Better Events

This week on the Better Events Podcast, we’re joined by Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren—the dynamic duo behind BEATS WORKING: Winning the Game of Events. From how they define “winning” as event professionals to the real talk on purpose, fulfillment, and community over competition, this episode is full of career gold. They also share their “Top 6 Planning Tool,” the go-to method that keeps their e...

Events are more than just great experiences—they’re powerful business tools. In this episode, we explore how adopting a CEO mindset can elevate your event strategy. From lean planning and clear ownership to budget-driven decisions and scalable processes, we share practical ways event professionals can run smarter, more strategic events. Whether you’re planning your first large-scale event or refin...

Slowing down might sound impossible in the fast-paced world of events, but what if it’s actually the key to doing your best work? In this week’s episode, we sit down with event producer and strategist Marisa Cali of Be Present LLC to talk about the power of intentional reflection for event professionals. Marisa shares real stories from her career, practical ways to pause even in peak season, and w...

Wow — what a day! Today’s virtual Better Events Conference was filled with connection, inspiration, and a whole lot of “aha” moments. From DJ Heat’s opening beats to our Executive Powerhouse Panel and lightning-fast workshops, you brought the energy and made this community truly shine. Now, we’re taking everything we started online and bringing it in person. Join us in Seattle on December 18th for...

Running a business in the events world isn’t all highlight reels and client wins—sometimes it’s just plain hard. In this week’s episode, Logan and Mary do a follow-up episode of the hardest parts of being a business owner, from mindset struggles and boundary-setting to financial uncertainty and nonstop decision-making. We revisit what we said a few years ago on this same topic, share how our answe...

What does a stage manager actually do at a live event or conference? In this episode, Mary interviews Logan to break down her full process—from the moment she’s hired to the final cue onsite. We delve into the differences between stage managers, producers, and showcallers, the essential gear that always makes it into the “go bag,” key details your stage manager needs in your run of show, and what...

Ever been hired just for the day of an event, or curious how you can add this service to your toolkit? Mary Davidson takes you behind the scenes of her own day-of event management process—from onboarding late in the game to running the show onsite. We walk through proposal language, setting expectations, working with a team, and the real challenges that come with managing an event you didn’t manag...

We’re joined by the incredible Necoya Tyson, Founder & CEO of Lightsey Event Solutions, to talk about something every event professional faces eventually: knowing when it’s time to walk away from a client. With her deep experience in conference and tradeshow management, Necoya shares the red flags she watches for, mindset shifts needed to protect your business, and her strategies for exiting c...

This week, we’re tackling a little bit of everything event professionals deal with—from whether money really buys happiness to how formal RFPs are changing, tips for asking for and giving referrals, and when you absolutely need a contract. We also answer a listener question about getting booked without a formal agreement and share our go-to strategies for managing workload as event pros. Whether y...

What’s it really like to run one of the country’s top convention centers? In this episode, we chat with Jennifer LeMaster, President and CEO of the Seattle Convention Center, about her journey into events and what it takes to lead a massive venue like Seattle’s. Jennifer shares behind-the-scenes of her leadership journey, tips for planners working with large venues, and trends shaping the future o...

In this week’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s often whispered about behind the scenes— ethics in event planning . From budget transparency and client values to security shortcuts and questionable speaker bookings, we’re breaking down the real ethical dilemmas event pros face. We’ll share tips for handling these moments with professionalism, integrity, and confidence—whether you’re new t...

In this episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes of planning the 2025 Better Events Conference, a conference created for event pros, by event pros. Back for our third year, we share what we're keeping and what we're changing with this year's conference, especially for the virtual day. You’ll hear our top tips for anyone planning a virtual or hybrid conference, plus how we keep attendees engaged...

This week, we’re joined by Leanne Velky—better known as the Queen of Registration —to talk all things event registration websites and forms. Leanne shares why a solid registration setup is critical to event success, the must-have elements every site should include, and common mistakes to avoid. We also dive into how to collect the right attendee data without overwhelming people, platform recommend...

In this week's episode, we’re sharing what’s saving our lives right now—personally and professionally. From time-saving tools to mindset shifts, books, and small joys, we’re each bringing a list of things that are making our event work (and life outside of events) a little better. Some are practical, some are playful, but all are worth a try. Whether you're in need of fresh inspiration or just lov...

In this episode of the Better Events Podcast, we’re sharing bonus tips, lessons, and moments of growth from fellow event pros in our community. From practical advice to unexpected insights, these short clips offer real-world takeaways you can carry into your next event—and your next season of work. Plus, we react to each submission with our own thoughts and experiences. It’s a fun, reflective wrap...

A conference for event pros, by event pros. Join us virtually on Wednesday, October 1st, and in person in Seattle on Thursday, December 18th, at a secret location (to be announced to attendees in the weeks before the event). Learn more about the conference: https://bettereventspod.com/conference Purchase a ticket now: https://app.swapcard.com/login/event/2025-better-events-conference/registration...

In this week's episode, we go behind the scenes , we’re joined by Beline Lafayette, Event Planner for the UF Florida Semiconductor Institute, to explore the unique world of event planning in higher education. With over seven years of experience and a background in marketing and event management, Beline shares how her work connects academia, industry, and community through strategic, purpose-driven...

This week, we’re brushing off our crystal balls and looking ahead to 2026—and revisiting the predictions we made last year to see what held up (and what totally missed the mark). From what excites us to what feels a little uncertain, we’re sharing our honest thoughts on what’s coming next in the event industry. Plus, we each make three fresh predictions for 2026 and react to clips of what we said...

This week, we’re diving deeper into the freelance side of the event world with a real talk conversation about growth, boundaries, and sustainability. We share how we evaluate new opportunities, plan for slow seasons, and navigate scope creep mid-project. From raising your rates to hiring other freelancers, we cover the decisions that come with experience—and the ones we’re still figuring out. Whet...

In this week's episode, we’re joined by Kellé Thorpe, fractional CFO and founder of Kommas with Kellé, to talk all things money—from forecasting profits to managing cash flow. Kellé breaks down what a fractional CFO actually does, common financial mistakes event professionals make, and how to get clearer on exactly how much you’ll earn from every project. We also dive into tips for business owners...

In this week's episode , we’re diving into the sales side of running an event business. We share how we each approach marketing, finding new clients, and setting goals—plus a few surprises about how some of our recent events came to be. From securing repeat business to refining your sales process, this conversation is full of real-life examples and actionable tips. Whether you're just starting out...

In this episode, Logan shares her top 10 tips every event pro should know when building a run of show. From planning smooth transitions and managing speaker timing to mic preferences, music cues, and post-event updates, these small details make a big difference onsite. Whether you're producing your first event or your hundredth, these practical tips will help your next show flow better, feel smoot...

In this week's episode, we're joined by Sean Walker, an expert audio engineer turned CEO of Northwest Audio Engineers, to talk all things sound. Sean shares why audio is often overlooked—but absolutely essential—for creating impactful events, and breaks down what every planner should know about sound setup, sound checks, and working with audio teams. We dig into the difference between good and gre...

In Part 2 of our travel series, we’re talking all about what it’s really like to travel for events. From our go-to packing hacks and must-have gear to handling red-eyes, time zones, and on-the-road routines, we’re sharing the tips that help us stay energized and organized. We also answer some fun rapid-fire travel questions (window or aisle?) and reflect on how much downtime we actually get during...

In this week's episode, we’re digging into the behind-the-scenes logistics of traveling for events. From how we land gigs that require travel to how we structure travel fees, per diems, and reimbursements in our contracts, we’re sharing the real talk you don’t always hear. We also cover how we handle travel bookings, client expectations, and what we won’t compromise on when it comes to flights and...