Seven Heartland Chapter members attended last month’s PCMA Convening Leaders conference using their scholarships awarded to them by the Chapter.

This week, we hear from Liza M. Lampi and feature her key takeaways from her CL experience.

Liza M. Lampi

Digital Event Strategist

Eventive Meetings

What was the best thing about attending Convening Leaders virtually this year?

Liza: Interacting with attendees from all over the country. With the lack of social interaction, having exposure, even online with others at the same time was fulfilling. Watching the chat explode with comments and similar feelings during sessions helped create a sense of community that we all are missing so much. 

What was your key learning from CL?

Liza: That 2020 was a year of pivoting and a just doing some sort of virtual experience was acceptable. Now, in 2021, the expectation is higher. Zoom calls are not going to cut it anymore. You need to raise the experience and there are many options out there that accommodate all budgets. However, planners and clients need to change their way of thinking and planning in order to make that happen.  

Who was your favorite speaker/presenter and why?

Liza: Professional Football Player Left NFL to Help with COVID Relief as Doctor – Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. Such an inspiration on the right thing to do during this time. Thomas Friedman also did an amazing job of giving the pandemic perspective. 

What are you most excited about for 2021?

Liza: The secondary repercussions of the pandemic. How will education, events, social systems evolve because of the innovation that has come from the crisis. This makes me excited for 2021 and beyond. I think we are in store for a lot of change in the next few years. We are in a great industry for that.