As one of the largest hotels in the convention’s room block, the Hilton Union Square turned its lobby into a social hub for attendees. While people met and mingled, a DJ (at left) filled the lobby with upbeat music on arrival day, Sunday, January 5.
Par-tay by the Bay
At Pier 48 on opening night, more than 3,000 attendees enjoyed the welcome reception. They roamed the twin, block-long tented warehouse areas to explore food stations and entertainment options. This photo was taken moments before the doors opened.
That’s a Drag, Man
In one area of the welcome reception, attendees took photos with a local entertainer who showed off a fun dimension of the San Francisco scene.
In General, an Interesting Session Design
The setup for each day’s general session was semicircle seating around the main stage but with a few smaller stages set throughout the audience to allow for seamless transitions between content segments. Various large screens captured all the action.
Broadening the Influence of Business Events
PCMA CEO Sherrif Karamat announced a partnership between PCMA and the Corporate Event Marketing Association involving educational content and other elements.
Working Up an Appetite
After the morning general session and various breakouts, the sea of attendees slowly made its way towards lunch in one of the lower-level exhibit halls.
A Menu that Started Conversations
To demonstrate sustainable meal preparation, PCMA opted for a “Meatless Monday” lunch. The response from attendees was decidedly mixed; some suggested that an option to add a grilled chicken or fish filet would have been desirable.
A Refreshing Break Area
Some of the prefunction space in Moscone Center has floor-to-ceiling windows and great views of the neighborhood.
Back to the Future
In keeping with a “Welcome to the Roaring 20s” theme for its evening reception at the Fairmont San Francisco, Accor Hotels entertained the roughly 200 planners in attendance with a stylish musical troupe.
Lights, Camera, Action!
A video-broadcast desk in the prefunction area was the setting for interviews with industry influencers that could be watched online by the entire meetings and hospitality industry.
Just Wait ’Til Next Year!
To get attendees excited for the 2021 Convening Leaders conference in Houston, the Houston CVB brought a local band to San Francisco to make the final happy-hour reception on the show floor a rousing experience.
A Closing Event to Remember
At the brand-new Chase Center, home of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, the hugely popular band Maroon 5 put on a one-hour performance that had most of PCMA’s 5,000 attendees dancing and singing along.
