The EPN Journal Podcast

Top story this week, did the recent AWS outage affect the event industry? Both Cvent and Eventbrite experienced problems, but it appears no one else in the industry did as very little, if anything, has been written about the problems. Another great topic we discuss, does your branding matter more than ever now that AI is answering your search queries. And the upcoming CHS show gets a mention This...

On the 15th of October, I attended the 2 day Cvent EuropeConference. It seemed bigger than last year’s event, and it feltlike there were many more attendees. This was possibly due to the location, the Intercontinental London right next to the O2 in North Greenwich. One of the reasons I was there was to speak to Jake Dennett about his session that was due on the second day. "The Agile Event Pl...

Julia Danmeri speaks multiple languages, she has done since an early age. It has proved to be a very useful skill that has been invaluable during her 20 years of international event ops. Focusing on her multilingual abilities led her to launch TranslateAble, switching from organiser to supplier. While there is a movement towards AI translations, there are many times when a human is needed. We star...

Bob Toovey of ⁠⁠Event Planner News and Paul Cook at Planet Planit , spent two days at the recent Cvent Europe 2025 Conference in London. To help explore our thoughts and experiences on this big newsworthy event, we asked Jill Hawkins of ⁠⁠ Aniseed PR to act as host. We do make reference to Paul and Bob being part of a boy band, you can see what we were talking about via Adam Baggs on LinkedIn . As...

In this week's episode, we discuss the idea that there are too many Industry Events, how an automated PR tool is bombarding UK media with AI-generated content, and the ATPI launch of their trainee programme aiming to tackle industry talent shortage. This episode features Paul Richardson of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VividInk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , Events Journalist ⁠⁠Kristyna O'Connell⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Bob Toovey of ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In this episode, we take dive in to the top news stories from the last 7 days. We take a look at the figures unveiled at the recent Labour Party Conference in ACC Liverpool, where the EIA joined politicians, industry and association members. Plus, how did the Isle of Wight festival increases profits despite fall in attendance, and the launch of the Power Of Events Schools Engagement Program for Lo...

Hospitality Action recently published a report based on it’s yearly industry-wide wellbeing survey. The aim of the ‘Taking The Temperature’ survey, is to reveal insights about mental health, support systems, and the daily challenges faced by people at every level of hospitality. I talked with Jeremy Gibson , Marketing & Operations Director at Hospitality Action. We discuss the insights and iss...

We have questions! Such as, have event awards become exclusive? Why have event planners become too overwhelmed to innovate? And just who exactly is the APPG and what do they do? Jill Hawkins of ⁠Aniseed PR⁠ , Paul Cook, ⁠⁠storyteller⁠⁠ and creator of specialist content consultancy Planet Planit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , and Bob Toovey of ⁠Event Planner News⁠ discuss these questions, which are based on topics a...

In this edition, for Friday 19th September, Jill Hawkins of Aniseed PR and Bob Toovey of Event Planner News discuss the first Accessible Events Show, three London venues upgrading their spaces and the results from the M&IT Awards survey. Links to the stories mentioned... The Accessible Events Show Olympia’s National Hall receives £2m upgrade Westminster Venue Collection and partners transform...

In this edition, for Friday 12th September, the talk is about analytics, metrics & meaningful event data, the updated guide from MIA regarding Martyn's Law, and the first ever event industry show that's all about accessibility. The team this week features Paul Cook, ⁠storyteller⁠ and creator of specialist content consultancy Planet Planit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , Events Journalist ⁠⁠Kristyna O'Connell⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠...

We're back talking about venues again, along with news of The Power Of Events and their expansion of their UK schools program, plus do we know what attendees really want from events and conferences? This edition, for Friday 5th September, features Paul Richardson of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VividInk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , Events Journalist ⁠Kristyna O'Connell⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Bob Toovey of ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Event Planner News⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ....

This week the discussion is mainly about venues, and Rickshaw racing in and around London Excel! This edition, for Friday 29th August, features Paul Richardson of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VividInk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , Jill Hawkins of ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Aniseed PR⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Bob Toovey of ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Event Planner News⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . The links to this weeks stories Venues Trend Report 2025 by Kristyna O’Connell Tech driven location-based entertainment ma...

In this weeks episode, attendee data sharing without attendees being made aware, Gamescon event app uses AI to book meetings but doesn't tell you, and do small festivals need big acts? This edition, for Friday 22nd August, features Paul Richardson of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ VividInk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , Paul Cook, storyteller and creator of specialist content consultancy Planet Planit,  and Bob Toovey of ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Event Planner...

David Harris, also known as Magicman London, started his lifelong passion for magic at the age of 6 when his father showed him a simple trick. Since then, he has become one of the most popular magicians in London, performing at corporate events, trade shows and conferences – from very small groups to stages with big audiences. We discuss how his dyspraxia has affected his performances and how he h...

In this episode we discuss the potential demise of event apps, July's increase in event job ads, and consent and deep fakes in AI. This edition, for Friday 15th August, features Paul Richardson of ⁠⁠⁠⁠VividInk⁠⁠⁠⁠ , Jill Hawkins of ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Aniseed PR⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Bob Toovey of ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Event Planner News⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Links to this weeks stories The death of event apps? Presso shares stats and a possible answer t...

Five years ago, during the Pandemic lockdown – Andrew Perolls decided to make a difference. Armed with a phone, a laptop and a list of contacts – he created  Greengage Solutions . Since then, Andrew and his team have changed the way venues, hotels, and the event industry as a whole, views and takes action on - sustainability. I had the pleasure of talking with Andrew, during which he shared how go...

This Week In Events, a weekly podcast series that takes a deeper look at some of the stories and trends from the last 7 days. This edition, for Friday 8th August, features Paul Richardson of ⁠⁠⁠VividInk⁠⁠⁠ , Jill Hawkins of ⁠⁠⁠ Aniseed PR⁠⁠⁠ and Bob Toovey of ⁠⁠⁠ Event Planner News⁠⁠⁠ . Topics and stories this week include... Rising cost in the industry - C&IT study reveals 95% of planners see...

This Week In Events - a weekly series that takes a deeper look at some of the stories and trends from the last 7 days. This edition, for Friday 1st August, features Paul Richardson of ⁠⁠VividInk⁠⁠ , Jill Hawkins of ⁠⁠Aniseed PR⁠⁠ and Bob Toovey of ⁠⁠Event Planner News⁠⁠ . Topics and stories this week are... Why are award submissions deadlines packed so close together, and does paying to take part...

This Week In Events - a weekly series that takes a deeper look at some of the stories and trends from the last 7 days. This edition, for Friday 25th July, features Paul Richardson of ⁠VividInk⁠ , Jill Hawkins of ⁠Aniseed PR⁠ and Bob Toovey of ⁠Event Planner News⁠ . We discuss, AI and have we had enough? Plus Tomorrowland’s Stage Fire and WeTransfer's revised terms and conditions. Links to this wee...

This Week In Events - a weekly series that takes a deeper look at some of the stories and trends from the last 7 days. We talk about venues outside of London, Christmas in July and the new report from Wyboston Venue Management. This edition, for Friday 18th July, features Paul Richardson of VividInk , Jill Hawkins of Aniseed PR and Bob Toovey of Event Planner News . The featured stories for this w...

How has the event industry changed over the years? Have things become better, stayed the same or somehow become worse? My guest,  Richard John , is an industry veteran with more than 30 years experience. He is an author, columnist and considered by many as a ‘go to’ events expert. He’s also written a romantic comedy called, ‘The Tag’. A man of many talents. Inspired by two of his books, collected...

With the reopening of the National Gallery's Sainsbury Wing, event and meetings planners have a new inspiring venue. I had the pleasure of talking with Clare Arouche, who is the head of hospitality and events at the National Gallery. In this new podcast episode, we explore what the Sainsbury Wing offers event and meeting planners. Discover more about the National Gallery National Gallery on In...

Welcome to the May edition of the EPN Journal update, featuring the top news items, this months most popular guest story and we welcome the first article by our new columnist, Claire Drakeley. We also have Richard John, co-founder of realise and IdeasNest, sharing the best advice he’s been given. The top stories mentioned are... Venues Of Excellence Welcomes Yorkshire’s The Royal Armouries The Nat...

In this episode of the EPN Podcast, the top stories that were published on EPN Journal in April, along with a top wellbeing tip from Sandie McCoubrey, Co-Founder of MESA. The stories featured are... The checklist Businesses Need To Ensure Waste Regulation Compliance How St Saviourgate York Hosted A Festive Pop-Up Picturehouse Cinema Image Sizes On Instagram, Everything Event Planners Need To Know...

This episode of the EPN Podcast is based on the article - When It Comes To Sustainability, We’re All Part Of The Problem ... "Booking systems used by hotels to reduce costs and increase efficiency, A.I. platforms that we use to save time, and all those productivity services we access through the Internet, are all hosted in large data centers. They are also used for website hosting, your favourite...