Marketing guru Seth Godin kicked off the conference with an energetic keynote presentation, stressing that associations must sell to their potential attendees what it feels like to be at the event, rather than simply promoting the event's educational benefits.

The opening reception had areas that offered different experiences. The center of the room featured a raised bar and dancing area, while the food stations were on the perimeter of the room, close to long tables that made snacking, sipping, and mingling easy.

The opening reception also had an area featuring billiards and air-hockey tables, allowing attendees to break the ice easily with other industry folks they had not met before.

In the break area outside the main hall, a scrolling board featured social media feeds for the conference as well as a list of that day's educational sessions.

The Freeman Companies sponsored a lounge in the prefunction area where attendees could watch the feeds from different breakout sessions and use headphones to listen to each presenter.

One large corner of the prefunction space was set up so experts could give 20-minute mini-presentations that provided attendees with practical tips on a variety of topics.

One section of the main hall at David L. Lawrence Convention Center was prepped each day for a sit-down lunch for nearly 2,000 people. Large platters of entree items and side dishes were set on rotating wheels in the middle of each table, allowing attendees to help themselves.

After an insightful and inspiring one-on-one conversation with Joe D'Alessandro from San Francisco Travel, Billie Jean King got a standing ovation from nearly 3,000 attendees.

Hollywood actress Geena Davis is also a monitor of how women are portrayed in films, TV shows, and other media. In her capnote presentation, she told the Convening Leaders audience that as women get more lead-acting roles, they will inspire the next generation of women to take on bigger roles in other fields as well.

Attendees posed for photos on the balcony of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center with a backdrop of the Allegheny River, a few of its bridges, and PNC Ballpark on the far bank.