Great Events

It's no secret that music can bring back memories of exactly where you were at any point in time. But how can music help compliment your events? In this special edition podcast we are joined by Sam McNeil & John Lambardo with SongDivision to teach us about the science behind music to engage your attendees/employees and unify corporate culture. As a special treat, Sam and John create and perform a...

If you have been looking for a new way to boost your events and realize true engagement, then today's podcast is for you! Brooke and Cody sit down with Cindy Lo, CEO of Red Velvet Events, to get her take on utilizing gamification for events and how you can then track your ROI. Cindy also shares her advice for getting exhibitors and sponsors to interact with attendees on a virtual level. From exhib...

Developing and maintaining quality employee engagement is the theme of today's podcast. We are joined by Shannon Harrison who worked for a Fintech Company and like many other event planners was tasked with finding ways to keep internal employees engaged while working from home. Shannon shares what skills she leveraged from the event planner world to get colleagues engaging with one another. Free a...

In the past several weeks, we've had to quickly adapt to virtual events. Because of their strong focus on virtual events, planners have innovated the events industry by pioneering new event technologies and strategies. Jill Dasher with HPN Global and Phil Sings with Federal Conference join us today to share how they have innovated their events. In the conversation, Jill and Phil express the import...

CrowdCompass has been an integral part of many in-person events. But how is it possible to utilize an event mobile app during this time without in-person events? Linda Meunier and Jennifer Sosiewicz from Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits share some incredible tips on using the CrowdCompass app for more than just events! Using the app, they are able to keep their employees engaged and connected while e...

On this episode we chat with the Dynamic Duo, Jamie Lakin, with O2 Events, and Mike Baugh, with Pink Monkey Studio. Jamie and Mike provide their perspective of being an event producer during this time. The reality of going from a jam packed schedule to nothing, hit hard. Yet during this time, Jamie provides her top tips to building revenue in today's market. Hear how Jamie found inspiration to tak...

How will we know when recovery is beginning? What will be the first signs that in-person meetings can make a come-back? We sat down with Don Welsh, CEO of Destinations International, to discuss just that. Hear how a 100 year old organization is continuing to engage with their members and the hotel community. Whether as a planner or tourist, get the expert opinion on what to do if you're considerin...

This special episode of the podcast features Brenda Ainsburg, the App Ninja and Channel Program Manager at Siemens. During this downtime, Brenda puts an emphasis on the importance of leveraging your contracts and staying connected with your attendees. She shares the best resources and methods to keep in touch with attendees even if your event has gone virtual. It is especially important to make yo...

Brooke and Cody are joined (virtually) by Techwell president, Alison Wade, who talks about the current events landscape, how to use technology, and how she managed to pivot an in-person event to virtual in just ten days! Apart from her tips and tricks on how to execute an engaging virtual event, Alison also talks about the advantages and cost benefits of hosting a virtual event. She also shares he...

Adapt, Evolve, and Accelerate! This is the mantra of our guest Patrick Smith, Senior VP and CMO at Cvent. Join us as Patrick discusses what the future looks like for in-person events and how you can accelerate by threading virtual events in to your event program. Patrick also provides useful insight into how Cvent Social Tables can provide event planners a virtual site visit to help them get ahead...

See how a non-profit membership organization adpated their 5,000 person event to a virtual platform with a virtual exhibit hall, in just 1 week. Hear Danny Silva, Director of Technology Integration with CUE, share how he switched up his events, overcame the hiccups, and gained success along the way. Additional Resources (https://explore.cvent.com/c/risk-management-for-?x=g2Layu&lb_email={{lead. Em...

Allison Monro, CMO at Vena Solutions, discusses how pivoting her company’s team user conference from in-person to virtual in a few weeks started by thinking about their audience. From reimagining the experience for a new medium to finding the right tools to bring a virtual conference to life, she walks us through the excitement of aligning stakeholders to recreate a virtual event focused on engage...

We sat down with Paul Van Deventer, MPI’s own President and CEO, to talk about how he is adapting to the new climate the events industry is now living in. He shares his experience and great positive outlook for the future. Tune in! Paul Van Deventer, President and CEO, Meeting Professionals International mpi.org/trustedresources (https://www.mpi.org/tools/coronavirus) Additional Resources (https:/...

Kerry Lambert, Senior Director of Strategic Accounts, Cvent Kelli Kopec, Manager, Product Marketing, Cvent In times of crisis, managing communication with strategic partners and vendors becomes critical. Now more than ever is the time for event planners and hoteliers to align and work together. We’ll take a look at both perspectives and provide insights into how these two groups can coordinate and...

Will Curran, Chief Event Einstein, Endless Events Many in-person events must currently be transitioned to virtual events. But quickly executing this change poses a number of pitfalls even for seasoned event pros. Learn how you can be victorious with your virtual events with tips and tricks from Will Curran, Chief Event Einstein at Endless Events. More Resources [How to Turn Your Event Virtual: ] (...

When thinking about branded gear for your event, what do you hope to get out of it? More importantly, what do your attendees hope to get out of it? Are you bored already? Don’t be! Today’s episode of How Great Events Happen is all about branded gear and the exciting options and strategies that are available. Todd Frankford is Vice President of Business Development at GNP Branded gear, and he has s...

We wanted to do another episode in honor of International Women’s Day featuring a powerhouse woman encouraging other women to jump into the events industry. Amanda Armstrong, Assistant Vice President of Global Travel and Meetings at Enterprise Holdings, shares with us what inspired her early on. In the conversation with Amanda, we dig into some of the opportunities ahead for women in the industry...

In honor of International Women’s Day, we are featuring a powerhouse woman who could speak directly to levating women in the industry. Annette Gregg is the Senior Vice President of Experience at Meeting Professionals International. Her mantra in life is "Helping People Live More Authentic, Inspired and Successful Lives.” In our conversation with Annette, she shares with us how, we as a community c...

Today’s show is all about the marketing that makes your event successful–or not. Katie Brunette is the Director of Strategic Marketing at Lessonly and a wizard when it comes to marketing for events. A well-planned event can have a huge impact on your brand, and Katie has a wealth of knowledge, experience, and creativity that can help you level up your game. Take a listen. And if you love these ide...

Today’s episode is focused on the technology driving the events industry forward. Corbin Ball joins Brooke and Cody in the Cvent studio to share how as event planners we can better use technology to save time and improve productivity. In the conversation, Corbin shares how virtual and augmented reality are impacting the industry. You’ll also hear his take on how AI, if at all, will make an impact....

Imagine putting on an event when a natural disaster occurs. It’s an event planner's worst nightmare. In our conversation this week, we’re talking to fellow Cventer Stephanie McNamara (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieagan/) as she shares with us the power of duty of care in the face of things outside of our control. Often the topic of duty of care is dry and seemingly something you have to cov...

In this week’s episode, we’re talking to Judi James, leading communication and body language expert, and author of The Body Language Bible. Judi recently presented at Cvent Connect Europe in London in a session on social psychology for event planners. How do body language, the way you speak, and confidence play into first impressions? Listen in to learn more behind the social psychology of event p...

In this episode, Brooke and Cody discuss something you see at nearly every event: WiFi. Have you ever been to an event with slow WiFi? It can leave a bad impression on your attendees. Will Curran and Brandt Krueger are back to share some negotiation tactics and resources when it comes to securing WiFi at your event. Listen in. Resources and links discussed: https://helloendless.com/event-wifi-band...

In this first episode of Season 3 of How Great Events Happen, you’ll hear hosts Brooke Gracey and Cody Liskh dig into cybersecurity as it relates to events. Will Curran and Brandt Krueger share tips and tricks to stay more secure - both professionally and personally. Listen in to hear how any event professional can mitigate cybersecurity threats. Resources and links discussed: * https://www.dashla...

As 2020 is beginning, the event season is heating up. Brooke Gracey and Cody Liskh return for Season 3 of the How Great Events Happen podcast, by Cvent. Brooke and Cody will be interviewing some great guests from around the globe who will be sharing their insights into the trends to watch for this year. If you are an event planner, marketer, or event professional, you are going to love these new e...