From the Ashes to the C-Suite: Phoenix Porcelli on Leadership and Convene

On this episode of Adventures in Business, we sit down with an absolute powerhouse—Phoenix Porcelli, Senior Vice President of Global Sales at Convene. From her unforgettable name to her inspiring career journey, Phoenix brings the kind of energy and wisdom that sticks with you long after the conversation ends.

A Name That Tells a Story

Before diving into leadership tips and career insights, Amani kicks things off with a fun question about Phoenix’s unique name. It turns out, her name isn’t just distinctive—it’s meaningful. Born a twin, Phoenix was named after the mythical bird that rises from the ashes, symbolizing rebirth and resilience. Her siblings' names—Apollonia and Dante—are equally bold, and they all stood out while growing up in a traditional Connecticut suburb. That identity of rebirth and strength still fuels her outlook to this day.

Advice for Young Leaders Stepping Up Early

Phoenix stepped into leadership at a young age—just like Mandi—and she knows firsthand how challenging it can be to lead a team when you’re still finding your voice. Her first leadership role? Running a housekeeping team at the Waldorf Astoria. Now she leads massive sales teams at Convene. Her journey has taught her a few key lessons she shared:

Listen More Than You Talk

It’s tempting to speak up and prove yourself in a new leadership role—but Phoenix stresses the importance of listening first. She even had a sticky note on her computer that reminded her to pause before speaking. “I always put myself on mute on calls when I’m not speaking,” she says. “It makes me consciously choose when to contribute.”

Be Mindful of Imposter Syndrome

Phoenix encourages young leaders to be self-aware about when and why they’re speaking. Are you speaking to be heard, or because you have something valuable to add? Knowing your worth and your place in the room is just as important as knowing when to listen.

Hire for Your Weaknesses

“I’m terrible at maintaining processes,” Phoenix laughs. “I’m deeply committed to it—but I’m not the best at it.” She advises leaders to recognize their shortcomings and bring in people who excel where they don’t. It’s not about doing it all—it’s about building the right team.

What is Convene?

Convene is a global hospitality company that designs and manages premium meeting, event, and flexible workspace locations across the U.S. and the U.K. With 38 locations in nine major cities, they offer a compelling alternative to traditional hotel meeting rooms and conference centers.

But what really sets Convene apart is its approach. Unlike hotels—where event spaces are often tucked away in the least desirable areas—Convene was intentionally designed with meeting and event planners in mind. In fact, their entire product was reverse engineered based on feedback from real planners to create what Phoenix calls a “best-in-class product” for events of all kinds.

How Convene is Growing

With 38 locations across the globe, Convene isn’t growing randomly. Their expansion strategy is thoughtful, data-driven, and built on more than just real estate trends. Here’s how they’re deciding where to go next:

Accessibility & Market Presence

Convene performs best in central business districts that are easy to get to via public transportation and home to Fortune 1000 companies. If a neighborhood is buzzing with corporate activity, it’s likely on Convene’s radar.

Client Demand

With 80% of their business coming from repeat clients, Convene listens carefully to where those clients want them to be. A client advisory board meets multiple times a year to share feedback, and their input plays a significant role in city selection.

Data from Local & National Sources

Data from Convention and Visitor Bureaus (CVBs), event directories, and other aggregators help Convene understand the demand for meeting and event space in specific cities.

Real Estate Opportunities

Even if a city checks all the boxes, it’s a no-go if there isn’t a viable property. As Phoenix put it, “Sometimes that prohibits us from entering a market.”

Why Hospitality Grads Should Consider Convene

For hospitality students wondering where to launch their careers, Phoenix offered a compelling pitch for choosing a company like Convene over the traditional hotel or theme park path.

Here’s why recent grads should take notice:

Work-Life Balance

Because Convene hosts mostly corporate events, employees typically work Monday–Friday. That’s a rare find in hospitality—and a huge perk for those not interested in weekend or overnight shifts.

A Culture of Innovation

Convene isn’t just another hospitality company; it’s a disruptor. The team is passionate about modernizing an industry that hasn’t evolved much in decades, and they’re doing it with a strong sense of purpose and creativity.

Room to Grow

Employees aren’t boxed into one path. Whether you’re interested in real estate, AV, finance, or operations, Convene supports internal mobility and ongoing education. Cross-training and mentorship are part of the deal.

Whether you’re a client looking for your next event venue or a graduate ready to build a meaningful career, Convene is proving that modern hospitality can be both people-centered and forward-thinking.