Great Events

Planning events that leave a lasting impression is not only about logistics; it’s about creating experiences that connect, inspire, and celebrate a destination's story. In this episode, Rachel Andrews sits down with Michelle Moon , Vice President of Partners, Experience, and Events at Visit San Antonio , to uncover how destination marketing organizations (DMOs) bring a city’s unique culture to lif...

Corporate gifting is no longer just about giving—it’s about creating moments that matter.  In this episode, Alyssa Peltier welcomes back Tom Romine , Founder and President of Cultivate, to uncover how personalized and sustainable gifts can redefine the event experience for attendees, employees, and clients alike. Tom shares insights into the growing demand for choice in gifting, revealing why...

Corporate gifting has evolved from simple tokens of appreciation to a powerful way of building lasting relationships and enhancing the attendee experience. In this replay episode, Alyssa Peltier sits down with Tom Romine , Founder and President of Cultivate, to explore how thoughtful and personalized gifts can leave a lasting impression at your events.  They dive into the power of offering ch...

Ready to elevate your event marketing game? Alyssa Peltier ’s got you.  In this week’s episode, Alyssa takes the mic and answers listeners' burning questions.  Drawing from her experience at Cvent, she discusses strategies for cutting through digital noise, aligning event and digital marketing efforts, and capturing the attention of busy decision-makers. From crafting VIP experiences tha...

The future of event marketing just took a giant leap forward. With Cvent’s acquisition of Splash, the possibilities for event-led growth and data-driven impact are more exciting than ever. Join hosts Rachel Andrews and Alyssa Peltier as they welcome Splash CMO Kate Hammitt , a former “Cventer” herself, for a full-circle conversation about the new acquisition. Kate shares her insights on how Cvent...

What’s the secret to creating memorable user conferences? Alyssa Peltier sits down with Bethany Murphy , Senior Director of Events at 6sense, to reveal insider strategies for planning and executing user conferences that leave a lasting impact.  Bethany explains the essential steps for gaining executive buy-in, managing budgets, coordinating cross-functional teams, and crafting memorable atten...

Like many of us, at the beginning of Rachel Andrews’s career, she lived by the mantra “fake it till you make it.”  She learned on the job and often felt unprepared. But embracing the challenges, trusting her instincts, and staying adaptable brought all her hard work to fruition when her first event took place.  That’s why we’re flipping the script and interviewing her today—she has so ma...

Imposter syndrome + career growth = a challenging combo. Ever felt it? You're not alone.  In our latest podcast episode of Great Events, we dive deep into the twists and turns of career journeys—especially the moments when fear meets opportunity. We flip the script as Michelle Jones , a Career Confidence and Performance Coach, takes the mic to interview host Felicia Asiedu .  Felicia sha...

The countdown to understanding Gen Z in the workplace has officially begun. And in terms of engaging this dynamic generation, the future is full of potential. This episode discusses the intersection of marketing, meetings, and Gen Z values. Join host Rachel Andrews as she sits down with our insightful guest, Taylor Smith , a Gen Z expert at Meetings Today. Taylor emphasizes the value of mentorship...

Curious to hear how an event marketing pro built her career from the ground up? This week on #GreatEvents, the tables turn as host Alyssa Peltier takes the guest seat as she is interviewed by Industry Marketing Manager of Cvent, Carisa Bartelt. Alyssa shares her unique career path, from starting as a graphic designer to becoming involved in event marketing at Cvent. She opens up about transitionin...

Wondering how data is reshaping event strategy and where this industry is headed? This week on #GreatEvents, hosts Alyssa Peltier , Rachel Andrews , and Felicia Asiedu discuss maximizing business impact through effective event management. They explain how to adapt messaging to resonate better with your target audience, streamline support for specific industries, and harness the power of data to dr...

Corporate gifting has evolved from simple tokens of appreciation to a powerful way of building lasting relationships and enhancing the attendee experience. In this episode, Alyssa Peltier sits down with Tom Romine , Founder and President of Cultivate, to explore how thoughtful and personalized gifts can leave a lasting impression at your events.  They dive into the power of offering choice in...

The power of video content in event success is undeniable, yet crafting the perfect visual experience requires more than just creativity. In this episode, Alyssa Peltier sits down with Steve Cotroneo and Mark Maguire from SAC Designs to explore how thoughtful video production, innovative design, and strategic use of AI can elevate your events. They discuss the importance of short-form videos that...

The role of contractors in event success is often overlooked, yet their impact is immense. In this episode, Rachel Andrews sits down with Matt Kalb , VP of Client Experience at T3 Expo, to discuss how a strong partnership with your vendors, clear communication, and thoughtful activations can take your events to the next level.  They discuss creating impactful, shareable moments that engage at...

The importance of safety, diversity, and inclusion in events is undeniable.  And in this episode, we’re discussing what creates safe and inclusive environments for all attendees. In this episode, Felicia Asiedu sits down with Raf de Kimpe , CEO of Fintech Week London, and Venus Piñeyro , CEO of the Inclusion Plus Institute, to see how data can do more than just measure outcomes—it can shape t...

We’ve all been there: planning an event down to the smallest detail, confident that everything is on track, only to realize we’re missing a clear picture of the data driving our success. In this episode, Alyssa Peltier sits down with Jared Ruppert , Director of Digital Analytics and Optimization at Cvent, to uncover how data can do more than just measure outcomes—it can shape them.  Jared sha...

We’ve all been there: planning the perfect event, ensuring every detail aligns seamlessly, yet somehow overlooking the simple yet impactful aspect of inclusivity in our beverage selection. This detail shouldn’t be an afterthought, rather an integral part of your event design. In this episode, Rachel Andrews sits down with Marcos Salazar , CEO of the Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA),...

Web design = user experience. And who doesn’t want a seamless user experience? Joining us this week are Andres Perez , Senior UX Web Designer at Cvent, and Dara Burg , Assistant team Lead of Events Marketing at Cvent. Both Andres and Dara are here to tackle a questions many are juggling: How can we make our websites more accessible and effective for all users? The episode explores elements like in...

Data matters more than ever, and understanding the true potential of KPIs is crucial.  This week, we welcome back Carisa Bartelt , Industry Marketing Manager at Cvent, as she shares valuable insights on the importance of KPIs, particularly in today’s economic climate. She discusses how to justify your event spend and scale your programs, starting from understanding basic metrics to creating a...

How would your events improve if you could multiply your time and talent?  Join us this week with Brooke Gracey , Marketing Director of Demand Generation at Cvent, and Hayley Contegiacomo , Chief Innovation Officer at Huddle Agency, as we discuss how cutting-edge AI technology is changing the game in the events industry. From using AI to quickly analyze massive amounts of event data to the ch...

Ever wondered how to turn a two-day event into eight months of engaging, evergreen content?  With the events season in full swing, it's a perfect time to rethink how to get the most out of your events. In this episode, Alyssa Peltier is joined by Mark Huber , VP of Marketing at UserEvidence, to discuss the art of content repurposing.  You'll learn: How to frame interview asks that make i...

Content doesn't have to go to waste.  Rather, its shelf life and value can increase over time. In this episode replay of Great Events, join host Felicia Asiedu and content strategist Victoria Akinsowon as they dive deep into the art of repurposing event content.  They discuss practical tips for identifying the most resonant event themes/messages and how to repurpose them into various for...

We all know that great events don’t just happen overnight.  They require collaboration, creativity, and, most importantly, strong partnerships. In this episode, host Felicia Asiedu is joined by Andrew Perrott , Founder of Chorus Creative Group, and Anita Howard , Strategy Director at ICE (International Corporate Events), to discuss the future of inclusion in events. They share the fundamental...

Planning an event, particularly on the scale of a citywide conference like Cvent CONNECT, involves many complex and often overlapping tasks.  Some of the primary challenges include coordinating volunteers, ensuring ample and engaging signage, and effectively managing unforeseen pop-up costs. And on this week’s #GreatEvents episode, we’re sharing all the behind-the-scenes magic on how to navig...

Have you ever wondered how to cut costs without compromising the wow factor in events? That’s where leveraging local resources can be a game-changer. Our guest, Virgil Napier , Area Director for Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa, explains how to utilize local resources for everything from coffee to fresh fish—all while making your events a total wow. Plus, Kelly McDonald , Senior Event Sourcing Consu...