What One Thing? A Meeting Planner's Guide to the Top of the Events World

Send us Fan Mail What does it truly mean to be an ally—not just in title, but in everyday action? In this special episode of What One Thing? , we celebrate the inaugural Smart Allies cohort with candid conversations about leadership, mentorship, and advocacy. Leonard Hoops (President & CEO, Visit Indy), David Stevens (Co-founder, Olympian Meeting), and Mike May (President, Brightspot Incentive...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of What One Thing? , Smart Meetings’ vice president and editorial director JT Long reconnects with Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group, for a second conversation about the upcoming IMEX Frankfurt 2025. Bauer shares insights into the surge in global demand despite geopolitical uncertainty and how IMEX Frankfurt prioritizes health, well-being and inclusivity through well...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of What One Thing , Smart Meetings VP and Content Director JT Long speaks with IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer about bold sustainability lessons from IMEX Frankfurt 2024.  Bauer shares how simple changes—like removing beef from menus and reordering vegetarian options—can dramatically influence attendee behavior. She explains how IMEX measures sustainability efforts usi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of What One Thing , Smart Meetings’ VP and Content Director JT Long interviews Keith Alper, CEO and chairman of Creative Producers Group. Alper is a veteran of marketing, branding, business strategy and event production. Alper shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from childhood performances in his basement to launching his first business at 17 while working...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode of What One Thing , host JT Long, VP and editorial director of Smart Meetings, welcomes Robin Shear, founder of Joy to the World Coaching , to discuss the transformative power of joy. Shear shares how embracing joy can enhance personal and professional well-being when embraced even during life's toughest moments. She offers practical tips like the "feel-...

Send us Fan Mail How can leaders lean into having meaningful conversations? In the latest discussion of What One Thing? , Smart Meetings' JT Long, vice president and content director, chats with Jess Pettitt, a keynote speaker, author and expert on navigating challenging conversations to improve workflow. Pettitt offers some helpful tips to give planners some starting steps in moving their te...

Send us Fan Mail In this discussion of What One Thing?, JT Long, vice president and content director of Smart Meetings, chatted with David Allison, a human values expert and founder of the Value Graphics Research Company, to explore how planners can leverage insights into human behavior to understand their attendees better and create engaging events. Produced by: Eming Piansay

Send us Fan Mail Are you integrating cryotherapy and IV drips in your events? On this episode of What One Thing? Smart Meetings' JT Long, vice president and content director, sat down with Sean Hoess, the co-founder of Eudemonia and Wanderlust Festival and Kelly Cavers, chief sales officer for The Palm Beaches, to explore what makes wellness events not only impactful but essential for meeting...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of What One Thing?, JT Long vice president and content director of Smart Meetings sits down with Kate Patay, vice president of global engagement for Terramar, and Thuy Diep senior meeting planner of CWT Meetings & Events to discuss the art of building meaningful connections. Listen in as they explore the differences between transactional and relational encounte...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of What One Thing , a Smart Meetings podcast, host JT Long, vice president and content director of Smart Meetings, explores essential strategies for ensuring safety in an increasingly risky world. JT welcomes Kevin Coffey, a travel security and meeting risk advisor, who brings decades of expertise from his time as a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department&...

Send us Fan Mail If an event prof career life is a smorgasbord of hospitality job options, how do you decide what to put on your plate? We asked an award-winning F&B expert.  In this episode of What One Thing? host JT Long, VP and content director of Smart Meetings, delves into the fascinating world of food and beverage with Thomas Whelan, director of operations for Levy Restaurants. With over...

Send us Fan Mail In this edition of What One Thing?, Smart Meetings chats with IMEX CEO Carina Bauer to discuss the lessons learned from IMEX Frankfurt that will inform IMEX America. Bauer highlights the success of their education program, frank discussions on tough topics and the show’s overall theme of impact. Produced by: Eming Piansay

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the What One Thing? Smart Meetings welcomes Deborah Gardner, a former swimming champion and performance expert known for her competitive mentality and dynamic presentations. Gardner shares her unique journey from crashing weddings to becoming a key figure in the hospitality industry. She emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities, embracing challenges an...

Send us Fan Mail In this Episode of What One Thing? JT Long, vice president and content director, continues her conversation with interviews Edward Perotti, an experienced event strategist. Perotti discusses the importance of taking initiative, staying true to oneself and managing the inherent stress of being an event professional by using humor and continually striving for improvement. www.smartm...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the "What One Thing" podcast, JT Long, Vice President and Content Director at Smart Meetings, sits down with Geoff Freeman from US Travel to discuss the crucial need for adequate tools to organize international conferences. They delve into why these conferences are vital for advancing economies, science, medicine, and fostering global connections. www....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "What One Thing," Smart Meetings interviews Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX, discussing the upcoming IMEX Frankfurt event. Bauer anticipates growth compared to previous years but notes that it may not reach the scale of IMEX America. Reflecting on innovations from the Las Vegas event, such as video content and immersive experiences, she highlights plans to i...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of What One Thing? JT Long, vice president and content director of Smart Meetings has an insightful conversation with Edward Perotti, an award-winning meeting designer and principle of EP Events and Experiences. With over 27 years of experience, Perotti shares valuable insights on transitioning from being an order-taker to a strategic leader in the events industry....

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of What One Thing?   Vice President and Content Director of Smart Meeting JT Long chats with President of ASAE, the Center for Association Leadership, Michelle Mason to discuss finding one's own path and purpose, the evolving landscape of meetings and conferences, the need for inclusivity, sustainability, and adaptation to technology. Mason also emphasizes the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "What One Thing?" from Smart Meetings, JT Long, Vice President and Content Director at Smart Meetings, interviews keynote speaker, luxury expert and author, Neen James, about the intersection of luxury and event planning. The discussion revolves around driving profitability, productivity, and accountability through paying extraordinary attention. James...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of What One Thing? Smart Meeting's Vice President JT Long chats with Dr. Romila “Romie” Mushtaq on what constitutes a Busy Brain and best practices to cure a Busy Brain. Find out more about Dr. Romie here:  Brain Health Keynote Speaker | Dr. Romie (drromie.com) Curious if you have a Busy Brain? Take the Busy Brain quiz here: Busy Brain Test - Dr. Romie (drromi...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of What One Thing? Smart Meeting's Vice President JT Long chats with The Party Scientist Jacques Martiquet to explore the concept of bringing joy to events, turning attendees from spectators into connectors and the impact of movement and music on attendees.  Produced by: Eming Piansay

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of What One Thing Smart Meetings CEO and Founder Marin Bright is joined by Keynote Speaker and Author Ben Nemtin  to discuss his storied accomplishments of creating a bucket list to attain his goals, finding purpose in life and his next big goal to go into space!  Produced by: Eming Piansay

Send us Fan Mail On this special episode of What One Thing? Smart Meeting's Vice President, JT Long, sits down with IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer to get a sneak peek at what is in store for attendees in Las Vegas on October 17-19.  Produced by: Eming Piansay

Send us Fan Mail  On this episode of What One Thing? Smart Meeting’s Vice President and Content Director JT Long sits down with Regional Vice President of Sales and Distribution for the Caribbean and Latin America at Marriott International Louise Bang to discuss her love of travel and its ability to be a force for good and how communicating in multiple languages allowed her to have empathy for oth...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of What One Thing? Marin Bright, CEO and founder of Smart Meetings, is joined by Lisa Messina, chief sales officer of Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, to discuss her journey through the hospitality industry, leaning into change, and keeping a perspective on the role you play in other people’s happiness.