Change defines Convene’s October issue, which also highlights how compensation is changing the game for event planners.
As I reviewed the stories in this issue, one theme surfaced again and again: change.
That isn’t particularly surprising. The meetings and events industry is remarkably adept at navigating change, whether driven by technology, economics, shifting attendee expectations, or global events. What struck me was not the change itself, but the people leading through it.
Gabrielle Weiss
The findings from our annual Salary Survey, one of Convene’s longest-running research initiatives, reinforce that idea. While compensation remains important, especially as inflation continues to affect purchasing power, many respondents told us that support matters just as much and, for some, even more than a raise.
Their responses suggest that in an era defined by rapid change, people are looking for the resources, guidance, and organizational commitment that help them do their best work, navigate complexity, and meet the moment. As artificial intelligence reshapes how we work and attendee expectations evolve toward more personalized and meaningful experiences, event professionals are being challenged to balance competing priorities faster than ever while remaining focused on the human connections that make our industry indispensable.
You’ll see another form of leadership and adaptability in our Ascent column. The Parkinson Ready program prepares hospitality, convention center, and destination staff to better support visitors living with Parkinson’s disease. What began as attendee feedback evolved into a lasting initiative that helps destinations become more inclusive and accessible, leaving communities better prepared long after an event concludes.
In Innovative Meetings, the House of Beautiful Business challenges conventional thinking about what business events should look like. Its gatherings prioritize curiosity, reflection, and genuine human connection at a time when many are asking how technology will reshape work and relationships. Their approach offers a timely reminder that while technology can facilitate connection, it cannot replace it.
That same idea surfaced repeatedly in conversations I’ve had recently with industry leaders and emerged as a key insight from CEMA Summit 2026, which gathered corporate event marketers from some of the world’s leading companies. As AI gives us access to more information, more insights, and more possible paths forward, the value of judgment only grows. Technology can help us analyze options. It cannot determine what matters most, weigh competing priorities, or provide the wisdom that comes from experience, empathy, and perspective.
Those qualities have always mattered in our industry. Today, they matter more than ever.
The stories in this issue remind us that innovation is not always found in the newest tool or the latest technology. Often, it is found in people: leaders willing to rethink what’s possible, organizations committed to investing in their communities and connection, and professionals determined to move forward with purpose and creativity. As our industry continues to evolve, those human qualities may prove to be our greatest advantage of all.
And I find that exciting. In our Social Impact feature, one attendee at the Certified B Corporation Champions Retreat reflected on a concept borrowed from psychologist Carl Jung: the difference between the “spirit of the times” and the “spirit of the depths.” The former is shaped by headlines, trends, crises, and external pressures. The latter is rooted in values, instincts, and shared humanity.
As meeting professionals navigate artificial intelligence, evolving attendee expectations, and rapid change, perhaps the challenge is not choosing between the two, but balancing both, staying responsive to the moment while remaining grounded in what matters most.
Gabrielle Weiss is Convene‘s editor in chief.
