Welcome to In Any Event Podcast, a show about events for event planners. I’m your host Michael Kranitz, CEO of EventSquid. Today’s guest is Patrick Higgins, Vice-President of Connect Marketplace. Patrick is a strategic leader within the events space. He provides destination marketing organizations, hotels, resorts, and service providers with unique and impactful methods to fast track business development success and achieve lasting results.  Let’s dive right into Patrick’s expertise to learn what he does, how he does it, and how he is about to inspire positive change in the field.

[00:01 - 05:39] Opening Segment Welcome to In Any Event, I’m your host Michael Kranitz And co-host Marcella D I introduce today’s guest Patrick Higgins Vice president of Connect Marketplace Topics for today Experience in CVB sales capacities Worked with the department of defense with events  Patrick gives a bit of background on himself Wife and three children  Connect has been around since the ’70s  Doubling down on the hosted buyer platform  From tech to atmosphere  Patrick explains hosted buyers  Making sure they are the right fit first  Making them the guest 

[05:40 - 12:58] Presenting an Event Like Speed Dating  We talk about the experience and set up of Connect  Like speed dating  Sometimes up to 100 tables depending on size  High energy and high impact  I talk about the value of a casual conversation and getting to the heart of the issue  Feedback to and from planners This isn’t a cold call Build lasting relationships  Collect all the information upfront then use your time wisely  I share a story from one of my presenting experiences in a Connect event Distinguishing yourself by being human and relatable 

[12:59 - 21:23] The Ins and Outs of Connect  Patrick talks about the progression of their yearly events  Started in 2011 with three events for the year  Early this year (pre-Covid) grew to forty-four live events  Different style per each event depending on theme and goals Managing partnerships and the team Patrick talks about a pain point within the company  No committee  Turning away planners that may not fit  How appointments are set up and processed  Collecting info on the front end by asking questions  Matching the data  Recommending the right people in the right places 

[21:34 - 37:48] Managing Events in the midst of the Covid19 Crisis Patrick shares a story about moving a show due to new regulations The goal was to go back to New Orleans  Announced the change to L.V. Finally moved to Orlando Marriott World Center four weeks before the show  Talking about the process of getting back to live events  Moving back from virtual back to live  60-40 supplier to planner ratio  Now flipped to the inverse  Putting new practices into the event for the first time  How to register Links below Protocols in place for the Connect Safe & Clean Plan Masks still enforced  Outside of the meeting space is your own prerogative  Inside will be temperature checks  Testing on-site if needed  Masks at the events  Foggers (non-invasive saline solution) at the event  Six feet between planner and supplier  Running everything by the CDC  Clarifying how masks are registered  Masks will be mailed out and provided Sticker on attendees to confirm their health 

[37:49 - 47:37] Closing Segment How Patrick understands the needs of both the planners and suppliers  Connects way of providing an organic and pure experience  Patrick talks about learning from a survey  I talk about Patrick’s example within the industry pertaining to safety  How other planners can get back in the game  It is possible Stay tuned for a follow up with...