Event Design Collective PODcasts

Episode Title: Breanna Thompson & Christine Cleaver | Design to Change – Live at IMEX America 2026

Guests:

Breanna Thompson

Organisation: New York University (NYU)

Christine Cleaver

Role: Clinical Assistant Professor of Events Management

Organisation: Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, New York University (NYU)

LinkedIn: Christine Cleaver

Host: Ruud Janssen, Managing Director, Event Design Collective

Episode Show Notes

What does it take to design meaningful change?

In episode 251 of the Design to Change podcast, recorded live at IMEX America 2026 in Las Vegas, host Ruud Janssen, Managing Director at Event Design Collective, welcomes two guests from New York University (NYU): Breanna Thompson and Christine Cleaver, Clinical Assistant Professor of Events Management at the Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality.

Together, they explore fresh perspectives on the evolving world of events, the power of intentional event design, and how events can become catalysts for meaningful change.

Recorded in the vibrant atmosphere of IMEX America, this conversation brings together perspectives from academia and the next generation of event professionals, exploring how fresh thinking and education can contribute to the future of the events industry.

About Design to Change

Design to Change is a podcast by Event Design Collective, exploring the people, ideas, and practices shaping the future of events and experience design.

Through conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers, host Ruud Janssen challenges conventional thinking and explores how intentional design can transform events into powerful drivers of change.

About Event Design Collective

Event Design Collective is a global leader in event design education, training, and consulting. Through the Event Canvas™ methodology, we empower professionals and organisations to design events with purpose, align stakeholder expectations, and create measurable impact.

Learn more: https://edco.global

Connect & Follow

Podcast: Design to Change

Website: https://designtochange.online

Event Design Collective: https://edco.global

Guest LinkedIn: Christine Cleaver

Episode Title: Sandro Serio | Design to Change – Live at IMEX America 2026

Guest: Sandro Serio

Role: Principal Consultant

Organisation: Puncta

LinkedIn: Sandro Serio

Host: Ruud Janssen, Managing Director, Event Design Collective

Episode Show Notes

What does it take to design meaningful change?

In episode 250 of the Design to Change podcast, recorded live at IMEX America 2026 in Las Vegas, host Ruud Janssen, Managing Director at Event Design Collective, sits down with Sandro Serio, Principal Consultant at Puncta.

Together, they explore fresh perspectives on the evolving world of events, the power of intentional event design, and how events can become catalysts for meaningful change.

Recorded in the vibrant atmosphere of IMEX America, this conversation brings together industry insights, personal experiences, and forward-thinking ideas about how we can move beyond simply organising events to designing experiences that create lasting impact.

About Design to Change

Design to Change is a podcast by Event Design Collective, exploring the people, ideas, and practices shaping the future of events and experience design.

Through conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers, host Ruud Janssen challenges conventional thinking and explores how intentional design can transform events into powerful drivers of change.

About Design to Change

Design to Change is a podcast by Event Design Collective, exploring the people, ideas, and practices shaping the future of events and experience design.

Through conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers, host Ruud Janssen challenges conventional thinking and explores how intentional design can transform events into powerful drivers of change.

About Event Design Collective

Event Design Collective is a global leader in event design education, training, and consulting. Through the Event Canvas™ methodology, we empower professionals and organisations to design events with purpose, align stakeholder expectations, and create measurable impact.

Learn more: https://edco.global

Connect & Follow

Podcast: Design to Change

Website: https://designtochange.online

Event Design Collective: https://edco.global

Guest LinkedIn: Sandro Serio

Episode Title: Kai Hattendorf | Design to Change – Live at IMEX America 2026

Guest: Kai Hattendorf

Role: Partner

Organisation: JWC

LinkedIn: Kai Hattendorf

Host: Ruud Janssen, Managing Director, Event Design Collective

Episode Show Notes

What does it take to design meaningful change?

In episode 249 of the Design to Change podcast, recorded live at IMEX America 2026 in Las Vegas, host Ruud Janssen, Managing Director at Event Design Collective, sits down with Kai Hattendorf, Partner at JWC.

Together, they explore fresh perspectives on the evolving world of events, the power of intentional event design, and how events can become catalysts for meaningful change.

Recorded in the vibrant atmosphere of IMEX America, this conversation brings together industry insights, personal experiences, and forward-thinking ideas about how we can move beyond simply organising events to designing experiences that create lasting impact.

About Design to Change

Design to Change is a podcast by Event Design Collective, exploring the people, ideas, and practices shaping the future of events and experience design.

Through conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers, host Ruud Janssen challenges conventional thinking and explores how intentional design can transform events into powerful drivers of change.

About Event Design Collective

Event Design Collective is a global leader in event design education, training, and consulting. Through the Event Canvas™ methodology, we empower professionals and organisations to design events with purpose, align stakeholder expectations, and create measurable impact.

Learn more: https://edco.global

Connect & Follow

Podcast: Design to Change

Website: https://designtochange.online

Event Design Collective: https://edco.global

Guest LinkedIn: Kai Hattendorf

Episode Title: Julie McMartin | Design to Change – Live at IMEX America 2026

Guest: Julie McMartin, CED

Role: Business Events Specialist

Organisation: Outaouais Tourism

LinkedIn: Julie McMartin

Host: Ruud Janssen, Managing Director, Event Design Collective

Episode Show Notes

What does it take to design meaningful change?

In episode 248 of the Design to Change podcast, recorded live at IMEX America 2026 in Las Vegas, host Ruud Janssen, Managing Director at Event Design Collective, sits down with Julie McMartin, CED, Business Events Specialist at Outaouais Tourism.

Together, they explore fresh perspectives on the evolving world of events, the power of intentional event design, and how events can become catalysts for meaningful change.

Recorded in the vibrant atmosphere of IMEX America, this conversation brings together industry insights, personal experiences, and forward-thinking ideas about how we can move beyond simply organising events to designing experiences that create lasting impact.

About Design to Change

Design to Change is a podcast by Event Design Collective, exploring the people, ideas, and practices shaping the future of events and experience design.

Through conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers, host Ruud Janssen challenges conventional thinking and explores how intentional design can transform events into powerful drivers of change.

About Event Design Collective

Event Design Collective is a global leader in event design education, training, and consulting. Through the Event Canvas™ methodology, we empower professionals and organisations to design events with purpose, align stakeholder expectations, and create measurable impact.

Learn more: https://edco.global

Connect & Follow

Podcast: Design to Change

Website: https://designtochange.online

Event Design Collective: https://edco.global

Guest LinkedIn: Julie McMartin

Episode Title: Steve Kinsley & Aditya Devas | Design to Change – Live at IMEX America 2026

Guests:

Steve Kinsley

Role: President

Organisation: Kinsley Meetings

LinkedIn: Steve Kinsley

Aditya Devas

Role: Data Science and Automation

Organisation: Backdropsource

LinkedIn: Aditya Devas

Host: Ruud Janssen, Managing Director, Event Design Collective

Episode Show Notes

What does it take to design meaningful change?

In episode 247 of the Design to Change podcast, recorded live at IMEX America 2026 in Las Vegas, host Ruud Janssen, Managing Director at Event Design Collective, welcomes two guests: Steve Kinsley, President at Kinsley Meetings, and Aditya Devas, working in Data Science and Automation at Backdropsource.

Together, they explore fresh perspectives on the evolving world of events, the power of intentional event design, and how events can become catalysts for meaningful change.

Recorded in the vibrant atmosphere of IMEX America, this conversation brings together industry insights, personal experiences, and forward-thinking ideas about how we can move beyond simply organising events to designing experiences that create lasting impact.

About Design to Change

Design to Change is a podcast by Event Design Collective, exploring the people, ideas, and practices shaping the future of events and experience design.

Through conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers, host Ruud Janssen challenges conventional thinking and explores how intentional design can transform events into powerful drivers of change.

About Event Design Collective

Event Design Collective is a global leader in event design education, training, and consulting. Through the Event Canvas™ methodology, we empower professionals and organisations to design events with purpose, align stakeholder expectations, and create measurable impact.

Learn more: https://edco.global

Connect & Follow

Podcast: Design to Change

Website: https://designtochange.online

Event Design Collective: https://edco.global

Guest LinkedIn: Steve Kinsley

Guest LinkedIn: Aditya Devas

Episode Title: Monique Rochard-Marine | Design to Change – Live at IMEX America 2026

Guest: Monique Rochard-Marine, CITP, CMM, CMP, CTSM, MBA

Role: Head of Global Commercial Services & Operational Efficiency

Organisation: Cordis

LinkedIn: Monique Rochard-Marine

Host: Ruud Janssen, Managing Director, Event Design Collective

Episode Show Notes

What does it take to design meaningful change?

In episode 246 of the Design to Change podcast, recorded live at IMEX America 2026 in Las Vegas, host Ruud Janssen, Managing Director at Event Design Collective, sits down with Monique Rochard-Marine, CITP, CMM, CMP, CTSM, MBA, Head of Global Commercial Services & Operational Efficiency at Cordis.

Together, they explore fresh perspectives on the evolving world of events, the power of intentional event design, and how events can become catalysts for meaningful change.

Recorded in the vibrant atmosphere of IMEX America, this conversation brings together industry insights, personal experiences, and forward-thinking ideas about how we can move beyond simply organising events to designing experiences that create lasting impact.

About Design to Change

Design to Change is a podcast by Event Design Collective, exploring the people, ideas, and practices shaping the future of events and experience design.

Through conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers, host Ruud Janssen challenges conventional thinking and explores how intentional design can transform events into powerful drivers of change.

About Event Design Collective

Event Design Collective is a global leader in event design education, training, and consulting. Through the Event Canvas™ methodology, we empower professionals and organisations to design events with purpose, align stakeholder expectations, and create measurable impact.

Learn more: https://edco.global

Connect & Follow

Podcast: Design to Change

Website: https://designtochange.online

Event Design Collective: https://edco.global

Guest LinkedIn: Monique Rochard-Marine

Episode Title: Hannah Peper & Hailey Craig | Design to Change – Live at IMEX America 2026

Guests:

Hanah Peper

Role: Community and Events Manager

Organisation: INFRA

LinkedIn: Hanah Peper

Hailey Craig

Role: Events and Education Specialist

Organisation: INFRA

LinkedIn: Hailey Craig

Host: Ruud Janssen, Managing Director, Event Design Collective

Episode Show Notes

What does it take to design meaningful change?

In episode 245 of the Design to Change podcast, recorded live at IMEX America 2026 in Las Vegas, host Ruud Janssen, Managing Director at Event Design Collective, welcomes two guests from INFRA: Hanah Peper, Community and Events Manager, and Hailey Craig, Events and Education Specialist.

Together, they explore fresh perspectives on the evolving world of events, the power of intentional event design, and how events can become catalysts for meaningful change.

Recorded in the vibrant atmosphere of IMEX America, this conversation brings together industry insights, personal experiences, and forward-thinking ideas about how we can move beyond simply organising events to designing experiences that create lasting impact.

About Design to Change

Design to Change is a podcast by Event Design Collective, exploring the people, ideas, and practices shaping the future of events and experience design.

Through conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers, host Ruud Janssen challenges conventional thinking and explores how intentional design can transform events into powerful drivers of change.

About Event Design Collective

Event Design Collective is a global leader in event design education, training, and consulting. Through the Event Canvas™ methodology, we empower professionals and organisations to design events with purpose, align stakeholder expectations, and create measurable impact.

Learn more: https://edco.global

Connect & Follow

Podcast: Design to Change

Website: https://designtochange.online

Event Design Collective: https://edco.global

Guest LinkedIn: Hanah Peper

Guest LinkedIn: Hailey Craig

Episode Title: Johnny D. Martinez | Design to Change – Live at IMEX America 2026

Guest: Johnny D. Martinez

Role: Head of Events and Partnerships

Organisation: CrowdComms

LinkedIn: Johnny D. Martinez

Host: Ruud Janssen, Managing Director, Event Design Collective

Episode Show Notes

What does it take to design meaningful change?

In episode 244 of the Design to Change podcast, recorded live at IMEX America 2026 in Las Vegas, host Ruud Janssen, Managing Director at Event Design Collective, sits down with Johnny D. Martinez, Head of Events and Partnerships at CrowdComms.

Together, they explore fresh perspectives on the evolving world of events, the power of intentional event design, and how events can become catalysts for meaningful change.

Recorded in the vibrant atmosphere of IMEX America, this conversation brings together industry insights, personal experiences, and forward-thinking ideas about how we can move beyond simply organising events to designing experiences that create lasting impact.

About Design to Change

Design to Change is a podcast by Event Design Collective, exploring the people, ideas, and practices shaping the future of events and experience design.

Through conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers, host Ruud Janssen challenges conventional thinking and explores how intentional design can transform events into powerful drivers of change.

About Event Design Collective

Event Design Collective is a global leader in event design education, training, and consulting. Through the Event Canvas™ methodology, we empower professionals and organisations to design events with purpose, align stakeholder expectations, and create measurable impact.

Learn more: https://edco.global

Connect & Follow

🎙️ Podcast: Design to Change

🌍 Website: https://designtochange.online

🔗 Event Design Collective: https://edco.global

👤 Guest LinkedIn: Johnny D. Mar

Special remark: in this episode we talk about Augmented Event Design --> more info: https://edco.global/AED/

Episode Title: Thierry Marlier | Design to Change – Live at IMEX America 2026
Guest: Thierry Marlier, CED
Role: Executive Vice President and Associate
Organisation: Atitude C
Host: Ruud Janssen, Managing Director, Event Design Collective
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thierry-marlier-702b5ba/

Episode Show Notes

What does it take to design meaningful change?

In episode 243 of the Design to Change podcast, recorded live at IMEX America 2026 in Las Vegas, host Ruud Janssen, Managing Director at Event Design Collective, sits down with Thierry Marlier, CED, Executive Vice President and Associate at Atitude C.

Together, they explore fresh perspectives on the evolving world of events, the power of intentional event design, and how events can become catalysts for meaningful change.

Recorded in the vibrant atmosphere of IMEX America, this conversation brings together industry insights, personal experiences, and forward-thinking ideas about how we can move beyond simply organising events to designing experiences that create lasting impact.

About Design to Change

Design to Change is a podcast by Event Design Collective, exploring the people, ideas, and practices shaping the future of events and experience design.

Through conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers, host Ruud Janssen challenges conventional thinking and explores how intentional design can transform events into powerful drivers of change.

About Event Design Collective

Event Design Collective is a global leader in event design education, training, and consulting. Through the Event Canvas™ methodology, we empower professionals and organisations to design events with purpose, align stakeholder expectations, and create measurable impact.

Learn more: https://edco.global

Connect & Follow

Podcast: Design to Change
Website: https://designtochange.online
Event Design Collective: https://edco.global

Special remark: in this episode we talk about Augmented Event Design --> more info: https://edco.global/AED/

Episode Title: Drew Holmgreen & Ara Taylor | Design to Change – Live at IMEX America 2026
Guests:
Drew Holmgreen, CAS - CEO, PPAI – Promotional Products Association International
Ara Taylor, CEM, CMP - Senior Director of Conference Operations, Viticus Group

Host: Ruud Janssen, Managing Director, Event Design Collective
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-taylor-cem-cmp-pmq-a269a910/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewholmgreen/

Episode Show Notes

What does it take to design meaningful change?

In episode 242 of the Design to Change podcast, recorded live at IMEX America 2026 in Las Vegas, host Ruud Janssen, Managing Director at Event Design Collective, welcomes two special guests: Drew Holmgreen, CAS, CEO of PPAI – Promotional Products Association International, and Ara Taylor, CEM, CMP, Senior Director of Conference Operations at Viticus Group.

Together, they explore fresh perspectives on the evolving world of events, the power of intentional event design, and how events can become catalysts for meaningful change.

Recorded in the vibrant atmosphere of IMEX America, this conversation brings together industry insights, personal experiences, and forward-thinking ideas about how we can move beyond simply organising events to designing experiences that create lasting impact.

About Design to Change

Design to Change is a podcast by Event Design Collective, exploring the people, ideas, and practices shaping the future of events and experience design. Through conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers, host Ruud Janssen challenges conventional thinking and explores how intentional design can transform events into powerful drivers of change.

About Event Design Collective

Event Design Collective is a global leader in event design education, training, and consulting. Through the Event Canvas™ methodology, we empower professionals and organisations to design events with purpose, align stakeholder expectations, and create measurable impact. Learn more: https://edco.global

Connect & Follow

Podcast: Design to Change
Website: https://designtochange.online

Event Design Collective: https://edco.global