People are always looking for ways to get more out of a meeting or convention.

Now the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) has found a way to add value to the experience that members will have at the PCMA 50^th Annual Meeting, scheduled for January 8-11, 2006, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.

It’s called “PCMA⁺.”

PCMA⁺ is a learning community of approximately 50 PCMA Annual Meeting participants who will take advantage of additional learning and interaction opportunities outside the formal program in pre- and post-conference sessions and a few informal meeting times during the Annual Meeting.

Before the meeting, PCMA⁺ participants will receive a special “Learning Planner” by e-mail and complete an online Zoomerang survey about their goals for the meeting. Specific activities will be created for each person designed to advance the individual goals and interests of the participants.

In Philadelphia, a special pre-conference session will focus on team- and community-building among all the participants and discussions on how to be a more strategic learner and participant in the meeting. Participants will form informal networks with each other around common interests.

During the meeting, PCMA⁺ participants will attend and participate in all meeting activities just like everyone else, although they may choose on their own to interact more during meals and other social functions with other PCMA⁺ participants.

A few “touch base” sessions (30-60 minutes in length) scheduled outside other meeting activities (earlier in the morning, during free time, etc.) will be offered for participants to reconnect with each other and their learning objectives through facilitated activities and discussions.

After the meeting, participants will reflect on their meeting experience, identify the key insights and lessons learned, and apply their learning, crafting specific personal and professional goals and commitments to achieve.

“PCMA members are known for going the extra mile in their work and educational efforts,” says PCMA President & CEO Deborah Sexton. “PCMA⁺ gives them the opportunity to do the same with their Annual Meeting learning experience. It will be a high-energy and high-impact learning community. We’re excited about seeing how it works.”

Jeffrey Cufaude, President and CEO of Idea Architects, will facilitate the sessions. The cost to participate in PCMA⁺ is $50. For more information, visit www.pcma.org.