Earlier this year, six local news organizations participated in the American Press Institute's Live Events Sprint for Table Stakes Alumni. The goal of this five-month cohort was to help news organizations design and market live events within their communities. Through the program, Vermont Public planned a series of community picnics to better understand election questions and policy issues important to community members. Amy Zielinski, senior event producer for Vermont Public, talks to Better News podcast host Michael O'Connell about how Vermont Public is using events to foster dialogue and connect with its audience. API also created a self-guided workbook for journalists who want to get started with live events. The Better News podcast is a partnership between It’s All Journalism and the American Press Institute to a) showcase innovative/experimental ideas that emerge from the Knight-Lenfest Local News Transformation Fund and b) share replicable strategies and tactics that benefit the news industry as a whole. Sign up for the Better News newsletter to receive news about the latest resources, case studies, and insights. For more news about the IAJ podcast, sign up for the weekly IAJ newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices