Event Marketing: Redefined

Events are evolving—and fast. But many marketers are still stuck in rinse-and-repeat mode, defaulting to outdated formats, shallow experiences, and one-size-fits-all ideas. And that’s exactly why Bibi Brown, Senior Vice President Business Development at GES, kicked off our 2025 Summer Live Show Series with a much-needed reality check (and roadmap forward). Because if we want our events to connect,...

Event marketers want to stand out. They want to tell a story. They want ideas, themes, and creative experiences that resonate. But too often, the “big idea” gets lost in the scramble—buried under stakeholder pressure, budget constraints, and rinse-and-repeat tactics. That’s why in this episode, Matt Kleinrock teams up with Pablo Gonzalez to break down a simple, step-by-step framework to help event...

Your events shouldn’t feel like they’re held together by duct tape. But when processes are unclear or inherited from chaos, it’s hard to know where to start—especially if you’re stepping into a new event marketing role or revamping an existing one. That’s where Matt Bohn comes in. Now Field Marketing Manager at Tines, he’s spent the past 20 years building scalable, structured event programs for br...

You’re running events, but leadership still sees them as a cost center. You know events can drive real business results. But you’re stuck in the weeds: planning details, chasing RSVPs, and reporting on foot traffic. In this conversation, Kimberlee Kee, a Director of Event Marketing, talks about the real shift happening in the industry: event pros must become strategic marketers.  She and Matt get...

You want your brand to be memorable, but most event experiences blur together. And while many marketers rely on flashy gimmicks, true impact comes from intentional storytelling. In this episode, Matt is joined by Theron Skees—Walt Disney Imagineering alum and founder of The Designer’s Creative Studio—to unpack how Narrative Experience Design can transform your events into immersive, emotionally re...

Trade shows still dominate the event calendar and budgets, but are they delivering the same value they once did? Small-scale experiences are rising in popularity but many teams miss the mark when trying to replicate them. In this honest and tactical episode, Matt Kleinrock sits down with Aleksandra Panyukhina, Experience Marketing Director at Pixelz, to unpack what’s actually working right now—and...

You planned for your ICP. You shipped the booth. But the results? Flat. Because what no one tells you is that even the best events fall short when you don’t account for who’s actually at the show and what they’re there for. In this episode, Matt and Pablo break down the disconnect between static ICPs and dynamic show audiences—and how to bridge the gap with real strategy. Expect to learn: ✅ Why “...

Event costs are climbing. Expectations are higher. And marketers are being asked to do more—with less. In this episode, Rockway Exhibits + Events' CEO Matt Kleinrock and Director of Marketing Coty Adams break down what’s really going on in the events industry right now—using fresh data and trends Matt’s been tracking across the field. They’ll talk about: ✅ What today’s rising costs mean for...

EXHIBITORLIVE 2025 brought together some of the smartest minds in event marketing—and we captured their thoughts straight from the show floor. Matt wasn’t there, but Coty Adams (Director of Marketing) and Mollie Stahl (Senior Account Executive) at Rockway Exhibits + Events were. And in this special compilation, you’ll hear direct insights from event pros on what’s shaping the industry now: AI, sus...

Everyone wants a booth that turns heads, but pulling it off takes more than just flashy lights and bold graphics. Matt teams up with Stuart Fingerhut, Creative Director – Events & Experiences at Production Club, an award-winning creative with two decades of experience designing immersive brand experiences for companies like Google, AWS, and Hyundai. They’ll break down what it really takes to d...

Event marketers rarely get to hear directly from the person whose opinion matters most when it comes to budget, strategy, and impact: the CMO. But without that insight, it's hard to know where your event program really stands—or how to level it up. Matt Kleinrock sits down with John Seeds, CMO at TTEC Digital, for a rare and candid look at how a top executive actually views events inside a go...

You’re great at planning events, but you want to make a bigger impact. Maybe even move up. And that means proving you’re more than logistics. In this episode, Sarah Gannon, Director of Corporate Events at MathWorks, shares the mindset and strategies that helped her grow from tactical planner to trusted business partner. With 25+ years in tech events and multiple industry accolades, Sarah breaks do...

Event marketing is expected to deliver real business outcomes—and you want to lead with strategy, not just execution. But translating high-level goals into a measurable, aligned plan? That’s where most teams get stuck. In this live strategy session, Matt Kleinrock and Pablo Gonzalez bring the Event Success Framework to life—showing how to bridge the gap between ambition and action, one stage at a...

Part 1 had people talking—and asking for more. You leave a trade show with a stack of business cards, a lead list, and big opportunities. But if your follow-up strategy isn’t airtight, those opportunities vanish. Most post-show outreach is slow, generic, and ineffective. Leads get cold. Follow-ups sound the same. And before you know it, you’re starting from scratch at the next event. In this highl...

Sometimes you get 6 months to plan an event. Sometimes your VP drops a booth on your desk and says, “We need to be there in 30 days.” In this conversation, Matt and Pablo walk through how to make smart, fast decisions that still move the needle. It’s not about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things, fast. Expect to learn: ✅ How to avoid overspending (or underdelivering) when timelines...

Event marketers create incredible experiences, but too often, their role feels undervalued and stagnant. Promotions are unclear, budgets get cut first, and without a clear path to leadership, event marketing can feel like a dead end. If you’re not seen as a strategic player—driving revenue, influencing pipeline, and aligning with marketing and sales—you risk being sidelined. In this episode, Matt...

Most booths blend in, not stand out. Companies spend months preparing for trade shows but still end up with booths that fail to engage, generate leads, or create memorable experiences. You don’t need a bigger budget—you need a better strategy. The difference between a forgettable booth and one that attracts the right people, holds attention, and drives ROI? Smart design choices. And the best way t...

Companies rely on events to drive pipeline and brand visibility, but too many hire event managers without a clear strategy. Without the right hire (or the right structure), events become a logistical nightmare instead of a pipeline-generating, relationship-building machine. And when budgets get tight, event teams are the first to get cut. In this episode, Matt Kleinrock and Pablo Gonzalez unpack e...

Most event marketing strategies stop at logistics. Booth design? Check. Speaker lineup? Done. But what about actually driving engagement before, during, and after the event? Without a structured approach, you’re leaving valuable connections—and revenue—on the table. Sales and marketing teams scramble to fill schedules last-minute. Booths are filled with unqualified traffic. Leads go cold because f...

For too long, events have been seen as logistical line items rather than strategic revenue drivers. And when budgets tighten, they’re the first to get cut. The reality? Events amplify sales, marketing, and customer success but only if they’re aligned with company goals and measured effectively. Without clear data, leadership won’t see their value, and event marketers will struggle to prove impact....

Your trade show booth might be attracting visitors, but is it converting them into real business? Most companies rely on giveaways, flashy displays, and generic engagement tactics—but those aren’t enough. Your booth needs to do more than just look good—it must pull people in, create meaningful interactions, and drive real business results. In Part 2 of our Booth Design That Drives Results series,...

Event marketing success goes far beyond what happens at your booth. It’s about using data to drive smarter decisions, align stakeholders, and maximize ROI—but how do you get there, especially with limited resources or time? In this episode, Matt Kleinrock leads a discussion with industry experts Jon Wolff (Sr. Global Events Manager at Lenovo) and Joe Federbush (President at EVOLIO Marketing) to ex...

Planning successful events in 2025 isn’t getting any easier. With tighter budgets, rising costs, and supplier negotiations that can feel like a minefield, even seasoned event pros face major hurdles. So, how do you deliver impactful events without breaking the bank? In another special compilation episode, we’re bringing together the best advice from past guests who’ve tackled these challenges head...

Crafting a brand story that connects and converts at events can feel overwhelming. From defining your core message to ensuring every team member communicates it consistently, where do you even begin? Without a clear story and unified strategy, your brand risks getting lost in the noise of the event floor—or worse, missing valuable opportunities to build trust and stand out. In this episode, Matt s...

Planning a standout tradeshow booth can feel overwhelming. Between aligning stakeholders, designing a booth that’s functional and eye-catching, and managing marketing before, during, and after the event, where do you even begin? Without a clear, tactical plan, your booth risks blending into the crowd—or worse, falling short of your goals. And let’s face it, tradeshow investments are too big to lea...