GatherGeeks by BizBash: The Event Industry Podcast

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This special edition of GatherGeeks was recorded live at Connect NYC, which took place in late February. In this episode, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Michael Cirino, chief experience officer at House of Attention; Chelsey Lavere, senior sales manager of meetings and conventions at Turning Stone Resort Casino; and Mary Giuliani, founder and CEO of Mary Giuliani Catering & Events. The panel discusses why and how the catering experience is the final frontier in event marketing—and the ultimate touchpoint where brands can make a lasting impression. They also delve into cutting-edge culinary innovation and event experiences, from drone cocktail bars to deconstructed chicken dinners, and even an avant-garde 100-course dining experience. In addition, the group explores how technology intertwines with the dining experience and, even more importantly, how event profs can engage their catering partners to be as much a marketing partner as their internal teams and agency partners. Listen in on a discussion that's sure to tantalize your taste buds and inspire your event planning endeavors.

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This special edition of GatherGeeks was recorded live at Connect NYC, which took place in late February. In this episode, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Jennifer Savica, head of corporate events at New York Life Insurance Company, and Michael Weiss, co-founder of Ai4, to discuss the future of events. Adler calls them two of the brightest minds shaping our industry, and their conversation touches on not only event trends for 2024 but what's on the "trash heap" of event planning, the evolving format of keynotes, the role of AI in events, the shift from virtual to hybrid and back, and the importance of belonging and community. Get ready for a deep dive into the new frontier of events.

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In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with David Allison, author of The Death of Demographics and a globally recognized researcher known for coining the term "valuegraphics." This data-informed strategy seeks to unpack human behavior by spotlighting shared human values over outward demographic characteristics. Major companies like Lulu Lemon, PayPal, Google, and the United Nations Foundation have embraced this concept, and here Allison breaks down how it can be used to better understand audiences, sell products, motivate teams, and design user experiences. He also discusses why it's time to apply this concept to the world of event planning to create programs that truly resonate. This is an episode definitely worth a listen for anyone seeking to take their events to the next level.

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In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with two of the best in the event lighting biz: Billy Butchkavitz of Billy Butchkavitz Design and Curt Stahl of Images by Lighting. Based in Los Angeles, this duo is at the forefront of transforming event spaces into mesmerizing experiences. Here, they discuss various facets of event lighting, how lighting has evolved, its pivotal role in setting the stage, and considerations for different event scenarios. This episode also touches on the impact of social media on lighting design, plus Butchkavitz's and Stahl's dream projects (hint: One of them hopes to light the Olympics one day). Take a listen.

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Welcome to part two of our podcast with Head Table Talks. (Missed part one? Listen here.) In this special episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits in on a special event planners' luncheon—co-hosted by Melva LaJoy Legrand of LaJoy Plans and Margo Fischer of Bright Occasions—in Washington, D.C. These luncheons, known as Head Table Talks, aim to build community within the event industry and provide a safe space for event profs to network and collaborate. In part two, the focus shifts to the latest happenings in the event business and provides valuable insights into the industry's latest trends and challenges.

The group touches on topics that are shaping the fate of the industry and candidly discusses everything from the pros and cons of new technology advancements, the legacy impacts of COVID-19 on the events sector, to rising security concerns. These event profs also share their own experiences of juggling personal and professional lives. Take a listen, and keep scrolling to read more about our distinguished guests.

Melva LaJoy LegrandAs a self-made entrepreneur recognized for her work in the live event industry, as well as causes rooted in social equality as it pertains to women, health, and race and identity, Melva LaJoy Legrand is a public speaker, event producer/director, community leader, and storyteller. As the founder and CEO of LaJoy Plans, an event planning firm she relaunched in 2019, Legrand has been recognized as a trailblazer in the event industry, receiving the BizBash Top Event Industry Innovator Award and the Events Industry Council Global Social Impact Award in 2022. As of 2023, Legrand has spearheaded two new initiatives: Mondays With Melva, exclusive monthly content for her subscribers, offering career guidance as well as event planning tips, and Head Table Talks, an annual luncheon she co-created as a safe space for event planners.

Margo FischerMargo Fischer is the owner of Bright Occasions, a full-service event planning company specializing in bespoke weddings and milestone occasions. Fischer brings a wealth of industry knowledge and hands-on experience to her clients, from previous roles in corporate event planning and private event catering. She has a passion for curating unforgettable events. With a strong foundation in event planning and an impressive career in some of Washington, D.C.'s most prestigious venues, Fischer boasts over 14 years of expertise in the event industry. In addition to helping couples and families, Fischer has worked on community events such as the annual Art in Bloom museum experience and gala reception at Anderson House. She also co-produced the Beyond the Blackout series to highlight diversity and inclusivity within the event industry and is currently co-producing Head Table Talks networking luncheons to create a space for event planners to gather, mingle, and learn from one another.

Kawania WootenKawania Wooten, CMP, brings a unique mix of experience and skills to her businesses, Howerton+Wooten Events and The Enlightened Creative. Her vast experience in the hospitality world includes hotel management, casino and gaming, the culinary industry, and 30 years as a professional meeting and event planner for Washington, D.C.'s elite. Wooten strives for professionalism, creativity, and impeccable organization within every function planned by the Howerton+Wooten Events team. She is an adjunct instructor in the hospitality, tourism, and culinary arts department at Prince George's Community College.

Aisha Malik RodriguezAisha Malik Rodriguez is the founder and owner of Aim Aro Logistics LLC, a dynamic company specializing in production and event management on a global scale. With a career spanning over 25 years in the event and hospitality industry, Malik Rodriguez has become a true expert in her field. Born and raised in Fairfax County, Va., and hailing from a rich Pakistani cultural background, Malik Rodriquez brings a unique blend of experiences and perspectives to her work. Her family, which is large and spread around the world, has instilled in her a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and traditions. Malik Rodriguez's company, Aim Aro Logistics LLC, excels in a wide range of services, including vendor management, event permitting, and emergency response management. With a passion for creating unforgettable experiences, she and her team are dedicated to helping clients navigate the entire event process from start to finish. Whether it's a festival, a government or military event, a corporate gathering, a nonprofit initiative, or a private celebration, Malik Rodriguez's expertise shines through.

Jennifer CharlesJennifer Charles is a co-founder and the chief creative officer at Something Fabulous. Charles' specialty is in designing experience and storytelling marketing. She has a degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Charles began her career in radio, television, and film. From interning at theToday show and Good Morning America to working in production with The Food Network and New Line Cinema, she has experienced storytelling from many different angles and industries.

Becca MaiBecca Mai is a West Virginia native who transplanted to the D.C. area shortly after launching a career in hospitality. She has been in the wedding industry for over 10 years specializing in planning for LGBTQ+, multicultural, and fusion weddings and events. While the majority of her career has been geared toward wedding operations, she has spent a lengthy portion of it building out platforms, training programs, and more. She is now a business strategist for wedding professionals and an inclusive wedding planner, assisting wedding business owners on the back of the business to streamline, automate, and organize with hospitality 100% in mind.

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In this special episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits in on a special event planners' luncheon—co-hosted by Melva LaJoy Legrend of LaJoy Plans and Margo Fischer of Bright Occasions—in Washington, D.C. These luncheons, known as Head Table Talks, aim to build community within the events industry and provide a safe space for event profs to network and collaborate. At this particular Head Table Talk, held in late October at Dauphine's, Adler brings his Jeffersonian-style of discussion to the six planners gathered and asks each of them: What was your first job? And what did you learn from it?

This is just part one of this thought-provoking discussion. Part two, to be released next week, will shift its focus to the latest happenings in the event business and provide valuable insights into the industry's latest trends and challenges. These are two episodes you don't want to miss.

Melva LaJoy Legrand As a self-made entrepreneur recognized for her work in the live events industry, as well as causes rooted in social equality as it pertains to women, health, and race and identity, Melva LaJoy Legrand is a public speaker, event producer/director, community leader, and storyteller. As the founder/CEO of LaJoy Plans, an event planning firm she re-launched in 2019, Melva has been recognized as a trailblazer in the events industry receiving the BizBash Top Event Industry Innovator Award and the Events Industry Council, Global Social Impact Award in 2022. As of 2023, Melva has spearheaded two new initiatives: Mondays With Melva, exclusive monthly content for her subscribers, offering career guidance as well as event planning tips, and Head Table Talks, an annual luncheon that she co-created as a safe space for event planners.

Margo Fischer Margo Fischer is the owner of Bright Occasions, a full-service event planning company specializing in bespoke weddings and milestone occasions. Margo brings a wealth of industry knowledge and hands-on experience to her clients, from previous roles in corporate event planning and private event catering. She has a passion for curating unforgettable events. With a strong foundation in event planning and an impressive career in some of Washington, D.C.'s most prestigious venues, Margo boasts over 14 years of expertise in the event industry. In addition to helping couples and families, Margo has worked on community events such as the annual Art in Bloom museum experience and gala reception at Anderson House. And she co-produced the Beyond the Blackout series to highlight diversity and inclusivity within the event industry and is currently co-producing Head Table Talks networking luncheons to create a space for event planners to gather, mingle, and learn from one another.

Kawania Wooten Kawania Wooten, CMP, brings a unique mix of experience and skills to her businesses, Howerton+Wooten Events and the Enlightened Creative. Her vast experience in the hospitality world includes hotel management, casino and gaming, the culinary industry, and 30 years as a professional meeting and event planner for the Washington D.C. elite. Kawania strives for professionalism, creativity, and impeccable organization within every function planned by the Howerton+Wooten Events team. She is an adjunct instructor in the Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Arts Department at Prince George's Community College.

Aisha Malik Rodriguez Aisha Malik Rodriguez is the founder and owner of Aim Aro Logistics LLC, a dynamic company specializing in production and event management on a global scale. With a career spanning over 25 years in the event and hospitality industry, Aisha has become a true expert in her field. Born and raised in Fairfax County, Va., and hailing from a rich Pakistani cultural background, Aisha brings a unique blend of experiences and perspectives to her work. Her family, which is large and spread across the world, has instilled in her a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and traditions. Aisha's company, Aim Aro Logistics LLC, excels in a wide range of services, including vendor management, event permitting, and emergency response management. With a passion for creating unforgettable experiences, she and her team are dedicated to helping clients navigate the entire event process, from start to finish. Whether it's a festival, a government or military event, a corporate gathering, a nonprofit initiative, or a private celebration, Aisha's expertise shines through.

Jennifer Charles Jennifer Charles is a co-founder and the chief creative officer at Something Fabulous. Jennifer’s specialty is in designing experience and storytelling marketing. Jennifer has a degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She began her career in radio, television, and film. From interning at The Today Show and Good Morning America to working in production with The Food Network and New Line Cinema, she has experienced storytelling from many different angles and industries.

Becca Mai Becca Mai is a West Virginia native who transplanted to the D.C. area shortly after launching a career in hospitality. She has been in the wedding industry for over 10 years specializing in planning for LBGTQ+, multicultural, and fusion weddings and events. While the majority of her career has been geared toward wedding operations, she has spent a lengthy portion of it building out platforms, training programs, and more. She is now a business strategist for wedding professionals and an inclusive wedding planner, assisting wedding business owners on the back of the business to streamline, automate, and organize with hospitality 100% in mind.

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In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Kelly Roe, the brand-new executive creative director at global experiential powerhouse Jack Morton. At the time of this recording, she’s been at the helm just three weeks. During their enlightening conversation, Adler and Roe discuss her time at The Kitchen, the in-house creative agency at Kraft Heinz; the evolving world of influencers; the art of inspiring teams and extracting their full potential; and the changing nature of what works now in events. This conversation is a wellspring of knowledge and inspiration—take a listen.

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In this episode of GatherGeeks—recorded live at Connect Marketplace 2023 in Minneapolis—BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Deesha Dyer, who served as the White House social secretary for the last two years of the Obama administration.

Here she recounts the meticulous planning that went into the Pope’s visit, navigating unexpected situations with poise, and how her time as social secretary informed her understanding of the intricate interplay between politics, social customs, and the importance of creating memorable experiences. Listen for a behind-the-scenes look into events held at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

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In this episode of GatherGeeks—recorded live at Connect Marketplace 2023 in Minneapolis—BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Michael Schaiman, CEO of creative technology studio GenCity Labs. Schaiman is a powerhouse of knowledge on everything digital. From shaping trailblazing digital experiences to spearheading impactful strategies, his prowess is certain to bring a fresh perspective to our listeners.

In this episode, Adler and Schaiman chat about the latter's recent work with the Detroit Lions and Mercedez-Benz, antiquated event tech stacks, how AI can improve an event experience, AI platforms to test out, and more. Take a listen.

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It's likely you've seen the news from over the weekend: Thousands were trapped at Burning Man—the psychedelic art and music festival that pops up every year in the Nevada desert—after days of torrential rainfall. In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Bentley Meeker, a legendary lighting artist and Burning Man attendee for the last 14 years. Meeker takes us through what happened this year and how he got out (trekking through three miles of mud), his work on a massive art installation depicting a 30-foot clitoris (yes, you read that correctly), and his past work lighting the famous Temple at Burning Man. This episode is bound to ignite your senses and expand your horizons. Take a listen.

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Host: David Adler
Guests: Anika Grant, Cara Kleinhaut, Dan Mannix

Welcome to part two of our exploration of the event and experiential agency world. (Missed part one? Listen here.) Last week, these three agency leaders—Anika Grant of Idlewild Experiential, Cara Kleinhaut of AGENC Experiential + Digital Marketing, and Dan Mannix of underdog venture team—gave us their insights on the pulse of the industry. This week, they'll discuss their own journeys navigating the waves of experiential marketing like seasoned sailors. Expect real stories, heartfelt emotions, and hard-earned lessons. This episode will leave you enlightened on the power of vulnerability and leadership, the art of navigating transition, and what it truly means to be a good boss.

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In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler has assembled a powerhouse panel of experiential agency leaders to get the pulse of what's happening in the world of experiential marketing—what do clients want now? He's joined by Anika Grant, the founder and CEO of Idlewild Experiential; Cara Kleinhaut, the founder and CEO of AGENC Experiential + Digital Marketing; and Dan Mannix, the co-founder of underdog venture team. Join them as they navigate the intricate laboratory of the experiential marketing world, exploring the aspirations of its key players and understanding how they can harmonize these diverse needs to create exceptional experiences.

Whether you're an industry veteran or a newcomer, this episode promises to be a wealth of insights that will help you stay ahead in this dynamic field. Also, stay tuned for part two next week, where they will discuss the joys and pitfalls of being an agency entrepreneur and fostering a culture of curiosity.

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Host:David Adler
Guests:Christopher Felts, Wayne Fernandez

If you’re looking to geek out on venues, budgeting, and AV, this episode is for you. Joining BizBash chairman and founder David Adler this week are two experts who understand the intricacies of how having great venue partners can make or break you: Christopher Felts, director of operations for AES NYC, and Wayne Fernandez, the general manager of Magic Box Event Center in Los Angeles. Although located on different coasts, these venues both provide raw, blank canvas spaces to planners. In this conversation, expect the trio to get honest about how quickly partner relationships can go sour, budgeting prowess, and insights into what they’re seeing firsthand in events today. And they see everything.

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Host:David Adler
Guest:Michael Cirino

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Michael Cirino, the mastermind behind the 100-Course Meal and founder of creative studio House of Attention. Cirino knows that events have the power to evoke emotions and leave lasting impressions, and his storytelling prowess is sure to leave you inspired. In this episode, he shares the secrets behind that groundbreaking dinner event, discusses the inner workings of House of Attention and his concept of “big ideas,” and reveals his remarkable perspective on event experiences. This conversation is sure to challenge your perceptions and ignite your imagination.

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Host: David Adler Guest: Chris Detert

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Chris Detert, chief communications officer for Influential, dubbed as the largest influencer marketing company in the world. The company recently wrapped work for Possible, a new marketing conference that brought brands and tech and media companies—plus big-name speakers like A-Rod, Elon Musk, and LL Cool J—to Miami last month. In this lively convo, Detert discusses Influential’s nail-biting approach to helping make this inaugural conference successful, curating celebrity speakers, how the company completed a big land grab for the upcoming Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity by taking over Twitter Beach, and the promising future of AI.

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Host: David Adler Guests: Meera Somji, Andrew Carney

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Meera Somji and Andrew Carney, the co-founders of Clusivity, a consultancy that helps organizations take a data-driven approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The duo recently gave a presentation at the 2023 SISO CEO Summit in Las Vegas and used a powerful storytelling style that masterfully combined hard facts and compelling narratives. In this candid conversation, Somji and Carney discuss how they crafted that presentation for the SISO audience (comprising global show organizers), as well as how their company is breaking new ground and addressing DEI in the events industry in unique ways. This episode also explores the challenges and opportunities that come with implementing DEI strategies—plus the impact these efforts can have on both the industry and the world at large.

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Host: David Adler Guests: Chris and Jill Drury

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Chris and Jill Drury, the husband-and-wife team behind event agency Drury Design. The two are involved in just about every aspect of group dynamics for both virtual and in-person events. They are the go-to couple for updates on what’s really going on in the world of large corporate events. They collaborate on all aspects of their business—whether it’s with clients like IBM and Microsoft, their teams, and especially with attendees. In this episode, they discuss the biggest changes in the events industry in recent years ("people want more meaning out of these events," Chris said), plus how to create an atmosphere of openness, piggybacking private events around major trade shows, and an exercise they do internally called “idea jams.” If you want a sense of what’s going on in the industry right now, take a listen.

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Host: David Adler Guest: Jonathan Steffert

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Jonathan Steffert, the cultural attaché of public diplomacy and public affairs for the New Zealand Embassy in Washington, D.C. Steffert represents a new generation of diplomats who understand the importance of developing soft power in ways that engage and promote the values of their country. He's a great believer in using storytelling in every part of his job, especially when hosting events at the embassy. (Pro tip: This includes mowing the lawn ahead of every event to get that great cut-grass smell, and handing out friendship pins off his own suit when other people show an interest.) Steffert is one of the most strategic thinkers on soft power. And as the epitome of New Zealand love for the environment, diversity, and kindness, his lessons are as important for an experiential marketer, to a meeting planner, to an event designer, and everything in between. Take a listen, and take notes.

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Host: David Adler Guest: Richard Waddington

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Richard Waddington, one of the most creative players on the international event scene. He is the co-founder and former CEO of event agency First Protocol, which is now known as FIRST. And he’s been in the news recently as part of PCMA’s acquisition of the U.K.-based Event Marketing Association (following its acquisition of another event marketing body, CEMA, in 2020). Here, Waddington recalls working his way up the hospitality ladder, candidly discusses his struggle with dyslexia, and speaks about trust and the importance of apprenticeship relationships. As a leader and a participant in the huge growth of the events industry over the past 20 years, Waddington is a must-listen guest. The episode concludes with the return of our “Ask the Experts.” Dawn Penfold of Meetingjobs talks dealing with being miserable at work—and how to know when it’s time to leave. And wine and spirits specialist Vanessa Cominsky returns to discuss how wine is no longer a luxury but a must-have at events, plus how cannabis and nonalcoholic beverages are faring now.

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Host: David Adler Guests: Hugh Forrest, Cindy Lo

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with two key event profs behind South by Southwest (SXSW), the buzzy annual festival in Austin that attracts emerging talent, iconic performances, and groundbreaking ideas in the realms of music, TV/film, tech, and culture. We first hear from Hugh Forrest, SXSW’s co-president and chief programming officer, who delves into the festival’s 30-plus-year history, how it’s evolved and thrived in those decades, why AI will be a big topic this year, and what else he’s most looking forward to at the 2023 festival. Cindy Lo, CEO of full-service events agency RED VELVET, then joins the pod. She’s been producing brand events and activations for years with SXSW, and here she discusses what both planners and attendees want most out of these experiences, how brands are measuring ROI, and how the fest is attracting younger generations. This is a preview episode you won’t want to miss.

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Host: David Adler Guest: Luigi Romaniello

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Luigi Romaniello, the new managing director of New York’s iconic The Plaza Hotel. Like the famous book series Eloise, the 30-year industry veteran actually lives at The Plaza where he oversees all aspects of the luxury hotel, including daily operations, guest experiences, and continued growth strategies. He comes to New York after years managing other iconic properties in The Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Dallas, and Abu Dhabi. He's the first one to tell us that no one really owns The Plaza except for the people of New York. And in this interview, he also touches on his management philosophy, what hospitality looks like today, and how hotels can become epicenters of community. In addition, you’ll hear from three new “Ask the Expert” guests: Tim Groot, CEO and founder of Grip, an AI-powered event platform; and renowned event designers David Beahm of David Beahm Experiences and Todd Fiscus of Todd Events.

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Host: David Adler Guests: Paul Bulencea, Claus Raasted, Tahira Endean

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder sits down with the founders of the College of Extraordinary Experiences, a five-day conference held inside a 13th-century Polish castle that uses an immersive education method to study experience design. We also hear from “graduates” of the conference—including IMEX's head of programming Tahira Endean—on the life-changing learning that impacts how they plan events and conduct their lives. Founders Paul Bulencea and Claus Raasted come from the world of LARP (live-action role playing)—could that be the ticket to entice this next generation of eventgoers? We also hear from our returning “Ask the Experts.” Wine and spirits specialist Vanessa Cominsky delves into wine myths, and hiring pro Dawn Penfold of Meetingjobs discusses what hiring managers in the meeting and event industry are looking for today.

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Host: David Adler Guests: Carla Ruben, Chap Gage, Dawn Penfold, Vanessa Cominsky

In this episode of GatherGeeks, along with the main interviews, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler has added two new “Ask the Expert” features. One is with career and hiring pro Dawn Penfold, president of Meetingjobs, who will discuss salary transparency and where the job market is today. Our second expert is Vanessa Cominsky, wine and spirits specialist for Prestige-Ledroit Distributing Co., who will touch on how the wine and beverage industry has changed because of the pandemic. In the main interviews, our two speakers give us a sense of the state of the catering industry. Carla Ruben, owner of Creative Edge Parties, dishes on a new generation of guests at events, and how clients are moving away from comfort food and leaning into clean, luxurious offerings. Then, Chap Gage, CEO of Susan Gage Caterers, discusses how the building blocks of a great company include taking care of coworkers and building meaningful relationships with clients and the community, and how aspects of his military training have become a benchmark for service.

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In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with BizBash’s editorial team—interim editorial director Shannon Thaler, managing editor Sarah Kloepple, and senior contributing editor Claire Hoffman—to discuss how events fared in 2022. The trio answer questions about what gave them “goosebump moments” this year, their favorite BizBash stories they worked on in 2022, and what they predict is in store for the industry in 2023.

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Host: David Adler Guest: Deesha Dyer

Imagine orchestrating a visit from the pope and a Chinese state dinner… within days of each other. In this episode of GatherGeeks, recorded live at Connect Winter Marketplace in Washington, D.C, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Deesha Dyer, who served as the White House social secretary—the person responsible for planning and coordinating official social events at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.—for the last two years of the Obama administration. Dyer is also the founder and CEO of Hook & Fasten, a social impact agency that specializes in transformational relationships between corporations and communities, diversity and inclusion, and executive operations. In this conversation, Dyers gets candid on navigating stressful moments in a high-stakes environment, working with Michelle Obama, how she started as an intern at the White House, lessons she’s learned, and insights on serving the country.

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Host: David Adler
Guests: Tony Wagner, Sara Meyer

Meeting professionals are constantly multitasking. The last thing they want to do is spend time on manual, tedious processes that should just be easy—including cross-checking spreadsheets to track down commissions and payments. This is where Onyx CenterSource’s GroupPay™ can help. This holistic solution is an industry-first payments automation platform that provides hotels and meeting professionals with unparalleled transparency and efficiency to track and proactively manage their event commissions—which, in turn, enables easy reconciliation and faster payments. In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Onyx’s Tony Wagner and Sara Meyer to discuss the company’s expansion into the meetings and events payments sector of the hospitality industry, how GroupPay™ can help when planners feel like they’re “flying blind,” and what fast, easy commissions can look like with the right technology in place.

Do you manage the meetings and events commission payments process? Tell us your thoughts on how we can streamline and simplify this process for a chance to win an Apple Watch Series 8! Take the survey here.

Sponsored by Ticketbud.

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Host: David Adler
Guest: Dawn Penfold

In this episode of GatherGeeks, we're bringing you a live conversation that took place at BizBash's recent conference in Las Vegas, held in late May. BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sat down with event and meeting hiring guru Dawn Penfold, president of Meetingjobs. The pair discusses the event industry's job landscape post-COVID, sharing tips for both job-seekers and employers about the most in-demand roles right now, the skillsets and personality traits most needed, best practices for virtual interviews and more. Penfold also explains where and how employers can find good talent right now, the challenges businesses are facing in terms of hiring, her predictions for the future and much more.

Running time: 29:49. Sponsored by iVent.

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Host: David Adler
Guest: Sam Kolbert-Hyle

In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Sam Kolbert-Hyle, the president and CEO of Brandlive, who shares how his company has helped major corporations add the right polish to their live and virtual presentations. He explains how his team has developed the sense of a high-end television studio in a very accessible Greenroom product, and also shares a wide variety of tech and engagement tips for virtual events—including why you should over-prepare for big production moments, why you should never start your event on time, what the most important part of a virtual event is, how he stays calm during high-stress moments and more. An added bonus? Listen for some fun, behind-the-scenes insights from Brandlive’s work on the Biden campaign in 2020.

Running time: 51:29

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Hosts: David Adler, RD Whitney
Guests: Liz Irving, Paul Treanor

This episode of GatherGeeks is a collaborative show between BizBash, the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) and Event Relief 2021, Dan Assor’s 24-hour vodcast that raised funds for the nonprofit EventWell in March. BizBash chairman and founder David Adler teams up with RD Whitney, the founder of 365 Media, to host an event producers’ roundtable featuring Liz Irving, executive vice president and head of marketing at Clarion Events North America, and Paul Treanor, senior manager of content and community at Informa.

The group of industry veterans discusses the evolving world of virtual and hybrid events, sharing the unvarnished truth about what they’ve learned about events and exhibitions over the last 13 months. They also share why event producers should consider themselves community-builders, discussing how to understand your customer’s needs and motivators, ways to foster connections online or in-person, what works and what doesn’t work when building new communities, and much more. Finally, they chat about their own experiences with virtual and hybrid events, sharing insights on attendee engagement, the hub-and-spoke method, why Clubhouse is so popular in the event industry and much more.

Running time: 51:40. Sponsored by iVent.

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Host: David Adler
Guest: Nir Eyal

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with behavioral design and time management expert Nir Eyal, the author of the books Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life. The duo discusses why event professionals are masters of designing distractions, especially when trying to monetize events, and give some insights into the science of distraction both for personal growth and professional use. Eyal shares tips for fighting attendee distraction at events and trade shows, why focus is not the opposite of distraction, how speakers can grab attention (and why they should always ask audiences for feedback), the future of events in a post-pandemic world and much more.

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Host: David Adler
Guest: Glenn Haussman

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Glenn Haussman, a 25-year hotel industry veteran, professional speaker and the host of popular hospitality podcast "No Vacancy." During this high-energy conversation, the duo discusses all things hospitality and events, including what they both miss and don’t miss from in-person gatherings, the good and bad of virtual, tips for training speakers and exciting changes that have been accelerated by the pandemic. Haussman also shares what he’s hearing from hotel organizers about the future, including labor shortages and automation tools, and gives some behind-the-scenes details from his new book, The Adapters.

Sponsored by Brandlive. Running time: 44:35.

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Hosts: David Adler, Ashton Pike
Guests: Dan Cormany, Latoya Lewis, Lynn Minnaert, John Niser, Briana Stewart, Aruzhan Toleubay

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and editorial director Ashton Pike chat with a diverse group of students and professors in the event and hospitality industry. Hosted during Dan Assor’s 24-hour vodcast to benefit EventWell, the conversation features Briana Stewart and Aruzhan Toleubay, two students finding their way in the industry during COVID-19, as well as Florida International University professor Dan Cormany, New York University professor Lynn Minnaert, Farleigh Dickinson University professor John Niser and EnventU founder Latoya Lewis. The group discusses how COVID-19 has reshaped the industry, outlining what works now and how the next generation can face the challenges of today. This vodcast is a must-watch for anyone trying to adapt and thrive in this ever-changing industry.

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Host: David Adler
Guests: Steve Gottlieb, Natalie Jones

In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Steve Gottlieb, founder and CEO of the virtual event platform Shindig, and Natalie Jones, the senior vice president of external affairs and diplomatic engagement for the nonpartisan diplomacy center Meridian House. The group discusses the challenges of—and best practices for—emulating high-touch events like the G-8 world leader summit virtually, and how other tools of diplomacy can work in the digital world. They also talk about the importance of making technology almost invisible during online events, as well as the future of hybrid, whether on-demand conversation hubs like Clubhouse will have an impact on traditional events, the future of collaboration and much more.

Sponsored by Shindig. Running time 41:42.

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Host: David Adler
Guests: Denzil Rankine, Marco Giberti

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Denzil Rankine, founder of AMR International, and Marco Giberti, founder of Vesuvio Ventures, to discuss their new book, Reinventing Live: The Always-On Future of Live Events. The duo dives into their thought process behind the book, which focuses on the shift from one-off, in-person events to year-round marketing strategies. They also discuss ways to be a strong entrepreneur and leader in times of crisis, why event organizers should consider themselves community catalysts, the best ways to learn what the customer wants, how to balance gut instinct with data, the winners and losers of this new world, the future of the exhibition and trade show industry, and much more.

Sponsored by Brandlive. Running time: 51:21

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Hosts: David Adler, Christian Conner
Guest: Daniel Johnnes

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and writer Christian Conner explore the world of high-end wine tastings with Daniel Johnnes, the proprietor of the weeklong wine event La Paulée Mondiale. It’s been described as the “world’s greatest wine event,” with ticket prices as high as $10,000. Here, Johnnes describes the event’s shift to virtual this year, discussing what aspects of the online event did and didn’t work and what will carry over into future in-person gatherings. He also shares the history of the event, discussing how it has grown over two decades, how ticket prices are set, why choosing the right winemakers is crucial and much more.

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Host: David Adler
Guests: Jennifer Kellogg, Debbie Seabloom

In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Debbie Seabloom, vice president of strategic accounts for Type A Events, and Jennifer Kellogg, executive director of MeetingPlay. The group discusses the biggest challenges and solutions to keeping attendees engaged online, sharing tips on what works and what doesn't work. They also examine the new style of partnerships between the end client, the agency and the virtual platform, plus the importance of teamwork in this new era, what makes a successful event today, their predictions for the future of virtual and hybrid events, and much more.

Sponsored by MeetingPlay. Running time: 37:14

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Host: David Adler
Guest: Joe Schwinger

In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Joe Schwinger, the co-founder and CEO of MeetingPlay, a virtual and hybrid platform that powers some of the largest virtual events in the world for clients like Marriott, Slack, PepsiCo and many more. Adler and Schwinger preview BizBash's upcoming Event Style Awards, a virtual event powered by MeetingPlay that's taking place Feb. 17, and chat about best practices for hosting a virtual award show. They also dive deep into other aspects of our new virtual and hybrid world, discussing why you should gamify your swag store, why content is more important than ever, why analyzing analytics is key to creating an effective gathering and more.

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Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman
Guest: Jim Louderback

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and BizBash executive editor Claire Hoffman chat with Jim Louderback, the general manager of VidCon, a massive trade show for digital creators. The group discusses how the show shifted to virtual this year, including what worked and what didn't, his favorite tech platforms, why he stretched it into a summerlong event series, and future plans. He also discusses how to engage the next generation of event attendees, the power of influencer marketing, why he takes an editorial approach to programming content, his predictions for hybrid events and much more.

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Host: David Adler
Guests: Rebecca de Freitas, Danny Hardman

On this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Rebecca de Freitas—an event producer who recently completed a master’s degree with a thesis on Esports—and Danny Hardman, director of business development for PRG and a lifelong gamer. The group discusses the world of Esports from an event and marketing perspective, sharing why event producers should care, how these gamified hybrid events are uniquely positioned to reach younger generations, and how brands can use Esports to engage their communities in effective ways. They also dissect the challenges and logistics of planning an Esports tournament, ways gaming can help build brand loyalty, how venues are getting business from gaming tournaments, tips for learning the ins and outs of the industry, what to expect in the future, and much more.

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Host: David Adler
Guests: Jeff Youngs, VP Production and Operations, GES Events; Betty Bergeron, Executive Producer, GES Events

In part three of our three-part sponsored podcast series on hybrid events, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with GES Events' Jeff Youngs, VP Production and Operations, and Betty Bergeron, Executive Producer. The group dives into the myths and realities of planning and budgeting for hybrid events—and how the process has changed from previous in-person events. They take us step-by-step through their budget-planning process, sharing how they stay organized for virtual versus in-person components, the most important places to spend your money, and other smart insights and strategies.

To learn more about GES Events' hybrid event capabilities, go to ges.com.

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Host: David Adler
Guests: John Woo, SVP Creative and Design, GES Events; Jeff Youngs, VP Production and Operations, GES Events

In part two of our three-part sponsored podcast series on hybrid events, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with GES Events’ John Woo, SVP Creative and Design, and Jeff Youngs, VP Production and Operations. The trio discusses how to most effectively craft the attendee journey for hybrid events, from initial marketing strategies to post-event engagement. They also discuss ways to identify and engage your target demographic, how to facilitate effective networking and education, how speakers should be approaching hybrid events, the power of face-to-face connections, and much more.

To learn more about GES Events' hybrid event capabilities, go to ges.com.

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Host: David Adler
Guests: Dan Hilbert, EVP GES Events Worldwide; Jen Beindorf, VP Global Strategy, GES Events

In part one of our three-part sponsored podcast series on hybrid events, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler is joined by Dan Hilbert, EVP of GES Events Worldwide, and Jen Beindorf, VP Global Strategy for GES Events, for a big-picture conversation on what hybrid events can and should look like in the future. The group discusses best practices for structure, strategy, and execution, diving into how hybrid differs from virtual, how to make it feel like one cohesive event, creating a-ha moments in a digital space, and more. They also discuss why content is more crucial than ever, the pros and cons of pre-recorded videos, strategies for keeping attendees engaged and interested, how long events should last, and how to create human connections at a hybrid event.

To learn more about GES Events' hybrid event capabilities, go to ges.com.

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Hosts: David Adler, BizBash & Stephanie Cheung, Marketing Challenges International

Guests: Oscar Nobre, McVeigh Global Meetings and Events; Juri Seo, Korea Tourism Organization; Dora An, Goyang CVB; David Ko, Jeju Island CVB; Minji Kang, Busan CVB

In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash Chairman and Founder David Adler once again teams up with Stephanie Cheung, Director of Strategy and Insights at Marketing Challenges International, to explore Korea from a business events perspective. First, Oscar Nobre, Senior Project Manager at McVeigh Global Meetings and Events, shares why he chose to host a 700-person conference in Korea and what he learned in the sourcing process with Juri Seo, Manager of Meetings and Incentives at Korea Tourism Organization. The two discuss everything from contract negotiations to local traditions to appropriate speaker gifts. Then, representatives from three different cities around the country—Goyang, Jeju, and Busan—highlight the culture, people, and customs that international event professionals need to know. All the fun and informative trivia kicks off an upcoming virtual trivia night in December 2020! For more details, contact Stephanie Cheung at scheung@mcintl.com.

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Since March 2020, the business of events has been rattled like never before, and the disruption of the pandemic has changed the industry forever. As we adapt and evolve, everyone wants to know: What strategies and solutions are helping event professionals survive, and for some, even thrive in this challenging time? What can event producers count on as they prepare their event budgets and design their plans for 2021? What best practices will help us safely reopen venues for in-person and hybrid experiences?

Join David Adler, chairman and founder of BizBash, as he sits down with Amber Guild of The New York Times and David Macy and Philip Himberg of MacDowell for interviews about how these two iconic organizations are reimagining their in-person gatherings. Then, Adler welcomes Fred Dixon of NYC & Company and Kelly Easterling of Quantum Creative Studios and #WeMakeEvents, as well as Carmen Jones of ESSENCE Communications, Glenn Rabbach of Duggal Visual Solutions, and Shaun Roberts of Great Performances for panel discussions about the state and future of the event industry during a special broadcast of the BizBash podcast GatherGeeks, from TheTimesCenter.

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Host: David Adler
Guests: John Knightly, Amanda Segar

In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with John Knightly and Amanda Segar, the chief marketing officer and the director of global field marketing and events, respectively, for BlueJeans by Verizon. The group discusses how the video conferencing platform has expanded to accommodate events of all types, offering high-quality, scalable experiences for groups of all sizes. They share how BlueJeans makes the process easy for attendees, presenters, and moderators; ways that live polling, hand raising, and other smart features can increase audience engagement; how the technology can evoke emotion and bring together attendees from around the world; and much more. Finally, the team discusses unique ways event organizers have used the platform, from 20,000-person festivals to trade shows and exhibits to corporate events and marketing activations.

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Hosts: David Adler, Stephanie Cheung
Guests: Juri Seo, Dr. Richard Arriviello

In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler teams up with Stephanie Cheung, director of strategy and insights for Marketing Challenges International, to interview Juri Seo, an executive for Korea Tourism Organization, and Dr. Richard Arriviello, chief medical officer for InHouse Physicians. Seo shares case studies of large-scale events and trade shows that have been held successfully in South Korea, and discusses how the country effectively curbed the spread of COVID-19 through the smart safety practices, while Dr. Arriviello gives his perspective on how those practices can be implemented in the United States. The group also dives into how to communicate safety protocols to attendees, the future of domestic and international travel, the future of meetings and events in Korea, and much more.

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Host: David Adler
Guests: Cindy Brewer, Michael Dalton, Jon Brown

In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler welcomes three guests from LEO Events to explore the value of versatility, diversity, and determination as we all navigate these turbulent times. Principal Cindy Brewer, senior vice president of strategy Michael Dalton, and manager of event operations Jon Brown reflect on the past six months, including concrete steps they're taking to enhance the firm's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; how they've learned to listen more effectively; and the methods they chose to revamp their services and solutions for their Fortune 500 clients.

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Host: David Adler
Guest: Vince Thompson

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Vince Thompson, the CEO, founder, and chairman of MELT, an Atlanta-based sports marketing and event agency. In addition to sharing how marketing best practices have evolved during the pandemic, Thompson discusses MELT U, his training program for the next generation of event organizers. He shares how the program—which now accommodates 1,500 young adults—has grown and actually improved after a shift to virtual. He also discusses why more entrepreneurs should invest in the millennials and Gen Z, what older generations can learn from them, what has surprised him most during COVID-19, and much more.

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Host: David Adler
Guests: Sue Sung, Philip Dufour

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler hosts an important conversation about the future of the event industry. Recorded last week, Adler was joined by Sue Sung, SVP of corporate strategy for The Freeman Company who is representing Go LIVE Together, and Philip Dufour, president and creative director of The Dufour Collaborative who is representing the Live Events Coalition. The group discusses how the two new coalitions are fighting for federal support for the 12 million people in the event industry's eco-system, sharing practical ways you can help right now. They also share what methods have been most effective when appealing to politicians, as well as their thoughts and predictions on the future of safety precautions at events.

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Host: David Adler
Guest: Matthew Byrne, CSEP

In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Matthew Byrne, CSEP, the founder of Toronto-based Byrne Production Services. Byrne discusses how he's upping the game of virtual events through a no-contact Studio-in-a-Box concept, which easily helps speakers generate high-quality, television-style broadcasts. He also dives into techniques for increasing attendee engagement, why good storytelling will always be the most important thing, smart tips for looking good on camera, why he thinks virtual components are here to stay, and much more.

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Host: David Adler
Guests: Jennifer Savica, Maria Donado, Trey Moynihan

In this episode of GatherGeeks—recorded during a July 15 panel discussion hosted by EventFluence—BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Jennifer Savica, head of corporate events at New York Life Insurance Company; Maria Donado, director of events at Greystone & Co.; and Trey Moynihan, special events manager at Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. The group discusses the relevancy of event organizers at big corporations today, diving into how they've become more strategic, ways their jobs have both narrowed and expanded, how to help the C-suite understand the value of live events, their plans for this year's holiday parties, and much more.

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Host: David Adler
Guest: Capricia Penavic Marshall

In this episode of GatherGeeks—the first of a three-part interview series—BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Capricia Penavic Marshall, former Obama administration chief of protocol and former Clinton administration social secretary. Marshall gives an up-close-and-personal look at her time in the administrations, sharing what it was like to have a front-row seat to history for over a dozen years. She also discusses the importance of finding a mentor, how she stays focused on event day, her first "goosebumps" moment, the best advice she got from Jackie Kennedy, and much more.

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Host: David Adler
Guest: Nick Simonette

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Nick Simonette, vice president of sales for full-service exhibit and event company Czarnowski. He discusses how Czarnowski teamed up with two competitors—George P. Johnson and Exploring—to launch the LiveForLife coalition, which encompasses more than 200 event production companies that can build, ship, and install temporary structures such as patient rooms and testing or vaccine centers. Simonette also shares predictions for how live events will return, discussing the rise of gesture-based technology, what trade show booths of the future will look like, how future live events will merge virtual elements, the main ingredients to engage people today, and much more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks

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Host: David Adler
Guest: Kris Coratti

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Kris Coratti, the vice president of communications for The Washington Post. Coratti explains how the publication is hosting four to five virtual events per week, some drawing as many as 600,000 viewers. She shares best practices for this new normal, discussing everything from the power of great lighting and sound to the nuts and bolts of content creation, marketing, and speaker partnerships. Coratti also discusses sponsorship models for virtual events, ways to engage the audience, viewership patterns, and much more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks

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Host: David Adler
Guest: Adrian Segar

In this episode of GatherGeeks, listen in on a keynote session from BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and meetings expert and author Adrian Segar, delivered virtually during the Untethered Conference on May 21. The duo offers key leadership tips and survival strategies based on lessons learned from Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton and Outward Bound. They also discuss why leaders today need to be "collaboration artists," why future events need to be more valuable than ever, the value of risk-taking, why it's important to celebrate everything, and much more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 29:37

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Host: David Adler
Guest: Antonio Trincao

In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Antonio Trincao, the co-founder and CEO of Youcanevent, a global virtual events platform with clients including United Airlines and Microsoft. The pair talks all things virtual and hybrid events, discussing what sets Youcanevents' platform apart—including its interactive, avatar-style environment, the unique ability to light the virtual event like an in-person one, and more. Trincao also shares his own best practices for virtual events, how his company can help usher in the new "hybrid standard" for gatherings, why great content is more crucial than ever, why he considers himself an "event" person rather than a "tech" person, and much more. This episode is a must-listen for anyone wondering how creative technology can help the events industry move forward in the time of COVID-19.

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Hosts: David Adler, Ashton Pike
Guests: Anthony Vade, Natasha Mytnowych, Qasim Virjee, Marc Dorfman.

In this virtual discussion that marks the final part to a BizBash digital series, dubbed "Conversations from the Inside"—which gives industry leaders in local markets a voice amid the COVID-19 outbreak—BizBash founder and chairman David Adler and senior editor Ashton Pike take to the Toronto market, chatting with local event professionals Anthony Vade of FMAV, Natasha Mytnowych of The Globe and Mail Centre, Qasim Virjee of StartWell, and Marc Dorfman of CN Tower. The panel discusses how they're keeping in touch with their team remotely, what live events could look like with social distancing policies involved, and more.

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Hosts: Claire Hoffman, Ashton Pike
Guests: Tom Kehoe, Megan Williams, Lanie Hartman, Jack Scafide

In this virtual discussion that marks the fifth part to a new BizBash digital series, dubbed "Conversations from the Inside"—which gives industry leaders in local markets a voice amid the COVID-19 outbreak—BizBash editors Claire Hoffman and Ashton Pike take to the Chicago market, chatting with local event professionals Tom Kehoe of Kehoe Designs, The Geraghty, BlackOak Technical Productions, and Floral Exhibits; Megan Williams of Field Museum; Lanie Hartman of BBJ Linen; and Jack Scafide of CORT Events. The panel discusses how they're using their resources to provide PPE and help healthcare workers, the importance of breaking down barriers with competitors, virtual events, what they're doing to stay optimistic and inspired, and more.

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Hosts: David Adler, Ashton Pike
Guests: Greg Zalkin, Gary Ressler, Kelly Murphy, Shai Tertner, Richard Curran, Dan Cormany

In this virtual discussion that marks the fourth part to a new BizBash digital series, dubbed "Conversations from the Inside"—which gives industry leaders in local markets a voice amid the COVID-19 outbreak—BizBash founder and chairman David Adler and senior editor Ashton Pike take to the Miami/South Florida market, chatting with local event professionals Greg Zalkin of Creative State Marketing, Gary Ressler of Tilia Companies, Kelly Murphy of Events on the Loose, Shai Tertner of Shiraz Creative, Richard Curran of Expo Convention Contractors, and Dan Cormany, PhD, of Florida International University's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. The panel discusses how they're staying connected with their team, the difficulty of layoffs, how they're staying inspired and planning for the future, and more.

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Hosts: David Adler, Ashton Pike
Guests: Susan Lacz, Cory Ryan Frank, Rebecca Linder, Joe Schwinger, Susan Saville

In this new BizBash digital series dubbed "Conversations from the Inside"—which gives industry leaders in local markets a voice amid the COVID-19 outbreak—BizBash founder and chairman David Adler and senior editor Ashton Pike take to the Washington, D.C. market, chatting with local event professionals Susan Lacz of Ridgewells Catering, Cory Ryan Frank of Design Foundry, Rebecca Linder of Linder Global Events, Joe Schwinger of MeetingPlay, and Susan Saville of Hello! Washington DC. The panel discusses the future of events as a hybrid of live and virtual, the safety and health precautions their teams are planning to take when events are back up and running, the importance of staying optimistic, best practices for holding a virtual event, and much more.

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Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman
Guests: Dominic Venn-Lever, Rolando Espinoza, Wayne Fernandez, Vinnie Balistreri

In this new BizBash digital series dubbed "Conversations from the Inside"—which gives industry leaders in local markets a voice amid the COVID-19 outbreak—BizBash founder and chairman David Adler and West Coast editor Claire Hoffman take to the west coast, chatting with local event professionals Dominic Venn-Lever of Blueprint Studios, Rolando Espinoza of Champagne Experiential Studios, Wayne Fernandez of Magic Box, and Vinnie Balistreri of Glisser. The panel discusses the impact of the coronavirus on Los Angeles and the west coast, how they're dealing with contracts and force majeure clauses, ways to create effective virtual events, how they're staying connected with their teams, and much more.

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Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman
Guests: Jaclyn Bernstein, Liron David, Jessica Rothstein Berman Simon Miller

In this new BizBash digital series dubbed "Conversations from the Inside"—which will give industry leaders in local markets a voice amid the COVID-19 outbreak—BizBash founder and chairman David Adler and editor Claire Hoffman begin with the New York market, chatting with event professionals Jaclyn Bernstein of Access New York Metro, Liron David of Eventique, Jessica Rothstein Berman of Manhattan Center, and Simon Miller of Brand Activation Services. The panel discusses the impact of the coronavirus in the New York market, the almighty force majeure clause, the importance of putting trust in your team while working remotely, staying in contact with clients, how they've found the good in the bad, what the future holds, and much more.

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Hosts: David Adler, David Becker
Guests: Chloé Reuter, J.B. Miller, Silvia Negri Firman

In this virtual discussion, David Becker, co-founder and C.E.O. of Zkipster, and David Adler, chairman and founder of BizBash, talk to a group of event leaders from all around the globe to help us unpack what’s happening now with the COVID-19 crisis, prepare for what’s ahead, and help each other get through this even stronger than before. Panelists include Chloé Reuter in Hong Kong, J.B. Miller in New York, and Silvia Negri Firman in Milan.

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Dan Mannix

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman David Adler and special projects editor Beth Kormanik chat with Dan Mannix, C.E.O. of CSM North America. Mannix shares tricks of the trade for large-scale fan experiences such as sporting events, diving into details on security, transportation, and line control. He also shares tips for standout brand activations at larger festivals like South by Southwest, plus how to hire strong temporary staffers, the event trends he's most excited about, and much more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 49:56

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Gianna Gaudini

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler chats with Gianna Gaudini, author of The Art of Event Planning: Pro Tips From an Industry Insider. Gaudini discusses what she learned in a decade of planning events for Google, why she says that "everyone is an event planner," and tips for creating a cohesive event narrative from start to finish. She also shares tips for staying healthy and focused on event day, why personalization is crucial for attendees, learning to trust your team, and much more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 1:01:26

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Dan Berger

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik sit down with Dan Berger, the founder of Social Tables who recently stepped away from the company after an acquisition by Cvent. Berger dives into what makes a successful entrepreneur, tips for building a strong team, how he developed a successful company and made the decision to sell it, and more. He also shares insights into fund-raising and dealing with investors, what he'll be doing post-Social Tables, and why he recently invested in a New York-based event production company.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 40:46

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Welcome to this special edition of GatherGeeks: Walk the Floor—the podcast version of the premier trade show for event pros. Find out what’s new, what’s cool, and what you missed from the comfort of your car or at the gym. Take the journey with David Adler, chairman and founder of BizBash, the community of more than 200,000 event pros looking for ideas to make their next event even more compelling than the last. Get inspired, and bank these great ideas in your brain for when you might need them.

Below is a complete list of the exhibitors interviewed. Let's start walking.

Light F/X Pros
Champagne Experiential Studios
Raven Hollow Guild
CORT Events
Gifts for Good
LabeLive
Quiet Events
Scarborough & Tweed
Air Esscentials
Holographic Entrance
Interactive Entertainment Group
AFR Event Furnishings
Mix on Wheels
Choose2Rent
42chat

Further Reading: 6 Steal-Worthy Ideas From BizBash Live: Florida https://bit.ly/2I6KIWB

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guests: Candace Montgomery, Shital Patel, Ladan Wise

In this special live episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik sit down with Ladan Wise of TED, Candace Montgomery of Essence, and Shital Patel of NationSwell for an engaging discussion held earlier this month at the Times Center in New York. The group discusses ways to create memorable conferences, develop intriguing content and programming, get audience feedback, and engage attendees on and off the stage, plus the biggest risks they've each taken—that paid off. Hear behind-the-scenes details on events such as the Essence Festival, TED, and more, and learn about the next great innovations in conference planning.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 1:01

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guests: Marc Friedland

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Marc Friedland, the owner of Marc Friedland Couture Communications in Los Angeles. He reflects on 33 years in business, sharing how his career has evolved, why he approaches events as a form of performance art, and why personalization and emotions are the most crucial aspects of any gathering. Friedland then walks us through an over-the-top, Dalí-inspired birthday party he recently planned, sharing how each dinner course was integrated into the entertainment and design; how music and multi-sensory decor were used to create effective event transitions; how the surreal, hand-painted invitation set the tone for the event; and much more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 37:35

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guests: Brent Taylor and Arlene Schilke, Timewise Event Management and Go West

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Brent Taylor and Arlene Schilke, presidents of Timewise Event Management and executive producers of Go West. The pair takes us behind the scenes at the annual Go West event-industry conference in Edmonton, Canada, sharing what they've learned over the last three years, strategic choices made for breakout rooms and stage design, and why they don't use an emcee. The group also chats about elevated conference catering, why Western Canada is appealing to event planners, how industry events have changed for the better, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 45:06

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Joe Goldblatt

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Joe Goldblatt, a veteran event educator who is often credited as one of the pioneers of the modern-day industry. Goldblatt discusses his long career as one of the industry's go-to gurus, using anecdotes from his new professional memoir "The True Joy of Life" to discuss the history of event education, risk management and event safety, balancing face-to-face gatherings with emerging technology, and more. He also shares how to optimize guest experience, why the practice of mindfulness will become more popular at meetings, how he judges R.O.I., what's missing from the field of event education, and much more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 45:06

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Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman
Guest: Stephanie Edens

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and west coast editor Claire Hoffman chat about all-things awards season, from the rise in plant-based catering to the hottest design trends and most anticipated Oscars parties. They also hear from Stephanie Edens, the senior vice president of national sales for Wolfgang Puck Catering, who teases the menu for this year's Oscars Governors Ball—an event that the company has been catering for 26 consecutive years—sharing why the menu will be more playful this year. Edens also discusses the hottest trends she's seeing in the event catering world, how the company deals with dietary restrictions, tips for catering a large-scale event without sacrificing quality, and much more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 35:58.

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Adrian Segar

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Adrian Segar, a renowned meeting designer and conference facilitator and the author of the new book Event Crowdsourcing: Creating Meetings People Actually Want and Need. Segar shares how he coined the term "unconference," and shares tips and formats for various types of participation-focused gatherings. He also discusses the value of hosted-buyer events, how unconventional formats can build connections and confidence, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 51:51

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Pablo Povarchik

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Pablo Povarchik, the C.E.O. of WowPrezi—a company that claims it’s on “a mission to save the world from deadly PowerPoint.” Povarchik walks us through the different technologies available for presentations, and shares tips for creating better presentations with the goal of better audience engagement. He also discusses the most effective storytelling techniques, rules for visuals, how color can convey different moods and emotions, how long presentations should last, and much more. Take these tips for your own presentations, or use them to coach speakers at your events.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 34:46

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Amanda Ma

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Amanda Ma, the Taiwanese-American C.E.O. of Innovate Marketing Group in Pasadena, California. Ma shares how to accommodate a multicultural audience at events, focusing particularly on Chinese and other Asian cultures. She dives into tips for handling language barriers, food preparation, holidays of note, and more. She also shares the numbers, colors, gifts, and event layouts that should be embraced—or avoided—at Asian-focused gatherings; important differences between Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Japanese cultures; unique ways to incorporate authentic food and entertainment; business customs in various cultures; and much more. This is the start of an ongoing series on cultural nuances and protocol for event organizers.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 53:18

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Andy Kushner

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Andy Kushner, C.E.O. and founder of Kushner Entertainment and host of the popular industry podcast The Wedding Biz. Kushner discusses how vendors—which he prefers to call "creative partners"—can become more strategic, helping craft an experience rather than just providing a service. He also gives his take on the state of live music in the event industry, the hottest trends in entertainment today, and how performers can appeal to multigenerational audiences. Kushner also shares why podcasts are such an effective marketing tool, why he's not afraid to interview his competitors on his show, and more insights.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 39:27

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Russ Lidstone

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Russ Lidstone, group C.E.O. for the Creative Engagement Group, a London-based collection of experiential, digital, and employee engagement agencies. Lidstone discusses his unusual company model and whether having different brands with different specialties under one umbrella will become more popular. Lidstone also shares smart tips for recruiting and retaining good employees, why you should challenge your team to take risks, ways new technology and formats can increase—and measure—event effectiveness, the rise of “microcontent,” and much more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 51:57

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Anna Davey

In the latest edition of GatherGeeks' series on sparking change, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Anna Davey, director of bespoke projects for Quintessentially in the United Kingdom. She shares how her team entertains small V.I.P. groups in highly tailored ways, drawing on the company's personal concierge roots to create unique, memorable experiences for clients. Davey also shares what luxury means today, why she always says "yes," how to help the C-suite understand the value of events, why attendees want an educational component, the importance of understanding cultural nuances, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 34:22

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Kyla Knudson

In the latest edition of GatherGeeks' series on sparking change, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Kyla Knudson, the former director of sales and marketing for Business Events Canada who currently serves as director of sales for Teneo Hospitality Group in Washington, D.C. Knudson shares highlights for business groups across Canada, discussing top food and drink trends in each province, the most memorable experiences for American groups, how the country's diversity has impacted business events, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 27:23

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Andrea Boulden

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Andrea Boulden, senior manager of the TD Wealth event team in Toronto. She discusses gender diversity and inclusion at events, diving into how planners and hosts can accommodate trans and non-binary guests. Boulden shares practical tips for registration forms, name badges, bathrooms, and other small details that can make all guests feel welcome. She also discusses how to choose inclusive venues, ways to educate speakers on these issues, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 25:33

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Simon Miller

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Simon Miller, the president of Brand Activation Services and Simon Elliot Events. Miller discusses what brands and attendees want from activations and events today, sharing ways to create authentic, organic connections—plus best practices for different generations and effective photo moments. He also discusses techniques for data capture, the power of nostalgia, when (and when not) to use the latest technology, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks.
Running time: 41:33

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In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from business marketing speaker David Avrin. He explains the difference between customer service and customer experience, and shares best practices for dealing with unhappy attendees, getting customers to come back every year, and ways to keep conversations going post-event. He also discusses the importance of scheduling downtime at meetings, the power of FOMO, how new technology will change presentations, speaker trends for the future, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 41:57.

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Lauren Kotkin

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Lauren Kotkin, director of educational programs for Exponent Philanthropy, a Washington, D.C.-based association for small foundations. She discusses the background of her own conference, and shares how different generations learn today, ways to focus content and market sessions, and tips for engaging an audience. Kotkin also talks about the importance of knowing your audience, best practices for choosing keynote speakers, how to judge R.O.I., and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 46:16

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Dan Brice

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler chats with Dan Brice, the Chicago-based senior vice president of brand experience for United Entertainment Group. Brice discusses Illinois's changing cannabis laws, which will allow recreational usage starting in January, and how they will affect the event industry. He shares what the cannabis industry can learn about marketing from the alcohol and tobacco industries, how event pros can educate themselves on local county laws, best practices for brands who want to use cannabis at events and activations, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 24:05

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guests: Sarah Soliman Daudin, Courtney Stanley

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler chats with Sarah Soliman Daudin and Courtney Stanley, industry veterans and partners who focus on professional development aimed toward women. The pair discusses how their new company, SarahxCourtney, aims to incorporate authentic, human experiences into development workshops, sharing why transparency, honesty, and storytelling are crucial for meetings. They also discuss the biggest issues facing the professional world today, how planners can ensure attendee safety, the #MeetingsToo movement against sexual misconduct, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 35:54

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Mark Cooper

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler chats with Mark Cooper, C.E.O. of the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC), at MPI's World Education Congress. Cooper discusses what meeting planners want from venues today, which questions planners should be asking about technology and security, and how site inspections can be more effective. He also discusses best practices for food and beverage breaks, new advancements in audiovisual technology, venue pricing strategies, the festivalization of meetings, and more insights from IACC's annual Meeting Room of the Future report.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 38:01

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Kevin Mignone

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Kevin Mignone, the founder and president of KM Productions, a New York-based audiovisual production firm with clients including Vogue, Jaguar, Tinder, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. He shares how he started his business at age 13—and the lessons learned that he still uses today. He discusses what his business looks like now, how he keeps up with the newest equipment and trends, where today's event organizer should be investing their money, how social media has changed the game, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 47:17

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Sebastien Tondeur

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Sebastien Tondeur, the C.E.O. of MCI, a Geneva, Switzerland-based event agency that produces more than 6,800 projects in 31 countries around the world. He shares how the company has grown dramatically over the years, plus ways to adapt events to local cultures, why he focuses on more than just R.O.I., and trends for face-to-face gatherings around the world. He also shares his perspective on the "fourth industrial revolution" and the age of data, explaining how he uses data analytics to increase event effectiveness.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 35:21

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Lynne Wellish

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Lynne Wellish, a consultant and speaker for the hospitality industry. Wellish explains the idea of the "hidden planner"—a.k.a, administrative and HR professionals charged with producing internal company events such as holiday parties and board meetings. She shares practical tips on defining event goals, managing budgets, and dealing with C.E.O. requests; she also discusses why company holiday parties are worth the money, ways hidden planners can get the necessary event education, and strategies for creating gatherings that appeal to all employees.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 37:08.

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Tahira Endean

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Tahira Endean, the new head of events for the Society of Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE). She shares what incentive travel is and why it's such an effective way to stimulate sales, reward employees, and promote team building. Endean also discusses some of the coolest incentive trips she's seen, how these trips should respect and promote local culture, and ways to create meaningful sponsor partnerships, plus predictions for the future of the event industry.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 54:04

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Andrea Boulden

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Andrea Boulden, senior manager of the TD Wealth event team in Toronto, and a board member of Meeting Professionals Against Human Trafficking. She discusses what role the event and hospitality industry can play in the fight against sex trafficking, ranging from knowing the signs to look for to encouraging hotel partners to incorporate training. Boulden also shares the biggest myths about the practice, why big events and conventions are peak times for trafficking, and the practical steps event planners can take to prevent this human rights violation.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 16:09.

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Andrew Lacanienta

Continuing the GatherGeeks podcast's "back to school"-inspired episodes, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler chats with Andrew Lacanienta, a professor in the experience industry management department at Cal Poly University. Lacanienta shares his definition of experience design, breaking down the different types of experiences and how they can be intentionally crafted to meet desired outcomes. He discusses the "theory of structured experiences," how role-playing can create better learning outcomes, why experiences are more powerful than services or gifts, and much more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 45:32

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Annette Gregg, Carl Winston

Continuing the GatherGeeks podcast's "back to school"-inspired episodes, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler chats with Carl Winston, the director of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at San Diego State University, and Annette Gregg, regional senior vice president of PRA who teaches a certificate program at the university. The duo shares how the industry has changed, from the ways people break into events to the new skills required to why pop culture has generated new interest. They also discuss the most common knowledge gaps they encounter, the importance of professional curiosity, how to increase diversity in the industry, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 46:16.

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Welcome to this special edition of GatherGeeks: Walk the Floor—the podcast version of attending the premier trade show in Southern California for event pros without having to actually go. Find out what’s new, what’s cool, and what you are missing from the comfort of your car or while you are pumping iron at the gym. Join David Adler, C.E.O. and Founder of BizBash, as he walks you through the exhibit hall speaking with exhibitors from venues and suppliers each compelling than the last.

A complete list of the exhibitors interviewed here can be found on BizBash.com. Let' start walking.

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Nicolas Graf

In the latest episode of the GatherGeeks podcast, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik sit down with Nicolas Graf, associate dean at the Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality at New York University. Graf discusses the role of higher education in the future of event management and hospitality, diving into N.Y.U.'s new initiatives to launch start-ups, a new master's program in event management, and the expansion of its signature hospitality conference. Graf also discusses how social media has changed the travel and tourism sector, the three biggest things impacting the event industry right now, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 47:36

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Alison Slight

In the latest Canadian edition of GatherGeeks' "Sparking Change" series of episodes, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Alison Slight, co-owner of Toronto-based production firm Candice & Alison. She discusses how the rules for creating "buzzworthy" events have changed, sharing behind-the-scenes details on some of her favorite events, what luxury means to her, tips for effective pop-ups, and how to be a good host. Slight also shares why her company uses "house party rules," what it's like to plan events in Dubai, her favorite food and beverage trends, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 50:28

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik, Alex Carter
Guest: Duncan Fraser

In the latest Canadian edition of GatherGeeks' "Sparking Change" series of episodes, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and Zkipster's Alex Carter chat with Duncan Fraser, director of the event experience team at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment in Toronto. He shares different ways the organization engages fans who can't attend games, using a variety of live events and experiences to generate team loyalty and a captive audience. Fraser also shares how social media has changed their event approach, tips for working with sponsors, how fans differ from typical event guests, creating events for V.I.P.s, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 42:12

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik, Alex Carter
Guest: Matt Vaile

In the latest Canadian edition of GatherGeeks' "Sparking Change" series of episodes, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and Zkipster's Alex Carter chat with Matt Vaile, offline marketing producer for Shopify. He discusses the e-commerce platform's approach to events, diving into its Shop Class workshops, how event layout can promote inclusivity, rules for lighting and presentations, and how he incorporates attendee feedback. He also shares why he thinks of events as a form of storytelling, speaking to how to create a cohesive story from start to finish, how to make space for attendees to tell their own stories, and why a memorable event can turn your guests into ambassadors for your brand.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 39:43

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik, Alex Carter
Guest: Issa Jouaneh

In the third Canadian edition of GatherGeeks' "Sparking Change" series of episodes, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and Zkipster's Alex Carter chat with Issa Jouaneh, the former senior vice president of American Express Meetings & Events. He shares ways to prove the R.O.I. of meetings and live gatherings to c-suite executives, how to look at the full life cycle of events, and why event strategy is more effective when company leadership is involved. He also speaks to the biggest challenges of event technology and which new technologies are changing the game, plus why personalization is crucial, what younger generations want from events, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 41:08

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Hosts: David Adler

Guests: Justin Maddox, Producer, LEO Events, Airika Gigas, Vice President, Events, LEO Events, and Inga Hunter, Kowa Pharmaceuticals America

This special episode of GatherGeeks explores the power of a great sales meeting and the intentional architecture of a company's culture. In an era when remote team structures are the norm, an organization needs to make bold statements about who they are and what they want to accomplish in a year, with their most valuable asset—their sales team—in a matter of just three days,

Learn how Alabama-based Kowa Pharmaceuticals, the boutique pharmaceutical firm that is a “David” in a Goliath world, leveraged its agility by tapping LEO Events to turn their sales meeting from a ho-hum annual gathering of sales executives into a signature event that has produced proven results. They turned to LEO because of their experience and success working at the highest levels of brands like Walmart, Sherwin-Williams, and Auto Zone.

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik
Guest: Joy Wallace

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and editor in chief Beth Kormanik hear from Joy Wallace, founder of Joy Wallace Catering & Design. The Miami-based caterer reflects on three decades in business, sharing how she got started in the industry, essential components for a good party, how events can make a strong first impression, and how menus have changed. She also discusses ways to build a strong team, how to be a good host, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 27:15

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik, Alex Carter
Guest: Erin McGuire

In the second Canadian edition of GatherGeeks' "Sparking Change" series of episodes, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and Zkipster's Alex Carter chat with Erin McGuire, the associate director of special events at the SickKids Foundation in Toronto. She shares how a wide-ranging slate of events targets diverse donor groups, why the foundation recently rethought its messaging, how to choose and market an event strategy, and what inspires different demographics to donate. She also discusses how and why to launch a new event, ways to rethink an annual fund-raising walk, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 38:12

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Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik, Alex Carter
Guest: Anthony Sargent

In the first Canadian edition of GatherGeeks' "Sparking Change" series of episodes, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and Zkipster's Alex Carter chat with Anthony Sargent, C.E.O. of the Luminato Festival, an international arts event that wrapped up this weekend in Toronto. Sargent dives into the planning and strategy behind the festival, how he starts with a blank slate every year, why the festival no longer hosts a gala, the impression he wants to leave on guests, and much more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 45:38.

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GatherGeeks by BizBash: The Event Industry Podcast: Recent Episodes

BizBash Media