

Let’s face it: networking at conferences has always been a little… hit or miss. A hallway hello here, a rushed exchange of cards there. But at edUcon, we’re rewriting the script. This year, networking isn’t happening in between sessions—it is the session.

Welcome to Networking Made Experiential, where making meaningful connections comes with a side of candle wax, bowling shoes, or spa robes.

That’s right. We’re curating moments that matter, where conversations happen naturally, creativity flows, and you find your people not because you’re forced into a name-tagged mixer, but because you’re laughing over a strike, hand-pouring a lavender soy candle, or traveling back in time.

Why Experiential? 
Because event professionals deserve more than a glass of alcohol and a large room of nervous people. You crave real interactions with others who get it—people who understand your world and your work. But real connection doesn’t happen because it’s labeled “networking happy hour”. It happens in motion, in creativity, in joy.

At edUcon 2025, networking looks like this:

• Bowling in a hidden speakeasy—because sometimes the best ideas are sparked between frames.
  Brought to you by Visit Detroit
• Candle making sessions—where your hands are busy, your mind is open, and conversations glow.
  Brought to you by Destination Madison 
• Great Gatsby hotel tour—because nothing bonds a group faster than exploring secret passages to a bygone era.
  Brought to you by Visit Chattanooga
• Spa-inspired moments—where relaxation replaces pressure and inspiration flows freely.
  Brought to you by Visit California, New Orleans & Company and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
• Music bingo—where singing along turns into storytelling, and friendly competition opens the door to new connections.

We’re Not Leaving It to Chance
Every experience is designed intentionally to spark connection. No awkward introductions, no scrambling to find someone to talk to. We’re taking the pressure off and putting the people back in professional development.

Whether you’re a first-time attendee or an edUcon veteran, this is your chance to meet others in your field in the most memorable way possible. Because the best part of any conference? It’s not just what you learn—it’s who you learn it with.
So go ahead: pick up a bowling ball, pour a candle, explore hidden passageways. This is intentional networking.

Welcome to edUcon. Say hello to long lasting connections.

If you’ve ever felt like conference sessions end just as they’re getting good, or like there’s never enough time to hit all the sessions you want—you’re not alone. We heard you loud and clear and this year, we’re mixing things up, adding depth, flexibility, and a whole lot of flavors to your learning journey.

Take a peek at what’s simmering in our test kitchen for event success…

A Taste of Immersive Learning: Beyond the Ballroom

This year, you’ll go beyond the conference room and into the real world with exclusive offsite learning excursions. One example? We’re heading to the Muhammad Ali Center for an unforgettable workshop on compassionate leadership, complete with a private tour. These experiences are designed to deepen learning, foster connection, and make every moment count.

Serving Sessions with Substance

Spice things up with longer, more in-depth sessions: hands-on workshops lasting up to 90 minutes and 2-hour deep-dive learning labs will give you time to dig in and walk away with impactful strategies. No more rushing through big ideas—just ample time to reflect, explore, and connect on topics like:

• From Chaos to Control: Mastering High-Stakes Event Execution
  Learning Lab in the Craft Your Event Strategy track ideal for senior-level, mid-career, and emerging events professionals
• Designing and Experiencing Events That Engage Every Step of the Way
  Learning Lab in the Blend Your Experience Design track ideal for senior-level and mid-career professionals
• Money Moves: Forecasting Economic Curveballs
  Workshop in the Craft Your Event Strategy track ideal for senior-level events professionals
• Work Well, Lead Well, Live Well: An Anti-Burnout Framework for Leadership
  Workshop in the Innovate Your Personal Brand track ideal for senior-level and mid-career events professionals

And we’re not stopping there. Get ready for fresh voices and bold perspectives—from new speakers to new topics, we’re keeping the edUcon energy vibrant and full of surprises. This year, Main Stage speakers Imani Ellis, Carrie Freeman Parsons, and Denim Richards will lead master classes on event strategy, personal branding, and experiential design.

Because we know FOMO is real, we’re also repeating select sessions—so you won’t have to choose between two can’t-miss topics. Be sure to check the schedule early (and often) to plan your perfect plate of sessions.

Sunday’s Spark Sessions: Boost Your Skills & Amplify Your Expertise

Sunday brings two exciting opportunities to level up your Spark skills: If you’re already a Spark super user, you can join a Train the Trainer session and become a champion in your own organization. Want to grow your own skills? We’ve got you covered with an Advanced Spark Lab designed to take you from casual user to confident pro.

Whether you’re refining your negotiation skills, designing immersive experiences, or rethinking your event strategy from the ground up—edUcon is your place to explore, stretch, and grow. It’s where data meets design and creativity meets clarity. And this year, we’re turning up the heat.

So come curious, open, and ready to mix things up!

Event participant expectations are evolving—are you keeping up? If you want to design jaw-dropping experiences, turn experts into dynamic speakers, and align events with business goals, PCMA edUcon 2025 is where you need to be.

This isn’t just another conference. It’s an interactive learning lab where the industry’s sharpest minds come together to experiment, collaborate, and push boundaries.

Through our content pillars—Blend, Innovate, and Craft—you’ll explore:

• Navigating Financial Shifts – Future-proof your event strategy against economic uncertainty.
• Next-Gen Participant Journeys – Design experiences that captivate tech-savvy, experience-hungry audiences.
• From Expert to Engaging Presenter – Learn how to turn industry experts into must-watch speakers.
• AI-Driven Revenue Generation – Harness artificial intelligence to unlock new opportunities.

What Makes edUcon 2025 Different?

• Hands-On Learning: 75-90 minute interactive workshops where you apply concepts in real time.
• Immersive Offsite Excursions: Step beyond the conference room for experiential learning.
• Networking That Works: High-energy speed networking designed for meaningful connections.

Special Feature: Empowering Women Leaders

• A half-day workshop on June 1 designed to help you build confidence, expand your network, and develop leadership strategies to take your career to new heights.

Join Us in Louisville | June 1–4, 2025

edUcon isn’t just about learning—it’s about transforming your approach to event design, strategy, and execution. Walk away with actionable insights, fresh perspectives, and connections that drive results. 

Spots are limited—REGISTER NOW to secure your learning journey!