Barefoot Business

 What if every conversation at your event didn’t just happen… but actually worked for you afterward ? In this episode of Barefoot Business, Liz sits down with Vamshi of Snapsight to unpack how AI is transforming live event content into actionable insights, shareable moments, and strategic intelligence. From spontaneous think tanks to massive conferences, they dig into how capturing real conversati...

 What if your biggest event headache, lead capture, didn’t have to be a headache at all? In this episode of Barefoot Business, Liz talks with Bryce from Popl to unpack how AI is reshaping in-person go-to-market, from ditching outdated badge scanners to turning real conversations into real pipeline. They get into the messy reality of event data, the rise of “in-person GTM” as a category, and the te...

 What do mimeograph machines, floppy disks, and early HTML have to do with modern event registration? Everything. In this episode of Barefoot Business, Liz and Jill Rasco of Attendee Management trace the evolution of event tech from literal cut-and-paste newspapers to today’s complex, integrated registration ecosystems. They unpack why registration strategy should start with the end in mind , how...

What happens when AI gets smarter… and events get more human? In this episode of Barefoot Business, Liz sits down with Darcy Gabriel from BW Events Tech to explore the tension between automation and authentic connection. They dive into AI copilots, vibe coding, data overload, and the rising pressure on event professionals to do more, faster. But at the core, this conversation is about something bi...

Liz and Marissa unpack designing for real connection, why “be present” beats “network,” how to build white space into agendas, and using micro-retreats, mindful facilitation, and digital wellness to help entrepreneurs align to their North Star. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club Ichi as an Insider member today! https://www.weareichi.com/

 Liz and Steph dive into the messy, honest reality of getting laid off, rebuilding confidence, and turning freelancing into a sustainable, joyful career. They talk boundaries, rest, client juggling, and rediscovering your spark, proof that a sudden stop can launch a better chapter.  Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club Ichi as an Insider member today! https://www.weareich...

Liz and Dax get real about event measurement: why attribution is shaky, how to prove behavior change and brand lift, the one survey question that matters, and replacing “dwell time” with right-time throughput, plus honest reporting that wins trust. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club Ichi as an Insider member today! https://www.weareichi.com/

Liz and Heather swap war stories on production, mentorship, and why attention isn’t the problem, distraction is. From AI’s “good enough” graphics to a Wicked-inspired opening that electrified the room, they make the case for intentional entertainment, phone-free focus, and reviving true corporate theater to drive real learning and ROE. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club...

Liz and executive coach/author Regan Walsh unpack how event pros and aspiring speakers can ditch people-pleasing, shed the “shoulds,” and trust their gut on stage. They get tactical on rehearsal reps, cutting a talk on the fly, simple slides, and staying human in an AI-noisy world, so your keynote actually lands.  Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club Ichi as an Insider me...

Liz and Anca go from women-in-AV war stories to practical AI you can use today, think Slack task bots, Atlas-powered workflows, and “vibe coding” without writing code. They also dismantle performative “wellness,” swap pizza-for-crew for real fuel, and unpack Anca’s Fit for Events framework and bodybuilding journey to build resilience that actually shows up on show day.  Want to be a guest on the B...

Liz talks with Pedro Góes, founder of InEvent, to trace how a scrappy college idea became one of the most innovative event platforms in the world. From Y Combinator beginnings and pandemic pivots to AI-powered registration and photo matching, they explore what’s next for event technology, the future of virtual, and why details matter more than ever. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podc...

 Liz kicks off a new season with David Childs (SWX Global) on why exhibits still deliver ROI, and why modern sales is “consultant, not closer.” They cover 2025 floor trends, budget realities, good/better/best proposals, in-person outreach, backup plans when things break, and using your exhibit partner as an ROI insurance policy across the show calendar.  Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business...

Liz sits down with Matthew Petmecky of Nunify to unpack how an 11-year-old platform is winning over small-to-midsize teams (and agencies) with unlimited-events subscriptions, true white-label branding, easy badge printing, and plug-and-play integrations. They swap stories on scavenger hunts, AI matchmaking, and why human connection, not just features, decides which tools stick.  Collect registrati...

 Liz and Angela Gargano, former biochemist, six-time American Ninja Warrior, and keynote speaker, unpack her ACL-on-TV setback, the comeback, and how she turned resilience into a stage-ready message. They dig into attention-grabbing storytelling, building a speaking career, vision boards that actually guide action, and why human connection beats algorithms. Cameos: pickleball losses, AI hackathons...

 Liz chats with photographer and former event planner Brooke Bryand about what it really takes to translate the magic of an event into images that drive marketing and sponsorship ROI. They dive into the power of planning content early, how to brief your creative team for maximum value, the myth of “we’ll just use phone pics,” and the difference between photos that document and photos that feel. Bo...

 In this episode of Barefoot Business , Liz Lathan and Nicola Kastner, CEO of Event Leaders Exchange, talk about the journey from event logistics to boardroom strategy. Nicola shares how trusting her instincts, embracing data, and building community helped her navigate career pivots, lead through uncertainty, and empower the next generation.  Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Jo...

Jenny Blaschke, a live event calligrapher and engraving artist, and Liz Lathan discuss the high-stakes world of personalizing luxury gifts, from engraving $300 cameras to hot foiling leather goods. Jenny shares how she transitioned from wedding invitations to high-volume corporate and incentive events, creating interactive experiences that engage attendees. They discuss the power of personalizatio...

 Liz Lathan and Tamar Beck, CEO of Gleanin, talk about her journey from trade show organizer to tech entrepreneur. Tamar shares how Gleanin helps event marketers scale audience acquisition through advocacy and network effects, plus insights on the evolution of their Activate event and podcast. They discuss the challenges of being a non-technical founder, the role of AI in event marketing, and how...

Today's Barefoot Business episode is full of laughter, wild stories, and incredible event adventures with not one, but two Nicoles! Liz Lathan is joined by Nicole Matthews of The Henley Company and Nicole Osibodu. From Bedouin camps in Dubai to Prosecco-fueled moments in Tuscany, the trio relives their most chaotic and joyful travel and event stories. Nicole Matthews dives into how she built...

In this episode of Barefoot Business , Liz Lathan chats with MK Granados, the brilliant mind leading sponsorship innovation at Informa Markets. From orchestrating trade shows and brand activations to finding new ways to create meaningful attendee experiences, MK shares stories and strategies that elevate events beyond the basics. They dive into wild activations, including Samsung battery swaps at...

 Liz Lathan is joined by Mark Mohammadpour, founder of Chasing the Sun, to discuss creating a culture of wellbeing in events. Mark shares his journey from PR executive to wellness advocate, offering actionable tips on reducing burnout, setting boundaries, and improving both personal and team health. They cover managing meetings, using multiple workspaces, supporting global teams, and thriving as a...

Liz Lathan and with Heidi Hiller, founder of Innovative Party Planners, discuss building a successful event business from the ground up. Heidi shares her journey from graphic designer to event mogul, covering topics like scaling a business, managing a team, and the power of networking. They dive into lessons learned through the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and how to balance passi...

In this episode of Barefoot Business , Liz Lathan welcomes Paul Tramonte, principal designer of Paul Tremonti Events. Paul's journey in events began with a family tradition of gathering around the table, which evolved into a thriving career rooted in hospitality. Paul shares how his early roles in food service and hotel operations shaped his approach to event design and management, emphasizin...

In this episode of Barefoot Business , Liz Lathan welcomes event veteran and production specialist Sean Schuette. From his accidental start in events at Target to orchestrating large-scale productions like Firehouse Expo and Disney's California Adventure experiences, Sean shares his journey of creating events that truly change people and environments. Hear his insights on partnering with spea...

In this Barefoot Business episode, Liz Lathan chats with Ronnie Anderson, a Philly-based event producer with roots in broadcasting and videography. Ronnie shares her journey from high school party planner to seasoned event pro, creating immersive experiences that engage all five senses. They discuss the balance between freelancing and running your own business, managing feast-or-famine cycles, and...