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On this episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast, we delve into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the events industry while emphasizing the enduring importance of human connection. This episode — recorded live at Event Tech Live London — features Colja Dams, Co-CEO of VOK DAMS, in conversation with Miguel Neves, Editor-in-Chief of Skift Meetings. As CEO of VOK DAMS, Dams brings a unique perspective on how technology is reshaping event experiences without compromising their fundamental purpose: bringing people together meaningfully. The conversation explores the fascinating intersection of cutting-edge AI capabilities and traditional event management principles, touching on everything from attention spans in the TikTok era to the future of mindful events. Dams's insights, drawn from his company's extensive experience managing thousands of events annually and their recent partnership with Cvent, reveal a nuanced understanding of how AI can enhance rather than replace human expertise in th

What happens when AI meets authenticity in the meetings world? As we unpack 2024's most significant shifts - from game-changing acquisitions to unprecedented cost pressures - the Skift Meetings editorial team reveals how these developments are catalyzing a fundamental reimagining of events for 2025. Drawing from our comprehensive Skift Meetings Megatrends 2025 report, we explore how today's challenges are spawning tomorrow's innovations: multi-generational event design that spans Gen Z to Boomers, mental health-conscious programming that's reshaping attendee experiences, and sustainability measures that are no longer optional but business-critical. Join us as we connect the dots between 2024's lessons and the transformative solutions emerging for 2025. Read the full Skift Meetings Megatrends feature now. Connect with Skift Meetings Connect with Skift Meetings LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/skift-meetings X: https://twitter.com/SkiftMeetings Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftmeetings Instagram: 

This episode of the Skift Meetings podcast tackles a pressing question: As much as our industry has become consumed with promoting wellness at events, are meetings actually integrating these practices? Skift Meetings editor Barbara Scofidio and executive editor Andrea Doyle are joined by Kelly Bishop, founder of Wellevate Experiences, to explore the gap between wellness ideals and real-world applications. Connect with Skift Meetings LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/skift-meetings X: https://twitter.com/SkiftMeetings Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftmeetings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftmeetings/ Subscribe to @Skift Meetings to discover the future of meetings.

Join us for an in-depth look at IMEX America 2024, the latest edition of the largest trade show dedicated to meetings, events and incentive travel professionals. With over 15,500 attendees and 86,000 meetings, this year’s IMEX celebrated the global meetings and events sector. We discuss the buzz on the floor, the unique activations, and how Las Vegas’ iconic landscape—amid F1 construction and city-shaping events—added to the drama. Tune in to explore everything from personalized activations to wellness sessions and why baseball stadiums are emerging as the next big venue trend. Connect with Skift Meetings LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/skift-meetings X: https://twitter.com/SkiftMeetings Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftmeetings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftmeetings/ Subscribe to @Skift Meetings to discover the future of meetings.

The nonalcoholic beverage industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by consumer demand for healthier and more sophisticated options. Zero Proofed is one company that is promoting this movement to redefine mocktails and promote mindful drinking.  Challenges include the high sugar content in traditional mocktails, limited menu visibility, and higher costs of premium nonalcoholic spirits. Zero Proofed’s mission aligns with broader movements like "sober curious" and "mindful drinking," advocating for intentional and healthier drinking choices without the drawbacks of alcohol consumption. Connect with Skift Meetings LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/skift-meetings X: https://twitter.com/SkiftMeetings Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftmeetings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftmeetings/ Subscribe to @Skift Meetings to discover the future of meetings.

In today’s episode, we’re gearing up for one of the biggest events in the meetings and events industry—IMEX America 2024. Join Miguel Neves, Andrea Doyle, and Barbara Scofidio as they discuss their personal experiences, offer valuable tips for navigating the show floor, and share strategies for maximizing your time at IMEX. Whether you’re a seasoned attendee or a first-timer, this episode will guide you through everything from booking appointments and networking to surviving the whirlwind of Vegas. Tune in for expert advice and a look at what’s in store for this year’s IMEX America! Connect with Skift Meetings LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/skift-meetings X: https://twitter.com/SkiftMeetings Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftmeetings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftmeetings/ Subscribe to @Skift Meetings to discover the future of meetings.

In this episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast, we take a closer look at the Skift Meetings Forum, a one-of-a-kind event that brought together senior meeting planners, thought leaders, and industry experts in the heart of New York. From Seth Godin’s thought-provoking keynote to groundbreaking discussions on diversity, peer-to-peer learning, and the unique venue experience at the Glass House, this episode covers all the key takeaways and lessons shaping the events industry's future. Connect with Skift Meetings LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/skift-meetings X: https://twitter.com/SkiftMeetings Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftmeetings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftmeetings/ Subscribe to @Skift Meetings to discover the future of meetings.

The highly anticipated Skift Meetings Forum is an event tailored for senior meeting planners that promises a full day of thought-provoking and industry-shaping discussions. Hosted in the inspiring Glasshouse in New York City, this forum is more than just a conference—it’s a space for candid, high-level conversations about the most pressing topics in the meetings industry. From diversity and inclusion to captivating the next generations and geopolitics, the forum’s carefully curated sessions bring together industry heavyweights like Seth Godin and leading CEOs to offer new perspectives and spark change. Join us as we unpack the insights, preparation, and unique approach that make this forum an unmissable event for senior planners. Connect with Skift Meetings LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/skift-meetings X: https://twitter.com/SkiftMeetings Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftmeetings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftmeetings/ Subscribe to @Skift Meetings to discover the future of m

Planners need to rethink every aspect of their events—marketing, hotel and destination choices, room setups, F&B, wellness, gifting and more—with their younger attendees in mind—a candid conversation with one of the top names in event design. Connect with Skift Meetings LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/skift-meetings X: https://twitter.com/SkiftMeetings Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftmeetings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftmeetings/ Subscribe to @Skift Meetings to discover the future of meetings.

Skift Meetings editors discuss the potential implications the U.S. presidential election and the many other elections happening worldwide in 2024 could have on the meetings industry. There's plenty to consider based on previous administrations' policies on some of the most contentious topics on the political agenda.  Connect with Skift Meetings LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/skift-meetings X: https://twitter.com/SkiftMeetings Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftmeetings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftmeetings/ Subscribe to @Skift Meetings to discover the future of meetings.

Brian Quinn, Skift’s vice president of Editorial Events, shares his insights on how the Skift Global Forum brings together industry leaders for thought-provoking conversations, all within a carefully curated, single-stage experience designed to push the boundaries of travel and inspire the future. Connect with Skift Meetings LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/skift-meetings X: https://twitter.com/SkiftMeetings Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftmeetings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftmeetings/ Subscribe to @Skift Meetings to discover the future of meetings.

Skift Meetings Editor-in-Chief Miguel Neves interviews Shawna McKinley, Principal at Clear Current Consulting, discussing the impact of climate change on events and how the industry must adapt to increasing extreme weather disruptions. Ethical responsibility, institutional change, and regulatory influence are factors at play as the event industry seeks to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. Connect with Skift Meetings LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/skift-meetings X: https://twitter.com/SkiftMeetings Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftmeetings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftmeetings/ Subscribe to @Skift Meetings to discover the future of meetings.

Two experts, Carrie Davenport and Jaki Baskow, share their tips for planning holiday parties on this episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast, including: Date Selection: Avoid major holidays; the first two weeks of December or the last week of November are ideal. Venue and Theme: Choose the venue and a theme like winter wonderland or ugly sweater parties. Food and Beverage: Custom menus, grazing tables, and holiday-themed drinks are recommended. Consider dietary restrictions and creative dessert options. Entertainment: Options include karaoke, bands, Santa (even by hologram), LED performers, and interactive DIY bars. Photo Booths: Provide visually appealing and social media-friendly photo spots. Philanthropy: Incorporate corporate social responsibility by partnering with local organizations for charitable activities. These tips ensure a festive, interactive, and memorable holiday gathering.

There’s been a growing backlash against DEI programs in recent years. But for meetings and events, diversity, equity, and inclusion is still important.  For planners, the goal is to expose attendees to a wide range of viewpoints, and for everyone to feel connected – regardless of the political environment.  “We've made DEI this big scary thing,” said Dr. Brandi Baldwin, an organizational and leadership psychologist and CEO of Millennial Ventures. “You don’t do DEI. Just be someone who honors differences. Be someone who is willing to show up as your authentic self and allow others to show up as their authentic self, even if they vote for a different political party than you do. That's where I think the opportunity lies,” she said on the Skift Meetings podcast. Some organizations are doing it better than others. “Some companies will say we're all about diversity, equity, and inclusion, and it's really a misrepresentation,” said Bea Boccalandro, who advises corporate boards and executives on

Shawn Cheng, founder and lead strategist of Curious Bear Management, believes the jury is still out on whether AI has peaked in usefulness for meetings-related tasks. "It's too early to tell," Cheng said. "We're really just in some way taking a break." Cheng is an experienced events industry professional who has worked with many emerging technologies. He experiments with AI tools like ChatGPT and advocates for improving the relationship between event planners and tech providers. Cheng's skepticism towards AI's current capabilities stems from his work with the "#EventprofsBreakShit" initiative, which he has been involved with for the past four years. The project aims to create a transparent testing environment for event technology, allowing planners to provide honest feedback to vendors. First Impressions Can Be Deceiving Cheng was initially impressed by the accuracy and speed of AI-generated content, which led many, including him, to quickly adopt and implement the technology. However, the more Cheng has used

Gerrit Jessen, Director for Germany of the Event Design Collective, shared his experience as part of a pro bono mission in Uganda, where he applied his hotel management expertise to improve the operational standards of a small hotel. Despite unforeseeable challenges and dealing with manual processes, Jessen focused on making the best of his time there to leave a lasting impact. Jessen is an experienced hotelier and event designer. He attributes much of his career success to active involvement in industry associations like MPI. He stressed the importance of investing time in volunteer roles to build networks and gain recognition. This involvement enhances personal growth and opens doors for business opportunities. Pro Bono Mission in Uganda Recently, Jessen took his volunteering to a new level by participating in a pro bono mission in Uganda through the Senior Expert Service (SES). This organization matches experts with projects worldwide that can benefit from their skills. SES selected Jessen for a mission to

As the senior director of events for Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Melinda Burdette oversees the association’s annual meetings. MPI's main events include the World Education Congress and the European Events and Meetings Conference. Planning experiences for thousands of meeting professionals can seem like a daunting task, but Burdette is well-equipped for the job. She is a Certified Meeting Professional and has worked in the medical, nonprofit, and corporate meetings and events industry. How to Think About Meetings Burdette's career has been varied. She has been a medical meeting planner, a corporate planner and a member of the Atlanta Braves' game-day staff. MPI was a logical next step. "One of the reasons I came to MPI is I wanted to give back to the industry. I wanted to teach that next generation, or the next couple of generations, or even my colleagues about how to think about meetings differently." "I am, what my CEO calls me, the head chef of chefs. It keeps me on my toes," she said. With

Robyn Duda is the co-founder and CEO of RacquetX. From organizing high school parties to launching IBM’s Watson worldwide, Duda has had her fair share of experience in events and trade shows, spending a significant part of her career at UBM, now part of Informa. She took the shift from consulting for brands like Visa and Coca-Cola to taking the entrepreneurial leap to leading RacquetX in her stride. RacquetX emerged from a conversation with co-founder Marco Giberti, a previous podcast guest, and a group of investors passionate about racket sports. "We have this idea, this kind of an idea. Can you help us validate it? We already have the money raised. Do you want to launch it?" Duda recounted. The challenge was to create and validate a new event platform in under a year—a task she embraced wholeheartedly. RacquetX served as a trade show and festival, bringing together various stakeholders in the racket sports industry. The event showcased different racket sports, facilitated professional networking, and ev

In this episode of the Skiff Meetings Podcast, we speak with Andrea Cadotto, director of sales at Visit Detroit. Cadotto sheds light on Detroit's dynamic evolution and promising future in large-scale events and urban development. Legacy and Reputation Visit Detroit, established in 1896, was the first-ever convention and visitors bureau. Detroit features many historical firsts, including the first stoplight and the first paved road. The city has continuously positioned itself at the forefront of innovation. Cadotto emphasized that this legacy provides Visit Detroit with invaluable experience and a trailblazing spirit that sets it apart. Detroit recently hosted the NFL Draft, with 750,000 visitors joining the event over three days. This event showcased the city's logistical capabilities, vibrant community spirit and enthusiasm for high-profile events. Annual events like the Detroit Grand Prix, Movement Festival, and Jazz Festival cement its reputation as an events hub. Ongoing Transformation Over the past decad

In the latest episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast, we take a deep dive into event tech based on the findings of the Skift Meetings Event Tech Almanac 2024. We explore the significant transformations the event tech sector has undergone and discuss the evolving demands on event tech and the latest solutions on offer. Major Industry Shifts The pivot to virtual event platforms during the pandemic marked a turning point for the industry. Companies like Hopin experienced meteoric rises but faced challenges that led to a decline and eventual sale of assets. Meanwhile, stalwarts like Cvent have shown resilience, maintaining their footholds amid fluctuating market dynamics. Recent movements, such as Webex's decision to stop marketing products to planners, highlight the sector's ongoing realignments. These changes underscore the industry's volatility and the necessity for adaptability among leading players. Platform Evolution This year’s Event Tech Almanac focuses on a curated list of 85 key platforms across twelve

Ronny Coombs, a graduate of George Mason University, is exhibits manager for the American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Her main focus is Kidney Week, a medical conference that attracts 14,000 attendees and, on average, 170 to 200 exhibitors annually. Pandemic Pivot During the Covid shutdown, the ASN didn't cancel its events, just the in-person component. “Doctors still need their education and research was still happening. We had our first virtual event in November of 2020, which was difficult in another way. We were trying to learn how to suddenly become a technology expert and a user experience designer and all these other things that I had never had to do before. We really lucked out. I mean, our event went off really well,” said Coombs. “It was just a whole other different kind of difficult, it was a rough couple of years for everybody in our industry.” Impact of Visa Issues Historically, 40% of Kidney Week attendees are international. At present, that number is in the high 30%. Coombs says this i

In this special bonus episode of The Skift Meetings Podcast, Skift CEO Rafat Ali is joined by Skift Meetings Executive Editor Andrea Doyle and Head of Events Programming Brian Quinn to discuss the current state of conferences.  Prompted by Ali’s LinkedIn post critiquing the lack of thoughtful programming, attendee experience, and speaker support at conferences, the panel explores the importance of content in driving successful events. They emphasize that while logistics and technology have improved, the core issue remains the quality of on-stage programming. Ali and the team highlight the need for event organizers to prioritize speaker experience and content curation, noting that effective conferences should focus on delivering valuable insights and fostering networking opportunities. They also discuss the role of experiential elements and the necessity of creating an engaging atmosphere to make conferences more appealing and beneficial for attendees. The trio wraps up the conversation with reflections o

Helen Bassett is senior vice president of Live and Events for Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal. Working hand-in-hand with the Wall Street Journal’s newsroom helps Bassett and her team identify what, and who, are making the biggest waves regarding how we live, work, and play.  We discussed the upcoming the sixth iteration of the Future of Everything Festival, an event where industries, innovators, and ideas intersect. It's three days of concurrent sessions and experiences happening on multiple stages, with this year's focus on key issues around mobility, artificial intelligence, equality, and sustainability. Right Place at the Right Time When she set out on her career path, Bassett wasn’t familiar with the world of business events. Her first stop was a marketing role at one of the UK’s leading radio stations where she learned the value of events and their power in connecting audiences.  Then it was off to Sydney where she took a short hiatus from the media industry, working at more consumer-f

Timothy Glanzer, CMP, is the founder and CEO of Elevated Meeting Solutions. A former banker, he spent three decades working in various MGM Resorts International properties in Las Vegas before founding his company. A full-service meetings and events company, Elevated helps with sourcing and planning gatherings for as few as 25 to around 180,000 who gather in Las Vegas for CES, the world’s largest tech event. Las Vegas as an Events Destination Based in Las Vegas, Glanzer has watched the city grow into a sports and entertainment capital, including being the main stage for Super Bowl LVIII, the city's first time of hosting. This came months after the city hosted it's F1 event, with Glanzer and his team producing an experience for 650 VIPs during F1 last year in Las Vegas.  Wellness a Must-Have Self-care is not something Glanzer takes for granted. Wellness must be a priority, not a side conversation, he says. His company has created the Elevated Wellness platform which is a 360-degree immersion of t

Bonnie Grant is the executive director of PHL Life Sciences, a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB). She is proud of her work in helping Philadelphia generate economic impact and employment opportunities. Her role involves sales and supporting associations in planning their meetings, including site visits and media strategies. She is passionate about connecting the life sciences and hospitality in her hometown. Grant began her career in higher education as a public relations professional, where she helped recruit students and position educational institutions. She then moved on to work under two mayors for the city of Philadelphia, where she was responsible for special events, festivals, and parades. She also worked for the Philadelphia Eagles, running community initiatives and events for a few years. Eventually, she joined the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, specifically for their Business Development Division for PHL Life Sciences. Her role there is to market the

Not many can say they grew up in the events industry, but Gregg Talley can. He has been at it for more than four decades. Gregg H. Talley is the chief executive officer of Talley Management Group, an association and event management firm that works with U.S. national global associations. Talley also has an affiliated association and event management firm in Africa. With a degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in International Relations, he utilizes those skills to manage and consult with national and international organizations and boards. Talley has personally managed hundreds of events globally for associations, societies, corporations, and fraternal organizations. One of his largest convention events is the 50,000+ attendee International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. All in the Family Talley’s father, who had been a 25-year employee of Mobil Oil, was contacted by a high school classmate who was publishing major medical journals. He was also tasked with managing their assoc

Joe Rivers is the director of experiences and partnerships for Czarnowski Collective, a group of studios that have come together to provide event production, fabrication, and trade show agency services. Rivers discusses his journey as an event professional, starting as a brand ambassador and tour manager before transitioning into business development. He emphasizes the importance of experiential marketing and the value it brings to brands and agencies. Rivers also talks about event planning, production, and execution and the importance of engaging all five senses in experiential activations. His travels also influence the experiences he creates as he has explored 29 countries and 36 states. Rivers believes that events will become more focused on individual experiences and that brands will continue to hold their own events to create a stronger connection with their audience. He also discusses the impact of AI on the industry, the challenges of sustainability, and the importance of gratitude, patience, and adap

Visit Phoenix is redefining its role in the community. It is positioning itself as a key player in economic development through strategic storytelling and event management. Lorne Edwards, chief sales officer at Visit Phoenix, highlighted the organization's commitment to driving visitation and showcasing Phoenix's unique cultural narrative. Behind the Scenes of the Super Bowl Hosting the Super Bowl required extensive preparation behind the scenes, making it the standout experience for the Visit Phoenix team. Edwards recounted the emotional impact and pride of executing such a prestigious global event, emphasizing the meticulous planning involved. Shifting Planner Conversations to Intellectual Capital The dialogues between Visit Phoenix and event planners have evolved significantly. There is now a greater emphasis on intellectual capital and immersive experiences over mere logistics. Jane Vukovich, director of destination services at Visit Phoenix, agreed that integrating the destination's culture and intellect

Rob Adams, the CEO and owner of Bishop-McCann, has a storied career that took a dramatic turn from a 12-year stint at tech giant Microsoft to the helm of a premier events company. Adams' transformation journey reveals some profound insights he's gathered along the way. From the simple yet profound mission of creating joy to savoring unique experiences and benefiting from the mindset shift of younger generations, Adams sees a bright future for the meetings industry. From Tech to Events Adams started his career in events with a remarkable transition from a 12-year tenure at Microsoft. Adams enlightened listeners with his decision to shift gears, a move that left his colleagues perplexed. Adams' rationale for such a change was steeped in potential rather than just parties. Creating Joy Bishop-McCann's mission statement — 'We create joy' — might seem simplistic in wording, yet it embodies the company's profound impact on its clients. Adams stressed the significance of this mission and emphasized the pivotal r

What does it take to thrive in the high-stakes realm of event planning? Gianna Gaudini, a seasoned event strategist with a dazzling track record, divulges her insider knowledge on steering a purposeful career course, educating the next wave of event maestros, and why a sommelier certification could be more useful than you'd think. It's not all spreadsheets and venue bookings; Gaudini argues that self-preservation isn't just a buzzword — it's a business strategy. She makes the case that in the fast-paced world of events, personal well-being is not just beneficial but crucial for long-term success. A Deliberate Path to Success Gaudini did not stumble upon her career by chance. With a career spanning over two decades and involving powerhouses like Google and SoftBank Vision Fund, Gaudini emphasizes the importance of an intentional approach to professional growth within the industry. By setting clear objectives and persistently learning new trends, such as integrating AI into events, she illustrates the bluepri

Last month, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) made waves in the events industry with the elevation of Kinsey Fabrizio as president. She joins longtime CEO Gary Shapiro at the helm of CTA, which owns and produces CES, following a meteoric rise over the past fifteen years.  Her journey with CTA began in 2008 when she joined the membership department. She ascended through the ranks learning the ins and outs of the organization. CES is iconic. Its 2024 iteration included 138,000 attendees and 4,300 exhibitors from 161 countries. Fabrizio started in the industry working for Smithbucklin, where she learned the inner workings of associations. She then joined the Consumer Electronics Association, the former name of CTA. That was over a decade ago, and Fitbit was all the rage. She went on to revise membership and dues and was tasked with running the CES sales team. All the organization's revenue was reported to Fabrizio. While many perfected sourdough bread recipes, Fabrizio was studying. She used the pause

Nicola Kastner is one of the rare people who intentionally entered the events industry. The founder of The Event Strategist, a boutique consultancy firm, she helps her clients optimize their event experiences to drive bottom-line results. Before creating The Event Strategist, Kastner was the global vice president of event marketing strategy for SAP, a market leader in enterprise application software. She recently discussed the importance of data in event strategy with Skift Meetings at the Future of the Events Industry 2024 virtual summit. Light Bulb Moment Kastner studied hospitality at university, and when she took a course about incentive travel, a light bulb went off for her. After graduating, she worked on the hotel side at a destination management company. Later, she joined Maritz, where she helped run incentive travel programs for 12 years. Attending a conference, Kastner took a course about event strategy that changed the course of her career.  SAP Sapphire Shines When asked what event she has plann

The world of association management is evolving, and Thomas Reiser, the executive director of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis, is at the forefront of this. Reiser sat down with Skift Meetings to share his insights on what is shaping the future of associations and events in a post-Covid-pandemic landscape. "The traditional membership value is diminishing," Reiser candidly reveals, pointing to the challenges facing associations worldwide. This captures the seismic shifts that have prompted organizations like ISTH to reassess and retool their value propositions to members. This episode covers: Reiser’s varied and international career spans multiple association management roles, including his current role. He has implemented major shifts, including shifting from a biennial to an annual congress and insourcing almost all event-related roles. We discuss the importance of the real role of medical societies, which is ultimately to improve people’s lives We delve into the importance of p

Hard work, resilience, intention, blessings, grit, and luck are what Monique Ruff-Bell, chief program and strategy officer at TED Conferences, attributes to her success. "If anyone told little girl, teenage, or even 20-year-old Monique what she would eventually get to do, she wouldn't have believed you," she says.  Ruff-Bell is the new chief program and strategy officer for TED. She oversees TED's flagship global events and conferences, TEDx programs and initiatives, global partnership sales, and key marketing verticals for the organization. She plays a vital role in shaping and executing TED's strategic plan, contributing to the advancement of its mission, operational excellence, and overall organizational growth. This new role for TED brings growth areas together under one umbrella. Most know TED for its flagship events like TED, TEDWomen, and TED Countdown, but there were 3,400 other events held last year across 142 countries, bringing together 600,000 attendees in local communities.  Ruff-Bell listens t

Michelle Allgauer, senior vice president of education and engagement at the Financial Services Institute (FSI), shares the personal journey that ushered her into the world of event planning—an industry where resilience and relationships are pivotal. From a young age, Allgauer’s curiosity in planning was sparked by family vacation planning. Later, this fascination became a career trajectory when she attended a business conference with her father. Witnessing the intricacies of organizing a private dinner was a life-changing moment. Little did she know this inclination toward meticulous coordination would become her professional trademark. The Value of Gathering Face-to-Face When the Covid pandemic hit, Allgauer quickly realized the solid foundation that personal and professional relationships provided. The crisis underscored the significance of connections as she navigated the unpredictable challenges of event planning amidst a global shutdown. Despite the rise of digital platforms, she passionately believe

As associate director of meetings at the American Physical Society (APS), Andre Cholewinski plans a portfolio of meetings. The society's largest, the March meeting, brings together 13,000 physicists each year in a North American city. Meeting planning is not impervious to global socio-political issues, so such issues inevitably impact destination selection. The big question that arises is whether or not to consider destinations with controversial laws. Cholewinski shares why APS chooses to hold meetings in such destinations while actively supporting local causes. Excluding or even boycotting destinations due to controversial laws can seem like the right thing to do. However, Cholewinski argues it may not be the most effective way to enact change. "Boycotting does not solve the problem," he states, pointing out that such actions often harm local members and service industry workers the most. Instead, Cholewinski advocates for a more constructive approach, focusing on supporting local causes and initiatives tha

Martha Donato, founder and President of MAD Event Management, has been orchestrating events and conferences for nearly three decades. Community, collaboration, and connection are the focal points of her work. In this episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast, she shares some of the lessons learned and how the events industry has evolved over the past three decades.

In this episode, Sissi Lygnou, CEO of AFEA, discusses her lifelong ties to the meetings industry via her family's organisation, which she presides over today, and the brief step away in the early 2000s when she went to work for the Olympic Games organizing committee. Lygnou advocates for professional congress organizers, and this episode if full of insights on where she believes industry is currently, what she considers current barriers to industry growth as well as her vision for the future and recommendations to the industry. Get ready for insights, anecdotes and forward thinking from one of the meetings industry’s leading voices. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit www.skiftmeetings.com to get the insider scoop through our news, events, and reports.

In this episode, Dan Macsai, chief events officer of Time Magazine, shares his inspiring journey from editor to events evangelist. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at the magic of curating the iconic Time 100 gala and other influential gatherings. Discover the strategies behind Time's remarkable event success and Dan's insights on the future of the events industry. Whether you're an event professional or simply love the power of a well-orchestrated gathering, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways and trend forecasts. Tune in to explore the intersection of editorial prowess and event production with one of the leading minds in the business. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit www.skiftmeetings.com to get the insider scoop through our news, events, and reports.

This special edition of the Skift Meetings Podcast focuses on the "Skift Meetings Megatrends 2024" report, an incisive and forward-looking analysis that explores the ten pivotal trends revolutionizing the meetings industry. We navigate the complex interplay between remote work dynamics, AI advancements, and the climate crisis while addressing the impact of polarizing politics and the evolution of event safety and risk management. The report serves as an indispensable roadmap for meeting professionals seeking to craft strategic, impactful events that resonate with the demands of a rapidly changing global landscape. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Don't miss our daily content, as well as our free reports and events.

Mathias Sondermann, senior director of events at SAP, shares his transformative journey from event skeptic to passionate advocate. Sondermann discusses the evolution of events into strategic marketing tools enhanced by technology, especially in a post-pandemic world. He envisions artificial intelligence shaping personalized attendee experiences while maintaining the essence of shared moments. Sondermann also provides insights on managing event-related stress and the increasing recognition of events within corporate strategy. His positive outlook and innovative mindset make this episode a must-listen for event professionals seeking to navigate the future of the industry. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Don't miss our daily content, as well as our free reports and events.

In this episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast, we host acclaimed author, speaker, and management advisor Joe Pine. Our conversation revolves around turning events into experiences. We explore how events that create memorable experiences are important creators of value and connection. Joe explains the difference between branding and experience. We discuss the incredible power of events to be part of the transformation economy. We detail why it is best to create virtual or hybrid events that go beyond what is possible at in-person events rather than trying to replicate them. And we debate why it’s important for brands to charge directly for experiences. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Don't miss our daily content, reports and events.

Alex Reynolds, co-founder and CEO of Vendelux, discusses how the events industry is evolving by integrating connection-making with data-driven technology. Drawing from personal and professional experiences, Reynolds highlights the significance of events in business growth and relationship building. Vendelux's mission is to provide actionable insights into the most valuable events to attend and sponsor, utilizing a vast dataset to offer predictive recommendations. Reynolds foresees a future where events, driven by data and analytics, will become integral to corporate strategies, offering solutions to the current challenges in digital advertising due to stricter privacy regulations. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

John Hense, CEO of Nth Degree and Fern Expo, champions grit as the essential ingredient for successful events, particularly in the high-pressure world of trade shows. The necessity for face-to-face interactions has intensified in the hybrid work era, a trend Hense believes will only grow. The industry, however, faces challenges like inflation, soaring transportation costs, and a decline in event attendance, especially in international participation compared to the pre-pandemic period. Hense advises those in the industry to immerse themselves on the show floor to appreciate the effort and organization required. Following the merger of Nth Degree and Fern Expo, his focus remains on service, emphasizing the importance of high-quality personnel and event outcomes, especially when service can often be overlooked. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and even

Delve into the visionary mind of Colja Dams, CEO of VOK DAMS, as he unpacks the transformative intersection of technological innovation, sustainability, and the enduring magic of live events destined to thrive in a post-pandemic world hungry for authentic connections. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Amanda Armstrong is the senior vice president of communications and industry relations at Encore. Her career spans senior planning roles at Enterprise Rent-A-Car before joining Encore, with a wealth of operational and strategic experience. She also led Meeting Professionals International (MPI) as chair of the international board of directors. At Encore, she has been instrumental in driving initiatives around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DE&IB). She also contributed to the company's recent certification as a Great Place to Work in seven regions. Central to Armstrong's role is advocating for a healthier work-life balance within the events industry. "If I could wave a magic wand, it would be to eliminate the stress of event planning while preserving the thrill of execution," she stated. She believes that although technology will continue to play a significant role in shaping events, the essence of in-person connections will prevail. Encore's commitment to nurturing talent is evident through its i

Jill Blood is not your average legal counsel. Since joining Maritz Global Events in 2017, she's tackled everything from international privacy laws to the legality of renting blimps. In the high-octane world of event planning, Blood's role is as thrilling as it is crucial. She's the mastermind of turning legal jargon into strategic victories and ensuring that every out-of-the-box idea lands safely within the bounds of the law. Step inside the fast-paced life of a legal counsel where every day is a new adventure and navigating the legal middle ground is an art form. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Lance Trebesch, CEO at Eventgroove appreciates the palpable energy of events. He believes a foundational layer to producing events must be matched with a creative layer to make events truly great and memorable. His focus on clear and fair pricing is the basis of what Lance calls a true partnership. He and his team love to help organizations start to run events digitally and he is a big believer in the power of events to bring people together, especially now in the age of remote work. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

In this episode, Skift Meetings Executive Editor Andrea Doyle speaks with RIMS CEO Gary LaBranche. The conversation revolves around risk and risk management, with a focus on the fatal shooting that took place near the 2023 RISKWORLD Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Some topics covered are how to develop a citywide crisis plan, the need for fast collaboration in times of crisis, the real risk of cyberattacks, the power of face-to-face, and why today's event managers must also be risk managers. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Gabriel Seder, Vice President, Global Development at Destinations International. discusses the future of destination organizations including the evolving role of destination organizations; the destination marketing vs management debate; the important role of destination organizations in advocating for the business events industry; why authentic travel experiences top of mind for destination organizations; destination organizations must be able to clearly communicate the value that they provide. This episode was produced in partnership with Destinations International. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Jaimé Bennett, Managing Director EMEA at PCMA and also Managing Director for EMA-UK, discusses the value of starting with 'Why' when it comes to event planning and design; the importance creating a safe and welcoming environment at events; the challenges of doing business across regions with multiple countries and cultures; the need for consolidation in business events, that will lead to a more sustainable sector; why transparent and authentic Leadership is so important; talent and what it takes to create a multi-generational ecosystem. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Scott Beck, incoming president and CEO of San Francisco Travel Association, discusses the challenges he will have to overcome as president and CEO of San Francisco, a city that has not fully recovered from the pandemic. The importance of content and his goal of attracting conventions that feature thought leaders across industries. How the three cities he has worked with have understood the importance that meetings and conventions have. The steps the industry can take to reduce waste and its negative impact on the environment and how his four daughters have helped him look at the world differently. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Thuy Diep, senior meeting planner at CWT Meetings & Events, discusses her recipe for sustainable personal success in the events industry. She covers what makes event people special, working from a starting point of how you want attendees to feel, how reframing our language defines our point of view and impacts our actions, why planners need to be better attendees, and why communication and collaboration are the best way to avoid burnout. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Simon Thewlis, managing director of Event Pty, discusses the challenges faced by the Australian events sector, the debacle of the Commonwealth Games, and the need for governments and politicians to understand the events industry. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Kelly Cavers, chief sales officer for Discover The Palm Beaches, discusses The Palm Beaches' long history of hospitality, what it means to be a great host, what genuine hospitality is and why it is important, creating welcoming environments where everyone is made to feel welcome, how connecting meetings and events with DEI initiatives makes a real difference, and the importance of what happens between the sessions. This episode is created in partnership with The Palm Beaches. Subscribe now to ensure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Daphne Hoppenot, founder of The Vendry, discusses the importance of the visual portfolio in hiring a venue or vendor for events, moving from a content engine into a marketplace, pivoting during the pandemic to creating a community, why reviews are so challenging, why planners don’t care about AI. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Deana Ivey, president and CEO of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., discusses the city's decision to focus on the role of music as part of its branding story. She also highlights the importance of the city hosting a wide variety of its own events, the importance of influencers in a city filled with celebrities, and how Nashville has managed to compete with top-tier destinations. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee, highlights the city's upcoming role in hosting the Republican National Convention and emphasizes the potential economic benefits. She also shares her passion for the hospitality industry and dedication to promoting Milwaukee's unique stories and attractions. Subscribe to ensure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Anush Alexander, chief marketing officer at Stova, discusses measuring and ultimately obtaining a return on investment from in-person events. This conversation covers the challenge of calculating an event's return on investment (ROI), the importance of collecting first-party data, the advantages of building a data lake, why AI won’t solve bad data and why streamlined marketing stacks are more effective. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss an episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Liz Lathan, co-founder of The Community Factory, discusses the importance of building engaging communities. The conversation covers the concept of unconferences and spontaneous think tanks, why the stories behind brands are more important than the name, why events must be design for connection in order to provide great networking, sponsor activations need to be designed into the core conversation and why communities need a leader, plus what core components every community needs in order to succeed. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

David Peckinpaugh, President & CEO of Maritz Holdings, discusses the importance of unleashing human potential. The conversation covers the main challenges in reorganizing the Maritz brand into one company, what Maritz's "unleashing human potential" initiative really means and how to apply it in practice, how Maritz manages its workforce, and how it’s helping its clients in dealing with remote and hybrid workforces, how innovation and design is constantly a part of how Maritz works with clients, and why and how airlines should engage more with the meetings industry. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Vanessa Lovatt, Founder of Forte Futures, discusses the importance of leading with the customer as your main focus. The conversation covers taking full advantage of virtual events; why embracing a less is more approach to technology is always the right thing to do; why service level is the gamechanger for event technology providers; the rise of bleisure and how planners can use it to their advantage; and how there are more women in leadership positions, but there is still lots of work to be done. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Christina Ghani-Smith, Director of Sports Sales at Visit Baltimore, discusses Baltimore's rich history of hosting large sporting events and the benefits this can provide meeting and event planners looking to find their next destination. The conversation covers Baltimore's culture as a sporting city; the sporting venues and arenas that can create a unique attendee experience; what the future may hold, including challenges to consider; how a sporting background can help create leadership skills. This episode is sponsored by Visit Baltimore. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Kitty Ratcliffe, President at Explore St. Louis, discusses effective leadership through discovering the untold story. The conversation covers Ratcliffe's journey with MPI, having recently receiving their Industry Leader Award; the long history of travel bans and whether they are effective; the importance of connecting with your team at all levels; why networking is crucial for the next generation of female leaders. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Sheriff Karamat, CEO at PCMA, discusses the impact of business events and the future of the associations industry. The conversation covers the strategic importance of using the right terminology and why the term “business events” is the right word for what we do; why great events are the ones that generate transformative impacts; what is needed to evolve the industry and fight the lack of speed that is typical of associations and governments; what the future of associations in the business events sector could look like and why AI can be such a transformative for business event professionals. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

David T Stevens, director of field marketing and global events at data.world, discusses the importance of incorporating health and wellness opportunities at meetings and events. In our conversation, we cover several topics, including the role of field marketing, how creative approaches to exhibiting can often cost less but have a higher impact, wellness trends and the concept of sweat working at business events, the importance of shorter sessions and food that keeps attendees focused, designing events experiences with a focus on the importance of attendees time. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

Mark Cooper, the CEO of IACC, discusses the role of venues in delivering exceptional meeting experiences. In our conversation, we cover several topics, including the different venue requirements that different meetings have, the starring role of food, why job ownership and experience matters, the game-changing role of automation, and why virtual meetings have their place. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

This episode features Jonathan Martin, founder and principal designer at ShowTec. The conversation focuses on the role technology can play in an event. Here are a few of the topics we cover: how technology should be in the background supporting the storytelling; the most powerful performances for the audience; the magic of theatricality and the willing suspension of disbelief; showbusiness executives need to be involved in both the show's creation and the running of the business; supporting each other's craft will create the best events possible. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

This episode features Stacy Ritter, President and CEO at Visit Lauderdale. The conversation focuses on the challenges facing destinations in cities and states passing divisive legislation. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Travel advisories in place for Florida; If meeting planners should boycott a destination and what their alternatives may be; Being a welcoming destination for everyone; Convention center renovations and their future impact; Mentoring future female leaders. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

This episode features Ewandro Magalhães, a language industry executive and former chief interpreter in the United Nations system. The conversation focuses on language, interpretation, and the role of communication at events. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The evolution of remote simultaneous interpretation The subtle, and controversial, differences between interpretation and translation Demystify myths around interpretation  Empowering participants through their native language The ephemeral but key role of conference interpreters The power of genuine storytelling Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

This episode features Matt Kleinrock, CEO of Rockway Exhibits + Events The conversation focuses on brand building through events and exhibitions. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Evolving from an exhibit house to strategic partner  The right way of doing face-to-face activations Why you need to think like a marketer, tying exhibition successes to business goals What constitutes a great mix at an event or exhibition Why showing how you are different beats claiming your are better and the challenges of branding Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

This episode features Stan Smith, senior director of marketing at Visit Detroit. The conversation focuses on the resurgence of Detroit and what these developments can offer meeting and event planners. Here are a few of the topics we cover: What is involved in renovating the Huntington Place convention center How their thriving music scene attracts groups Detroit's urban renewal story Capitalizing on Being the US's Only UNESCO City of Design How Detroit offers groups a creative spark This episode is sponsored by Visit Detroit. Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

This episode features Cleo Battle, president and CEO of Louisville Tourism. The conversation focuses on DMOs and CVBs' roles within the wider community. Here are a few of the topics we cover: How tourism can help improve communities The ways in which events can leave a legacy on a destination The importance of diversity How a destination manages the political decisions of its city or state Why a destination needs to tell its story authentically Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

This episode features David Jefferys, founder and executive director of the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association. The conversation focuses on the meeting industry's LGBT community. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Why an organization such as LGBT Meeting Professionals Association was needed How LGBT and DEI discussions have changed within the meetings industry Some of the challenges faced by the LGBT community and DEI as a whole  Ways the meetings industry gets DEI right Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

This episode features Luke Bilton, co-founder of Life Science Networks. The conversation focuses on the power of community building. Here are a few of the topics we cover: How different event technology companies fared coming out of the Covid pandemic Why matchmaking and a well-structured meeting program is the secret sauce for events The gap in the market for engaging online communities in specific sectors with pharma and life sciences  Why there has never been a better time to launch a company or community The role of content in community building Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

This episode features Brecht Putman, Senior Association Manager North America at VISITFLANDERS & Karl Vrancken, Research Manager Circular Economy at VITO The conversation focuses on the Circular Economy. Here are a few of the topics we cover: What is the circular economy? Why Flanders, as a destination looking to attract business events, is focused on the circular economy Some of the key events taking place in Flanders on the circular economy that also set great examples for other events How these kinds of events create a valuable legacy at a destination Where you start learning about circularity and circular economy processes The ebook on Circular Economy can be found at https://www.meetinflanders.com/key-industries/circular-economy Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, reviews, and events.

This episode features Ren Akinci, executive vice president, people and culture officer at Emerald, in a conversation around diversity, equity and inclusion. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Pay transparency creates equity in a company College degrees are no longer a requirement Steps to take to ensure everyone feels included How to make DE&I a focus Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, and events.

This episode features Lisa Messina, chief sales officer at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), in a conversation around challenges and growth. Here are a few of the topics we cover: How Covid Delayed the Opening of Caesars Forum Trifecta That Will Help Attract Even More Business Events Record Breaking 2023 Breaking the Glass Ceiling as a Woman Developing Talent Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, and events.

Our latest report, Event Technology Made Simple, is designed to provide business event professionals with a clear and concise summary of what event technology platforms have to offer today. In this episode take a closer look at: Why we created this report The current landscape of event technology The changes to features and functionalities The deal-breaker features we identified Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, and events.

This episode features Geneviève Leclerc, Co-Founder & CEO of #Meet4Impact, in a conversation about measuring the impact of business events. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Working with impact starts with questioning the destination selection process Why societal impact includes everything (sustainability, DEI, legacy, etc.) The link between social innovation and the impact of business events How impact is what links short-term KPIs and outcomes to long-term change Why stories are so important to deliver qualitative impact Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, and events.

This episode features Anca Platon Trifan, founder, creator and CEO of Tree-Fan Events & head of Events: Demystified podcast, in a conversation about increasing female representation in event production. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Working from the bottom up in AV Partnering with competitors or co-opetition is the secret to success  The challenge of normalizing women in event production and AV, particularly behind the scenes The importance of following a program for achieving breakthroughs in fitness and life Why Anca is actively exploring the metaverse Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, and events.

Virginie De Visscher is Senior Director of Business Development at Destination Canada Business Events. This conversation focuses on sustainability, collaboration, turning obstacles into opportunities. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Adopting a strategic approach to improving their practices Sustainability belongs to all Change is uncomfortable but we must all embrace it and the discomfort of being outside our comfort zone Why we should look to turn obstacles into opportunities Sustainability isn’t a competitive advantage but an area where we must all collaborate Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, and events.

David Kliman, owner of The Kliman Group and co-founder of Event Leaders Exchange (ELX). The conversation focuses on  belonging and the power of language plus more. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The need to speak the language of the c-suite and understand business objectives How event program consolidation is linked with corporate culture Why community and belonging are what makes events great, regardless of how senior you are or what your role is Why neurodiversity will change the way meeting experiences work How new workforce developments, sustainability, and the politics of meetings are top of mind for senior event leaders Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, and events.

Julie Coker is CEO and President of the San Diego Tourism Authority. The conversation focuses on the importance of community and mentorship and what it's like to break barriers and pave the way for others. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Why boycotting a destination may not always be the right move The need for inclusivity to be intentional The importance of diversity, which should always be evolving  The need for community when you are in a leadership role The role of mentors Skift Meetings is defining the future of business events. Visit our website for the latest news, reports, and events.

This episode features Paul Van Deventer, CEO of MPI (Meeting Professionals International). The conversation focuses on proving the value of meetings to the wider business world. Here are a few of the topics we cover: How the events industry only started to learn how to tell its story after coming under attack from politicians during the 2008 financial crisis how the absence of meetings proved their importance during the Covid pandemic The value of local chapters, particularly with events like EMEC coming up Why MPI takes risks at their events, so planners don’t have to do that on their own Keeping an open mind about what MPI becomes and allowing people to customize their journey

This episode features Panos Moutafis, co-founder and CEO at Zenus. The conversation focuses on Zenus AI. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The power of using video to study human behavior The advantages of using AI for understanding human behavior Why Zenus opted not to work with Personal Identifiable Information How the Zenus device and system works Why events offer a unique challenge with being temporary, often last minute and risk averse by default This episode of The Skift Meetings Podcast was produced in partnership with Zenus.

Annette Gregg, CEO at SITE discusses once-in-a-lifetime experiences, trends in incentive travel, female leadership and personal missions with Skift Meetings editor-in-chief Miguel Neves. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The SITE Global Conference as a example of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for participants How to address the imbalance of female leadership across the meetings industry The importance of having a personal mission that goes beyond how we define ourselves through work Research results from the latest Incentive Research Foundation’s Trends report in partnership with FICP The need to nurture the next generation working in incentive travel

This episode features Eric de Groot, managing partner and meeting designer at MindMeeting in a conversation about meeting design. Here are a few of the topics we cover: 6 reasons to use meetings, which is different to the objective of the meetings Why understanding people is so important to meeting design The importance of combining different ways of thinking to become a meeting designer Why meetings need more wellbeing and physical activity Why the board level needs to be involved in meeting design

This episode features Kemp Gallineau, CEO at Groups360 and Drew Pinto, global sales distribution, and revenue management at Marriott International. The conversation focuses the newly announced partnership between Groups360 and Marriott International, which allows instant booking for small groups. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The benefits of instant booking to both hotels and customers The technology that facilitates instant bookings The shifting behaviors in online booking The role remote work has played in the recovery of the meetings industry This episode was produced in partnership with Groups360

This episode features Tommy Goodwin, vice president, government affairs for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) The conversation focuses on advocacy in the meetings industry. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Fully welcoming international exhibitors and attendees back to the U.S. Sustainability and climate change Promoting government involvement in developing the industry’s future workforce Bring back communicable disease coverage to event cancelation insurance

This episode features Kai Hattendorf, CEO of UFI. The conversation focuses on global trends for the exhibition industry in 2023. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The importance of data in making a business case for trade shows The recovery and reopening of China Adopting a year-round customer approach to Moving the needle on sustainability A thought-provoking vision for the future of trade shows

This episode features Ken Holsinger, senior vice president of strategy at Freeman. The conversation focuses on attendee research. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Asking questions to large number of people live is very powerful Why it’s important to matching sentiment data and behavior data  Overall attendance is now tracking at 84% across sectors, was 65% in the Spring Business and personal is overlapping - important new reality Continue to learn from your audience, consume information in all places, and accept that things will keep shifting

This episode features Tim Flors, chief customer officer at Groups 360 and Oral Muir, vice president partnership development and global distribution at Hilton.  The conversation focuses on how group bookings are evolving and how the integration and partnership between Groups360 and Hilton is leading the way. Here are a few of the topics we cover: An high-level overview of how global distribution works from hotel perspective Explore the power of discovery, filtering and instant booking online How to tackle RFP and lead spam and why conversion is what really matters All group and small meetings booking will be fully automated in the near future Why planners should embrace systems that allow for a transparent, simple and efficient world This episode was produced in partnership with Groups360

This episode features Clemi Hardie, head of pencils (CEO) at Noodle Live. Here are a few of the topics we cover: How RFID technology captured her attention and imagination, kickstarting Noodle Live Why they chose note to pivot to developing a virtual event platform during the pandemic and instead focused on reinventing their product and processes. The importance of ensuring a work/life balance for yourself and your team, what this means in practice and what it looks like at Noodle Live Why stepping back can be beneficial for your work and personal life and how Clemi achieves this.

This episode features Marta Gomes, ICCA President and Deputy Executive Director Sales Division at VIPARIS. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The convention model for VIPARIS and Paris' position as a global business city Creating real partnerships with associations & the clients of ICCA members The need for the meetings industry to build back better and what this might mean for the ICCA model Why engagement is the best measure of an association’s success Why it's important to be part of an industry where impactful things happen

This episode features Al Hutchinson, CEO and president of Visit Baltimore and chair of Destinations International. The conversation focuses on the obstacles facing the industry and how important it is to come together to contribute to long-term solutions. Here are a few of the topics we cover: How the role of destination management companies has changed. Dealing with systemic racism in the industry and how diversity, inclusion and equity, and that it must be an ongoing initiative.  Gun violence and the role a destination marketing organization can take.  How do we train, motivate, and educate employees with a focus on customer service, Why it’s important to create a compelling story.  Why mental wellness is a critical issue.

With our 2023 Event Trends Summit just around the corner, we are taking a closer look at the nine trends that we will be looking at. Before we bring on our expert speakers to give their view on the trends for the year ahead, this preview identifies the trends and showcases some of the related topics. Based on the data we collected and analyzed in our State of Business Events report we see nine key trends that will impact 2023 and beyond. All of these trends are in some way a consequence of the Covid pandemic and current uncertain economic climate, each with specific nuances and twists. The nine event trends covered in this episode are: The New Rules of Travel Planning From Event Planners to Designers of Time Events That Boost Remote Teams Taking Intentionality From Buzzword to Event Best Practice Making Events More Inclusive — Morality Versus Practicality Event Marketing and the Field of Dreams Mentality Designing Networking for Humanity  Why Events Are Now Top Drivers For Revenue Growth What Real

This episode features event technologist and educator Nick Borelli. The conversation focuses on the challenges with event technology and how a human and planner-centric approach is needed to event tech to succeed. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Radical differences between planners and event technologists Unique and stress-inducing needs to event planners when it comes to technology Why we need to unlock event data so we can make better decisions for an entire organization The current state of the metaverse and how it may develop over the next few years Some of the challenges that remain for the next generation of virtual events

This is a special episode of the podcast focused on an update of the event tech sector. It was inspired by Skift Meetings editor-in-chief Miguel Neves' visit to the Event Tech Live 2022 trade show. Some of the themes covered are: The size of the event tech market after the Covid bubble Who was at the show and who was missing How education and event tech work well together The complex sales and marketing challenges of event tech New tools and concepts presented by startups We hope you enjoy this special episode. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

This episode features Andrew Fleming-Brown, managing director at SWG3. The conversation focuses on venue sustainability and the power of being community led. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The community that built SWG3 and balancing for-profit venue hire and culturally led projects The Development of the area into a vibrant quarter with a clear environmental policy SWG3's unique heating system called BODYHEAT launched in 2021 at COP26  SWG3's ambitions of becoming a circular campus The need to constantly reimagine how you use the space and how you engage with the community

This episode features John Sage, president at Accessible Travel Solutions. The conversation focuses on the accessibility of in-person events. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The dangers of making accessibility a check-box exercise Events should be responsible for ensuring accessibility is taken into account, not the attendees The importance of training and customer service Why it is important to remember than many people with disabilities do not self-identify this way The four components of accessibility information and the three pillars of accessibility

This episode features Andrew Pearson, chief marketing officer at Webex Events (formerly Socio) Our conversation revolved around using event tech to creative intuitive experiences. Some of the topics we cover: How events have always been part of Andrew's entrepreneurial journey Why simplifying process and features is the way to go The importance of single source of content truth when it comes to event apps, websites and other internal or external  Why fun moments in virtual events really matter Why interaction is important to make people attending virtual events live This podcast is produced by Skift Meetings, the leading media company embracing the future of business events. We invite you to explore all our content at www.skiftmeetings.com which includes daily news, reviews, reports, guides and live events, all created exclusively for professionals working in business events.

This episode features Angeles Moreno, Country Manager Spain at AIM Group International. The conversation focuses on innovation and sustainable professional growth. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The pros and cons of entrepreneurship The importance of providing value to all event stakeholders Why sustainable growth does not happen without innovation The challenges of sustainability in the events industry The advantages of a segmented approach that differentiates between in-person and online event attendees

This episode features Megan Henshall, Global Events Strategic Solutions Lead at Google.  The conversation focuses on why belonging is important. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The Nue Project, a new Google initiative Why diversity and inclusion matters How Google plans their events The impact of hybrid work on business events Why ROI may no longer be the best measure of success

This episode features Pedro Góes, CEO at InEvent The conversation focuses on event tech innovation. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The ins and outs of funding and investment to event tech start-ups How to decide where to focus your development efforts Developing event tech that is able to service a global audience The importance of affordable pricing that’s easy to understand The pros and cons of offering Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) for event technology

This episode features Sofia Crokos, Owner and Creative Director at Sofia Crokos Events & Lifestyle. The conversation goes behind the scenes and reveals some of the secrets of creating unique luxury event experiences inspired by fashion and food. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The importance of developing authentic relationships The move towards immersive experiences Building a relationship with your client The journey of a small business owner

This episode features Mark Loehr, CEO at OpenExchange. The conversation focuses on the potential of virtual events in the financial services and professional investment sector Here are a few of the topics we cover: The specific virtual event needs of the financial services and professional investment industry Why telling the story of a company is crucial when seeking investment or going public The need for high-touch services when dealing with high-net-worth individuals  The challenges of rapid growth during the pandemic and finding the right balance as a company Mark’s vision of AI powered search and filtering of investment opportunities

This episode features Gerrit Heijkoop, Executive Partner / Moderator & Host at LiveOnlineEvents. The conversation is a deep dive into hybrid events from both a production perspective and an audience perspective. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Why most content-light events struggle to work as virtual events Why in-person events without an online option are short sighted, unless this is strategic and intentional decision How sponsors are now finding good ways of getting value from virtual and hybrid events Why meetings and events are the best time/place to capture content for any organization  Five different types of hybrid events

This special episode features two sessions recorded live at the recent Skift Meetings Event Design Summit.  The two conversations revolve around the human-centric approaches to meeting and event design that can inspire and change attendees. Meetings and events that make an intentional and positive impact on everyone involved. First you will hear about how designing events for connection and belonging can and should drive transformation. This conversation features Liz Lathan, co-founder at The Community Factory, Megan Henshall, global events strategic solutions lead at Google, and Naomi Clare Crellin, CEO and founder at Storycraft Lab. The second conversion is about designing events for humans, not job titles and features Jesse Gainer, Director of Growth Strategy at C2 International.

This episode features Merijn van Buuren, CEO at Event Mender. The conversation focuses on how virtual events have evolved, including how audience expectations have changed and how event technology has advanced in the last few year. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The evolution of virtual events from reluctant pivoting to high level online productions How audiences have evolved and expect much more from virtual events today Why personalization is key to really impressing participants Why listening closely to event professionals is so important to developing successful event tech products Why the industry needs to break outside its bubble to really evolve

This episode features Jeff Bzdawka, Chief Executive Officer of Knowland This episode, Being Nimble is Key for Both Event Planners and Venues, focuses on the importance of embracing flexibility to meet the needs of guests and attendees. Here are a few of the topics covered.  Why Jeff considers himself an accidental technologist The importance of relationship building Future forecasting The importance of flexibility The evolution of meetings and events post-COVID

This episode features Joe Schwinger, Chief Product / Innovation Officer at MeetingPlay + Aventri + Eventcore This episode, The Renaissance of Mobile Technology, focuses on the importance of being able to embrace change and pivot. Here are a few of the topics covered.  The changes and considerations when leading a fully dispersed team What conferences have taught him about the current direction of the industry The continued importance of content strategy The renaissance of 2019 mobile technology paired with todays advancements The future roles of augmented reality, virtual reality and the metaverse

This episode features Jennifer Brisman, founder and CEO at VOW in a conversation about making technology work for event management. We talk about things like: The amazing benefits and drawbacks of working in event planning Defining where tech can help in event planning and in supporting the event experience  Why event professionals make the best event tech CEOs How the change in user expectations and how that impacts mobile event app adoption Why ultimately staffing remains the event industry’s biggest challenge

This episode features Rob Eveleigh, Managing Director at Brightelm. The conversation focuses on the future of association events. Here are a few of the topics we cover: How working with associations is inspiring, particularly when they really contribute to the advancement of humanity. Why taking time off and preserving our mental health is so important Why our job as event professionals is largely to take the stress out of events and travel Associations are looking at different and more commercial business models - has advantages and disadvantages Event tech needs to be simple and reduce distractions to be effective

This episode features Lawrence Coburn, CEO of twine The conversation focuses on the next evolution of virtual events. Here are a few of the topics we cover: How the SoLoMo (Social, Local, Mobile) movement influenced event tech The blurred line between developing tech for remote teams and events The difficult choice to work on one feature or create a product suite Why connecting online and virtual audiences for networking may be desirable at all Why connecting people and serendipity are so important to the meeting industry

The episode of the Event Manager Podcast features Eric Holmen, CEO at Splash. The conversation focuses on event marketing and the importance of small scale meetings for businesses. Some of the topics we cover include: How the concept of events can apply to so many different types of gatherings The importance of impressing guests with great design The challenges of create a Software-as-a-Service tool for the event industry Why small events outperform large events Why data and ROI are even more important going forward

This episode features Thorben Grosser, Vice President of Product Marketing at EventMobi. The conversation focuses on event tech, event design and how to run a successful event tech business in Europe. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Differences between doing business in US v Europe and what to consider when expanding into a new region The current state of the event tech industry The way events, and event tech, have changed in the pandemic years Changes to in-person events for the near future Overall changes the event industry should look to implement

This episode features Rachael Riggs, Wellbeing Leaders at Maritz Global Events. The conversation focuses on the unique sustainability role at Maritz Global Events. Here are a few of the topics we cover: What is the difference between wellbeing and wellness The long term impacts of incorporating wellbeing at events What it means to design an event with wellness as a core design principle What prevented the event industry from connecting with Wellbeing before now How sustainability goals impact events

This episode features Amy Calvert, CEO of the Event Industry Council (EIC). The conversation focuses on advocating for the event industry in the wider business community.Here are a few of the topics we cover: Aggregating resources and addressing pan-industry issues are the main areas of focus for the Events Industry Council Bringing together members to discuss the state of the industry, particularly during the Covid pandemic, was very important for the industry. The importance of sharing impact of events and reasons for hosting events with the wider business community Advocacy is really important, but let’s not forget that people are at the heart of what we do Only having meaningful conversations with partners will lead to positive change

This episode features Panashe Mahakwa, student at Vistula University in Warsaw and recipient of the 2022 MPI Foundation Student Scholarship Award. The conversation focuses on one student’s perspective on the future of the event industry. . Here are a few of the topics we cover: Panashe’s unique journey from Zimbabwe to Poland and to IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany What makes the event industry interesting for newcomers How international environments change people’s perspective + Desire to return to Zimbabwe and inspire the local event industry Why entertainment and fun should be a part of all business events How do students feel about the metaverse and if it is the future of events?

This episode features Rick Taylor, CEO of The Business Tourism Company. The conversation focuses on the rise of African destinations for business events. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The challenge getting governments and investors to appreciate the value of a convention bureau Why a convention bureau no better investment for a destination because it is key to attracting additional foreign direct investment The process of working with the world bank in setting up national convention bureaus The importance of forming regional event industry associations to unite stakeholders Africa 2063 - the African Union’s development blueprint to achieve inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.

This episode features Jonathan Kazarian, CEO of Accelevents. This episode, Winning on Support, focuses on taking the stress out of working with event technology. Here are a few of the topics covered.  Decided to win on support - understanding the stress of event professionals The importance of referrals from all sides of the industry Don’t neglect the people who never went to in-person events in the first place Too many events take place without any sort of purpose - that is an iss

This special podcast episode was recorded on site at IMEX in Frankfurt 2022. It features testimonials from a diverse group of 21 event industry professionals who share their core reasons for being at the 18th edition of the trade show, the first since the start of the Covid pandemic.

This episode features Tony Kula, CEO, meetyoo. The conversation focuses on the State of Virtual Event Tech. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Who are the new clients for virtual event tech platforms Why Tony doesn’t believe in hybrid events How reconnecting at in-person events is all people need right now, but exhibitors and sponsors will soon demand more ROI How in-person events rely on emotional responses while virtual events need tech that works The importance of virtual event attendees overcoming the negative association with the Covid pandemic You can also find the LinkedIn post discussed at the start of the episode here and information the work Tony has been doing to help Ukraine here and here.

This episode features Leanne Hughes, international consultant, facilitator, trusted advisor and speaker who loves creating unpredictable workshop experiences, that predictably work. This week’s conversation focuses on Change Management. Some of the topics covered in this week’s episode include: Difference between facilitation and training Challenge for facilitators is connecting to business results Engagement is attention in disguise A great event starts way before it has actually started If you’re the same person before and after an event, then the event has failed Acceleration of change is the biggest business challenge ahead Catch up on previous episodes, and ensure you don’t miss those to come, by subscribing to the Event Manager Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Hello and welcome to this episode of the Event Manager Podcast, the podcast for curious event professionals who want to stay ahead of the game. My name is Miguel Neves and I am the editor-in-chief of EventMB. In this episode titled Nothing Matters More Than Connecting People, I have the pleasure of speaking with Fiona Bruder, President, Americas at George P Johnson Experience Marketing We cover a lot of topics around creating experiences that connect people including: We must always remember that we are always dealing with humans and understand that connecting people is what makes great events unique Taking about a global perspective is the worst way to connect, you have show up and connect personally and individually Why you don’t need to be the smarter person in the room, but should always be the most prepared person in the room How finding innovation require a strong innovation strategy that is part of your process Why we should move away from “events” and towards “experiences” I hope yo

This episode features Irina Graf, founder of The MICE Blog and Event Planners Talk. The conversation focuses on Destination and Event Marketing. Some of the topics covered in this week’s episode include: How the pandemic has pivoted content from high-production video to more raw content The importance of making advertising disclosures clear in influencer marketing Why it takes at least five years to see the results of destination marketing  Events should connect and engage participants online in advance so that deeper networking and more complex topics can be discussed onsite. Why smaller interactive events create strong community connections

This episode features Senthil Gopinath, CEO at ICCA in a conversation about the future of the event industry.  Here are a few of the topics we cover: Why passion is an important part of building a business strategy The importance of bringing outside knowledge into the event industry Understanding participant experience is the secret to making events stand out Why being attractive to younger generations is important for the continuity of the industry Why we cannot ever afford to stop collaborating inside and outside the industry

Our guest for this episode is Mathijs Vleeming, Online Community Evangelist & Strategy Consultant at Open Social. Our conversation focuses on community building for associations. Among other topics we cover: How the biggest value of associations is the ability to connect people How organizations benefit from being community focused Why communities must always focus first on the needs of its members  Why bottom-up communities succeed and how this requires organizations to let go of control How creating a culture of dialogue requires a big shift in mindset Open Social has recently released "The Association Community Compendium - How to harness the collective power of your members"

In this episode we talk with Alon Alroy, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Bizzabo. The main topic of our conversation is the recently launched book, Event Success - Maximizing the Business Impact of In-person, Virtual, and Hybrid Experiences written by Alon along with fellow Bizzabo co-founders Eran Ben-Shushan and Boaz Katz. We discuss a wide range of related topics including: How the best consumer experiences today are hybrid How more than ever before, planners are understanding that value of data  Why a great event is an impactful event Why a hybrid event strategy is necessary in the current climate of uncertainty What a successful event of the future looks like, which involves creating completely unique experiences for every single participant

The latest episode of the Event Manager Podcast focuses on incentive travel and motivational events and features Padraic Gilligan, managing partner at SoolNua and chief marketing officer of SITE Global. Here are a few of the topics we cover: How incentive travel is unique in the way it starts in business environment but actualizes in tourism industry How rewarding and recognizing people crucial to the success of a company How incentive travel has evolved to include motivational events Why it’s important to connect incentive objectives with destinations and to connect incentive participants with people at the destination  Why a lack of human resources and climate justice are the big challenges ahead for the event industry

Episode #41 of the Event Manager Podcast features Alicia Schiro, CEO and founder of Aced It Events. The conversation focuses on how independent planners can deal with the challenges and opportunities they are facing. Providing a better alternative is the secret to managing client expectations Why giving attendees choice is so important Why interaction is crucial in hybrid events What opportunities exist for event professionals in the metaverse Why the event industry needs to be more united in order to be recognized

In this episode of the Event Manager Podcast, we talk with Cathy Breden, executive vice president, and chief operating officer at the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), and CEO of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research Foundation (CEIR). We discuss the recent findings from CEIR’s research and cover some eye-opening topics including: Real-world statistics on the return to in-person events The growing trend of companies embracing digital channels in their go-to-market strategies The continued demand for in-person exhibition opportunities A research-backed forecast for when the exhibition industry will return to 2019 levels

Episode #39 of the Event Manager Podcast features Patrick Delaney, Managing Partner at SoolNua in a conversation about the transformative power of travel.  Here are a few of the topics we cover: Why destination marketing requires an alternative view How destinations have two masters, the visitors and the local community Why event professionals should get involved in industry associations and how that can really benefit them How event professionals are fortunate to be able to contribute to societal issues, sustainability issues and inclusivity issues Why the event industry should aim to be more reflective rather than reactive

Episode #38 of the Event Manager Podcast features Stephanie Cheung, Director of Strategy & Insights at MarketID. The conversation focuses on the exciting world of destination marketing. Here are a few of the topics we cover: How cultural exchange can make events truly enriching experiences How destinations can help events drive change The importance of managing expectations for any destination Recipe for destinations to make use of technology in their marketing strategy Why a long-term investment strategy in the metaverse, web 3.0 and NFTs may be important for destinations

This episode features Georgia Suttie, Venue Find Operations Manager at Agiito, and Sophie Conlon, Events and Communications Manager at the University of Essex, both mentees of the Fast Forward 15 program. The conversation focuses on how mentoring can empower and inspire women in the event industry. We discuss:  Unusual career paths in the event industry How mentoring inspires and supports event professionals The value of a structured mentoring program How shared mentoring experiences bring people together What can we expect from the current supply chain crunch, the brain drain challenge and dealing with more and more last-minute requests

This episode features Sabrina Meyers, founder of the Sabrina Meyers Consultancy in a conversation around online visibility.  We discuss:  Why documenting your experience should be the basis of your own content The challenges of taking on multiple overlapping roles in events Why there may still be challenges ahead for the return of in-person events  The rising expectation for in-person events to be transposed online for both live streaming and on-demand content The new challenges of getting attendees to commit to virtual events

This episode features Heidi Legein, founder of The MICE Guru, in a discussion around digital strategy for events. We discuss:  The importance of consciously creating a digital strategy for both events and businesses in the event industry Why event tech vendors should work collaboratively with digital event experts to help clients create outstanding digital events Overcoming the challenges of creating engaging digital events How digital events can absolutely benefit venues and destinations, provided there is a well-defined digital strategy What events can and should be hybrid in format

Tim Arnold is the President of Leaders for Leaders and the author of two books, the newly released, “Lead with And - The Secret to Resilience and Results in a Polarized World” and “The Power of Healthy Tension” In this episode, Tim Arnold covers the concept and the ins and outs of what he calls Both/And Thinking. We cover a lot of ground including: The key differences between a both/and approach and an either/or approach Why an either/or approach is not useful when we are looking for connection and cooperation Why it is possible to have both innovation and having something familiar and safe Why taking time to listen to others with different perspectives can be the best way to make decisions Why dealing with healthy tensions is positive How taking time for tone setting and naming the core issues can really improve outcomes How connection is a hugely beneficial feature of events Beyond the spectacular events can really be impactful when they change the way we think, or when we create new connect

In this episode we talk with Marco Giberti, Founder and CEO of Vesuvio Ventures, about entrepreneurship and investing in event tech. Among other topics we cover:  The fantastic mission of the event industry: connecting people Why the event industry should work better and closer with tech Why having lots of event problems to solve is great news for event tech entrepreneurs Success stories of always-on events Which verticals of event tech are most exciting right now Why having digital offices and digital venues really is the future

In this episode, Samme Allen, founder of conferenceemcees.com, discusses why building a community is the key to growing a sustainable business and more including: Why difficult journeys make us more resilient and lead to better products and services Why sustainability needs to be a major consideration for all event professionals Why building a community and not an agency is the key to success The key differences between a TV host and a conference emcee How many of the big challenges the event industry is facing come down to siloing Dealing with the permanent changes to business travel and events

This episode of the Event Manager Podcast features association leader Kai Troll. Join us as we discuss how we can learn to have a positive mindset and much, much more. We cover topics such as: Job titles and accolades are not as important as what you are creating The importance of choosing our environments, which include the people, and the activities around us How a good leader must be authentic to lead effectively How many investors are really looking to invest in people, more than products or services How the absence of long term planning adds stress and takes away the feeling that people can achieve their objectives

Joe Atkinson, Co-founder of Lineup Ninja   In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and guest, Joe Atkinson, discuss stress, technology, conference planning and much more including: How bad event experiences can lead to important insights How Joe’s unique IT and events background led him to create an event tech tool Why the time-based nature of events makes the event industry different to others, for good and bad Compounding challenges around stretched workforces asked to do more Why event tech vendors dream of creating SaaS products and why that doesn’t work for the event industry

Carina Bauer, CEO at IMEX Group, talks with EventMB Editor-in-chief Miguel Neves about the need for flexibility and collaboration in the events industry. They cover topics such as: How flexibility and cooperation with all clients and partners is key to delivering events in times of uncertainty Why creative approaches to online events in 2020 have shifted to more practical content-driven approaches in 2021 How IMEX plans to continue to experiment with ways to bring the trade show to life online How IMEX is internationally not called a hybrid show and is not trying to offer business appointments online What drove the resilient IMEX team is be closer to clients and partners than ever before Why IMEX has invested in IT, innovation and marketing and design What a hybrid workforce means for the event industry Why more sustainable events are possible should be the goal of all event organizers

Shane Lewis, Business Development Manager at VenuIQ and Elliot Jakobsen, Global Marketing Manager at Canapii   In this episode, EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and guests Shane Lewis and Elliot Jakobsen discuss not only their experiences with imposter syndrome but also cover lots of ground about the future of events and how event technology will continue to be part of all events going forward, and more including: How there may have never been a more exciting time to work in event tech How social side of the event industry is a major motivating factor for event professionals Shane and Jakob’s specific experiences with imposter syndrome The possible reasons why so many event professionals suffer from imposter syndrome How the added pressure of pivoting to virtual impacted event professionals The best ways of working with content, now and in the future Predict how event tech vendors may shift their focus post-pandemic

Anh Nguyen, Head of Community Engagement at twine   In this episode, EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and guest, Ahn Nguyen, discuss the humanizing of event tech and other topics including: Why the high we get from in-person events is hard to replicate in virtual events How listening to planners is crucial to developing great event technology The tangible value of raw and human social media  How the saturation of events is causing reduced attendance and rushed production The audience exhaustion and how the novelty value of virtual events is long gone Why asynchronous communication technology will play an important part in the future of events

Dahlia El Gazzar, Tech Evangelist + Idea Igniteur at DAHLIA+Agency, and Gemma Edwards, Co-founder of Canapii   In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, deputy editor, Angela Tupper, and guests discuss hybrid engagement strategies, and topics including: Covid fatigue - best advice to planners What do you say to those who say it's time to drop virtual and go back to in-person-only events? Event data - Why do we need to really understand data to make it actionable? How do we prepare for working with data in 2022 and beyond? Event promotion - Speakers and sponsors as brand ambassadors key to event promotion? Making the best use of event content during and after events

The latest episode features Tracy Halliwell, Director of Tourism & Convention Bureau for London & Partners, in conversation with EventMB deputy editor, Angela Tupper.   In this episode titled, “Why London’s Event Industry Is Booming Again,” Tracy Halliwell discusses how London’s meeting and event sector is growing exponentially, and how this rebound relates to larger industry trends. Topics include: Whether revenge attendance is already happening How London's sustainability initiatives are changing the game When global business travel will return to pre-pandemic levels How to pick hybrid-event-friendly destinations The value of government programs like subvention and event insurance

Kathryn Frankson is the Director of Event Marketing of Informa Connect   In this episode titled "How Data and Strategic Marketing Drive Better Event ROI", Kathryn Frankson shares her expertise on mining event data for insights and designing marketing strategies for today’s hybrid world. Topics include how to build on what’s working well, how to target specific audiences, and how to make your virtual and in-person experiences work together for the highest possible event ROI.

Leanne Calderwood, Personal Branding and LinkedIn Trainer   In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and guest Leanne Calderwood discuss:  How our personal brands become part of what our clients experience Why you should always tie your personal branding efforts to professionals goals Why investing in one main platform for personal branding is the way to go Why LinkedIn is the ideal place advocate and share our thought leadership What are the content styles that work best right now on LinkedIn Why the industry needs innovation and why simple returning to normal is not the best possible outcome of the pandemic

This episode features Josh Hotsenpiller, CEO of JUNO in conversation with EventMB editor-in-chief Miguel Neves. They cover a number of topics around community and technology including: How do you make technology a catalyst of community and not a deterrent to community The important difference between functional and utility-based software Why tracking what people do rather than what people declare is a game-changer How organizations are ultimately looking for value and that value may not necessarily come from events as we know them How we need to adapt to the reality of the hybrid attendee

In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and guest Martin Sirk, Owner of Sirk Serendipity, discuss: The flight to quality across the event industry The real purpose of meetings Events are more about rituals than content because they give us a sense of shared purpose How remote workforces means more regional-wide meetings to build culture and promote understanding How smart destinations use resources (people/companies) for the benefit of events which ultimately benefits the destination Future predictions include: failed meetings, merged meetings and whole companies departments attending meetings as a retreat The meetings of 20 people today are the events of 1,000 in the future

Ori Lahav, Vice President Client & Operations at Kenes Group and President of IAPCO   In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and guest, Ori Lahav, discuss: Why conferences need to think and act as brands Explore the reasons behind developing your own virtual events solution Some of the surprising challenges of virtual events The advantages and disadvantages of different hybrid event models How event professionals need to also be experts in on-demand content Why harmonizing travel policies is needed to restart international in-person events

Ho Yin Cheung, Founder and CEO of Remo   In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and guest Ho Yin Cheung discuss: Content is no longer king, interaction is king and content is now queen How events add purpose to human gatherings Ho Yin's mission to create meaningful connections The challenges of marketing a virtual office product Why Ho Yin sees the SaaS Model and partnering with agencies as the way forward How Ho Yin is looking to offer carbon credits as a way to carbon offset the in-person side of hybrid events.

Ade Allenby, Global Head of Digital and Data Innovation, Reed Exhibitions   In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and guest, Ade Allenby, discuss: How there is a big people component to leveraging new technologies Why speed is crucial to innovation Why we need to understand attendee needs at different key points of the attendee journey Why only some events may be suitable to become year-long communities Why in-person event attendees should recognize and appreciate the advantages of getting away from day-to-day work

Entrepreneur and Investor Dan Berger   In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and deputy editor, Dylan Monorchio discuss: Love for bringing people together and it brings him joy How the word community is thrown around a lot and the concept deserves to be better understood How Dan defines community as something that gives people a sense of belonging How communities needs more than one qualifier to get people to really connect How focusing on community management may really powerful for event planners despite  The challenge of creating a sense of exclusivity while respecting diversity, equity and inclusion Dan believes that event planning is in everybody’s job description but it’s not in every person’s job title Community organizing skills are the differentiator between good and great event professionals. How event organizers should define what community means for them and their event and also name the community

Shawn Kanungo is a Disruptive Innovation Keynote Speaker with Speakers’ Spotlight and General Partner at Queen & Rook.   In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and guest Shawn Kanungo discuss disruptive innovation, among other things including: Hybrid events and how they are still so new and how we are developing different ways of using them Shawn’s amazing studio production and the team he works with to make his videos and virtual events look as good as they can The importance of looking good in virtual or any events and how that helps to carry the message The next season of events and how they are going to be hybrid, in-person, and a mix of different events NFTs and how we can apply NFTs to events

Elliott Ferguson is the President & CEO of Destination DC   In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and guest Elliot Ferguson discuss diversity in the event industry, among other things including:  The evolving role of Destination Marketing Organisations How planners are now assessing destinations in terms of sustainability as well as diversity and inclusion The state of DEI (Diversity Equity and Inlusion) in the event industry How we can help make the event industry more diverse and inclusive? What are the best ways to inspire young event professionals to be part of this industry?

Brandt Krueger is the Technical Producer of Event Technology Consulting   In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and guest Brandt Krueger discuss: How technology has made it easier to deliver hybrid events Is it ever a good idea to have onsite attendees network with the online attendees? The concept for equivalent value, where we look for ways to deliver value for online audiences but not replicating exactly what onsite audiences have The data "gold" of online event experiences and also why data flows between platforms can be challenging The amazing value that custom-designed sponsorships for online events can deliver Why going from free to paid events is going to be very hard Why is there a need for an event technologist on each event’s design team and the simple business case for the role Why it's so hard to recommend specific event platforms Why Brandt would rather see old technology used well than new technology used badly

Will Curran is the Chief Event Einstein of Endless Events   In this episode, EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and guest Will Curran discuss the ever-changing role of production in the event industry, among other things including: Redefining the role of a production company Will we ever be able to order events online? How content builds authority and relationships and is a core strategy for the company Designing your own job and having small scheduled breaks prevents burnout How the pandemic will raise the bar of all events Why Sustainability and DEI are more important than ever and how that will hopefully be a benefit of the pandemic Why VR Games may be the future of the event industry

Kim Myhre is the Founder and Managing Partner of Experience Designed   In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and guest Kim Myhre discuss: The need for redesigning experiences in a human-centered approach The challenges of changing an industry that aims to be “flawless” How a bad speaker experience makes it hard for speakers to deliver compelling sessions at virtual events How the event industry is learning a lot from TV broadcasting How event companies should focus on the benefits they provide to clients above the vehicle they use to do so How the future of the event industry will inevitably be more tech integrated

Shawna McKinley is the principal consultant at Clear Current Consulting and an instructor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.   In this episode, EventMB Deputy Editor Dylan Monorchio and guest Shawna McKinley set the groundwork for building sustainability into your post-pandemic event strategy. You’ll learn: Why sustainability matters now, even though the industry is still reeling from Covid How to make a business case for sustainability to your stakeholders How to set realistic data-driven sustainability goals for your organization How to find free or inexpensive resources you need to achieve those goals

Ruud Janssen is the Founder & Managing Partner of the Event Design Collective   In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and deputy editor, Dylan Monorchio, discuss event design among other things including: Why designing time is essential to event design How music and business models inspired the Event Canvas Methodology How a common frustration led to a side project that led to a thriving startup How structure enables language that powers conversations about event design  The many challenges of planning for behavior change Why successful events may still benefit from design thinking How restrictions can aid event design Why creating multiple event design prototypes has many advantages What the future holds for the Event Design Collective

Greg Oates is SVP of Innovation at MMGY NextFactor, part of MMGY Global.   In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and deputy editor, Dylan Monorchio, discuss: How events are a pipeline to support the priorities of the destination How the pandemic has increased the visibility of DMOs to different parts of the government The big shifts in intention coming out of Covid for event planners and people who book events and destinations How association executives are actively selecting destinations with positive DEI reputations The ongoing challenges of working with board members How hybrid events remain unknown throughout the industry How to define and measure destination performance The constant need for great storytelling in destination marketing

Matthias Schultze is the Managing Director of the German Convention Bureau   In this episode, he joins EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and deputy editor, Dylan Monorchio, to discuss "Future Meeting Space", among other things including: How financial crisis and pandemics change the way we work and meet because changes in business events mirror changes in society How research allows us to anticipate changes in business events What skills will be needed in the future to run events? The interdisciplinary complexity of business events How business events are the jewel in the toolbox of communication tools The need for creating great spaces and places for people to meet How we need to partner with other to make the best case for business events outside the industry How international understanding requires in-person meetings to build trust How technology must above all benefit the attendee to be successful

Oscar Cerezales is the Chief Strategy Officer of the MCI Group. In this episode, he joins EventMB's Miguel Neves and Dylan Monorchio to discuss among other things: Personal branding and sharing thought leadership content on social media Technology's changing role in the event industry and how MCI approach it Buzzwords - how and when to use them The future role of event industry associations What a post-pandemic event industry looks like

Sina Bünte, CMP, DES, TMEP is the Founder of DigitalMind.events. In this episode of the Event Manager Podcast our guest joins EventMB's editor in chief Miguel Neves and deputy editor Dylan Monorchio in discussing various aspects of the ICCA Congress 2020 including: A deep dive into what a multi-hub hybrid meeting with 8 hubs all around the world looks like The unique strategic decision and quick turnaround required Bringing through the experience from past ICCA and PCMA hybrid events Embracing the complexity of coordinating an event like this and the need for close collaboration with local partners Discuss the feasibility of this type of events for associations and corporates Explore the advantages of creating digital content for associations

Maarten Vanneste, CMM is the President of the Meeting Design Institute, and Founder, President, and Director of Content of The FRESH conference In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and deputy editor, Dylan Monorchio, discuss among other things: The Meeting Architecture concept and manifesto How focused small group conversations add the most value to meetings How interaction delivers outstanding results, even for those who do not believe in the concept Keynotes and small interactive sessions are a great match The development groundbreaking hybrid Fresh Conference The challenges of connecting in-person and online audiences at hybrid events The bandwidth of human connections and planning serendipity

Claus Raasted is the Director of The College of Extraordinary Experiences and Coach at McKinsey & Company In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and deputy editor, Dylan Monorchio, discuss among other things: Curating attendees to create unique experiences Using in-person event experiences to generate auxiliary revenues How breaking social rules is the key to creating productive ideation sessions The cost of disruption and how you cannot please everyone The rise and fall of Dziobak Larp Studios and the dangers of over-delivering How productivity is more approachable than innovation How reframing challenges can turn them into opportunities How focusing on delight rather than eliminating mistakes can create amazing opportunities Read the latest news, attend events, and compare products about the meetings and events industry at EventMB.

Juraj Holub is VP Brand & Comms and Chief Meeting Designer at Slido In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and deputy editor, Dylan Monorchio, discuss Meeting Design and particular conversational meetings and conversation presenting Juraj Holub. Juraj shares his views and his experience in creating interactive meetings and including audiences in experiences. Juraj talks about the evolution of Slido from a small bootstrapped startup in Bratislava to the recent acquisition by Cisco with plenty of anecdotes about stretching the budget, burnout, and ultimately pivoting in a virtual events focused marketplace. Juraj shares his passion for content marketing and how no meeting participants should leave a meeting without speaking their mind. Read the latest news, attend events, and compare products about the meetings and events industry at EventMB.

Tahira Endean, CITP, CMP, DES, CED, Head of Events at the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) is a passionate event designer and is the author of the 2017 book "Intentional Event Design, Our Professional Opportunity". In this episode EventMB's editor-in-chief, Miguel Neves, and deputy editor, Dylan Monorchio, talk with Tahira about taking on impossible-looking challenges (aka wrestling alligators), scary life changes that inspire others, joining the dark side (event tech), writing and producing hybrid events (way before the pandemic), designing a 15-hour marathon virtual event SITE NITE allnite, the future of incentive travel and how not to write a book. Read the latest news, attend events, and compare products about the meetings and events industry at EventMB.

Welcome to the Event Manager Podcast.  Julius Solaris founded Event Manager Blog in 2007, as a result of his passion for events and, in the process, discovered a whole industry. Throughout his professional journey, he's become a master of how to build a brand on social media and is one of the industry's undisputed thought leaders. Editor-in-chief Miguel Neves and deputy editor Dylan Monorchio discuss the unique market conditions and the strategies for surviving and even thriving in the event industry. Read the latest news, attend events, and compare products about the meetings and events industry at Skift Meetings.