Only 40% of attendees say they had a real “peak moment”, even though 80% of event planners think they delivered one. So… who’s right?In this episode of Event Planner Confessions, Cara sits down with Ken Holsinger, SVP of Strategy at Freeman, to reveal what the data really says about creating experiences that matter.💡

You’ll learn:

• Why attendees aren’t impressed by celebrity keynotes (and what they want instead)
• The rise of peer-to-peer connection and how to design for it
• How to “architect serendipity” and make space for real moments
• What DMCs can do to turn destinations into stories
• Why sometimes, the smartest move is to cut the menu

If you’ve ever wondered what actually makes an event memorable — and how to design experiences that make people come back year after year — this one’s for you.

Check out Freeman’s full Trends report here → https://www.freeman.com/resources/future-of-commerce-for-trade-shows-and-conferences/ Follow us for all the behind the scenes → https://www.instagram.com/eventplannerconfessions/ 🔔

Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!📧
Want to work with us? Find out more at https://meetcohera.com/

What really happens when two event powerhouses decide to join forces?

In this episode of Event Planner Confessions, we sit down with Trevor Hanks, CEO of the newly launched Cohera, to unpack the chaos, strategy, and human side of one of the biggest DMC mergers in recent history.

Trevor shares what it actually takes to merge teams, brands, and cultures without losing the magic that made each company special. From balancing transparency and timing to navigating private equity pressures and emotional loyalty to legacy brands. This is a candid look at what goes on behind closed doors.

Whether you’re leading a growing agency, managing a rebrand, or just love the business drama that happens off the event floor, this one’s packed with real lessons from the trenches.

Connect with us → https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/event-planner-confessions/ 

Follow us for all the behind the scenes → https://www.instagram.com/eventplannerconfessions/ 

🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
Learn more about the merge here → https://meetcohera.com/perspectives/360dg-csi-now-cohera/ 

📧 Want to work with us? Find out more at https://meetcohera.com/

One event. Four generations. Infinite tension. In this episode, we unpack what happens when Gen Z wants a mocktail lounge, Boomers ask for printed agendas, Millennials chase the perfect vibe, and Gen X holds everything together, quietly judging us all. We’re diving into how each generation shows up at events: how they network, what they wear, how they want to be communicated with, and why planners are stuck designing four different experiences in one. Plus: we battle it out in The Generational Clash, decode post-event feedback in Who Said It?, and go head-to-head in our Draft Day Showdown to build the ultimate generational dream event. Whether you’re team QR code or team clip-on badge, this one’s for you.                          👀 Subscribe for new episodes featuring candid confessions and event planner tips!                    Connect with us → https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/event-planner-confessions/ 
🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe! 📧 Want to work with us? Find out more at https://meetcohera.com/

One event. Four generations. Infinite tension. In this episode, we unpack what happens when Gen Z wants a mocktail lounge, Boomers ask for printed agendas, Millennials chase the perfect vibe, and Gen X holds everything together, quietly judging us all.
We’re diving into how each generation shows up at events: how they network, what they wear, how they want to be communicated with, and why planners are stuck designing four different experiences in one.
Plus: we battle it out in The Generational Clash, decode post-event feedback in Who Said It?, and go head-to-head in our Draft Day Showdown to build the ultimate generational dream event.
Whether you’re team QR code or team clip-on badge, this one’s for you.
👀 Subscribe for new episodes featuring candid confessions and event planner tips!
Connect with us → https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/event-planner-confessions/
🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and rate us!
📧 Want to work with us? Find out more at  https://meetcohera.com/

Planners know the pain: you send out an RFP, wait for proposals, and what comes back doesn’t match what you envisioned. Cue the endless back-and-forth, wasted hours, and mounting frustration.

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the hidden details that make or break a DMC RFP. From budget guardrails to audience profiles, brand guidelines to those small-but-critical “hot buttons” (like the CEO who hates poinsettias), these overlooked pieces of information are the difference between a proposal that hits the mark the first time and one that drags into revision after revision.

Join Cara Pratt, Ashley Currin, and Samantha Monroe as we break down the biggest RFP red flags, share real stories from the field, and reveal what DMCs wish you’d tell them upfront. If you want to save time, cut miscommunication, and get the event you actually want — this episode is for you.

Connect with us → https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/event-planner-confessions/ 

🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and rate us!

📧 Want to work with us? Find out more at csi-dmc.com

Every event planner has faced it, the creeping dread of unexpected costs throwing the whole budget off course. 
In this episode, Cara Pratt, Ashley Currin, and Samantha Monroe break down the most common hidden expenses that sabotage your perfectly laid plans.
From client changes to sneaky staffing fees, they share battle-tested strategies and insider tips to catch these costs early and handle them like a pro.

Connect with us→ https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/event-planner-confessions/

🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and rate us!
📧 Want to work with us? Find out more at csi-dmc.com

In this candid and laughter-filled season finale, hosts Cara Pratt, Ashley Currin, and Samantha Monroe reflect on their favorite moments from the inaugural season of Event Planner Confessions. From the anonymous (and not-so-anonymous) tales of ballroom horses and accidental shoplifting, to heartfelt conversations on imposter syndrome and career growth, this episode captures the spirit of connection and chaos that defines life in the event industry. The trio also teases exciting changes ahead, including a major brand transformation and what that means for the show. Tune in to relive the best confessions, behind-the-scenes bloopers, and what’s next as the team looks forward to season two.