Event Marketing Redefined

Life’s too short to work for leaders who don’t understand event marketing. In this episode, Matt Kleinrock, CEO of Rockway Exhibits + Events, is joined by Pablo Gonzalez to unpack the frustrating reality that many companies fail to align their event marketing with strategic goals.

Matt and Pablo break down the red flags that signal your company doesn’t “get” events and share what event marketers can do to shift the narrative—or recognize when it’s time to move on.

Here’s what they cover:

✅ How companies’ expectations clash with their actual approach to events.
✅ The three levels of misalignment: leadership goals, empty metrics, and overworked event teams.
✅ Why event marketers need clarity and alignment to grow their careers.

Bonus: Learn about a proven framework to help you align your event strategy with real results. Reach out to Matt or Pablo to get your hands on it!

If you’ve ever felt stuck in execution mode or wondered if your company is the right fit, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you take control of your event marketing career.

Connect with Pablo:

On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-gonzalez-4333b42/ 

Connect with Me:

On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kleinrock-9613b22b/
On my Company: https://rockwayexhibits.com/

🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/EventMarketingRedefined 

As an event marketer, you have a lot of responsibility on your plate and a whole company counting on you, but you can only do so much!

That's why everything from working across complicated company matrixes to getting executives to engage in your event program are crucial to your success.

So we’ve gathered a panel of past superstars from the show who have years of success under their belts: Nancy Touhill (Director, Global Event Marketing at LexisNexis Risk Solutions), Brittany Lindquist (Director, Marketing Strategy at 8x8), and Hollie Ashby (Manager, Senior Global Events at Akamai Technologies).

Together, they’ll bounce around what has and is working for them when it comes to:

✅ Pushing things forward through heavily matrixed orgs
✅ Getting executives to buy in and actually engage in event programs
✅ Winning the trust of partners to drive engagement and amplification

In this episode, Matt and this powerhouse panel of brilliant women dive into the tactics, tools, and tough questions shaping event marketing today.

Tune in and get ready to bring fresh ideas back to your team!

Connect With Them:

Nancy Touhill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-touhill-2a419831/ 
Brittany Lindquist: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-elizabeth-lindquist/
Hollie Ashby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollieashby/

Connect With Me:

On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kleinrock-9613b22b/   
On my Company: https://rockwayexhibits.com/     

🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/EventMarketingRedefined 

Event marketers often invest significant time and money into conferences and trade shows, only to see leads go cold because of delayed follow-up. How can you avoid losing these valuable opportunities?

With the average time to follow up on leads being over 11 days, many companies miss out on potential sales because the leads have already moved on. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to convert those leads into sales, causing you to lose out on revenue and growth.

In this episode, Matt talks to Zach Barney, Co-founder and CEO of Mobly, about why immediate follow-up is crucial for success. Zach shares strategies for speeding up lead engagement, aligning marketing and sales teams, and using technology to improve follow-up processes—all of which lead to faster conversions.

Here’s what you’ll take away:

✅ How following up on leads within hours can dramatically increase conversions.

✅ What common mistakes companies make in post-event lead management.

✅ Practical advice on syncing marketing and sales efforts for better results.

Don’t let your event leads go cold—listen to this episode for proven strategies to accelerate follow-up and boost your sales.

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Connect with Zach

On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbarney/

Connect with Me

On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kleinrock-9613b22b/ 
On my Company: https://rockwayexhibits.com/
 
🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/EventMarketingRedefined 

Matt Kleinrock, CEO of Rockway Exhibits + Events, sits down with Pablo Gonzalez to tackle the big question: is discovery at trade shows dead, or have we just been doing it wrong?

In this episode, Matt shares an unexpected insight from a prospect who avoids vendors all year—except when she’s ready to explore solutions at trade shows. This simple idea flips the script on how and when discovery actually happens in person and points to a critical truth: some industries still rely on face-to-face interactions, but it’s all about how you set the stage.

They get into:

🔑 Recognizing which event formats foster real discovery (and which don’t).
🤝 Why in-person discovery works well in some industries, from physical products to complex supply chains.
💡 How to rethink sponsorships to leave a lasting impact (hint: it’s more than a logo on a tote bag).
🚫 The need for authenticity: no one wants another “pitch disguised as a session.”

Discovery at events is alive—but only if you bring intention to your setup and avoid the outdated playbook. If you’re ready to see real results from your next trade show, this episode is packed with ideas that actually work.

Connect with Pablo:

On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-gonzalez-4333b42/ 

Connect with Me:

On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kleinrock-9613b22b/
On my Company: https://rockwayexhibits.com/

🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/EventMarketingRedefined 

Event marketers today face growing challenges—proving ROI, keeping attendees engaged after the event, and getting the most out of smaller booth spaces. In this  episode of Event Marketing: Redefined, Matt Kleinrock, CEO of Rockway Exhibits + Events is joined by Coty Adams, they talked about these challenges head-on and uncovers practical strategies that can help you overcome them and achieve real results.

They discuss:

✅ Why measuring ROI has become more complex—and how leading companies are simplifying it with hybrid events, content repurposing, and smart data use.
✅ The true value of trade shows: It’s not just about scanning badges or giving out swag, but building meaningful relationships that drive pipeline growth.
✅ Real-world case studies showing how Rockway clients are making small booths deliver big results and stronger connections.
✅ Key insights from BizBash's must-read list for event pros—perfect for anyone looking to elevate their skills, master hospitality, and create unforgettable, high-impact experiences.
✅ Practical tips for designing impactful small booths: Learn how to create memorable interactions in limited spaces and make every square foot count.

If you’re looking for new ways to measure ROI, boost engagement, or maximize the potential of your event space, this episode is packed with valuable insights you can put into action.

Connect with Matt:

On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kleinrock-9613b22b/
On his Company: https://rockwayexhibits.com/

🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/EventMarketingRedefined

Women in events are often incredibly skilled, and they have the potential to become influential leaders in their companies and industries. But many struggle to break out of the event planning roles they’ve excelled in, often facing misconceptions and barriers that make leadership feel out of reach.

That’s why, in this episode, Carrie Davenport, Lead Event Manager at Altria, shares her journey as an advocate for women in business and offers practical, actionable advice for leveling up their careers.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

✅ The key skills you need beyond event planning to position yourself for leadership roles.

✅ The pivotal strategies Carrie used to transition from managing events to influencing business decisions at the highest level.

✅ Practical advice for building strategic relationships and communicating with business leaders.

And more!

Whether you're an event professional or an aspiring leader in any field, this conversation will inspire and equip you to take your career to the next level. Don't miss it!

Connect with Carrie:

On her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriedavenport83/

Connect with Me:

On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kleinrock-9613b22b/
On my Company: https://rockwayexhibits.com/

🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/EventMarketingRedefined 

Many companies believe that to create standout engagement at trade shows, they need to overspend on big-budget activations—but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In this episode of Event Marketing: Redefined, Matt Kleinrock, CEO of Rockway Exhibits + Events, is joined by Pablo Gonzalez to dispel the myth that better engagement requires a bigger budget.

Drawing from real-world examples and their own experiences, they explain how focusing on thoughtful, targeted engagement can deliver better results without breaking the bank.

They discuss:

✅ Why flashy activations and expensive giveaways often miss the mark.
✅ How to create a booth experience that feels personalized and connects with your audience.
✅ Practical strategies to make every conversation at your booth meaningful—and profitable.

If you’re looking to elevate your event strategy without overspending, this episode is packed with insights that will help you drive real results while staying within budget.

Connect with Pablo:

On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-gonzalez-4333b42/ 

Connect with Me:

On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kleinrock-9613b22b/
On my Company: https://rockwayexhibits.com/

🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/EventMarketingRedefined 

As an event marketer, you often struggle to prove the true ROI of your events and secure the budget needed to create high-impact experiences. How can you convince your CMO to see events as a key part of your company’s growth strategy?

Often, events are viewed as standalone tactics rather than essential components of a larger marketing initiative. This makes it difficult to get the attention and resources you need to deliver real business impact. Without proper alignment with your company’s strategic goals, your events risk being undervalued and underfunded.

In this conversation, Matt and Brittany Lindquist, Director of Marketing Strategy at 8x8, discuss her journey from a marketing team member to becoming a trusted advisor to CMOs.

Learn:

✅ The strategic approach that helped Brittany secure a $600k event budget.

✅ The most important questions to ask your CMO to get buy-in.

✅ Why event marketers need to shift from a “budget” mindset to an “investment” mindset.

Brittany has over 15 years of experience in marketing roles at Oracle and two acquired SaaS startups. Her expertise spans everything from event planning to comprehensive marketing strategy, making her a valuable voice in the event marketing space.

Tired of fighting for your event budget? Tune in now to hear Brittany’s story and start making your event marketing strategy impossible to ignore.

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Connect with Brittany

On her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-elizabeth-lindquist/

Connect with Me

On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kleinrock-9613b22b/
On my Company: https://rockwayexhibits.com/   

🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/EventMarketingRedefined

The trade show is over, but the real work has just begun. How you follow up with leads after an event can make or break your sales pipeline. In this solo episode, Matt Kleinrock, CEO of Rockway Exhibits + Events, shares one of the most critical (and often neglected) aspects of event marketing: the follow-up.

Based on his experience and a recent post on LinkedIn, Matt outlines 9 actionable strategies to help you turn event leads into real business opportunities. Whether you’re looking to build stronger connections, schedule post-show meetings, or create meaningful touchpoints that stand out, this episode will give you practical advice you can use right away.

Here’s what Matt will cover:

✅ The right way to schedule meetings during the event for post-show success.
✅ Qualifying leads: Why proper qualification is key and how to ensure your team is doing it right.
✅ Tracking your interactions: How to ensure the data you gather leads to better follow-ups.
✅ Personalizing your outreach: Simple tips to make your post-event messages resonate.
✅ The power of fast follow-up: Why speed matters and how to get ahead of the competition.
✅ Creative ways to engage leads, from offsite events to podcast invites.

With these tools in your arsenal, you’ll stop losing leads to bad follow-up practices and start turning your events into real, revenue-driving opportunities.

Don’t miss this episode, and learn how to make every event a long-term sales and marketing channel!

Connect with Matt:

On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kleinrock-9613b22b/
On his Company: https://rockwayexhibits.com/

🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/EventMarketingRedefined

In the rapidly evolving world of event marketing, owned events have reached a critical tipping point. More and more companies are shifting away from traditional trade shows and leaning into intimate, customer-focused gatherings to build deeper relationships and drive real value.

In this special mini-episode, Matt Kleinrock, CEO of Rockway Exhibits + Events, is joined by Pablo Gonzalez to unpack why these hosted events are taking over—and how to do them right. Drawing from real-world examples and their own experience, Matt and Pablo explain why the old playbook of keynotes and generic sessions no longer cuts it.

They discuss:

✅ Why understanding your audience's needs is essential to creating an impactful event.
✅ How to curate meaningful experiences and avoid common event mistakes that leave attendees underwhelmed.
✅ The key to making your event a relationship-builder, not just another pitch-fest.

Whether you’re just starting to consider hosting your own event or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with actionable insights that will help you stand out in a crowded landscape.

Connect with Pablo:

On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-gonzalez-4333b42/ 

Connect with Me:

On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kleinrock-9613b22b/
On my Company: https://rockwayexhibits.com/

🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/EventMarketingRedefined