Photo Gallery: 2012 PCMA Convening Leaders Rocks San Diego!

At the opening reception sponsored by and held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, entertainment included ethereal music played by musicians running their hands over horizontal harp strings that stretched far beyond the stage that mesmerized the crowd.

Dave Lutz (left) and Jeff Hurt (right) with Velvet Chainsaw Consulting helped PCMA staffers mastermind one of the conference’s most popular areas, the Learning Lounge. Pictured with Dave and Jeff is speaker and recovering attorney Linda Swindling, JD, CSP, who led a session on how to negotiate like a CEO.

Dr. John Medina, author of Brain Rules, was a big hit with his opening keynote on how we process information.

Gamification expert Jane McGonigal Skyped in her keynote presentation on the opening day’s general session.

Donald S. Freeman Jr. accepted PCMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award—and thundering applause—with warmth and grace

The 2012 conference included sessions with lengths ranging from 15 minutes to 2.25 hours. This scheduling board was a popular stopping spot that helped participants visualize where and when their next session would be held.

(From left to right) Glenn Thayer of Glenn Thayer Events; technology expert Gina Schreck, CSP; Cara Tracy, CMP, CMM, director of professional development, National Speakers Association; thought leader, author, and productivity expert Neen James.

A luncheon sponsored by Mexico that featured local cuisine from around the country (and no speakers or presentations) was a big hit with attendees

Another innovation for the 2012 conference were boards set up outside of session rooms that encouraged people to jot down their “aha moments” and post them to the board for sharing.

Amanda Marijanovic with Source Line Inc. interviewed meetings industry advocate Roger Rickard on how meeting planners can influence social and legislative change.

Some groggy, some raring to go, a group assembled pre-dawn for the annual PCMA Fun Run/Walk, a 5k event sponsored by Visit Baltimore

The runners took off at the starting line for the 5k PCMA Fun Run/Walk. What a way to begin the last day of the conference!

(From left to right) Greg Ruby, CMP, Greg Ruby Events Group; conference moderator Glenn Thayer; Eli Gorin, CMP, CMM, ABTS Convention Services; Midori Connolly, The AV Girl, AudioVisual Staging at Pulse Staging and Events

Iana Ciatti and Mitchell Beer, CMM, The Conference Publishers, hanging in their “pod” in the Learning Lounge

(Left to right) Jane Dahlroth, CEM, CMP, American College of Medical Genetics; Lindy Dreyer, Social Fish; Joan Eisenstodt, Eisenstodt and Associates

Learning evangelist Kathleen Edwards (left), and Susan Sarfati, CEO of High Performance Strategies and founding president and CEO of The Center for Association Leadership

There were some unusual acts sprinkled in along with the closing block party’s oyster bar, stands of ethnic food from everywhere from India to Italy, go-go dancers, and music video area, including this belly dancer and her pet snake.

The closing Urban Convergence Block Party was topped off by a booty-shaking show by Kool and the Gang

Kool and the Gang rocked the house at the closing block party in the Gaslamp district.

TED founder Richard Saul Wurman, who brought his own brand of authenticity to the closing keynote, lingered to greet attendees after his talk

Phillip Ridley, CMP, American Society for Anesthesiologists, and Lori Buster, CMP, American College of Medical Practice Executives, preparing to leave after the final session of the conference.