Event Experience

In this episode, you’ll take a journey back in time to late 2023 when event industry experts delivered predictions for the new year, and then fast forward to the present as host Rachel Moore and a panel of experts discuss the current state of event industry trends. 

Learn about the latest impacts of conscious conferencing, micro-events, AI, and event tech consolidation on successful attendee experiences.

One by one, this episode tackles tactics and trends you can incorporate into your event planning to meet the current demands of attendees, sponsors, and business goals. 

• How conscious conferencing, attendee-first and data-driven planning, AI, and event tech innovation — trends revealed in Bizzabo’s December 2023 trends webinar and upheld in the inaugural Gartner Magic Quadrant for Event Technology Platforms — impact event execution in 2024.

• Why micro-events and focusing on attendee priorities of sustainability and DE&I are more complex yet more rewarding in the long run for ROI.

• Tips for how the partnership between AI and humans can help organizers forecast, analyze, and even anticipate attendee behavior.

• Ideas to incorporate innovative wearable event tech can provide actionable intelligence for future event experiences.

For the full transcript, mentions, and more, visit https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast/2024-event-industry-trends-webinar

Are you ready for Season 5 of the Event Experience podcast? Named one of the top event industry podcasts by multiple outlets and celebrated in the inaugural Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Event Technology Platforms, this podcast is one you can't miss.

Dive into the collective wisdom of top event planners and prepare for an all-new season on July 1. 🌟 Season 5 brings unprecedented access to the strategies that power the world’s most dynamic events. Packed with insights from industry leaders, this is your gateway to elevating your event planning game.

🎧 Follow and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform today and don’t miss an episode! Visit bizzabo.com/podcast for more.

This milestone 100th episode of the Event Experience podcast features a conversation between Host Rachel Moore and Bizzabo CMO and Cofounder Alon Alroy. This episode delves into the challenges and transformations in the event industry, particularly in light of recent technology advancements and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Alroy shares his insights on driving innovation at Bizzabo, the importance of taking a customer-centric approach, how Bizzabo has navigated changes to maintain its leadership in the event tech space, and so much more. 

Here’s what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

1) How the podcast came into existence and how the pandemic prompted the beginnings of the Event Experience OS

2) Bizzabo’s innovative approach to blending event technology with user experience to craft memorable events

3) How Bizzabo listens to customer feedback to drive product development and ensure user satisfaction

4) Alroy’s perspective on the future of events with an emphasis on the need for data-driven decision-making

For the full transcript, mentions, and more, visit https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast/alon-alroy-100th-event-industry-podcast

In this fresh episode of Event Experience, host Rachel Moore is joined by email marketing experts to discuss how to overcome common email marketing challenges faced by event professionals. Tune in to hear about effective strategies for improving email open rates, crafting compelling content, and using advanced segmentation and automation to enhance attendee engagement from the following experts: 

➡️ Kendra Ellis, former director of client services at SmartBug Media and current Sr. Director of Growth Marketing at RevPartners

➡️ LaShanda Jackson, global director of lifecycle marketing at Intuit Mailchimp

➡️ Ghazwan Almoazen, global experiential marketing demand and communications director at DocuSign

The discussion highlights the importance of aligning email marketing with attendee expectations and leveraging analytics to drive continuous improvement.

Here’s what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

1) How to craft emails with engaging subject lines and compelling calls to action that stand out in crowded inboxes

2) The importance of list segmentation and personalization in boosting email engagement rates

3) Insights into the role of analytics and automation in optimizing email campaigns and improving event marketing outcomes

For more insights and the full transcript, visit https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast/event-email-marketing-challenges

Grab a coffee or hit the open road to listen to Senior ABX Manager of Corporate Events at 6sense Angela Sadighian share her extensive experience and strategic approach to corporate event planning. Sadighian discusses her journey from organizing weddings to orchestrating large-scale corporate events, emphasizing the importance of integrating AI technology to enhance attendee engagement and optimize event outcomes. 

With a focus on 6sense's annual user conference, Breakthrough, Sadighian outlines how strategic planning, audience targeting, and innovative tech integration have led to substantial growth in attendance and engagement.

Here’s what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

1) How integrating AI and predictive analytics can transform event engagement and operational efficiency

2) The key metrics organizers should track to measure ROI, including pipeline influence and attendee engagement

3) How to create “wow” moments through thoughtful venue choices, personalized interactions, and technology like the Klik SmartBadge™ 

For the full transcript, resources mentioned in the episode, and more, please visit https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast/angela-sadighian-AI-event-tech-smart-badges.

In this episode, host Rachel Moore dives into the vital role of networking within the event industry with Brad Jackson, the visionary behind Live Out of Office. Brad shares his journey from working with giants like Live Nation to founding an experiential marketing hub, emphasizing the transformative shift toward collaborative platforms that support freelancers, agencies, and brands. Through discussions on career transitions, the value of a robust network, and leveraging technology for efficiency, Jackson provides insights into the evolving landscape of event production and marketing.

Listeners are treated to Jackson’s personal story, reflecting on his roots in the concert industry and his adventurous leap into freelancing in LA, leading to the inception of Live Out of Office. This platform aims to streamline the event production process, making it more accessible and efficient for industry professionals. 

Here’s more of what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

1. Why building a solid network is crucial for success in the event industry and how relationships shape careers

2. The challenges and rewards of moving from full-time employment to freelance event production

3. The role of AI and technological platforms in revolutionizing event planning and production, making processes more efficient and creative

For show notes, mentions, and the full transcript, visit https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast/brad-jackson-networking-event-production

In this engaging episode of Event Experience, host Rachel Moore sits down with Deesha Dyer, the former White House Social Secretary and current president Hook & Fasten Consulting, to delve into the intricacies of planning high-profile events at the White House. 

Dyer shares her journey from being an event geek to orchestrating one of the most notable events of the Obama administration: the visit of Pope Francis. The conversation provides a rare glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of managing events on the world stage, including managing a diverse team of professionals and the logistics of welcoming international dignitaries. 

As president of Hook & Fasten Consulting, Dyer focuses on creating authentic partnerships, achieving meaningful community impact, and championing inclusivity. 

Here’s what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

1) The creativity and strategic thinking involved in planning high-profile events, including showcasing diversity and connecting with wider audiences 

2) The unique pressures of working in the White House — from wardrobe malfunctions to meeting expectations of dignitaries and the public 

3) The importance of community involvement in events and the potential to make a meaningful impact

For show notes, mentions, and the full transcript, visit https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast/deesha-dyer-inclusion-white-house-events

In this episode, you’ll hear from Natasha Wood, the Head of Strategy for FT Live, the events division of the Financial Times. Wood shares her extensive experience in the events industry, focusing on strategically using event content to enhance attendee experiences and achieve organizational goals. She also offers personal insights into her go-to resources and her passion for classic crime dramas and strategic business books, providing a well-rounded view of her professional and personal interests.

Here’s what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

1) The shifting landscape of event strategy, focusing on people, products, and processes to drive success in the dynamic world of events

2) The untapped potential of event content as a tool for ongoing engagement and strategic advantage

3) How the integration of data analysis and artificial intelligence is transforming event planning

For the full transcript and show notes, visit https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast/natasha-wood-harnessing-event-content-AI-data

In this episode, Host Rachel Moore brings together Makenzie Stokel and Channing Moreland, the cofounders of EVA, to explore the transformative power of entertainment in event planning. Delving into their unique roles and the genesis of EVA, an online marketplace for booking vetted entertainment, Stokel and Moreland share their expertise on selecting the right speakers and the impact of out-of-the-box activations that leave lasting impressions on attendees while advocating for the infusion of fun and interactive elements that connect deeply with attendees. 

For these EVA founders, engagement and entertainment go hand in hand in elevating the event experience. By aligning entertainment choices with the event’s goals and themes, they provide valuable insights for event professionals looking to captivate and inspire their audiences.

Here’s what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

1) Why entertainment and speakers should be woven into the fabric of event planning from day one

2) How customization and interactivity are essential to creating memorable and personalized activations

3) Ways to streamline finding and booking entertainment using tools like EVA

For show notes and a full transcript, visit https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast/eva-cofounders-event-entertainment

In this episode, hear from TIME Executive Editor and Chief Events Officer Dan Macsai, whose dual role sees him curating influential people lists like the TIME100 while spearheading the magazine's event portfolio. Macsai shares insights into the list-making process and the challenges and triumphs of executing events in new locations. 

He also emphasizes the importance of community building beyond events, leveraging editorial content to create year-round engagement and the indispensable human element in the age of AI. This episode provides a unique look into the strategies that make TIME's events successful, the power of lists in fostering community, and the evolving landscape of event planning in 2024.

Here’s what you’ll hear about in this conversation:

1. How TIME's editorial lists serve as a core strategy for developing meaningful events and fostering influential communities

2. The challenges, importance of community grace, and thrill of expanding TIME's global footprint in uncharted territories like Africa

3. The importance of meeting attendee expectations to deliver more than just a one-off gathering

For the full transcript and additional show notes, visit https://www.bizzabo.com/podcast/dan-macsai-TIME100-events