The Event Innovator Show with Phil Mershon

Have you ever considered the profound impact an emcee can have on the success of an event? In this episode of the Event Innovator Show, I sit down with Claire Forestier , a seasoned event emcee and attendee advocate, to explore the art of creating truly engaging experiences that resonate with audiences. The Power of Attendee Advocacy Claire shares her journey from journalism to event hosting, reve...

Have you ever wondered how a community comes together in the face of disaster to save a beloved event? In this episode of the Event Innovator Show, I sit down with Dusty Buell , leader of the Wichita Open , and Ari Gross from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas , to explore the incredible story of resilience, teamwork, and innovation that unfolded when nature threatened to derail one of Wichita's mos...

Have you ever wondered how to create truly meaningful connections at events, beyond the superficial exchange of business cards? In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Michel , Vice President of Professional Connexity at Velvet Chainsaw , to explore the art of fostering genuine relationships and community at conferences and gatherings. Reimagining the Welcome Experience Why first impressions matter...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create truly impactful events that resonate with your audience and drive real results? In this episode, I sit down with Liz Caruso , CEO of Techsytalk , to explore the art and science of strategic event planning. Liz shares her journey from counseling to event planning, revealing how her unique background shapes her approach to understanding client needs and...

Have you ever considered how the relationships behind the scenes can make or break your event? In this episode, I sit down with Gabriella Robuccio , founder of Pro Event Tips, to explore the often-overlooked world of relationship management in event planning. From World Cup to Wisdom: Lessons in Event Leadership Gabriella shares her journey from managing ESPN's coverage of the 2014 World Cup to be...

Have you ever wondered how technology can dramatically impact the event experience, from the moment someone discovers your event to long after they've left the venue? In this episode, I sit down with Drew McManus , CEO of Upstage Technologies , to explore the intricate world of event technology and its profound effect on attendee satisfaction. The Journey from Tuba to Tech Drew's fascinating backg...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create truly memorable events that leave a lasting impact? In this episode of the Event Innovator Show, I sit down with Nick Borelli , a seasoned event strategist with a unique perspective shaped by his lifelong passion for comic books and storytelling. Embracing Your Unique Superpowers Discover why differentiation is crucial in today's event landscape and h...

Have you ever wondered how to create events that leave attendees feeling energized, connected, and inspired? In this episode, I sit down with Tahira Endean , head of programming for IMEX and author of " Our KPI is Joy: How Live Events Catalyze Happiness, Productivity, and Trust ," to explore the transformative power of intentional event design. Redefining Success: Why Joy Matters in Events How foc...

Most conferences leave attendees drained, sore, and ready for a nap—but what if your event could send them home energized, focused, and raving about the experience? In this episode, Phil Mershon sits down with wellness architect David Stevens and two-minute movement queen Lizzie Williamson to unpack the science and strategy of integrating wellness into events. They reveal why movement, nutrition,...

I'll never forget the moment I realized I'd been measuring event success all wrong. For years, we've obsessed over registration numbers, attendance figures, and revenue metrics. But what if the most important measurement at your event isn't showing up on any spreadsheet? In this eye-opening conversation, BizBash founder and industry legend David Adler reveals why he's completely transformed how he...

"Culture is who we be when we come up in here." That’s not a typo—it’s a truth bomb dropped by today’s guest that I haven’t stopped thinking about. Let me take you back. A few years ago, I was standing backstage at a major conference we’d spent months planning. Everything looked perfect. The lights were just right. The stage was set. The coffee was hot (a small miracle). But something felt off. Pe...

Picture this: the lights go down, a lone saxophone lets out a bold riff, and the band swings in around it—each musician listening, adjusting, riffing back. That’s jazz, and it’s exactly how Bethany Gustafson orchestrates unforgettable events. In “ Event Leadership Jazz: The Power of Improvisation ,” Bethany—our guest on this week’s Event Innovator Show —proves that the most memorable conferences,...

What does the world’s most iconic tennis tournament have in common with unforgettable conferences? A lot more than you might think. In this episode, Phil Mershon unpacks the timeless magic of Wimbledon—where heritage meets innovation—and explores what event leaders can learn from its intentional design. From scarcity-driven buzz to rituals that spark belonging, you'll discover how to craft experie...

Have you ever wondered why some speakers captivate an audience while others fall flat? In this episode, I sit down with Kyle Gray , a speaker coach and author of The Story Engine , to uncover the secrets of creating truly impactful presentations that resonate with your audience. Kyle shares his insights on a common pitfall many speakers face: focusing too much on their own expertise rather than me...

Have you ever felt awkward introducing yourself at events? You're not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Steve Woodruff , known as the "King of Clarity," to explore a revolutionary approach to networking that could change the way we connect at conferences and beyond. Steve is on a mission to replace the outdated elevator pitch with something he calls a "memory dart" - a concise, compelling in...

"I would never invite that speaker again!" If you're a speaker, you never want to hear those words. And the truth is, you never will since organizers only share this with other event planners. What would you like to hear instead? "She was the best speaker ever. Great content, easy to work with, and she even helped set up tables when we were short staffed. I recommend her highly." In this episode,...

Have you ever wondered how to create truly engaging events that keep attendees coming back year after year? In this episode, I sit down with Jim Louderback, a veteran of the creator economy and event industry, to explore innovative strategies for audience engagement and event design. Jim shares his wealth of experience from running VidCon, one of the largest creator-focused events in the world, an...

Have you ever considered launching your own event but felt overwhelmed by the prospect? In this episode, I sit down with JC Hite, the visionary behind Scale with Stability Summit, to uncover the strategic decisions and lessons learned from creating a faith-based business conference for entrepreneurs and CEOs. Strategic Advantages in Event Planning How partnering with a university dramatically redu...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create an event that truly resonates with your audience? In this episode, I sit down with Angie Callen, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Career Benders and The Modern Coach, to uncover the secrets of crafting unforgettable event experiences. As a self-proclaimed "recovering engineer who loves people," Angie brings a unique perspective to event planning t...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create a successful event that keeps attendees coming back year after year? In this episode, I sit down with Michael (Mike) Stelzner (and my boss), the visionary behind Social Media Marketing World, to uncover the secrets of building and sustaining a thriving conference in the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing. With 12 years of experience under ou...

Are you ready to elevate your events from good to extraordinary? In this episode, I sit down with Caroline Correia, a seasoned event strategist with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Caroline shares her insights on creating high-impact experiences that leave a lasting impression on attendees. We even came up with a new name for event experience designers and strategists. Crafting Memora...

Have you ever felt that your events are missing that special spark, despite flawless execution? In this episode, I share a game-changing concept that could revolutionize how you approach event planning: the role of an event architect. Drawing from my personal experiences and conversations with fellow industry professionals, I explore why bringing in an event architect early in the planning process...

Have you ever wondered how a rapidly growing company maintains its culture and keeps employees connected across hundreds of locations? In this episode, I sit down with Cari Watson, Senior Vice President at Westland Insurance, to explore how their annual Leadership Summit plays a crucial role in fostering connection, alignment, and growth. Building Culture Through Events Cari shares insights on how...

Are you ready to take your event marketing to the next level? In this episode, I sit down with Katie Brinkley, a social media strategist with two decades of experience and author of "Social Shift." We dive deep into the world of community building and effective social media strategies for event organizers. The Power of Community How online connections can lead to meaningful real-life relationships...

Are you ready to take your events from good to extraordinary? In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Kaiser, a researcher and engagement expert who has conducted over 477 interviews to uncover the secrets of attendee engagement. We explore how to create memorable experiences that keep participants coming back year after year. The Heart of Engagement Amanda shares her insights on what truly drives...