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Explore every episode of #EventIcons

Dive into the complete episode list for #EventIcons. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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Pub. DateTitleDuration
31 Aug 2021Building Events that Reflect Actual Human Interactions with Steve Gottlieb00:33:49

Before the pandemic hit us, we took genuine human interactions at events for granted. Attendees mingled, networked, formed everlasting bonds, and had a great time while doing all of that. As the industry pivoted to virtual events, virtual audience engagement became one of the most talked-about challenges. How do we replicate genuine interpersonal dynamics in the virtual world? Is it even possible? Today’s #EventIcons guest thinks that it definitely is.

The iconic Steve Gottlieb is a serial entrepreneur and angel investor. And most importantly for this podcast, he is the founder and CEO of Shindig, a virtual conference, event, and meeting platform that has mastered the art of online engagement. Just like many of our guests on the podcast, he is a huge advocate for the virtual revolution. Join Sarah and Steve in a lively conversation that is bound to inspire, challenge, and encourage you to keep up with the times and embrace all things virtual.

10 Nov 2020How Small Event Companies Can Pivot To Survive The Pandemic00:42:00

We’re back for another week with another exciting episode of #EventIcons! And we’re excited to be discussing how small event companies can pivot in order to survive the pandemic. Because this has probably been the craziest time ever in our industry. Thousands of event profs saw their projects canceled or postponed within days. But while we’re all still adapting to the new normal, small event companies had to act faster than anyone else.

And no one knows that better than this week’s iconic guest. Tammy Dickerson has been in the industry for 25 years and started her own agency two decades ago. As the Founder and President of The Baker Group, she managed to whether the pandemic storm with grace and effectiveness. Today, she’s sitting down with our incredible host Sarah Christl to teach the industry just how small event companies can find a way to pivot when times get rough. Press play and join us for another iconic episode!

15 Jun 2021Evolution of Hybrid Models for the Next Generation Event Attendee with Jim Louderback00:30:03

This week’s #EventIcons guest is one of the most respected figures in digital media. He has a 20-year history in thought leadership, experiential events, and technology. Got your attention? Read on!

This iconic guest has developed integrated digital video strategies for large media companies, including Viacom and  Discovery. And last but not least, he is the CEO of VidCon, the world’s largest convention for online video creators. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Jim Louderback!

01 Jun 2021Marketing a Virtual Event with Kristin Horstman00:30:21

#EventIcons podcast is all about talking to the cream of the events industry and getting to know what they do, how they do it, and what the current event trends are. Today’s guest is somebody with years of experience and a lot of charisma. Meet Kristin Horstman, the senior director at Salesforce!

Together with the rest of the world, she had to make a quick pivot to virtual events last year. Today, she shares with our audiences what she had learned. As a marketing leader, she focuses on marketing virtual events. And since our host Sarah is the head of marketing of Endless Events, the conversation is all the more worth listening to!

06 Apr 2021Combating Virtual Fatigue With The Endless Events Team!00:48:51

This week's #EventIcons episode is particularly special because Sarah welcomes four of her amazing coworkers from Endless Events to the podcast. They are here to talk about virtual fatigue, one of the first and most talked about challenges of going virtual. As the first point of contact for event planners, Syd Griffith, Karmen Jericevic, John Pistotti, and Ambre Wade know how to decipher what their needs are and how to create solutions for better virtual audience engagement.

Not only are they event professionals, but they also know about all the ins and outs of working remotely. They've learned to overcome virtual fatigue long before most people even knew what it was! Once the Endless co-workers started bouncing ideas around, there was no stopping them. The result is one of the liveliest and most interactive #EventIcons episodes so far. Without further ado, meet the charming Endless Events team!

18 Jan 2022Strategizing Omicron: Cancel, Postpone, Or Pivot?00:40:15

It’s been nearly two years since event planners first witnessed mass event cancelations and scrambled to plan virtual events. Since then, we have seen the landscape of the events industry change dramatically. But just as we thought that we were getting through the worst of the pandemic-related uncertainty, the Omicron variant came and took over the world.

Event planners essentially have three options: to cancel, to postpone, or to pivot. But how to choose? Since strategizing Omicron is one of event planners’ top concerns right now, we’ve decided to dive into proactive event strategies to best handle the current situation. We’ve brought on an expert on all things event strategy: Keaton Watson, the Principal Relationship Architect at Endless Events!


Keaton is going on his ninth year in the events industry. He’s worked in hotels in Dallas, Cleveland, Florida, and joined the Endless Events team a year ago. He firmly believes that event technology should be at the core of any event strategy in this day and age. Make sure to tune in to find out how to strategize in times of uncertainty and how implementing event platforms can make last-minute pivots a bit easier to navigate.

07 Sep 2021Partnering With Small Business for Wicked Awesome Events00:28:18

The year 2020 has established itself as the year of the pivot in the events industry. Since then, countless #EventIcons guests were brought on the podcast to talk about how they turned their in-person events into virtual ones and the importance of their community in these trying times. And because no two stories are the same, we’re back this week with another one!

Host Events is a Boston-based company that focuses on building community through top-notch virtual experiences. Today, Sarah welcomes two guests, Amy O’Neil and Katie Kosa, to talk about what they do and how they got there since March 2020. Before 2020, they worked exclusively in person, but today, they offer virtual happy hours, various fitness and cooking classes, and games. Tune in to hear this awesome story of success and learn more about the power of a tight-knit community!

24 Mar 2020The Sustainable Event Awards: What They Are & Why They Matter00:57:08

Have you heard about the Sustainable Event Awards? It’s probably old news to you that sustainability is a topic we love discussing. Because we’ve covered it several times here at Endless! And today we’ll be dabbling on it again but in a more exciting way. It’s not just about how to plan sustainable events. But rather, how to push the trend forward and make sure everyone jumps on the bandwagon. And that’s exactly where the Sustainable Event Awards come in.

So joining our incredible host Brandt Krueger is Adam Parry. And you might know Adam as the co-founder and editor of the event industry’s global online magazine, Event Industry News. He is also the mind behind the Event Tech Live Awards, and, more recently, the Sustainable Event Awards. Adam has a lot to tell us about this new endeavor, and the potential it has to push the industry forward. So let’s get iconic – press play and join us for another episode of #eventiconsBlog here! 

10 Aug 2021Down With The Third Party Platform with Saroosh Gull00:31:47

Event platforms took the events industry by the storm. So much so that they can be considered as the new venues! There's more of them each year and some of them are even attracting huge investments. We've had countless enthusiastic guests talk about them on #EventIcons before, but today's guest is a little bit different. He says: down with third-party event platforms!

Saroosh Gull is the CEO of Eventcombo and he is on a mission to disrupt the entire $1 trillion event industry. He's all about building meaningful relationships and event planners staying in full control of their events. Event platforms unquestionably satisfy event planners' needs, but are they really the only way to go forward? Press play and find out!

02 Jun 2020Designing Events For Introverts01:01:18

Even though most events are now going virtual, designing events for introverts still remains a relevant topic. And arguably, it becomes even more important. It’s a matter of fact that virtual events make the experience more accessible to a larger number of people. For those who can’t travel due to disability, for those who are all the way across the world and, in this case, for introverts. Plus, another thing to keep in mind is the fact that in-person events will come back eventually. And when that time comes, we as planners can’t forget about all of these people. So discussing the best practices involved in designing events for introverts is not only pertinent but also necessary, Which is why we’re dedicating this week’s #EventIcons to the topic!

Joining our incredible host Alex Plaxen is the wonderful Leanne Calderwood. Leanne is a self-proclaimed introvert and an icon of the events industry. In fact, she’s meeting planners’ go-to expert in Canadian hotel site selection, helping hotel sales connect better with planners. And today, the two of them will debate how planners can go about designing events for introverts so that people on this spectrum can enjoy and be a part of the experience just as much as any extrovert would. So grab on to your seats and press play – it’s about to get iconic up in here!

26 Dec 20172018 Event Industry Trends – #EventIcons Episode 9201:01:46

This week, we are are discussing everything you need to know about 2018 Event Industry Trends. Our ICONIC guest panelist Corbin Ball (Corbin Ball Associates), James Spellos (Meeting U.) & Nick Borelli (Borelli Strategies) are here to talk all about the hottest 2018 event industry trends. They are also answering all of your questions and sharing tips on event technology, influencer marketing, the future of virtual and hybrid meetings and much more! There is a wealth of information! You can’t miss this. So, jump into the video below and watch! This is your one-stop for everything you need to know about next years event trends! If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out our 2018 event trends blog as well!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. We do this for you!

How To Subscribe: Follow our iconic guests on Twitter: Check out the epic resources mentioned in this episode:
02 Jan 20192019 Event Design Trends – Episode 14401:04:10

As event profs it’s critical we stay on top of trends. From design and pop culture to global trends we are expected to know them all. These trends influence the events industry.  Our clients expect us to stay current with trends and know how to implement them at their events when it comes to event design trends and so much more. 

In todays episode we will be discussing all about event design trends. Joining us today are the #EventIcons, David Merrell of AOO Events and Susie Perelman of Mosaic. Their keen understanding of how rapidly events need to adapt, and their willingness to share their knowledge on what is next will make this a must-watch episode as you plan your 2019 events. We will cover everything from this years pantones and how you can use them in your next events, how they get inspiration and come up with trend predictions, and ways to use technology to enhance event design trends and so much more! 

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest!

Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you! And now for the main topic in the episode below, 2019 Event Design Trends!

How To Subscribe: Follow our iconic guests on Twitter: Check out the epic resources mentioned in this episode:
  • AOO Events – A multi-faceted creative company, specializing in event design and show production
  • Mosaic, Inc. – One of the largest and most unique linen inventories anywhere
  • Borelli Strategies – Improving live experiences for attendees by supporting and advancing event professionals globally.
  • Social Tables – Plan for the unplannable with the world’s most collaborative events platform.
  • ITN International – Optimizes events and delivers actionable data that leads to future improvement.
  • Event Tech Tribe – A collaborative ensemble of event tech specialists working together to make events better.
  • WWDC18 – Apple Worldwide Developers Conference.
  • Sciensio – The Art and Science of AI Chat.
  • Chatby Inc. – Create a public chat zone out of any location including, schools, student residences, parks, bars, airports or any other building where people tend to gather.
  • Radario – Instant event analytics, powerful CRM and personalized email marketing seamlessly integrated with ticketing platforms.
  • The Indoor Lab – Provide the most comprehensive end-to-end analytics for indoor event locations using their proprietary platform and hardware.
  • Mention – Get live updates about your brand from the web and social media.
  • Feedly – Organize, read and share what matters to you.
  • VR At Events- Everything You Need to Know – #EventIcons Episode 105 – In this episode, the ICONIC Jonah Brotman of House of VR discussed the challenges VR brings to the event industry, differences between AR and VR, and so much more!
  • Cyber Security For Events : The Good The Bad & The Really Ugly – #EventIcons Episode 131 – Cyber security for events should be at the top of every event planners mind. But often, it’s overlooked or misunderstood. As event profs we need to very aware of cyber security for events. Is your clients data safe? If you aren’t sure this episode is for you!
  • E-Gaming Events Revolution – #EventIcons Episode 113 – Discussion on best business opportunities for e-gaming segment and the numbers and statistics every event planner needs to know about e-gaming events.

What are your favorite tips and tricks for using event furniture to engage? Comment below and let us know.

17 Dec 20192020 Event Marketing Trends: What Will The New Year Bring?01:01:33

It's time to dive deep into the world of 2020 event marketing trends! Because it's December, the next episodes of #eventicons will focus on what's to come. And, of course, what these trends mean for our industry. So today, we kickstart this series of episodes with 2020 event marketing trends. As event professionals, marketing is an enormous part of what we do. And being on top of what will change and what will remain the same puts us one step ahead in the game.

To help us out with this exciting conversation, we welcome two iconic guests, Nicole Osibodu and Mark Granovsky. Nicole is an event planner professor at San Diego State University and the President and co-founder of Haute Dokimazo. Mark is the CEO of G2Planet, an enterprise software company that provides corporate event marketing and management solutions to large companies. So, are you ready for this? Press play, it's time for #Eventicons!

16 Apr 2020Virtual Emcee: How One Can Make Or Break Your Virtual Event!00:55:23

Now that virtual events are the talk of the town, it’s time to consider a virtual emcee. Especially because one of the biggest concerns with virtual events is audience engagement. So considering a virtual emcee is definitely something you want to do. Not only will one keep your event interesting, but it will also make your audience happier and eager for more. But where to start? And why should you really consider hiring one? What are the tangible benefits brought to the table?

To help answer all these questions, we’re happy to introduce Dan Ram. Dan was a previous guest on #EventIcons. And as a remote emcee, world traveler, and industry icon, he has plenty to teach. So if you’re curious to learn how a virtual emcee can help ensure the success of your remote event, wait no longer – press play and join Dan Ram and Will Curran on a brand new, exciting episode of #EventIcons! Be sure to head over to our blog to check out the amazing resources! 

14 Jan 2020Live From PCMA Convening Leaders 2020: It's #EventIcons!00:55:39

This week's edition of #EventIcons comes to you from PCMA Convening Leaders 2020! It all happened in San Francisco between the 5th and 8th of January. And it was the perfect melting pot of event professionals and industry leaders. Networking was the defining word of the event that saw all sorts of people getting together, discussing ideas, and gaining new insights.

So, whether or not you got the chance to attend, we're giving you the scoop. And that means all things PCMA and event running related! Joining our incredible hosts Linday Martin and Brandt Krueger are Angie Ahrens and Peter Berliner. Angie is the VP of Operations at of Leadercast and Peter is the President of Innovative Entertainment. And they are here today to share all of their best experiences at PCMA Convening Leaders 2020, as well as their perspective on running events. So, are you excited? Then wait no longer and press play, it's time for a new episode of #EventIcons!

25 Feb 2020Diversity And Inclusion In Events: Paving The Way For A Better Tomorrow01:05:20

Welcome to this week's #eventicons, where we'll discuss the topic of diversity and inclusion in events. And if you've been following us for a while, you know this isn't new. Because we find this to be such an important conversation, we've covered it a few times already. However, things like diversity and inclusion in events will always remain extremely important. Plus, we're happy to have as many perspectives as we possibly can on the matter.

So joining us today are our lovely hosts Brandt Krueger and Alex Plaxen, along with two special guests. Hilary Howes and Risha Grant are two icons of the events industry that can't wait to share their opinions. And this will be one of the most in-depth, interesting conversations you've ever witnessed. So press play and join us on the path to a better world! Pave the way here!

18 Dec 20183 Years of #EventIcons – Episode 14201:06:07

Three years ago Will Curran wanted to find a way to stand out in a crowded space, doing what he loves best – talking to people. Just as important to Will was thinking about how to develop and deliver meaningful content for event professionals, by event professionals in an engaging format. While #EventIcons has been through iterations of delivery, the premise, the core that we can and should learn from each other has remained!

In this episode of #EventIcons we are celebrating 3 years of the show! Our hosts Will Curran, Brandt Krueger, Tahira Endean and Alex Plaxen are joining us for a year round up. They will share their favorite episodes, what goes on behind the scenes, plus what you can look forward to in future episodes of #EventIcons and so much more!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest!

Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you! And now for the main topic in the episode below, 3 Years of #EventIcons!

How To Subscribe: Follow our iconic guests on Twitter: Check out the epic resources mentioned in this episode:

What are your favorite tips and tricks for using event furniture to engage? Comment below and let us know.

08 Dec 2020Industry Advocacy During A Pandemic00:42:49

How does industry advocacy during a pandemic even look like? For as long as it has existed, the events industry has struggled with unity. And it's not because we don't want to come together as one. But rather because we're such a complex mix of professionals that span everything from production to catering, venues, planning, and more. Trying to define the events industry has always been a challenge. And consequently, finding unity during tough times has proven to be particularly exhausting.

But we can all agree that never has this topic been more relevant than in 2020. As one of the most affected sectors, learning how to call for industry advocacy during pandemic quickly became a hot topic. And while no one has an exact answer, our amazing guest today, Shawn Cheng of MCI, has a few ideas worth exploring. You know what time it is - it's #EventIcons o'clock!

24 Mar 2023Event Professional Education and Skills with Bradley Cocks00:54:00

The pandemic put a strain on everyone in the events industry, and it’s pushed some of our longest-serving professionals into other careers or even retirement, leaving a vacuum for other professionals to fill. It’s this need for experienced and knowledgeable event professionals, along with the revitalization of events, that led today’s guest, Bradley Cocks, to transition from doing to educating. 


Bradley is an experienced event professional with an impressive 20 years of history in the industry. He’s also founded and sold his own events agency and has launched a successful online Masterclass specifically for event professionals. In this #EventIcons episode, Will has many questions for Bradley. Tune in to hear what skills Bradly thinks event professionals need for the future, what prompted his transition from events to event education, and more.  

09 Jun 2020Entertainment For Virtual Events: Bring On The Fun!00:54:58

Last week, we offered some pretty good ideas within the scope of entertainment for virtual events. And today, we’re diving even deeper! While virtual happy hours allow you to get extremely creative, they’re not the only way you can get attendees to have fun. There are plenty of misconceptions surrounding virtual events. But that’s completely normal – we’re all learning as we go and everyone is trying hard to navigate the new state of the industry. Still, there are some notions you should dismiss entirely. And one of these notions is the idea that a virtual event simply can’t be exciting for those attending.

Is it ever going to be exactly like an in-person experience? No. But does that mean it can’t be equally as fun and engrossing? Absolutely not! And if you still have any doubts in your mind, then this is the perfect episode for you. Joining our incredible host Will Curran is Paul Creighton. Paul has been a staple on #EventIcons and our go-to expert on entertainment trends in the industry. So it makes sense that he’d be the one our team would turn to in order to learn everything about entertainment for virtual events. Wait no longer and tune in for this very special edition of the most iconic podcast in the industry!

20 Apr 2021The Human-Centric Future of Events with Megan Henshall00:32:57

In today’s episode of #EventIcons, we fix our eyes on the future and talk about post-COVID events. But let’s not leap headlong into how things used to be. After all, we’ve all grown, learned, and changed so much in the past year. Now, it’s time to put all that knowledge to use! Virtual, hybrid, or in-person – it doesn’t matter what type of an event we are talking about – the fact of the matter is that the attendees’ priorities have dramatically shifted.

Before we even start considering the event tech side of things, for example, we have to go back to basics. The future of events is human-centric! Today’s event icon is the personable Megan Henshall, the global events account manager at Google who got into events because she was “really bad at sales”. She shares how she experienced the pivoting year of 2020 and explains how to adopt a human-centric mindset in events.

31 Jan 2020#EventIcons 199: World Class Emcees Can Make Or Break Your Event01:06:27

Welcome to today’s exciting conversation about MCs for events! And more precisely, how they can make or break your event. Before you join us on this wild ride, make sure you check out one of our previous episodes. It’s all about panels and moderation, and it will serve as a nice prequel for today’s show. Because this week, we’re diving even deeper into the topic of MCs for events. And how you can ensure you choose the absolute best that will help your event be remembered as incredible.

Joining our lovely hosts Will Curran and Alex Plaxen are two amazing guests. First, we have Samme Allen. She is a multi-award winning professional MC, facilitator, and moderator. And her infectious high-energy and positivity have a reputation to get the best out of people. Plus, we also welcome Dan Ram. He is an incredible MC, who’s done incredible things. And these include some pretzel throwing and introducing Will to Ireland. So, click here right now and join us!

17 Aug 2021Reimagining the Virtual Experience with Banu Kannu!00:34:35

Last year, the virtual revolution completely transformed the events industry. We shifted our focus from venues to online platforms and brainstormed all kinds of ways to keep the audiences glued to the screens. And even though in-person events are making a glorious comeback, virtual events are here to stay. Moreover, they need to keep evolving! That's why on today's episode of #EventIcons, we will talk about reimagining the virtual experience. One size certainly doesn't fit all: when planning a virtual event, you have to talk to your community.

Today's iconic guest is Banu Kannu, the co-founder and CEO at Uncommon Conferences. She is a business development professional with over 15 years of international experience. She shares the success story of the award-winning Gas Fest and how they planned virtual workshops that took place in April 2021. Press play and join us for yet another #EventIcons!

31 Mar 2020How DMP converts in-person event to virtual00:56:32

The talk of the town in the events industry is converting in-person events to virtual. But where to even begin? Should you choose a platform first? And how do you even figure out pricing? Because this is relatively new, planners everywhere are scrambling to make it work. And we just so happen to have been lucky enough to sit down with Mark Hillenburg. Mark is the VP of Marketing of Digital Monitoring Products (DMP). And boy, does he have some things to teach us!

DMP has the art of converting in-person events to virtual down to a T. So much so that they converted their in-person event in a whopping 24 hours! And because we know you’re looking for some tips, we invited Mark to be our iconic guest in this week’s episode of #EventIcons. Will Curran will ask all the questions you want to see answered. So press play and join us! Read the full Blog here

27 Jan 2023Talking Nomadic Living, Attendee Education, and Kindness with Ashley Lawson00:44:14

Ashley Lawson is a big name in the travel meetings and incentives industry. Recently featured on the SITE Global and IMEX Instagram accounts, she’s also been featured closer to home. In a recent Event Brew episode on event inspiration, Deanna named Ashley as someone she goes to for inspiration and to bounce ideas off. Eager to learn more about Ashley, we’ve decided to bring her on for today’s #EventIcon episode!


Ashley currently serves as the Vice President of Business Partnerships at Achieve Incentives & Meetings and is the third generation to work for the 70-year-old family business. Since her shift from nonprofit work in Washington, DC, she has become her industry’s “safe travel ambassador” and is on a mission to celebrate culture and usher back safe travel. Tune in to learn more about her life in events as a digital nomad and what she thinks the industry needs more of.

17 Dec 2021The Power Of Human Connection In Events With Ellis Davis!00:48:13

This week, the #EventIcons podcast comes with a three-day delay, but we’re so excited about this amazing episode that we couldn’t wait any longer to share it with the world! First, let’s get the most exciting part out of the way. Will is joined by a brand new host: the fabulous and inquisitive Karmen Jericevic, AKA the Event Opportunity Creator at Endless Events. Some of you might remember her from the episode we did with the Endless team about managing virtual fatigue. As she constantly talks directly to event planners, she knows exactly how they think, what they want to know, and what their main pain points are. And alongside her bubbly personality, that makes her an exceptional interviewer!

And then, there’s our iconic guest: Ellis Davis, the Chief of Equation Equilibrium at Endless Events. But even though that’s one impressive title, it barely encompasses all that Ellis is and does. He’s this industry’s knowledgeable visionary, a charismatic yoga teacher, and a delightful conversationalist. Make sure to tune in: you’ll leave inspired, informed, and more exuberant than before!

10 Nov 2020The Approach To Virtual: Not All Tech Is Created Equal00:32:58

It’s time for another incredible episode of #EventIcons! Over the past few weeks, we’ve been focusing on bringing to the limelight the incredible stories of event profs who fought the pandemic and came out stronger on the other side. And this week, the adventure continues – with a little spin on the approach to virtual and the role of technology.

We’re more than happy to introduce the iconic Scott Lockey, Senior Director of Partnerships at Cvent. As someone who is heavily involved in the technology side of the events industry, Scott has a lot to teach us about our approach to virtual and what we should be looking out for when it comes to choosing the right technology. So join our host Sarah Christl and our phenomenal guest in yet another fascinating conversation about the world of virtual events!

06 Jan 20212021 Event Design Trends With Nick Borelli!00:43:16

New year, new trends! That’s right, Endless Events is back at it with the best content to help you navigate the 2021 landscape. And to kick things off, we have a brand new episode of #EventIcons. Now that the new year has rolled in, event profs are eager to know the trends that will shape the months to come. And while there’s a lot to cover, we figured that there’s no best way to start January than by outlining the 2021 event design trends that will define the industry.

2020 was a challenging time for all of us, but now that the dust has somewhat settled, it’s time to up our game. So who better than Nick Borelli, President of Borelli Strategies, Event Brew host, and overall industry icon to get things moving? Join us on this incredible conversation about the 2021 event design trends that are set to become the next big thing!

29 Sep 2022What’s New With C2 Montreal, The Most Innovative Conference00:59:08

Event planners and organizers are always considering how to push the envelope of event design. But with progress comes risk, the risk of failure. C2 Montreal is an event known for pushing the boundaries of events and inspiring industry-wide progress. #EventIcons has invited Anick Beaulieu of C2 International to chat with us.

05 Oct 2021Deconstructing Covid Compliance with Alan Kleinfeld00:33:29

Planning a safe event is by no means something that is new in the world of event planners, but it has definitely gained new meaning in the last 18 months. When we think of staying safe and sound at events these days, our minds first go to COVID-compliance officers, screening procedures, and hand sanitizers. And since the #EventIcons podcast is all about talking about the hottest topics in the events industry, we brought on a special guest who specializes in all things event safety and security.

With over 25 years of experience in meeting planning as well as public safety, Alan Kleinfeld from Arrive Management Group is the perfect person to talk to about the vast world of event safety. Not only does he comment on the state of the pandemic and the importance of COVID-19 compliance, but he also elaborates on other security issues that the events industry and the world at large are facing, such as the effects of climate change and the importance of cybersecurity.

26 May 2020Canceling An Event: What You Legally Have To Do00:56:15

Canceling an event is never pleasant. However, considering the current state of things, it’s necessary. And while a lot of planners’ attention is focused on virtual events, a part is also concerned with cancellation. So, what do you have to do? Can you simply send out a mass email? And is that even advisable? Is there any way you can repurpose the costs of your in-person event? These are only some of the questions that have been floating around in the events industry.

But we are here to help! This week’s incredible episode of #EventIcons will walk you through the ins and outs of canceling an event. And in order to do so, our amazing host Will Curran is joined by Josh Grimes. Josh is an attorney who’s specialized in the area for events. With 23 years of experience in the business behind him, there’s a lot we can learn from Josh. So press play and let’s dive right into today’s edition of our iconic show!

13 Jul 2021Health and Wellness in the Events Industry with Johnnie White, Kristin Horstman, & Rachael Riggs00:30:49

We’ve all been through a lot in this past year. Health and wellness in the events industry have never mattered more than now, which is why today, Sarah welcomes not one, but three iconic guests to share what they’ve worked on since the pandemic started.

Kristin Horstman is a senior director at Salesforce and has been on our show just recentlyJohnnie White is the CEO of the American Society of Appraisers, and Rachael Riggs is a WellBeing Leader at Maritz Global Events. And what does this panel have in common? Together, they wrote a guidebook on wellness and health in the events industry and that’s what they’ll be talking about today!

18 May 2021Lessons Learned At A Hybrid Event with Kelly Knowlen00:27:43

Hybrid events are the perfect synergy between virtual and in-person events, but it can be quite challenging for event planners to put them together. That’s why in this week’s episode of #EventIcons, Sarah welcomes Kelly Knowlen to talk about the most important hybrid event tips and tricks.

Kelly Knowlen is the executive director of sales engagement and special events at Hilton where she started building her career 28 years ago. She tells Sarah how Hilton pivoted in March 2020 and shares the resources they created to help their customers. They cover every important aspect of planning the perfect hybrid event: technology, safety measures, and audience engagement.

30 Jan 2020#EventIcons Special: 200 Episodes Of Iconic Conversations!01:02:58

It’s a very special day because it’s an #EventIcons special! That’s right everyone, we are proud to be here today, celebrating 200 episodes of the show. And if you’ve been following us for a while, you know we’ve recently celebrated four years on the air. But because one celebration simply isn’t enough, we’re taking it one step further. There’s cake, confetti, a live concert…okay, maybe not all of that. But you know what? The stuff we have in store for you is even better than all of that!

Guiding us through this week’s journey are our hosts Alex Plaxen, Will Curran, Lindsay Martin-Bilbrey and Brandt Krueger. And we’ve sent an open invitation to all the iconic people who were once part of the show. It’s going to be full of surprise appearances, best-of-moments, recaps, and a whole lot of energy. So, are you excited for the #EventIcons special? Jump on board right now!
 Click here to read full blog and listen to the transcription!  

26 May 2020Sponsorships For Virtual Events: What Path Should You Take?00:52:05

Today we’re talking about sponsorships for virtual events! Because sponsorships and exhibitions are a huge source of revenue in the industry. But now that planners are trying to figure out how to turn in-person events into virtual ones, things get a little bit confusing. How can they replicate this? What are the best strategies? Overall, is it even possible to create such a thing as sponsorships for virtual events? Well, the short answer is – yes, it is.

But in order to help us figure out how, we have a very special guest. On this week’s episode of #EventIcons, out amazing host Will Curran welcomes Peter Poehle. Peter has been on the show before. And he is one of the biggest sponsorship experts in the industry. So this means that he has a lot of tips and advice for planners that are going virtual with their events. If you’re curious to learn how all of this will work, then join us for another iconic edition of #EventIcons!

19 Jan 2021Crafting Great Content For Virtual Events00:43:05

How many times have you heard the expression “content is king”? Probably enough that you roll your eyes every time someone utters it. But that’s the thing about clichés – they exist for a reason. And when it comes to the exciting world of digital experiences, this particular saying still applies. Of course, crafting amazing content for virtual events comes with its own set of challenges. Not only is this particular slice of the experience more important than ever, but it can also get tricky.

This is why we’re happy to welcome Phil Mershon to another episode of #EventIcons. As the Director of Events for the Social Media Examiner, Phil was also faced with a brand new set of challenges once the pandemic hit. But he was no stranger to creating virtual events that stood out thanks to their smart use of content. So join Sarah as she picks Phil’s brain on how to craft the best content for virtual events in an engaging and unforgettable fashion!

29 Jul 2021The Future of Events and the Inevitable Split In Our Industry with Jason Koop00:17:55

We don’t mean to beat a dead horse, yet we’re saying it again: the pandemic has drastically changed the events industry and sped up the evolution of virtual and hybrid events. The process is not over, either. On the contrary: we have just begun! The future of the events industry is uncertain, but today’s #EventIcons guest thinks that it’s going to split into two huge chunks: one belonging to the digital event planner and the other one to the in-person event planner.

Jason Koop is a writer, influencer, and the VP of business development at the Canadian Special Events Magazine. Above all, he is a fan of the events industry and is excited to see what the future will hold. Once he tried out VR, his mindset shifted forever. So, press play and get iconic with us!

23 Mar 2021Diversity In Events 2021 With William S. Matthews00:34:28

It's Tuesday, which means it's time for #EventIcons! For weeks, we have been discussing virtual and hybrid events, engagement strategies, and all kinds of other pandemic-related issues. Today, it's time for something different, but just as relevant: we will talk about diversity in events as of 2021. The conversations around diversity are quickly gaining traction, but it's important we implement the changes rather than disregard them when they're not hot anymore. And we found just the speaker to talk about it!

Today's event icon is William S. Matthews, a connector, corporate event planner, and author of three best-selling books, including Everything I Need to Know about Life I Learned from an Event Planner. In his newest book, Corporate America, he writes about the ins and outs of the corporate world as well as race relations and diversity. Our host Sarah talked to him about his work, what diversity in events looks like, and what we should strive for in the future.

26 Apr 2023How To Host The Best Partner Marketing Conference00:57:57

Today's #EventIcons guests recently launched a conference in 90 days, growing their attendance from 0 to 5,000 people. That event was a fantastic PLX conference focused on partner marketing. 

 

Partner marketing is a strategic relationship between two entities that aim to accomplish common goals, like increasing event attendance, building brand awareness, or marketing your products. And while you may be familiar with influencer marketing in B2C, a popular approach to partner marketing, partner marketing in B2B spaces is also growing in popularity.


In this #EventIcons episode, Will brings together three people who played critical roles in the PLX conference: Nicole, Jared, and Isaac. Keep reading to learn more about the partner-led event, how they emphasized co-creation in their content and more iconic insights.

10 Nov 2020Creating Year-Long Sponsorships & Establishing Partnerships00:45:47

In a chaotic world where the industry sees itself turned upside down at every turn, learning about year-long sponsorships becomes crucial. And while events have always been about creating meaningful and lasting connections, our rush to find sponsors every year somewhat goes against this ideal. The focus is less on establishing a beneficial partnership and more on just getting someone as fast as possible. And this causes planners to not be as creative, forward-thinking, or successful as they could be within the scope of event sponsorships. But what if there was a better way?

Taylour Miller from United Planners Financial Services is our special guest on this week’s #EventIcons. At United Planners, the team has crafted an incredible strategy that drives business by creating year-long sponsorships through creative thinking. By tackling the world of event sponsorships with this mindset, United Planners establishes relationships that consistently bring in results to all parties involved. So if you want to learn how you can create year-long sponsorships, press play and join us!

18 Nov 2022Designing The Perfect Event Attendee Arrival01:01:27

Attendee arrival has changed in recent years. Before the pandemic, attendees would have booked hotels and made transportation arrangements in the days or weeks leading up to the event. With online events, they’ve cut that time down to a few minutes, and no one understands this better than today’s #EventIcons guest, Arianna Black.

Arianna has a long-standing relationship with events. Recently, that relationship has grown to focus on meaningful connections in virtual events. She says, “My current obsession is building spaces for authentic connections into large-scale digital-first engagements.” In this episode, Arianna will share what led her to events, her thoughts about digital arrival, and some of her best tips for creating online experiences.

09 Mar 2021Monetization & Engagement Strategies For Virtual Events With Liz King Caruso00:34:16

Virtual events were all the rage last year, whether we liked it or not. While some adapted fast and organized extraordinary virtual events in 2020, many are still grappling with the new reality. But according to today’s #EventIcons guest, it’s high time we stop reminiscing about the past and start planning for the future!

Liz King Caruso is the CEO of Liz King Events and techsytalk. She’s a source of wisdom who has been doing virtual and hybrid events for much longer than the pandemic has been around. As an event strategist, she talked to Sarah about the importance of engagement strategies for virtual events as well as their monetization. As you’ll see, the two aspects of event planning are inextricably intertwined. Press play and join Sarah and Liz as they break down all there is to know about this hot topic.

07 Jan 2020#EventIcons 2020 Sneak Peek: New Year, New Content!01:07:40

It's time for an exciting #EventIcons 2020 sneak peek! Because we're not only diving into a new year, but also a new decade, we decided to give you a taste for what's to come. So, you already know that #EventIcons is the show to pay attention to if you want to know what the icons of the events industry are up to. And we've covered some incredible topics the past year, from crisis communication to event planner burnout, women in events, and many, many more.

With four years of incredible episodes behind us, the bar is quite high. But don't worry - we have all the intention to deliver! Joining us today are our iconic hosts Will Curran, Kaitlin Colston, Alex Plaxen, and Lindsay Bilbrey, the powerhouses behind the show. And they are ready to give you an #EventIcons 202 sneak peek to make sure we get your appetite running for what we have in store this new year. So press play and join us on this amazing journey!

23 Feb 2021Music For Virtual Events With Song Division!00:36:12

Many of us would give our right arm just to attend a live concert right now. The energy, the connection, the music – to feel like a part of something bigger than ourselves. Song Division knows all about the science of music. And they have good news for us: music for virtual events can be just as compelling as an arena concert.

In today’s #EventIcons, Sarah welcomes Andy Sharpe, Sam McNeill, and John Lombardo from Song Division. As professionals in music and entertainment, they know everything about the power of music for virtual events. Engaging virtual audiences can be challenging, but these guys know how to bring smiles to people’s faces even in these trying times. They definitely charmed our lovely host with a song, written especially for her.

20 Sep 2021The Nitty Gritty of Virtual Event Production with Kara Gladish and Sheehan Hubbard00:38:31

There is only one thing that seems to be certain in these trying times in the events industry: virtual events are here to stay, no matter the state of the pandemic and our personal preferences. And that’s why it’s time to talk about virtual event production -again. The #EventIcons podcast strives to talk to the very best in the events world. And wow, did we deliver this week!

Today, we don’t introduce you to one, but two #EventIcons guests: Kara Gladish and Sheehan Hubbard from Socio. For those who might not know: Socio is an event technology company that helps enterprises and SMBs optimize their events in more than 40 countries. Their clients include big names, such as Microsoft, Google, and Pinterest. Join Sarah as she has one of the most insightful, information-packed conversations ever witnessed on this podcast!

26 May 2020Working With Committees: Best Practices For Event Profs00:57:58

Working with committees is something many event planners are familiar with. And anyone who’s been a part of one knows just how complex things can get. So on this week’s episode of #EventIcons, we’ll be providing you with some tactical tips to work inside a committee, on a board, and everything in between. No more miscommunication, no more frustrations, and no more second-guessing yourself. Because after this edition of the podcast, you’ll be left with all the best practices you need to be successful at working with committees as an event prof.

But we couldn’t do it all alone! And this is why we invited a very special guest. Joining our always wonderful host, Will Curran, is the only and only Kristi Casey Sanders. Kristi is quite the powerhouse when it comes to the topic. She’s the Senior Director of Community Engagement for Meetings Professionals International, and she’s been with MPI for almost five years now. This means Kristi is one of the best people out there to empower you with all the strategic knowledge you could hope for on the topic of working with committees. So, are you ready to learn all about it? Press play, we’re getting iconic today!

18 Feb 2020You Come First: Event Planners & Staying Healthy In 202001:04:50

Get your green smoothie ready to go, because it’s time to talk about staying healthy in 2020! So, it’s no secret to anyone that event planners have one of the most stressful jobs in the world. And it’s not uncommon for the events industry to be considered one of the most draining. But our health is something we should always prioritize. So much so that we’ve even done an episode in the past tackling the topic of burnout. And is there a better time than the year 2020 to start getting serious about your health goals?

This is why we’re happy to welcome Kelly Treadway on this episode of #eventicons. Kelly has been featured on the show before, and she’s here today to expand on the topic of staying healthy in 2020. Today, she joins our lovely hosts Brandt Krueger and Lindsay Martin-Bilbrey for an exciting hour-long conversation packed with tips and advice. So, are you excited to learn more about how you can stay healthy and be better at your job than ever before? Press play and let’s get iconic!

06 Nov 2018A Complete Guide for Planning a Nonprofit Event- Episode 13601:03:04

Planning a nonprofit event is no easy feat, it takes a great strategy and above all a big heart.  These events require a commitment to the cause, an understanding of how to leverage the power of events to share a message and raise funds. Of course, on top of all that you still need to be a master of the event planning skills all planners need!

Today we are so excited to have two very strong leaders joining us from this space. They have a deep expertise ranging from how to manage diverse teams, planning nonprofit events, and really making your company shine. Our ICONIC guests, Megan Kincaid Kramer of Catalyst Inc. and Kelsi Boyle of Women Deliver are walking us through planning nonprofit events. They will answer what to keep in mind when planning nonprofit events, how to keep the cause alive well after the event,  challenges and so much more. We are excited about the wide range of ideas they are going to bring to anyone who joins us for this ride!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest!

Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you! And now for the main topic in the episode below, nonprofit planning!

How To Subscribe: Follow our iconic guests on Twitter: Check out the epic resources mentioned in this episode:
  • Catalyst Inc.– A global nonprofit organization focused on empowering and accelerating women in business
  • Women Deliver – A catalyst that leverages its extensive reach and partnerships to spark political commitment and investment in girls and women everywhere.
  • Catalyst Resource – Be Inclusive Every Day
  • Trello – Free and flexible project management boards
  • Focus Booster – Based on the Pomodoro method, work for 25 minutes, take a 5 minute break and then repeat 3 times taking a longer break once complete
  • Apple Watch – Great for time keeping at events and I love the be mindful reminders to breathe and stand.
  • This American Life – A weekly public radio program and podcast.
  • Story Pirates Changemakers – Turn kids’ original stories into wild sketch comedy musicals featuring professional actors to show those kids just how amazing their ideas are
  • SurveyMonkey – Provides free, customizable surveys, as well as a suite of paid back-end programs that include data analysis, sample selection, bias elimination, and data representation tools
  • Smartsheet – Works seamlessly with your favorite enterprise tools and apps, so you can focus on the work that matters most.

What are your favorite tips and tricks for using event furniture to engage? Comment below and let us know.

02 Nov 2021Why All Event Organizers Need An Entrepreneurial Spirit with Deanna Nwosu00:30:13

Do you consider yourself an entrepreneur? Today’s iconic guest, Deanna Nwosu, thinks that all event and meeting planners should nurture an entrepreneurial spirit. She joins Sarah to talk about her vast experience in the events industry, what the future holds for event organizers, and the importance of community engagement.

For almost 20 years, Deanna has worked on fundraisers, conferences, trade shows, and other events ranging in size from 10 to 20,000 attendees. Creating an ideal attendee experience is almost second nature to her. As an event strategist, Deanna now focuses more on facilitating the front-of-house experience for attendees through moderating emceeing and public speaking, while providing clients some limited behind-the-scenes logistics support as well. Welcome to #EventIcons, Deanna!

10 Mar 2020Remote Work Tips: The Ultimate Guide For A Life On The Road!01:02:59

It's the episode you've been waiting for, the one packed with remote work tips! Because as event professionals, we spend a good chunk of our time on the road. And in the case of Endless, the entire company is remote. So learning how to balance work with life, fighting isolation, making sure we do our best without working too much are all key aspects to master. And that's exactly what we bring you on this week's edition of #eventicons!

Joining Brandt Krueger and Will Curran are Kaitlin Colston and Mariana Fernandes. Both Kaitlin and Mariana work at Endless as the Content Alchemist and Content Chemist, respectively. And the four of them have enough experience working remotely to share with you the absolute best remote work tips! So, are you ready to get iconic? Press play and follow us on this journey!

19 Oct 2021The Importance of Movement at Events with Lizzy Williamson00:26:36

When we talk about movement at events, our minds might go to walking around the venue at in-person events or walking to the fridge if we’re attending a virtual experience. But what if we told you that a little movement goes a long way even before or during speaker presentations? Taking care of the health of the attendees is a growing trend in the events industry – and we’re not just talking about COVID-19 compliance at eventsPCMA EduCon 2021, for example, hosted a gamified health challenge and encouraged attendees to move their bodies. So, we brought on an iconic guest to explain to us what movement at events is all about.

Our #EventIcons guest is Lizzy Williamson, an event and meeting energizer who coined the term Two Minute Moves. As a wellness and fitness enthusiast, she knows all about the science behind moving our bodies. Not only is it good for our mental and physical health, but it also boosts engagement at virtual, hybrid, and in-person events. So press play and join Sarah and Lizzy as they talk and demonstrate how to elevate your event with movement!


22 Feb 2022Top Event Planning Tips 2022 With Gianna Gaudini00:39:00

After a month-long break, the #EventIcons podcast is back in all its glory! This week's iconic guest is the knowledgeable Gianna Gaudini, an event marketing strategist who understands events inside and out. She worked as Marketing Events Lead at Google for nine years and Head of Events at AWS for nearly two years.

Even more importantly, she has founded her own company in 2018. Check out Gianna's website: she's established herself as an industry leader as well as an author and course creator. Since she's got such a wide range of knowledge, Karmen thought it would be a great idea to pick her brain about the best event planning tips for 2022.

Karmen and Gianna do not dwell on any one particular topic for too long. After all, Gianna knows a lot about data analytics, content delivery, community, leadership, and so much more. They go over the recent changes in the events industry, ROI metrics, diversity and inclusivity, sustainability, and her favorite resources for event planners. Tune in - you'll learn a lot!

15 Oct 2019Ageism In Events: Why the 50+ Generation Still Matters For The Industry01:00:37

On this week's edition of #Eventicons, we're tackling ageism in events. There was not a single point in time that different generations didn't butt heads. And today more than ever, ageism is a constant in our society. Whether it's Generation Z against Millenials or Milllenials versus Baby Boomers, everyone thinks they know best. But how exactly does ageism in events manifest itself? And more importantly, how can we ensure we're fighting this problem and give everyone a voice? Particularly the age 50+ crowd, that still has a lot to offer to the event industry.

That's exactly what our iconic guest of the day is here to teach us. Joining our fantastic host Brandt Krueger is Donna Kastner. Donna is the founder of Retirepreneur, and she's championing a movement to reinvent work in retirement by helping age 50+ executives make a smooth segue from a full-time job to part-time consulting. And a more satisfying encore chapter that's designed and lived on their terms. Let's dive right into the topic of ageism in events!

28 Aug 2019All About The Event Tech Podcast – #EventIcons 17901:03:08

It’s Event Tech Podcast time! Oh wait…no, sorry, our bad. It’s actually time for a brand new episode of #EventIcons. But this week, we’re keeping it all in the family. For those of you familiar with the #EventIcons podcast, you already know the icons of the week. The glorious Brandt Krueger and the phenomenal Will Curran are taking a backseat on the host role and stepping up to the icon level they undoubtedly deserve. And they’re being guided by one and only Lindsey Martin-Bilbrey! For resources and more info, head to the blog!

05 Jun 2018Alternative Event Venues – Think Outside The Ballroom – Episode 11500:59:55

Alternative Event Venues are a huge and growing trend this year. In fact, we listed it as one of our emerging event trends for 2018. Attendees and planners alike are growing tired of the standard meeting spaces and ballrooms. As an industry, we are pushing the boundaries and definition of where events can be held. But how do you find these alternative event venues? What do you have to keep in mind when planning at an alternative venue? Are there really major differences from planning an event at a standard ballroom?

In this episode of #EventIcons our iconic guests Cindy Y. Lo, DMCP of Red Velvet Events and Babs Nijdam of Sequoia Partnership will discuss everything you need to know about alternative event venues. They will discuss what you need to know to be prepared for an alternative event venue. Why venue walkthroughs are so important. What benefits they see from offering clients to step outside the ballroom. The challenges they face working with clients at alternative event venues and so much more! You do not want to miss this episode! Lets jump in.

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you!

How To Subscribe: Follow our iconic guests on Twitter: Check out the epic resources mentioned in this episode:
23 Jul 2019Ashley Strachovsky, Event Prof & Rising Star – #EventIcons 17400:32:40

Another week, another iconic event prof! And for today’s episode, we’re proud to welcome our two amazing hosts, Lindsay Martin-Bilbrey and Brandt Krueger, and a very special guest. Ashley Strachovsky is an event prof and a 2019 Bizbash Rising Star. She was selected for her dedication to detail and her willingness to go above and beyond for every client. Additionally, Ashley has executed high-profile events including the MTV Music Awards, The US Open, Tribeca Film festival, Raise the Macallan tours, Thanksgiving Day Parade. Head to the blog for resources and additional info.

26 Nov 2019Auctions At Events: What Planners Can Learn From The Experience01:05:33

And here goes one, here goes two, here goes…auctions at events! Yes, that’s right. In this week’s episode of #eventicons we’re covering this exciting topic. Because event planners can actually learn a lot from expert auctioneers. And especially when it comes to charity events and fundraisers, auctions are experiences the whole industry can extract plenty of ideas from. So sit tight, we’re breaking down everything you should know about auctions at events.

And to help us get the most out of the conversation, we have two amazing guests. Joining our fantastic hosts Will Curran and Alex Plaxen are Kelly Russel and Tony Rissley. Kelly is an expert auction strategist and certified benefit auctioneer. She has helped organizations raise over $100 Million in support of their great work. Additionally, Kelly leads her team of fundraising professionals to produce auctions that consistently exceed client goals. And Tony has been in the silent auction business for over a decade. He has created a system to help event organizers run successful silent auctions that boost their fundraising efforts. So, are you ready? Press play, it’s time to get iconic!

14 Jul 202215 Years Of Endless Events - Special #EventIcons Broadcast00:59:16

Endless Events has recently celebrated its 15th birthday and we’ve decided to mark the occasion by hosting a very special #EventIcons episode in which our listeners could ask us any questions they want about Endless’ past, present, and future.

The 15-year special was hosted by no other than the CEO and Founder of Endless Events, Will Curran. Three members of the Endless team have also kept him company: Keaton Watson, Director of Sales and Operations, Karmen Jericevic, Sales Development Manager, and Sonja Hayden, the Director of Content.

Here’s to many more, Endless Events!

05 May 2020Event Industry Upskill Initiative00:59:58
24 Nov 2020Crafting Entertainment For Virtual & Hybrid Events00:42:44

Just yesterday, we once again tackled the topic of virtual audience engagement. And one of the points we stressed was the importance of entertainment. The world is always starving for entertainment, and remote attendees are not an exception to this rule! On the contrary - one could even argue that keeping audiences amused is even more crucial in a virtual setting. Plus, with hybrid on an almost certain path to become the norm, it becomes crucial to learn the ropes of entertainment in this new world.

So today, we're diving straight into it. Our lovely host Sarah welcomes the iconic JC York from Classic Entertainment & Productions. And JC has quite a lot to say about the topic! As a titan of entertainment, there's no one we'd rather have on board to teach us more about entertaining the new age of attendees. So press play and join us for another #EventIcons!

04 Nov 2022What Is Event-Led Growth?01:00:28

The events industry is on the cusp of change. As we exit the pandemic era, companies are looking to understand how they can drive event growth and how events can, in turn, drive growth for their business; that’s why we’ve brought on a special guest for this episode of #EventIcons, Mark Kilens. 


Mark is the CMO of Airmeet, a leading virtual and hybrid event platform. He previously worked at Drift as the VP of Content and Community and at HubSpot as the VP of Marketing. Mark comes to us today with no shortage of experience in event-led growth. Today, Will and Mark will discuss his accomplished background, what business and event growth mean to him, and what he thinks your event mindset should be. Let’s get right into it!

15 Mar 2022Event Dos and Don’ts of 2021 With Vaibhav Jain00:37:42

The #EventIcons podcast is back with a very special guest: Hubilo's CEO Vaibhav Jain. Hubilo is the leading global virtual and hybrid event technology company. Under Vaibhav's leadership, Hubilo has raised over 150 million in less than a year from leading hedge fund and venture capital firms globally. And it still continues to grow exponentially internationally. 

 

Vaibhav's vision is to create a solution that works for every possible industry where content and community come together beyond the business world. He and Karmen will talk about how Hubilo got started, what challenges they faced along the way, and what are the dos and don'ts of the events industry, as learned in 2021. Let's jump right in.

30 Nov 2021Technical Production With Isaac Holt!00:33:19

We’re back today with a very special episode of the #EventIcons podcast. Will’s guest is Isaac Holt, the Master of Technimagic at Endless Events. This week, he put on the shoes of the podcast’s host and did quite an amazing job.

Will and the live audience had a lot of questions for our new host. To make him feel welcomed and at ease, they mostly talked about technical production, but also touched on the future of virtual events and hybrid events – the works. So, press play, and please welcome Isaac Holt!

17 Mar 2020Events Of The Future: How To Plan A Virtual Event00:57:51

This week we’re diving into the dozy topic of how to plan a virtual event. And we’re not strangers to futuristic events here at Endless! We’ve covered topics such as how to plan an event without visiting the venuehow Virtual Reality can impact the events industry, and much more. So today, we’re diving deeper. Because we figured it’s high time to actually get into tactical tips related to events that don’t adhere to the in-person model. And learn how to plan a successful virtual event that your attendees will never forget!

As per usual, our incredible hosts Brandt Krueger and Will Curran are here to guide the conversation. But our super special and iconic guest of the week is none other than Lori Pugh Marcum! And we’ve had the pleasure to welcome Lori on the show before. Only this time around, she’s the one who’ll be teaching us everything there is to know about planning a virtual event. So, are you ready to jump in the virtual bandwagon? Press play, it’s time to get iconic!

 

04 May 2021Experimental Virtual Events With AJ Williams!00:23:23

It's been a while since the industry made a tectonic shift to virtual events, and so far, we have covered the topic from nearly every angle imaginable. From choosing the right platform to delivering the best virtual content, we always first need to think about what kind of an experience we are providing for our virtual attendees. And who better to talk about experiential virtual events than today's event icon, AJ Williams from AJ Events who has been in the industry for over 25 years!

Join Sarah and our lovely guest in a delightful conversation about elevating virtual and hybrid events to the next level. They focus on three types of events: fundraising events, weddings, and corporate events. Spoiler alert: the episode includes awesome party in a box ideas and a shoutout to the roaring twenties!

10 Nov 2020Interactive Gaming Experiences For Hybrid & Virtual Events!00:32:30

Another week, another episode of #EventIcons! And since hybrid is one everyone’s mind lately, we thought we’d bring you something exciting. This week, we’ll be talking about interactive gaming experiences for hybrid and virtual events. Yes – because even during a hybrid experience, you still have the virtual aspect! So it seems only fitting that we dive into a conversation about entertainment. After all, who doesn’t love games? It’s one of the best ways for people to connect, engage, and network.

Joining our incredible host Stephanie Jayko is the one and only Gary Bordman. And Gary is one of the industry’s go-to when it comes to creating interactive experiences. He’s been “bringing the fun” to events and conventions all across the United Sates for two decades. There’s a reason why people tend to say “just call Gary!” when a cool and out-of-the-box idea is needed – it’s because he’s the man you want on your team. So, as the Chief Interactive Designer for Amusement, Exhibit & Event Services, Gary has a lot to teach about interactive gaming experiences for hybrid and virtual events. Because he too learned to pivot like a champ!

21 May 2019Behavioral Science In Event Design - #EventIcons Episode 16501:00:37

We’re about to get down to the nitty and gritty of behavioral science in event design! This topic will probably send every event professional into overdrive. At the end of the day, events are all about people. Events are about changing behaviors. And behavioral science teaches us about people, what they want, want excites them, and why. As such, knowing these things can be a true game-changer when it comes to event design.

And to help us dive deep into behavioral science in event design, today we welcome Nick Borelli. Nick is the founder of Borelli Strategies, and he dedicates his life and career to improving the experiences of event attendees. Through consulting and guidance, he gives event profs all the tools to elevate their professional undertakings.

Resources:
03 Jul 2018Behind The Scenes with INBOUND – Episode – 11901:04:43

INBOUND is arguably one of the most-watched, must-attend events in our current times. Everyone wants to go. The event continues to attract an incredible audience around brilliant programming and content. Content is at the heart of everything they do. The speaker line up is buzzworthy and has included in the past huge names such as Michelle Obama and John Cena. With the launch of the INBOUND Studio they now even have a year-round content, all focused on the business of growing business.

In today’s episode our iconic guests Kim Darling, Laura Moran, Elijah Clark-Ginsberg. and Meghan Kenney of INBOUND. They will be giving us insight into how they choose and curate content for the event. The team will share how they break up the types of sessions to make them exciting and effective.  They will explain how they bring in the right speakers, how they evaluate and improve their content, setting expectations and so much more. You really don’t want to miss this!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

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20 Mar 2018Best Social Media Groups For #EventProfs – Episode 10401:02:59

Social media can be a challenge. With all the options available it can be overwhelming finding the right places to be or learning the tools. However, social media can be a great place to find community via social media groups. But how do you decide where to spend your valuable time and effort? What can you do to keep your group engaged?

In this episode of #EventIcons our iconic panel,  David Adler of BizBash, Brittany Bucceroni of BizBash, Lotfi SENHAJI of Event Pros will be weighing in how to find the right social media groups for event profs. They will discuss why you need to be in social media groups. How to find the right groups for you. And how you can build your community through them plus so much more! You don’t want to miss what we have in store so jump into the video below!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. We do this for you!

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24 Oct 2017Bizzabo – The world’s fastest growing event tech company – Episode 8300:58:04

Do you know Bizzabo started its journey from a garage? Want to know how this popular event tech company has grown into the giant it is today? In this week’s episode, Our ICONIC guests David Epstein (Demand Generation Director at Bizzabo) & Brandon Rafalson (Content Marketing Strategist at Bizzabo) are here to tell us all about it!

In this #EventIcons episode, David and Brandon will be discussing the evolution of Bizzabo. They will be sharing their favorite tech with us and where they see event apps and event marketing tools heading in the near future. There is so much insight to be gained from this episode and we are giving you direct access!

We want to help keep you up-to-date on the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. We do this for you!

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25 Sep 2018Best Practices for Hiring An Event Staff – Episode 13001:10:16

In this episode, we are covering the hot topic of hiring an event staff. We will discuss independent contractors vs W2 employee and which might be right for you. While there is no right answer, people have very strong feelings on what is best and you will see that today! Our panel will discuss best practices for hiring your event staff from differences between a W2 employee and an independent contractor to best applications. Furthermore, we will discuss the differences in breaks, travel, over time, the future of employment and more.

There are benefits to both W2 employees and independent contractors and we will discuss them all in this episode. Hiring an event staff can be daunting but it doesn’t have to be! Here to help us thoroughly walk through the topic are our iconic guests, Noha Salah of The EventWork, Kelsey Crane of Quench Staffing, Krista Hazelwood of Quench Staffing. They will cover all the hot topics and tough questions you are dying to know about!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest!

Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

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18 Sep 2018Build an Internal Event Team – Episode 12900:59:45

It’s no question that everyone wants to build internal event team that’s amazing. However, actually going about creating the team can sometimes feel like a mystery. We are here to help you learn all about how to build an internal event team that is engaged and ready to execute events at the highest level.

On this episode of #EventIcons, Sej Pandya of Event Marketing Consultant, will be discussing how to build a great internal events team. We will talk about ways to connect your team whether you have weeks or a few hours to do so. How to filter and cut through the noise when hiring for your internal events team. Furthermore, we will discuss how brands are evolving their events and what you need to do to catch up. There is so much to cover today and by the end you will be a pro at building an internal event team!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you!

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11 Feb 2020EventIcons Ep 201 - 2020 Event Tech Trends That Will Shape The Year00:57:51

Welcome to another episode of #eventicons, and this time around we’re talking 2020 event tech trends! If you know Endless, you know we love talking about event tech. So much so, we have another podcast entirely dedicated to the topic. And we thought this would be a great opportunity to bring you a crossover episode. In recent past episodes, we covered several 2020 trends in the industry, including marketing and design. So now it’s time for the 2020 event tech trends to shine!

Joining our amazing hosts Will Curran and Lindsay Martin-Bilbrey are two veterans of the show. We’re very happy to once again welcome Corbin Ball and Jim Spellos. Make sure you take some time to check out the previous episode where we had the pleasure to welcome these incredible people. And once you’re done, feel free to press play and join us on this 2020 event tech trends focused conversation! 

 

28 Apr 2020Building Brand Loyalty for Your Event01:04:34
21 Apr 2020How Global Meetings Industry Day Went Virtual01:03:37
16 Nov 2021The Glorious Evolution Of SXSW With Scott Wilcox!00:45:59

New week, new guest, new host! #EventIcons is back with a very special episode! Recorded at Event Tech Live, Will had a great conversation about the evolution of SXSW with none other than their former Chief Innovation Officer, Scott Wilcox. Today, Scott has a new consulting venture, Here and Tomorrow.

We’ve talked about SXSW (South by Southwest) before in this podcast’s history. We’ve watched them do their first-ever 4K live stream, and included them on the list of our favorite events in 2018. Today, we’ll explore how they went from being a company without emails to thought leaders in innovation and technology.

The iconic guest takes us back to the year 1996 when business was still done via snail mail and CD ROMs ruled the world. Almost three decades later, SXSW is a household name among trade shows, conferences, and events. How did they do it? Tune in and find out, it’s an episode that you really shouldn’t miss!


10 Dec 2019Celebrating 4 Years Of Iconic Conversations!01:01:49
Can you believe we’re actually celebrating yet another Event Icons anniversary? And that’s it’s already been four years since Will Curran began this journey? Either way, and whether you’ve been tuning in since 2015 or you just recently found out about the show, we couldn’t be happier that we get to celebrate with you! Four years of iconic guests, four years of creativity, four years of pushing the boundaries of the events industry. And today, we’re doing a round-up of the year 2019. Our iconic hosts themselves get together for one stellar episode. Welcoming Will Curran, Brandt Krueger, Lindsay Martin, and Alex Plaxen, we’re going over the highlights of the past 12 months.   So, what were the best episodes? And which ones got the most love from the audience? What did our hosts learn with all the amazing guests we had? All of this and so much more on the Event Icons anniversary episode. Press play right now and join us in our walk through memory lane!  
04 Sep 2019Connect Marketplace 2019 – #EventIcons 18001:09:06

Live from Connect Marketplace 2019, it’s #EventIcons! You already know that we love nothing more but keep you up to date will all the hottest trends in the industry. And what better way to do it than take you with us to one of the most interesting events in the country? So this week’s episode is coming to you all the way from the one place where some of the brightest and most exciting people from several industries congregate – Connect Marketplace! For resources and more info, click here.

06 Feb 2018Creating a Epic Team Building Event – #EventIcons Episode 9800:58:15

A team building event can give you a chance to get to know your team better. You can find out teammates strengths and weaknesses and develop better relationships. What does a great team building activity look like? What are the elements that make a great team building experience? If you are curious to know how to create a great team building experience then look no further! This week, we will give you our best ideas! This is your one-stop for everything you need to know about creating an epic team building event!

In this #EventIcons episode, we have two ICONIC guests Sydney Wolf (metroConnections) & Roger Haskett (Engagement Unlimited). They will be discussing their best tips for creating team building events. They’ll be answering all of your questions and sharing their secret tips for developing team events and much more! So listen up!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. We do this for you!

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13 Feb 2018Core-apps: Engage Attendees with Audio Tours and More – Episode 9901:00:00

How do you help first timers at your event feel more comfortable? What are you doing to showcase new parts of your event to reoccurring guests? Are you really showing your attendees what they need to see? We will talk about how to build a community, direct attendees to where you want to showcase, and how to give them the best information without constantly having their phone in their face. We also will touch on how to monetize through sponsorships without sounding like an infomercial. 

In this #EventIcons episode Jesse and Wayne will tell you all about Core-apps, what they are doing, what technology they have available to turn a show floor into a museum-style audio tour and much more! Tune in and enjoy this week’s technology-packed #EventIcons!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. We do this for you!

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22 Aug 2019Crisis Communication - #EventIcons Episode 17801:04:10

Get your planners out everybody, because we’re talking Crisis Communication! As event planners, there are a million things we have to keep in mind. And amongst all of that, there is always the consideration of what might go wrong. Because let’s face it, what are the odds everything will go according to plan? Something will always escape our control, which is exactly why having a plan for crisis communication is so important. It might sound a bit alarming at first, but it will save you a lot of trouble! And especially within the paradigm we operate in today, being prepared is an absolute must! Click here for more info and resources.

02 Oct 2018Cyber Security For Events : The Good The Bad & The Really Ugly – Episode 13101:04:28

Cyber security for events should be at the top of every event planners mind. But often, it’s overlooked or misunderstood. As event profs we need to very aware of cyber security for events. Is your clients data safe? If you aren’t sure this episode is for you!

In todays episode our ICONIC guest James Spellos of Meeting U joins our very own Will Curran and Brandt Krueger to discuss cyber security for events. From the basics like what do you have to protect? and how do you protect it? To a deeper dive into VPNs, passwords and softwares we will cover it all.  This is a episode you cannot miss! 

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest!

Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you! And now for the main topic in the episode below, cyber security at events!

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02 Sep 2022The ROI Of Building an Event Community with Erica Bishaf00:49:21

Community is the hot new buzzword in the events industry, and for a good reason. The ROI of building a community is staggeringly high. A thriving and engaged community can grow your revenue by hundreds of thousands of dollars. That’s why this #EventIcons podcast has a very special guest, Erica Bishaf. 

Erica is the founder and CEO of Campfire Social. She brings 20 years of experience with business strategy, market research & insights, and consulting. She’s an expert in building professional networks for member-based and attendee-driven organizations. Erica has helped organizations generate revenue ranging from half a million to over 6 million dollars. Today, she’ll talk about what community is, how to build it, and how to monetize it. Let’s jump in!

03 Apr 2018Digital Innovation At Events – Episode 10601:06:09

In the in events industry data is the new gold. Wouldn’t you love to get inside your attendees minds to better your event? With digital innovation at events now you can. Find out how to get important data about your attendees such as what parts of your event they spent the most time in, who they are networking with and beyond. Having access to this type of data allows for you to create the best experience possible for your events in the future.

In this episode of #EventIcons we are joined by the iconic  Charles Truong of PixMob/klik and Victor Bohnert of Innovatis Group. They will discuss digital innovations in events and how to use technology to enhance engagement. They will share all about their platforms and how you can use them to gain insight into your attendees experience, and where they see personalization going for events. You can’t miss this!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you!

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27 Feb 2018Diversity at Events – Best Tips For Event Profs – Episode 10101:00:01

Diversity at events is a crucial part of any successful event. There is more pressure than ever on event organizes to make their events diverse and inclusive. While it may feel overwhelming to do so, we can assure you diversity at events is a great thing. By taking the steps to make a diverse and inclusive environment your event will flourish. Furthermore, when there is diversity and inclusion at events the interactions are more authentic and conversations will bring innovation and challenge naturally.

So how do you ensure diversity at events? How can we take what is unique about every individual in attendance and use it as an advantage? What can you do to leverage diversity at events to make your programs and panels better? Our iconic guest, Adrienne Trimble of Toyota Motor North America and, Audrey Gallien of Catalyst Inc., answer these questions and more in our episode today! You can’t miss it!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. We do this for you!

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22 May 2018E-Gaming Events Revolution – Episode 11301:02:08

There are a lot of questions surrounding e-gaming events. Is it an event trend? What is e-gaming? How does it tie into events? Is there a difference between e-gaming and video games? E-gaming events are an emerging segment of events that you are going to want to know about, and you are in the right place to learn!

In this episode of #EventIcons our guests Kim Meltzer of KidKesty Productions, Inc, Donny Neufuss of PRG,  and Joe English of Event Futurist weigh in on e-gaming events. They will explain exactly what e-gaming is. How planning an e-gaming event compares to planning a traditional event like a conference, the vibrant communities that exist in the e-gaming events world and so much more! They will also discuss best business opportunities for this emerging segment and the numbers and statistics every event planner needs to know about e-gaming events! You really don’t want to miss this informative episode!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you!

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24 Jan 2023Talking Business, Burnout, and White Space with Jim Kelley00:53:18

Throughout 2022, we discussed how event professionals could talk business and engage with the C-suite. We also talked about trends we witnessed and expected to see in 2023. That’s why we’ve brought Jim Kelley on today’s episode of the #EventIcons.

Jim is an experienced leader in the events industry. Currently the Vice President of Marketing and Industry Relations at Fern Expo, he has a long history of working in events, tradeshows, and conferences. Jim describes himself as a continuous learner, trusted advisor, innovator, educator, and ukulelist in training. Today, he’ll share his background, how event professionals can take on the business world, how to avoid burnout, and why we’ll see more white space in 2023.

30 Jun 2020Food Waste In The Events Industry: Solving The Issue00:33:23

Over the past year, sustainability has become top of mind for planners. And the events industry as a whole has doubled down on efforts to become greener. It's up to us as an industry that tends to create so much waste to improve. Part of this sustainability trend also refers to food waste in the events industry. And this is an issue that doesn't get addressed nearly as much as it should. So what can we, as event professionals, do to end this practice? How can we contribute towards a better world that uses food in a better, more sustainable way?

Well, that's exactly what we're addressing on today's episode of #EventIcons! Joining our incredible host Sarah Christl is none other than Kate Marchini from Replate. And Replate is all about "leveraging technology to match surplus food from businesses with communities in need". This means Kate has quite a bit to teach us about battling food waste in the events industry. So press that play button and join us for another week of iconic conversations and advice!

26 May 2020Creating Engaging Virtual Event Experiences00:40:16

Have you been looking everywhere for tips on engaging virtual experiences? And do you feel a bit lost in the midst of all the craziness? Well, you’re not alone! With everything going on in the industry, planners are facing several challenges. But thankfully, not everything is lost. Because thanks to virtual events, planners everywhere can keep on doing what they do best. And that is, of course, bring people together and create amazing experiences. The paradigm might have changed, but if there is something industry professionals know how to do, it’s keeping up with the motions.

So this week, we’re continuing the trend of bringing you exciting virtual event tips. And we have a very special guest to help us out! Brian Fanzo is a digital futurist and full-time keynote speaker who’s here to share his knowledge about engaging virtual event experiences. Joined by our incredible host Sarah Christl, Brian has quite a bit of good stuff to teach us. So press play and join us for another amazing episode of #EventIcons!

16 Jun 2020Virtual Product Launch Turned Hackathon: A Success Story00:50:05

Today we’re introducing a success story about a virtual product launch. Socio managed to elevate their virtual event and turn it into a full-scale virtual hackathon. Their goal was to create a collaborative environment and move the community forward as a whole. And not only did they manage to do that, but they became such a success, that the levels of engagement are still up over a month after the event. So how did Socio do it? How did they come up with creative ways to engage sponsors and engage the community at such a high level?

Well, that’s exactly what this week’s episode of #EventIcons is all about! Joining our incredible host Will Curran are Corey McCarthy, the CMO os Socio, and Yarkin Sakucoglu, the co-founder and CEO of the company. And today, they’re teaching us all about their strategy to create a virtual product launch and turn it into a smashing success. So if you’re still confused about the ins and outs of virtual event planning strategy and can’t belive virtual events have tremendous potential, stick around. Press play and join this iconic duo as they walk you through a unique way to plan a successful virtual product launch!

17 Apr 2018SXSW – Everything You Need To Know – Episode 10801:01:08

SXSW is one of the most iconic events around. It’s a celebration of creativity and provides a platform for creatives to achieve their goals. The iconic event is so successful because there are a boatload of experiences that create lasting memories for attendees, such as HBO’s Westworld experiential event.

Today the iconic Hugh Forrest of SXSW joins us to discuss everything an event planner would want to know about the event. We will discuss how the South by Southwest Interactive Festival turned into the event it is today. How they work with sponsors and brand activations. What to consider when you are accommodating international attendees, planning for security situations, favorite moments from the 2018 event and so much more! 

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you!

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24 Apr 2018How To Get Work Done On The Road – Episode 10901:05:24

Getting work done on the road is hard. Most event profs have experience trying to balance travel with their everyday work and sometimes the two can be difficult to mix. How do you stay in communication with clients? What do you do to keep the work from piling up? While it seems daunting there are some things you can do to help make traveling with work simpler! Traveling doesn’t have to be a major impact on your work, there is a lot you can do to get work done on the road.

In today’s episodes, our very own Will Curran of Endless Events and Brandt Krueger of Event Technology Consulting are taking you through their very best tips to keep focused and get work done on the road. They will be discussing their favorite bags and gear, favorite devices. Do you ever wonder how you can be more efficient traveling and how to deal with working with clients in different time zones? We will deal with that too! If you are a road warrior, you can’t miss this episode they are going to walk you through everything you need to know to get work done on the road!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you!

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12 Jun 2018Planning Sustainable Events: What You Must Know – Episode 11601:04:49

Events can be super wasteful, from water and energy consumption to food waste there are a lot of areas we can improve upon in terms of planning sustainable events. What does planning sustainable events mean? What do you need to keep in mind when making your event more sustainable? Why should event planners really care? Can you really make a big impact on our world by planning sustainable events? If these questions are spinning through your mind you are in the right place!

In today’s episode our Iconic guests Chance Thompson of Salt Palace Convention Center and Tracy Stuckrath of Thrive! Meetings & Events will guide you through everything you need to know about sustainable thinking at events and how you can implement some simple tactics to create a more sustainable event. If you ever wanted to know more about how to limit food waste at events, shrink your carbon footprint,  or how to have conversations with your venue about sustainability you are in the right place! We will cover this and so much more about sustainable thinking at events below!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you!

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26 Jun 2018Chatbots: Everything You Need To Know – Episode 11800:59:38

What are chatbots? More or less a chatbot is a program which takes a process that is chat driven and makes it consistent for a user (they give the same answers each time unlike a human would) and a well-programmed bot allows easy interaction with a human. You typically see chatbots disguised as “live chats” on websites. It feels like a human speaking to you, but it’s a chatbot! It is a mix of AI and person-driven tech. So now that we know what chatbots are, what types of organizations use chatbots? How do they even get their information? As an event prof, you are probably also wondering how events can use chatbots. We are going to cover all this and more today.

In this episode of #EventIcons our guests Elizabeth Glau of EventBots by Sciensio and Paul Earnden of Prodo are going to answer the questions above. Our guests will also share their unique ideas on how to use chatbots. They will talk about what they like and dislike about chatbots. We will go over what types of events chatbots will be a good fit at and much more! This isn’t an episode you want to miss.

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you!

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24 Jul 2018How To Succeed With Event Operations – Episode 12101:03:36

What is event operations? Well, it depends on who you ask but to us, event operations are the people behind your event that you often don’t see and hear. They are the team at your event doing the actual execution. Operations do everything they can to keep your event running smoothly, from organizing execution to creating processes.

In today’s episode of #EventIcons our guests Chris Roberts of EventOps, Liz Lathan of Haute Dokimazo are here to talk about everything needed to succeed in event operations. From the skillsets needed for a career in event operations to measuring success in operations with metrics we have you covered! If you want to make sure your event is running smooth then you can’t afford to miss this episode!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you!

How To Subscribe: Follow our iconic guests on Twitter: Check out the epic resources mentioned in this episode:
14 Aug 2018Event Key Performance Indicators: Metrics To Measure Your Events – Episode 12401:08:15

Today we are talking all about event key performance indicators (KPI).  Key performance indicators are the measurable outcomes that measure event success. This can be confusing, what exactly are we measuring? Why do I need to do this? Who is defining the metrics? How will you measure them? Today we will answer all this and more!

Today our iconic guest Daniil Shcherbakov of Radario Marketing Platform will be discussing everything you must know about measuring event key performance indicators. So if you are still wondering what sort of metrics you should be measuring? Do you need a data analyst on your team? What is the best way to collect feedback from attendees and so much more you are in the right place. Let’s jump in!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you!

How To Subscribe: Follow our iconic guests on Twitter: Check out the epic resources mentioned in this episode:
28 Aug 2018Live From ILEA Live – Episode 12601:02:48

Today’s episode is near and dear to our heart! We are live from ILEA Live! Joining us today are some of the best and brightest in the industry.  As you probably guessed, it’s all about ILEA Live and how to grow as an event prof. But! Before we jump into that I think it’s important we take a step back and go over ILEA. Incase you have been living under a rock, International Live Events Association is a thriving association for global creative event professionals. They provide networking, education, professional development and so much more to their members.  

What is ILEA Live?

ILEA Live is a yearly conference held for the association members to meet in one place, network, grow professionally and stay informed on what is happening globally. It’s not event planning 101 but a very indepth dive into live events. What also makes the conference unique is that it is intimate, there are not thousands and thousands of event profs at the conference allowing a setting that attendees can truly experience the conference and interact with even the biggest speakers! Today with the help of our iconic panel Dana Macaulay of Sonoma County Vintners, Tera Greenwood of Service Systems Associates, and Jen Poyer of Event Technology Consulting we will cover all that embodies ILEA Live. We will learn more about that, and how the event educates its leaders, feedback and tactical advice from our pantel and so much more! If you have ever been interested in attending ILEA Live you can’t miss this episode!

Resources

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you!

How To Subscribe: Follow our iconic guests on Twitter: Check out the epic resources mentioned in this episode:
26 Feb 2019Learning and Performance Design: It’s Part of the Experience – Episode 15201:01:31

One of the main reasons people attendee events is for education and development. However, 80% of what is learned at events is forgotten in 48 hours. It is crucial to make sure you implementing learning and performance design for your event. Designing meaningful educational settings and formats can truly set your organization apart, improve retention and application of knowledge attendees learn and ultimately deliver on personal and professional needs of participant and organization.

On this episode, our iconic guests Avinash Chandarana of MCI Group, and Dru Cutler of Drury Design Group are here to discuss learning and performance design and how it can enhance your event and improve your attendee’s experiences. If you want your information and sessions to stick you need to watch this episode!

You’re watching this recording of our event industry podcast episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons.

How To Subscribe: Follow our iconic guests on Twitter: Check out the epic resources mentioned in this episode:

What are your favorite tips and tricks for creating and designing for learning and performance? Comment below and let us know.

28 Nov 2017Tips For The Perfect Event Website – Episode 8800:59:37

Ever want to know the secret to creating the perfect event website? If so, this is your episode! Our special guests this week are the ICONIC Julie Novack (PartySlate) and David Epstein (Bizzabo). They are here teach you everything you know to create a great event website, from the information you need to have on your site to the user experience we have you covered.

They will be answering your questions and sharing tips and tricks for creating your best event website yet. There is a wealth of information! You can’t miss this. So, jump into the video below and watch! This is your one-stop for everything you need to know about the perfect event website!

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. We do this for you!

How To Subscribe: Follow our iconic guests on Twitter: Check out the epic resources mentioned in this episode:
05 Dec 2017How To Build Your Personal Brand – Episode 8901:03:09

Do you want to build your personal brand but are unsure how to do it? This week, our special guests are going to tell you how to build your brand and make people remember you. They are here to answer all of your questions about this hot topic. We’re excited to get their insider information and to share it with all of you.

In this #EventIcons episode, we have Judi Holler (Holla! Productions LLC), Will Curran (Endless Events), Audrey Gallien (Catalyst Inc.) and Tahira Endean (BCIC) as our guest panelists. They will be sharing how to structure your persona to maximize your brand. So, tune in to hear what they have to say as they share their combined wisdom and experience on how to build your personal brand.

We want to help keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest! Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. We do this for you!

How To Subscribe: Follow our iconic guests on Twitter: Check out the epic resources mentioned in this episode:

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