Event Marketer's Toolbox

On this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito sit down with speaker, author, and Engagify CEO, Anders Boulanger , to break down how attention becomes connection—and connection becomes real pipeline—at trade shows.  From the “engagement gap” model to practical booth layout fixes, Anders shares how to give attendees a reason to stop, a reason to listen, and a reason to bu...

In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with Matt Williams , the creator of the Plant Grow Harvest framework - a simple, honest approach to social selling that helps sales and marketing teams stop lurking and start connecting. Matt brings years of experience bridging sales and marketing through authentic relationship building — online and in person. Tog...

In this week’s episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , hosts Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito sit down with industry historian, author, and advocate Bob McGlincy to uncover the incredible scope, history, and impact of the global trade show industry — a trillion-dollar force that too often goes unseen. Bob shares insights from his book The Invisible Industry and his decades of experience leading operatio...

In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , hosts Chris Dunn   and Dana Esposito sit down with Rachel Weeks , a marketing executive with two decades of experience leading growth, transformation, and culture-first teams. Together, they explore how recognition and appreciation are more than just good leadership — they’re strategic business levers that drive retention, engagement, and real performa...

In Episode 40 of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , hosts Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with MK Granados , Director of Sponsorships at Informa Markets, to challenge one of the most overlooked areas of event strategy: sponsorships. MK brings a career spanning New York Comic Con, Gartner, PAX, and Informa Markets — and she’s here with a bold message: sponsorships don’t have to be cookie-cutter logo...

The events industry is at a turning point—and sustainability is no longer optional. In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , Chris Dunn and co-host Dana Esposito welcome Jim Obermeyer , Regional VP at Bray Leino Events and co-chair of the EDPA/ESCA Sustainability Committee . With more than 40 years of industry experience, Jim shares how a once-small committee has grown into a passionate 28-pe...

This episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox dives deep into the art and science of micro events —those intentionally small, connection-focused gatherings that break through the noise of traditional B2B experiences. Guest Emily Dilbeck of Unbound shares her practical five-step micro event playbook and explains how “backyard party” philosophy creates stronger emotional bonds, higher ROI, and more memor...

In the latest episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito sat down with Mitchell Mauk , Principal of Mauk Design , to discuss how storytelling, metaphor, and simplification can transform exhibits into memorable, engaging, and effective experiences . Mitchell, whose work spans NASA, Google, McDonald’s, AT&T, and O.C. Tanner , shared his insights on how exhibits can commun...

In the latest episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , Chris Dunn sat down with Jakob Eliason , co-founder of Pickleball Pop-Ups , to explore how pickleball has evolved into a powerful experiential marketing tool . Jakob shared how the sport engages audiences across corporate events, tradeshows, festivals, and community programs , and why it’s become a go-to activity for brand activations and corpora...

On this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with Brandon Lee , founder of Fist Bump , to explore how trust and reputation drive revenue at events and tradeshows . Brandon shares insights on creating credible booth experiences, building advocacy, and aligning sales and event teams to convert leads into long-term relationships. Whether you’re a first-time eve...

In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito sit down with Finn Yonkers , EVP Creative at BlueHive Exhibits, to explore the art and science behind creating memorable exhibits and experiences . With over 30 years of experience spanning exhibit design, multimedia, and interactive experiences for brands like Amgen, Bose, Intel, Biogen, and Adobe , Finn shares insights on...

In the latest episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox Live , Chris Dunn sits down with Dana Esposito to share insights from her 30+ years in exhibit design and event strategy . Dana dives into the lessons she’s learned, career transitions, and the practical strategies that help professionals grow, engage, and make an impact in the events industry. Whether you’re a designer, marketer, or event professi...

In the latest episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox Live , Chris Dunn sits down with Bob Hanson and Nick Sal to discuss one of the most pressing challenges in the events industry: How can in-person and virtual events work together seamlessly? For years, event professionals have treated in-person and virtual events as competitors. But the truth is— they can be powerful partners , amplifying each othe...

In the latest episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito chat with Chris Griffin , President of the EDPA and Owner of Crew XP . Chris shares valuable insights on leadership, industry advocacy, and the importance of building strong relationships in the events sector. Chris discussed the crucial role of advocacy for the future of the industry, especially in his time at Legisl...

In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , Chris Dunn is joined by Caitlyn Correa , President & CEO of BlueHive Exhibits and Continental Woodcraft . Caitlyn, a third-generation business owner , shares her journey of balancing family life with leading a growing business in the ever-evolving events industry. She talks about the challenges, rewards, and the flexibility needed to thrive in toda...

In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin are joined by Evan Babins , an event professional with a diverse background spanning AV production , hospitality , and corporate event planning . Evan shares his expertise on how to leverage vendor networks for producing high-impact events. Building long-term vendor relationships How to communicate effectively with vendors...

In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , hosts Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin are joined by Janice Cardinale , Founder of Cardinale Creative , to discuss the growing need for emotional intelligence and psychological safety in the event industry. Janice is spearheading an initiative to raise awareness about mental health and emotional intelligence through training and educational resources for...

In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , hosts C hris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with Carter Parrish , Leader of Growth / Senior Producer at Robotproof , a creative experiential marketing agency. Carter shares his insights on how brands can extend their reach beyond the trade show floor by creating immersive experiences that engage audiences before they even enter the booth. Through his...

In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , we’re taking a step in a bold direction with Caleb Williams , founder of DSCMFRT . Caleb joins hosts Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito to explore the intersection of sneaker culture, corporate gifting, and event marketing. With an impressive knack for custom footwear, Caleb reveals how sneakers - when designed with intention - can be used as standout brandi...

Event marketing in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries demands precision, responsibility, and an in-depth understanding of compliance.  In this episode, Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito are joined by Dawn Marie Raczka , Executive Vice President of Global Business Development at BlueMed, for a detailed conversation on what makes healthcare events uniquely complex - and why getting them rig...

In this special recap episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , hosts Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito review the learnings from the first 23 episodes of the podcast. With the benefit of having welcomed a variety of industry experts, they've uncovered key themes that have resonated throughout the show. This conversation touches on the biggest takeaways from past episodes, plus a deeper dive into comm...

In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , hosts Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with field marketing powerhouse Kayla Drake , whose track record includes building high-performing event programs that convert—not just impress. Kayla shares her blueprint for connecting marketing and sales efforts to drive pipeline from the very first conversation. From aligning with sales pre-show, to leve...

How do you make your booth not just seen, but remembered? In this episode, Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito sit down with trade show veteran Marlys Arnold to explore how strategy, design, and staff training converge to create powerful trade show experiences. With more than two decades in the field, Marlys brings unmatched insights from both the exhibitor and show organizer sides. “Hope is not a strate...

In this insightful episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , hosts Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito are joined by Jessica Sibila , Executive Director of The Exhibitor Advocate —a nonprofit championing the voice of exhibitors. With years of hands-on experience and data-backed insights, Jessica takes us inside the real exhibitor experience. From budgeting chaos to communication gaps with show organizers, sh...

In this episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox , hosts Chris Dunn and Brendon Hamlin sit down with Alison French , founder of JoinLTO.com , to unpack how event marketers can ditch reactive booth tactics and instead walk into trade shows with a plan that drives actual revenue. Most brands show up hoping for the best. Alison shows up with a system—and helps her clients walk out with booked meetings and...