What does a successful event really boil down to? Effective planning and preparation.  Join Paulina Giusti and Robin Clark, Senior Manager of Trade Shows and Event Marketing at Cvent, as they delve into sales enablement and engagement, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between marketing and sales. Robin gives an insider look at how detailed tracking of the attendee experience at Cvent CONNECT — encompassing session engagement, survey feedback, and appointments — equips sales reps with...

Have you made a habit of prioritizing sustainability?  In the events industry, it’s much-discussed, but action is key. As Great Events host Alyssa Peltier says, “When it comes to sustainability, a zero excuses policy is the best policy.”  In this episode, Alyssa joins fellow hosts Rachel Andrews and Felicia Asiedu to discuss insights shared by Cassidy Knowles, Group Managing Director of Chorus Creative Group.  From Chorus's spectacular sustainability efforts to the small steps each...

Content doesn't have to go to waste.  Rather, its shelf life and value can increase over time. In this episode of Great Events, join host Felicia Asiedu and content strategist Victoria Akinsowon as they dive deep into the art of repurposing event content.  They discuss practical tips for identifying the most resonant event themes/messages and how to repurpose them into various formats––from turning event sessions into engaging blog posts to creating captivating video snippets for social...

Why does Group Travel matter so much?   In a world full of Zoom and digital dial-ins, what makes in-person connection so essential?  Well, in this episode of Great Events, hosts Rachel Andrews and Felicia Asiedu discuss those very questions—and usher in Global Meetings Industry Day— with Ishma Haider, VP of Group Travel at the US Travel Association.  From defining the whats and whys of the Association to the broader roles of advocacy and in-person global events, it’s the perfect...

What are you doing to improve the effectiveness of your SKO event planning? In this episode of Great Events, join host Alyssa Peltier as she dives into a discussion with Caroline DeCamp and Becca Martinson from Morningstar. They share their insights and experiences in planning and executing Sales Kickoffs (SKOs) and other large-scale events.  The conversation covers various aspects of SKO planning, including challenges related to attendance, scaling content regionally, engaging...

It's not just about logistics—it’s about crafting event narratives that truly resonate with your audience. This is a philosophy that @Traci DePuy, CMO of PCMA, encourages us to follow.  In this episode of Great Events, @Rachel Andrews and Traci explore crafting impactful experiences and professional growth within the events industry.  Traci reveals the multifaceted nature of event success, weaving together strategic alignment, technological innovation, and personal development.  She...

A rising tide lifts all boats.  That’s the perspective Cat Kevern, Director of Electric Cat Productions and Chair of NOWIE (The Network of Women in Events), brings to promoting women in the events industry. Rather than shaming or alienating others, Cat invites everyone to elevate women and strongly believes in the power of allyship. In this episode, Cat discusses how NOWIE is fostering a supportive community for women and setting industry standards. Cat also shares her journey from...

Building personal connections in the workplace is the best way to boost collaboration and productivity. Especially for those in mid-management looking to shine within their projects. And in this episode, Paulina Giusti takes center stage, sharing her wisdom and insights for those looking to climb the corporate ladder. She discusses the importance of ensuring that hard work gets the recognition it deserves, taking ownership of projects, and actively seeking feedback that leads to...

Ever feel like an imposter?  You’re not alone. Imposter syndrome can affect anyone anytime, especially women in leadership roles.  In this episode, we dive right into it with host Rachel Andrews, who is joined by Courtney Stanley, a renowned global keynote speaker, leadership coach, and podcast host to Dare to Interrupt. Courtney shares personal insights and actionable strategies, emphasizing the importance of diverse mentorship and collaborative efforts. This episode isn’t just about...

Celebrating Black culture in events goes beyond remembering historical struggles–It’s about shining light on successes, uplifting talents, and embracing the powerful impact of education and representation. Join Paulina Giusti & Felicia Asiedu as they share how events like Black Techfest and the UK Black Business Show are celebrations that bring communities together, showcase rich cultures, and highlight the achievements of Black professionals.  You’ll hear insights into the value of...

Engagement is about connection.  And building connections is key to creating positive and memorable experiences for your audience. In this episode, your hosts, Rachel Andrews, Alyssa Peltier, and Felicia Asiedu, explore the world of engagement within events and marketing and how we can brace ourselves for changes in 2024.  Join us as we share insights that empower you to make your events more engaging, build real connections, and break away from the usual to create experiences that really...

The countdown to 2024 has officially begun. And in terms of trends in the events industry, the future is looking bright. Things like staffing levels, diversity, sustainability, accessibility, and AI will be covered in this week’s #GreatEvents episode. All FOUR hosts, Alyssa Peltier (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssapeltier/), Paulina Giusti (https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulina-giusti-96644712/), Rachel Andrews (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-k-andrews/), AND our new 2024 host, Felicia...

“No matter who you love, what the color of your skin is, what your religion is, or where you are from in the world, you're welcome here in San Antonio.” San Antonio is a welcoming city… A city that has something for everyone. In this episode of Great Events, Marc Anderson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-anderson-a6b4634/), President and CEO of Visit San Antonio (https://www.visitsanantonio.com/meeting-professionals/), shares the ins and outs of San Antonio, the rich culture and history, the...

HOT TAKE: An event without community is worthless. Why? Because community creates connection, and connection creates relationship. In this episode, Katie Ray (https://www.linkedin.com/in/community-katie/), Director of Community at Metadata (https://metadata.io/), and Tiffany Sanford (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-j-sanford/), Demand Gen at Cvent (https://www.cvent.com/), discuss the contrast between audiences and communities and how, using that understanding, you can enhance events and...

Let’s face it… the meetings and events industry is changing daily and can get busy. And through the busyness, hurdles arise. In this episode, hosts Paulina Giusti (https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulina-giusti-96644712/), Alyssa Peltier (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssapeltier/), and Rachel Andrews (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-k-andrews/) sit down to chat about the challenges they've faced in the world of events during the peak seasons at Cvent (https://www.cvent.com/). They also share...

Engagement. A word that’s thrown around and talked about on the daily. But what does it really mean, and how do you accurately measure it? Well, you’re in for some good news. In this episode, Clark Campbell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bclarkcampbell/), CEO and Co-founder at RVRB (https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvrbagency/), and Heather Pocorobba (https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherrenaep/), Lead of Social Media Strategy and Corporate Communications at Cvent (https://www.cvent.com/),...

ABM has become a buzzy word in the marketing world. But what exactly does it mean? In this episode, EJ Oelling (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ej-oelling/), VP of ABX at 6sense (https://6sense.com/), breaks it down. She explains the difference between ABM and ABX while emphasizing the importance of bringing the experiential factor to ABM in events. But what about the data? Data is a crucial component of any successful ABM strategy, and EJ shares the five steps that drive their approach at...

Ever think we’d do a live wine tasting on the podcast? Neither did we. Grab your choice of wine, and let’s get the party started. In this episode, Anthony Giglio (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-giglio-88381a4/), Speaker, Writer, Author, and Wine Expert, joins the show to discuss all things wine. From the importance of that first sip to challenging traditional pairing rules, Anthony brings a fresh and entertaining perspective to the art of wine tasting. We'll explore the joy of...

With over 11,000 Martech solutions available in 2023, filtering through the noise and implementing the right technologies becomes crucial. In this episode of Great Events, @Alyssa Peltier and Stephanie Sweetland (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesweetland/), Director of Marketing Technology and Automation at Cvent (https://www.cvent.com/), dive into the challenges faced by marketers and event planners in managing various technology systems. They discuss the pain points of siloed data,...

Understanding and demonstrating ROI holds greater significance than ever in light of the industry's resource constraints and staffing concerns. One key step towards effectively navigating the dynamic events landscape is mastering the art of calculating and quantifying the value of event benefits within ROI. In this week's episode, we're honored to be joined by Brad Gillespie (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbradg/), VP and General Manager of Cvent Consulting (https://www.cvent.com/), who will...

A great keynote can be a strong tool to ensure attendees leave your event with a memorable experience. You want your speaker to be someone your audience can resonate with while providing an engaging and thought-provoking panel. But sometimes, finding the right speaker and sourcing them in time for your event can be difficult. So, how should you get started? In this episode, Kayla Sommers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-sommers-cmp/), Events Lead at Cvent (https://www.cvent.com/), joins the...

After adapting to virtual events during the pandemic, many planning teams are searching for ways to improve their AV components. But to make improvements, it’s essential to understand what’s going on in the audio/video world. So, how can you learn where to start? In this episode, Brandt Krueger (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brkrueger/), Senior Production Manager for EideCom (https://eidecom.com/), joins the show to delve into AV trends in events. Having been in the industry for over 25 years,...

Planning an event is a tall task in itself, and making sure everything is packed and ready to go only adds to the stress. So how can you make the packing process more efficient without worrying about forgetting the essentials? In this episode, hosts Rachel Andrews (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-k-andrews/) and Paulina Giusti (https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulina-giusti-96644712) sit down to unpack the key to a successful packing experience. You’ll hear their insights on how to utilize...

When striving towards a more inclusive workplace, there’s a lot of focus put on diversity, equity, and inclusion. But one part of the conversation that’s oftentimes overlooked is ageism. It’s important that we work to bridge the gap between generations, and there’s no better way to close that gap than by starting a dialogue. In this episode, Karen Carter (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karencartermktg/?originalSubdomain=uk), Director in Enterprise Marketing at Cvent (http://cvent.com/), joins...