PCMA NCC L.E.A.P. 2026

May 10

Start your day with an energizing full‑body strength workout designed to build endurance and boost your mood. This Body Pump session uses simple, repetitive movements set to upbeat pacing to target all major muscle groups in a safe, accessible way. It’s a great option for all fitness levels and a refreshing way to kick off the conference with focus and momentum.

EDUCATE – AI Won’t Replace You. Bad Process Will | Anna Sun

The real threat to event professionals isn’t AI. It’s the 8-hour sourcing days, the 50-page proposals no one has time to read, and the meeting spend that never makes it into a single report.In this session, Anna Sun – MIT computer science graduate and co-founder of Nowadays, which has supported corporate events for clients like Amazon, Google, and BlackRock – cuts through the hype and gets specific: where AI is already replacing the worst parts of planning, where it’s making planners dramatically more effective, and where human judgment still wins every time.What you’ll walk away with:

• Real-world prompts Anna uses in her own work – from space planning to communications, research, scheduling, and more
• Workflow demonstrations showing where AI naturally fits into the planning cycle before, during, and after an event
• A practical breakdown of AI platforms and which tools actually align with your role, team, or organization
• A mindset shift: how to redesign your processes so AI becomes a strategic advantage rather than an overwhelming new technology
• Real examples from enterprise meeting programs on savings, speed, and visibility – with cross-industry takeaways for planners, suppliers, and partners alike

Built for professionals who want to work smarter, reduce friction, and future-proof their approach – without losing the human expertise that makes events exceptional.

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what destination stewardship means in
practice, how the Lake Tahoe model can inform their own planning processes, and concrete
strategies for making their events part of the solution — from procurement and transportation to
attendee engagement and community investment.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
● Define destination stewardship and articulate why it is becoming a core competency for
meeting professionals
● Describe the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan and its four strategic pillars
● Identify at least three actionable ways to integrate stewardship principles into their event
planning and site selection processes
● Understand how meeting professionals can serve as destination champions and
ambassadors for the communities that host them

Discover the art and creativity behind modern beverage design in this intimate, hands‑on breakout led by Caesars Entertainment’s in‑house master bartender, a 20‑year industry veteran whose career has shaped some of the Bay Area’s most celebrated hospitality spots.

In this small‑group session (limited to just 10 participants per class), attendees will explore how professional mixologists think about balance, flavor, and presentation while creating two signature, event‑ready drinks. It’s an engaging, sensory experience designed to spark inspiration, deepen appreciation for the craft, and offer a memorable break from traditional conference learning.

Perfect for anyone who loves great hospitality, wants a behind‑the‑scenes look at expert technique, or simply enjoys a creative, social session with fellow attendees.

EDUCATE – AI Won’t Replace You. Bad Process Will | Anna Sun

The real threat to event professionals isn’t AI. It’s the 8-hour sourcing days, the 50-page proposals no one has time to read, and the meeting spend that never makes it into a single report.

In this session, Anna Sun – MIT computer science graduate and co-founder of Nowadays, which has supported corporate events for clients like Amazon, Google, and BlackRock – cuts through the hype and gets specific: where AI is already replacing the worst parts of planning, where it’s making planners dramatically more effective, and where human judgment still wins every time.

What you’ll walk away with:

• Real-world prompts Anna uses in her own work – from space planning to communications, research, scheduling, and more
• Workflow demonstrations showing where AI naturally fits into the planning cycle before, during, and after an event
• A practical breakdown of AI platforms and which tools actually align with your role, team, or organization
• A mindset shift: how to redesign your processes so AI becomes a strategic advantage rather than an overwhelming new technology
• Real examples from enterprise meeting programs on savings, speed, and visibility – with cross-industry takeaways for planners, suppliers, and partners alike

Built for professionals who want to work smarter, reduce friction, and future-proof their approach – without losing the human expertise that makes events exceptional.

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what destination stewardship means in
practice, how the Lake Tahoe model can inform their own planning processes, and concrete
strategies for making their events part of the solution — from procurement and transportation to
attendee engagement and community investment.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
● Define destination stewardship and articulate why it is becoming a core competency for
meeting professionals
● Describe the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan and its four strategic pillars
● Identify at least three actionable ways to integrate stewardship principles into their event
planning and site selection processes
● Understand how meeting professionals can serve as destination champions and
ambassadors for the communities that host them

Discover the art and creativity behind modern beverage design in this intimate, hands‑on breakout led by Caesars Entertainment’s in‑house master bartender, a 20‑year industry veteran whose career has shaped some of the Bay Area’s most celebrated hospitality spots.

In this small‑group session (limited to just 10 participants per class), attendees will explore how professional mixologists think about balance, flavor, and presentation while creating two signature, event‑ready drinks. It’s an engaging, sensory experience designed to spark inspiration, deepen appreciation for the craft, and offer a memorable break from traditional conference learning.

Perfect for anyone who loves great hospitality, wants a behind‑the‑scenes look at expert technique, or simply enjoys a creative, social session with fellow attendees.

Moderated by David Stevens
Sara McGinness | EventWorks Informa
Karie Hall | Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe
Anna Sun | Nowadays
Hasaan Azam | Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority

The meetings and events industry is transforming faster than ever, and no single sector can navigate that change alone. This session brings together four influential voices—from hotels, event planning, travel, and AI—to explore how shifting attendee expectations, technology advancements, and travel patterns are reshaping the way we design and deliver events.

As a special highlight, attendees will also hear firsthand insights from Karie Hall, SVP & General Manager of Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe, who will share the behind‑the‑scenes story of the property’s recent rebranding and the transformation from Harveys Lake Tahoe to Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe.

Panelists will share real‑world observations, challenges, and predictions, offering a 360‑degree view of where the industry is headed and how to stay ahead of the curve.

May 12

Donate Journals & Pens for Tahoe Family Solutions.