I was recently afforded the opportunity to attend PCMA edUCon from June 1-4 in Louisville, Kentucky aka “Bourbon City” and I’m glad I did not pass this up.
The event was full of captivating information sessions adding value for attendees according to areas of development. Topics included AI & software tools, professional skills, navigating economic challenges, personal/brand development, workflows, etc. For example, the opening session featured a conversation with an industry leader on how embracing change and innovation is essential for sustained success across generations.
I attended several workshops pre-selected via the conference app. One that I found very intriguing was about identifying negotiating patterns and habits in ourselves and others with Professor Ryan Quinn from University of Louisville.
The session that really stuck with me was titled "Major League Mindset: How to Get Game-Day Ready as an Event Professional" presented by speaker Vanessa Shannon, whose sports psychology career includes work with both the University of Louisville and the Cincinnati Reds. It was extremely reaffirming for me to recognize that I utilize many of the perspectives and processes discussed to manage stress, separate tasks, and allow myself to compartmentalize and/or disconnect to be a participant in everything else going on in the rest of my life.
Shifting gears from the sessions, we headed to the Louisville Slugger Museum and factory floor. During the tour, I got to “Hold A Piece of History”, quite literally, as I got to pose for a photo with Hank Aaron's bat! It was surreal, as was the CNC lathe that makes MLB bats which has been signed by several dozen legends.
Other social highlights of the program included an incredible First-Timer session and a wonderful evening reception at Churchill Downs Racetrack, the site of the Kentucky Derby, and a social offsite where attendees got to each craft our own blended bottle of bourbon to take home.
Balancing the bounties of Bourbon City with an otherwise healthy lifestyle, I opted for a 5k fun run across the Big Four Bridge early one morning and technically we ran from Kentucky to Indiana and back.
The networking opportunities with other attendees were non-stop across educational and social sessions. Across three-plus days, I met and swapped information with nearly 200 attendees I’d never met before and met at least a dozen people who I knew but had never met in person previously.
I left Louisville feeling reinvigorated, reminded of CCR’s role in shaping the future of live events, and convinced that the sky really is the limit.
Aaron Cole is an Account Manager at CCR Solutions, with over 15 years of experience delivering AV and production support for events across North America. A relationship builder at heart, Aaron is passionate about helping clients bring their vision to life — while navigating every challenge with calm, clarity, and creativity. He’s committed to staying current in the evolving world of live events and believes that the best solutions come from genuine collaboration, great communication, and a whole lot of listening.
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