Skift Meetings Podcast

This episode features John Sage, president at Accessible Travel Solutions. The conversation focuses on the accessibility of in-person events. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The dangers of making accessibility a check-box exercise Events should be responsible for ensuring accessibility is taken into account, not the attendees The importance of training and customer service Why it is importa...

This episode features Andrew Pearson, chief marketing officer at Webex Events (formerly Socio) Our conversation revolved around using event tech to creative intuitive experiences. Some of the topics we cover: How events have always been part of Andrew's entrepreneurial journey Why simplifying process and features is the way to go The importance of single source of content truth when it comes to ev...

This episode features Angeles Moreno, Country Manager Spain at AIM Group International. The conversation focuses on innovation and sustainable professional growth. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The pros and cons of entrepreneurship The importance of providing value to all event stakeholders Why sustainable growth does not happen without innovation The challenges of sustainability in the e...

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

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

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

This episode features Mark Loehr, CEO at OpenExchange. The conversation focuses on the potential of virtual events in the financial services and professional investment sector Here are a few of the topics we cover: The specific virtual event needs of the financial services and professional investment industry Why telling the story of a company is crucial when seeking investment or going public The...

This episode features Gerrit Heijkoop, Executive Partner / Moderator & Host at LiveOnlineEvents. The conversation is a deep dive into hybrid events from both a production perspective and an audience perspective. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Why most content-light events struggle to work as virtual events Why in-person events without an online option are short sighted, unless this is stra...

This special episode features two sessions recorded live at the recent Skift Meetings Event Design Summit.  The two conversations revolve around the human-centric approaches to meeting and event design that can inspire and change attendees. Meetings and events that make an intentional and positive impact on everyone involved. First you will hear about how designing events for connection and belong...

This episode features Merijn van Buuren, CEO at Event Mender. The conversation focuses on how virtual events have evolved, including how audience expectations have changed and how event technology has advanced in the last few year. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The evolution of virtual events from reluctant pivoting to high level online productions How audiences have evolved and expect mu...

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

This episode features Joe Schwinger, Chief Product / Innovation Officer at MeetingPlay + Aventri + Eventcore This episode, The Renaissance of Mobile Technology, focuses on the importance of being able to embrace change and pivot. Here are a few of the topics covered.  The changes and considerations when leading a fully dispersed team What conferences have taught him about the current direction of...

This episode features Jennifer Brisman, founder and CEO at VOW in a conversation about making technology work for event management. We talk about things like: The amazing benefits and drawbacks of working in event planning Defining where tech can help in event planning and in supporting the event experience  Why event professionals make the best event tech CEOs How the change in user expectations...

This episode features Rob Eveleigh, Managing Director at Brightelm. The conversation focuses on the future of association events. Here are a few of the topics we cover: How working with associations is inspiring, particularly when they really contribute to the advancement of humanity. Why taking time off and preserving our mental health is so important Why our job as event professionals is largely...

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

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

This episode features Thorben Grosser, Vice President of Product Marketing at EventMobi. The conversation focuses on event tech, event design and how to run a successful event tech business in Europe. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Differences between doing business in US v Europe and what to consider when expanding into a new region The current state of the event tech industry The way eve...

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

This episode features Amy Calvert, CEO of the Event Industry Council (EIC). The conversation focuses on advocating for the event industry in the wider business community. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Aggregating resources and addressing pan-industry issues are the main areas of focus for the Events Industry Council Bringing together members to discuss the state of the industry, particula...

This episode features Panashe Mahakwa, student at Vistula University in Warsaw and recipient of the 2022 MPI Foundation Student Scholarship Award. The conversation focuses on one student’s perspective on the future of the event industry. . Here are a few of the topics we cover: Panashe’s unique journey from Zimbabwe to Poland and to IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany What makes the event industry interest...

This episode features Rick Taylor, CEO of The Business Tourism Company. The conversation focuses on the rise of African destinations for business events. Here are a few of the topics we cover: The challenge getting governments and investors to appreciate the value of a convention bureau Why a convention bureau no better investment for a destination because it is key to attracting additional foreig...

This episode features Jonathan Kazarian, CEO of Accelevents. This episode, Winning on Support, focuses on taking the stress out of working with event technology. Here are a few of the topics covered.  Decided to win on support - understanding the stress of event professionals The importance of referrals from all sides of the industry Don’t neglect the people who never went to in-person events in t...

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

This episode features Tony Kula, CEO, meetyoo. The conversation focuses on the State of Virtual Event Tech. Here are a few of the topics we cover: Who are the new clients for virtual event tech platforms Why Tony doesn’t believe in hybrid events How reconnecting at in-person events is all people need right now, but exhibitors and sponsors will soon demand more ROI How in-person events rely on emot...

This episode features Leanne Hughes, international consultant, facilitator, trusted advisor and speaker who loves creating unpredictable workshop experiences, that predictably work. This week’s conversation focuses on Change Management. Some of the topics covered in this week’s episode include: Difference between facilitation and training Challenge for facilitators is connecting to business result...