Great Events

When done right, event-led growth can deliver up to 7x ROI. But most teams are stuck running ad hoc, one-off events without a clear path to get there. In this episode, Camille Arnold , Director of Experiential Marketing at Splash (now part of Cvent), joins hosts Felicia Asiedu, Rachel Andrews, and Alyssa Peltier to map out a five-stage event-led growth (ELG) maturity model. Together, they unpack h...

Think about the energy at a concert, the excitement of a live sports match, or the buzz at a festival. There’s something magnetic about in-person events that no other marketing channel can replicate. At Cvent CONNECT 2025, Matt Heinz sits down with Alyssa Peltier and Kate Hammitt from Cvent to talk about the power of Event-Led Growth (ELG). Events are powerful catalysts that create lasting engagem...

The problem with event marketing? It’s gotten too predictable. Jay Schwedelson , founder of SubjectLine.com and GURU Media Hub , says the only way to stand out is to stop playing it safe. In this episode, Rachel Andrews chats with Jay about how to plan events that people actually enjoy and remember. From hot wing challenges to earned on-demand content, Jay shares what’s working right now and why s...

When sales, marketing, and events operate in silos, leads fall through the cracks and event ROI takes a hit.  At Cvent CONNECT 2025, Matt Heinz and Ajith Krishnankutty , VP of Experiential Marketing at Capital Group, discuss the importance of collaboration between these teams and its impact on event success. From planning to post-event follow-up, Ajith shares strategies for getting sales and mar...

AI is everywhere these days, and it’s hard to ignore the buzz. But beyond the hype, there’s real value in how it’s reshaping event planning. At Cvent CONNECT 2025, guest host Brittany Fisher is joined by Marco Ogsimer and Kevin Cobb from Augeo Marketing. They discuss how AI is helping event professionals save time, enhance team collaboration, and simplify the planning process. Plus, they’ll explor...

Are your events earning the spotlight, or are they getting budget cuts from the C-suite? At Cvent CONNECT 2025, Matt Heinz sits down with Amanda Young , Senior Director of Global Events at ConnectWise , to talk about proving ROI and scaling event programs. Amanda shares how she manages pressure from leadership, keeps sales and marketing aligned, and uses data to run high-performing events. In this...

B2B marketing doesn’t have to be predictable and boring. When we put people first, brand experiences can be as creative, authentic, and engaging as anything in B2C.  In this episode, Felicia Asiedu and Shannon Jones , co-founder of VERB , exchange ideas on creating brand experiences that break out of the corporate mold. They discuss the rise of B2B creators, how AI helps shape event experiences,...

Planning and executing successful events is only half the battle.  But to truly maximize the impact, follow-up is just as important.   At Cvent CONNECT 2025, guest host Matt Heinz sat down with Alura Roe and Ashley Biggie from 6sense to discuss post-event strategy. They share tips on using tech for personalized outreach and smarter engagement. Alura and Ashley also discuss effective aud...

Metrics are essential for understanding the success of your events, but there are certain things that data just can’t capture, like the magic moments of connection, delight, and surprise.  In this episode, hosts Felicia Asiedu , Rachel Andrews , and Alyssa Peltier discuss how events can have a lasting impact on your attendees and your brand. They share creative ideas and strategies for buildi...

Planning content for your event is a given. But are you also planning how you’ll use it after the event ends? At Cvent CONNECT 2025, guest host Matt Heinz spoke with Megan Martin , VP of Marketing and Innovation at EMC Meetings & Events, to discuss how events can become content engines that support marketing, sales, and ongoing audience engagement. Megan explains how pre-event planning helps t...

Data always speaks—never underestimate its power to prove the impact of your events.  At Cvent CONNECT 2025, guest host John Hunter sat down with Cvent’s Rachel Andrews and Robin Clark to discuss the definition and measurement of event success. They also share hard-won lessons about aligning with sales, attribution, and using data for smarter decision-making. In this episode, you’ll learn: Wh...

Inconsistent data, limited executive buy-in, and cross-team misalignment are common challenges in the events industry. But at the latest Cvent CONNECT, these common struggles became the foundation for productive dialogue and real solutions. In this solo mini-sode, Alyssa Peltier shares key insights from an open forum with senior event leaders from some of the world’s largest brands. She discusses...

Marketers spend months planning an unforgettable experience. And yet, it often feels like all that effort leads to just one day. But with the right approach, a single event can fuel months of content and conversation. In this episode, Rachel Andrews speaks with Chris Carver , Co-Founder and CEO of Sessionboard , a platform designed to streamline event content management. Chris shares how his deep...

Are your events truly built for everyone? In this episode, Felicia Asiedu is joined by Julia Santiago , Managing Director at the CSUN Center on Disabilities , and Stephen Cutchins , Senior Manager of Accessibility at Cvent . Together, they discuss what it takes to make accessibility a baseline, not a bonus. You’ll hear what inclusive event design looks like, how new laws are raising the bar, and w...

The world is in a constant state of change, and it’s making event professionals rethink everything. How is this uncertainty influencing the future of events? In this episode, Alyssa Peltier is joined by Cvent’s Julie Haddix and Jaimi Welch to discuss the current state of the events industry. Together, they break down key findings from the latest Pulse survey, exploring how political, economic, and...

Small, medium, and large events each have their own purpose and strategy. They all bring something different to the table. In part two of our event-led growth (ELG) series, Camille Arnold , Director of Experiential Marketing at Splash, joins Alyssa Peltier , Rachel Andrews , and Felicia Asiedu to discuss how each type of event requires a unique approach. While smaller events may seem simpler and m...

Just because you’re hosting events doesn’t mean you’re practicing event-led growth. In part one of our event-led growth (ELG) series, Camille Arnold , Director of Experiential Marketing at Splash, joins Alyssa Peltier , Rachel Andrews , and Felicia Asiedu to unpack what it means to lead with an event-first strategy. They explore how ELG goes beyond event execution. It involves business alignment,...

No matter how advanced technology gets, face-to-face events hold a unique space in building trust, community, and connection.  In this episode, Felicia Asiedu and Rachel Andrews chat with Stacey Fontenot , the SVP of Marketing at Cvent . They discuss the lasting value of in-person experiences, the kind of leadership that brings out the best in teams, and how authenticity plays a key role in b...

Event tech is more powerful than ever, but keeping up with constant changes is a job in itself. Enter the event technologist—the expert who ensures teams choose and use the right tools effectively.  In this episode, Alyssa Peltier and Rachel Andrews sit down with Taylor Bohn , Event Technology Manager at Cvent , to explore the rise of event technologists as a critical function within meetings and...

Women play a powerful role in the exhibitions industry, yet leadership positions have long been dominated by men. So the real question is, how can more women step into decision-making roles, and what support systems help make that happen? In this episode, Rachel Andrews sits down with Danica Tormohlen , VP of Group Content at Informa Connect and President of the North America chapter of Women in E...

Every event registration gives associations fresh, accurate member data—but are they using it to its full potential?  Beyond tracking attendance, this information can shape personalized experiences, strengthen engagement, and lead to sponsorship opportunities. In this episode, guest host Elizabeth Wu (Powell) , Marketing Manager of Industry Solutions at Cvent, sits down with Ben Muscolino , F...

The best events are those that feel curated, relevant, and valuable. People are eager to spend their time wisely, and that means delivering experiences that align with their needs and interests. In this episode, host Felicia Asiedu is joined by Cvent ’s resident Content Marketing Manager, Victoria Akinsowon , to discuss event personalization. They share practical ways to customize events without o...

Ready to wrap up the top trends reshaping the world of marketing and events in 2025? In part 2 of our series, hosts Alyssa Peltier , Rachel Andrews , and Felicia Asiedu tackle the final four trends. From data privacy innovations in venues to redefining metrics like "Return on Relationships," this episode discusses strategies for creating more impactful, inclusive, and sustainable events. You’ll le...

2025 is on the horizon, bringing trends that will transform your event strategy. And you can unlock these trends shaping events and marketing in 2025 with hosts Alyssa Peltier , Rachel Andrews , and Felicia Asiedu . From AI-driven personalization to the growing demand for unique venues and memorable experiences, this episode covers the strategies every marketing and event professional should know....

The event industry is vast, dynamic, and often misunderstood—but it’s time to change that narrative. In this episode, Alyssa Peltier and Rachel Andrews sit down with Carrie Davenport , Lead Event Manager at Altria , and Candace Fitch , Howard Feiertag Professor of Practice in Hospitality Leadership at Virginia Tech , to discuss how education and real-world experience are shaping the next generatio...