With the return of in-person events, companies are under intense scrutiny to prove that every dollar spent is driving tangible results.

But, calculating and maximizing ROI isn't just about tallying up sales numbers—it's about understanding the deeper impact of every conversation and interaction that happens at your events.

So we’ve brought in François Fournier, Director of Global Events at DTN and a seasoned event marketing strategist with over 20 years of experience. François, who oversees around 75 trade shows and conferences annually, shares his insights and unique methodology, including the concept of the "Cost of Conversations.”

François and Matt dive into:

✅Discovering why not all event interactions are created equal and how to measure the true impact of meaningful business conversations.

✅How François's method can help you work backwards from desired outcomes to create a focused and effective event plan.

✅The common mistakes companies make when calculating ROI and how to avoid them to ensure your event dollars are well spent.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the complexity of proving your event’s ROI, or you’re eager to fine-tune your strategy in this post-pandemic landscape, this episode is exactly what you need!

Connect with François

On his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francois-fournier-ctsm-cem-15981120/

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 

Mentorship is often touted as a crucial component of professional growth, but what does it actually look like in practice, especially in the events industry?

We all know the journey to success can be challenging, filled with uncertainties and questions—and that's exactly where having a mentor can make all the difference.

Morgan Wood, Marketing and Events Manager at Q-PAC, reached out to us in search of guidance, and we immediately thought of Gerilynn Marburger, Director of Global Events at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, whose passion for mentorship was evident from our very first live show with her.

Gerilynn's enthusiasm to help Morgan set the stage for a meaningful mentorship journey that we can't wait to share with you.

In this episode, you'll discover:

✅ How to establish clear goals and expectations in a mentoring relationship

✅ The real challenges and triumphs of maintaining a mentor-mentee relationship, from imposter syndrome to breakthrough moments

✅ Tips on how to approach potential mentors and make the most out of your mentorship experience

And more!

This isn't just another conversation about professional development; it's a real, raw, and relatable story that underscores the highs and lows of finding and nurturing mentorship.

Connect With Them

Gerilynn Marburger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerilynnmarburger/
Morgan Wood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mperry22/

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  

Welcome to the 100th episode of “Event Marketing: Redefined”!

Since our inception, our mission has been to build a community for event marketers, providing a space to learn, connect, and grow. We’ve been advocating for strategic, intentional event marketing that drives real results, and it's only fitting that for this special episode, we focus on reducing event overwhelm—a topic that resonates with so many of our listeners.

Event marketers are constantly balancing an ever-growing list of tasks while striving to create memorable experiences, and they often face pressure to do more with less. But with limited resources and increasing expectations, managing the logistics and execution can become overwhelming.

Join us as Heather Schneider, the Event Operations Manager at Tyler Technologies, shares her wealth of knowledge. With over ten years of experience, Heather has led the operational strategy for over 800 annual trade shows and is renowned for her strategic implementation and leadership in the events industry.

She joins Matt to discuss:

✅ Proven supplier negotiation strategies to help you stay organized and reduce stress.

✅ The importance of creating playbooks and standardizing processes for event planning.

✅ How to cultivate genuine, beneficial partnerships with vendors for long-term success.

Tune in to gain valuable insights from Heather and get practical tips to manage your event workload more effectively.

Connect with Heather

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

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 we continue to bring you the best insights in event marketing, we pulled out the 5 most fundamental concepts to modern event marketing. Join Matt Kleinrock and recurring guest, Pablo Gonzalez, as they break down what people want these days, and how to deliver on it, know if you're doing it right, and get the support you need from your team.

In this episode, you'll hear:

✅ What Attendees Are Begging For: the value prop at events has shifted. If you're not giving people what they actually want right now, they're not coming back.
✅ Delivering An Experience: showing up without thinking about the exact experience you are going to deliver is the same as burning money.  We discuss a two step framework for it.
✅ ROI Measurement vs Pipeline Impact: If you're just measuring leads and direct sales, you're setting yourself up for unpredictable results, but if you set out to measure pipeline impact, you'll build a compounding advantage.

Matt and Pablo bring their dynamic chemistry and deep industry knowledge to this episode, making it both informative and engaging. Tune in to gather actionable insights that you can implement right away.

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 

The term "experiential" is frequently tossed around in the event marketing industry, but what does it really mean? And how has its interpretation evolved over the years?

Everyone talks about providing an experience, but the true essence of what makes an event memorable often gets lost. Sensory and emotional elements blend to create a holistic experience, and human connections play a vital role. However, understanding and applying these elements can be challenging.

In this episode, we’ve invited Kassidy Gala Carpenter, Director of Global Events at World Fuel Services, to break down the real definition of "experiential" and share the practical applications and challenges she has faced.

She and Matt will discuss:

✅ Tailoring experiential strategies to different event scales and types.
✅ Practical steps to create a memorable event experience from start to finish.
✅ Metrics and feedback mechanisms to measure the success of experiential elements.

And more...

Don't miss this opportunity to peel back the curtain on what truly makes an event experiential!

Connect with Kassidy

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

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 we approach our 100th episode and gear up for the first-ever Event Marketing Congress, we're bringing you a special compilation of the best moments from our show. Join Matt Kleinrock and Mollie Stahl as they revisit some of the most impactful episodes that have shaped our approach to event marketing.

In this episode, you'll hear:

✅ Blueprint for Crafting Great RFPs: Discover essential steps for creating compelling RFPs that get the best responses.

✅ Creative Booth Themes: Explore innovative booth themes from CES and other trade shows to make your booth unforgettable.

✅ Top 10 Revenue Rules for Trade Shows: Learn strategies for pre-show marketing, lead capture, follow-up, and more to maximize ROI.

Matt and Mollie have great chemistry and a wealth of experience, making this episode both informative and engaging. Tune in to gather actionable insights that you can implement right away.

Connect with Mollie:

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

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 are always looking to create impactful and engaging experiences. They pour immense effort into planning and executing events that resonate with attendees. But, often the focus is on the logistics and external elements, overlooking the vital aspect of fostering genuine connections among participants. This can leave events feeling mechanical and attendees disengaged.

On this week’s episode of “Event Marketing: Redefined,” host Matt Kleinrock sat down with Liz Lathan, Co-Founder and CMO of The Community Factory. Liz brings a wealth of knowledge from her 20-year career in corporate events and her passion for creating engaging, community-focused experiences.

They discussed:

✅ How to transition from focusing solely on event logistics to prioritizing attendee engagement and connection.

✅ How to design events that cater to both extroverts and introverts, making sure everyone feels included and valued.

✅ Practical tips for integrating community-building activities into your event planning process to enhance attendee experience and satisfaction.

By shifting the focus from mere attendance to meaningful participation, event marketers can create more impactful and memorable events that attendees will be eager to return to!

Connect with Liz

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

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   

We keep talking about how the value prop of events has changed and we need to adapt, but if we can see who started figuring this out, we can start to understand how to execute our event strategies better.

That’s why it’s time we take a deep dive into what we know people are asking for and who is out there creating the events people want.

Matt Kleinrock, CEO of Rockway Exhibits + Events, is hosting a conversation about it with our show’s producer, chief ideator, and live event fanatic, Pablo Gonzalez, to discuss:

✅ The one thing event audiences crave and continue to invest in

✅ Who is hosting events that fit the demand (and what they’re doing right)

✅How Rockway is executing an innovative event strategy in line with what THEY believe events should be like

We’d love to hear what you’re hearing people ask for, who you think is doing it right, and what you think about our ideas on it.

Tune in to this edition of Event Marketing: REDEFINED!

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 marketing thrives on connections and creativity. We’re all about learning and adapting, especially post-COVID. But with lower attendance and tighter budgets, making an impact has become tougher. That’s why connecting with peers and sharing innovative ideas is more important than ever.

Matt Kleinrock, CEO of Rockway Exhibits + Events, sat down with Tara Jones during EXHIBITORLIVE 2024. Tara is a seasoned event professional, and in this episode, she shares her journey of reconnecting with the industry.

What you'll learn:

✅ Creative ways to make a big impression with small booths and tight budgets.
✅ How to build relationships that drive new ideas and knowledge sharing.
✅ Navigating the challenges of event marketing with fewer resources

Hit play and learn from Tara's journey!

Connect with Tara

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

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 

Creating memorable and innovative events is a challenging goal for many event marketers. Crafting experiences that stand out while securing leadership buy-in and balancing budgets can feel like an insurmountable task.

And many marketers dream of transforming their events with unique and engaging elements. But the journey to achieving this level of innovation is fraught with obstacles.

Getting stakeholder approval, navigating early rejections, and balancing traditional elements with fresh ideas require strategic thinking and persistence.

So we’re bringing in Kat Leong, an accomplished event specialist with over a decade of experience in the B2B and hospitality industries. As the Director of Corporate Events at Gainsight, Kat has played a pivotal role in producing flagship events like Pulse, Pulse Europe, and CxO Summit.

Her expertise in creating unforgettable event experiences and her proven track record make her insights invaluable for anyone looking to innovate in event marketing.

You'll learn:

✅ How Pulse transformed from a small conference to a major, creatively unique event.
✅ Effective strategies for securing leadership buy-in for creative ideas.
✅ Ways to balance traditional event elements with innovative executions to create standout experiences.

Tune in to discover how to earn the right to innovate at your events and make your event marketing strategies impactful.

Connect with Kat

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

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