Forbes places a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and this focus is reflected in the leadership team. Jessica Charles, as the VP for Programming and ForbesLive and a woman of color, fit quite nicely into her role and the company's mission, where it is important to build diverse teams and create a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

At Forbes, Jessica calls her team small but a mighty team and it is important to give each team member autonomy, support and ensure that as a leader she is contributing to their individual success. With multiple stakeholders and their respective missions, her team is responsible for integrating these different goals to create a cohesive end product.

Highlights:

00:33  What led Jessica to get started in the event planning industry and be part of Forbes?

06:49  How to support your team and ensure their individual success?

08:30  By overall mission, does it mean the mission of the Forbes brand? (...How does Jessica's team bring the magazine to life?)

11:00  How does her team manage the brand of the clients in the events that's produced for them? 

13:21  When putting together speakers and panels, how is it done to ensure that there is diversity of voices being heard?

18:58  How is the level of inclusivity for people of color played in the event planning for attendees?

26:25  What are some of the most memorable events that Jessica has planned or attended? 

31:34  What kind of advice would you give someone just starting out in the event planning industry? (...What skills do you believe are the most important to be successful in the field?)

37:51  For Jessica, what is that event she recommends every event planner should attend?

41:10  Closing 

CONNECT WITH JESSICA CHARLES:

Website

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH YANIQUE DACOSTA:

Website:

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://eventist365.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠YKMD⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Us on Social Media:

Host

⁠⁠⁠⁠@MissYaniDoesStuff /facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠@YaniDoesStuff / Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠@yanidoesstuff / Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠YDaCosta / LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠

Graphic Design Firm for Corporate Events

⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheYKMD / Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠@theYKMD / Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠@theykmd / Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠YKMD Visual Communication / LinkedIn⁠⁠

Dera Lee Productions' website states that,  “"We believe in events." and this is reflected in all their projects and events. Their success as an award-winning event production and design agency lies in their ability to bring brand campaigns to life effectively to convey the brand's message. 

The backbone of their business is their commitment to delivering on their promises to clients with no loose ends. With the quality of their work, Dera Lee Productions has recently earned recognition in The BizBash Top 1000 People in the U.S. Event Industry. This achievement is a result of their hard work and dedication to fulfilling their promises.

Highlights:

00:26  What does Dera Lee do?

03:55  How did Dera get into the use of storytelling to help brands in their visibility? (...What is her background?)

09:38  What was the award of being included in "The BizBash Top 1000 People in the U.S. Event Industry" about?

14:33  What is the process for an event to become award-winning and reach that level of visibility and recognition? 

19:45  The importance of small wins and how they empower your team.

22:09  What does it take to put up a heavily branded dinner like the Culture Catalyst Dinner?

27:39  Who are the people who help Dera execute projects and events?

32:53 In the Neutrogena Discover Your Skin Care Event, who were the key people in Dera's team who executed the event?

40:52  How was Dera Lee able to have a show-stopping list of clients?

49:49  What is one event that every corporate event marketer, planner, professional, should attend every single year?

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Book - 5 Whys: One of the Simplest and Fastest Problem-solving Ways to Get to the Root of the Problem by Majed F. Rajeh

CONNECT WITH DERA LEE:

Website - http://www.deralee.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/deralee/

Instagram - Dera Lee Productions (@deraproductions)

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/deraleeproductions/

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ph/deraleeproductions/

CONNECT WITH YANIQUE DACOSTA:

Website:

⁠⁠⁠⁠http://eventist365.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠YKMD⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Us on Social Media:

Host

⁠⁠⁠⁠@MissYaniDoesStuff /facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠@YaniDoesStuff / Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠@yanidoesstuff / Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠YDaCosta / LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠

Graphic Design Firm for Corporate Events

⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheYKMD / Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠@theYKMD / Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠@theykmd / Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠YKMD Visual Communication / LinkedIn⁠⁠

Every event marketer dreams their event is top of mind for their audience, but with so many options available, it's easy to get lost in the crowd. Choosing the right platform or type of content can make or break your brand's success. And it's not enough to simply have a presence on social media. So how do you craft a winning social media strategy that speaks directly to your audience's needs and desires?

Meet Erika Wilson, a highly accomplished marketing and advertising executive with 20 years of experience. With a proven track record of driving growth, Erika is known for her visionary leadership and strategic business development efforts. Her expertise includes developing tailored marketing campaigns that build brand recognition, generate leads, and increase revenue. A bilingual graduate of Florida Atlantic University, Erika is a proactive executive who utilizes a servant leadership approach to propel marketing advancement efforts across the organization.

Join us for an action-packed episode as we uncover the top tools and strategies for successful corporate event marketing. In this episode, we'll explore the different uses of landing pages and websites and how to effectively use each one to achieve your specific goals. Plus, uncover the best tactics for optimizing your online presence that guarantee a sold-out event. Lastly, steer clear of social media practices that are detrimental to your leads and conversions by identifying them first as we talk about them. 

Buckle up, because Erika is going all in and holding nothing back!

Highlights: 

00:11   Top three most essential tools for corporate event marketing

01:16   What makes WordPress the best landing page platform?

03:34   Different uses of a landing page versus a website

06:26   How Erika maximizes ROI with her corporate events to ensure sold-out events

08:09   Cost-effective way to get high returns with a lower annual budget

10:14   Is email marketing still effective in promoting corporate events?

14:16   Search-based versus Engagement-based content

16:07   Tiktok or Google: What heavily-searched base can benefit event marketers more?

17:47   Cringe-worthy social media practices done by event marketers

20:16   Got too many leads? Here’s what you can do…

23:36   Erika’s resource recommendation for event marketers

CONNECT WITH ERIKA WILSON:

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH YANIQUE DACOSTA:

Website:

⁠⁠http://eventist365.com/⁠⁠

⁠⁠YKMD⁠⁠

Follow Us on Social Media:

Host

⁠⁠@MissYaniDoesStuff /facebook⁠⁠

⁠⁠@YaniDoesStuff / Twitter⁠⁠

⁠⁠@yanidoesstuff / Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠YDaCosta / LinkedIn⁠⁠

Graphic Design Firm for Corporate Events

⁠⁠@TheYKMD / Facebook⁠⁠

⁠⁠@theYKMD / Twitter⁠⁠

⁠⁠@theykmd / Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠YKMD Visual Communication / LinkedIn⁠

When you're a mastermind in event planning, bursting with innovative ideas, and loaded with industry experience, what happens when your visionary ideas clash with the cultural norms of a foreign land? Can you set aside your familiar ways to create an immersive experience that resonates with the local community?

In this episode, we chat with Christy Bareijsza, a renowned Creative Director of By Red Carpet Events who develops innovative concepts that encompass full sensory experiences for corporate and celebrity events. She also co-authored the book “How To Create Events To Remember,” a contributor to magazines and podcasts, and a mentor to up-and-coming event professionals. In 2021, she was named "Smart Women in Meetings Entrepreneur of the Year" and serves as a University Lecturer for Emerson, Cal State Long Beach, NYU, and Hofstra.

Join Christy as she delves into the nitty-gritty details of planning international events, the mindset and concept of TV events, and even the nuances of working with clients & unions. We also discuss the importance of branding and doing it right, adding celebrity components to your events, and fascinating real-world anecdotes from the event industry you won’t want to miss!

Highlights: 

00:16   What it’s like to plan internationally influenced events

04:39   Do Christy hire culturally aware vendors or educate them herself?

09:27   The mindset & concept behind TV Events 

11:41    Working with unions while navigating cultural differences

16:29   How Christine Works with a Union Building/Facility

18:45   How do diversity and inclusion affect the event curation process?

22:26   Discussion on Encounters with Racism and Lack of Diversity Awareness in the             Workplace

28:34   The benefit of having celebrity components added to events

31:22   How important is branding in relation to corporate events?

33:55   Common branding mistakes corporate event planners make

40:14   Christy’s resource recommendation for impactful branding at events

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

S4C Television Channel

Wales Event

Bizbash

Smart Meetings Magazine

CONNECT WITH CHRISTY BAREIJSZA:

Website

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH YANIQUE DACOSTA:

Website:

⁠⁠http://eventist365.com/⁠⁠

⁠⁠YKMD⁠⁠

Follow Us on Social Media:

Host

⁠⁠@MissYaniDoesStuff /facebook⁠⁠

⁠⁠@YaniDoesStuff / Twitter⁠⁠

⁠⁠@yanidoesstuff / Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠YDaCosta / LinkedIn⁠⁠

Graphic Design Firm for Corporate Events

⁠⁠@TheYKMD / Facebook⁠⁠

⁠⁠@theYKMD / Twitter⁠⁠

⁠⁠@theykmd / Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠YKMD Visual Communication / LinkedIn⁠

We have all tried to steer a turn in our lives at some point. But did you know that this skill translates seamlessly to event planning? In an industry where things can change in an instant, being able to pivot and make informed decisions can mean the difference between a mediocre event and a wildly successful one.

Meet Brandon Paski, a digital event producer who started as an artist handing out flyers on the streets to promote his shows. Brandon's work has taken him from managing street teams to executing nationwide guerrilla marketing programs for firms and brands. He went on to produce music festivals of up to 25,000 people for an Alternative Radio Station in the San Francisco Bay Area. Today, Brandon is a certified Digital Event Strategist (DES) & Project Management Professional (PMP) working in enterprise software. 

In this episode, we chat with Brandon about skills every event professional should cultivate and the importance of Certifications versus real-world experiences. In addition, we explore how technology has transformed the event industry and what that means for event planners. Finally, we touch on the challenge of accommodating diversity while connecting with a global audience. 

If you’re already curious, tune in to get the exclusive inside scoop!

Highlights: 

00:52   Brandon’s journey from Music Artist to Digital Event Producer

07:29   Top 3 event industry skills for success

09:59   How did Brandon's certifications impact his event planning approach?

13:12   Certifications vs Real-Life Experience & Mentorship: Which Matters More?

18:55   The most memorable event Brandon has ever worked with

21:21   What’s the next big thing in events tech?

25:58   How does Brandon ensure inclusive events for diverse audiences?

28:47   On the ability to connect and communicate with a global audience

30:38   Recommended resources and networks for global trend updates

32:58  What is one event every event professional should attend?

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Virtual Events Group

PCMA: Platform for the Business Events Industry

CONNECT WITH BRANDON PASKI:

Website

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH YANIQUE DACOSTA:

Website:

⁠http://eventist365.com/⁠

⁠YKMD⁠

Follow Us on Social Media:

Host

⁠@MissYaniDoesStuff /facebook⁠

⁠@YaniDoesStuff / Twitter⁠

⁠@yanidoesstuff / Instagram⁠

⁠YDaCosta / LinkedIn⁠

Graphic Design Firm for Corporate Events

⁠@TheYKMD / Facebook⁠

⁠@theYKMD / Twitter⁠

⁠@theykmd / Instagram⁠

⁠YKMD Visual Communication / LinkedIn⁠

The game has changed and the technical side of event projects just got trickier in the post-pandemic era. In this fast-paced industry with all the exciting hybrid and virtual set-ups, are you ready to create exceptional events in a post-pandemic world? 

Jen Santos is an event tech guru, senior technical project manager, and founder of Smart Event Academy. With three decades of experience in IT consulting and project management, Jen has been leading events at some of the world's biggest companies for over a decade. With her knack for building reliable systems, refining processes, and mentoring others, Jen shares her passion for events and technology in this episode.

Join us in this wide-ranging conversation with Jen and hear about what goes on backstage for tech event professionals, the challenges they face, and even tech trends everyone should look forward to. Learn a thing or two about asking silly questions, getting good discoveries, and managing scope—all the soft skills that get you ahead of the game. In this wholesome episode, Yanique and Jen also give their sentiments on creating inclusive space for all in the events industry. 

If you love events and technology all at once, you cannot miss this episode!

Highlights: 

00:18   Jen's journey on how she found her way into the Event Tech Industry

05:03   The biggest challenge of event organizers in integrating technology

10:35   What does tech event work look like behind the scenes?

12:16   On creating inclusive events

25:27   Jen’s insights on event tech trends over the next 5-10 years

30:10   Practical tips on how to successfully manage technical event projects

34:26   Is technical knowledge necessary for event organizers, or can they rely on technical experts to make decisions?

34:43   A story of how Jen and her team used event technology to improve the overall attendee experience.

37:44   Upcoming developments in the events industry that Jen is looking forward to

39:26   Insider tips from Jen for newbies looking to take their first leap into the tech event industry

42:18   Why attending a non-event related conference once a year can benefit event Professionals?

40:34   A peak at Smart Events Academy’s tech foundation course

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Consumer Technology Association (CES)

Smart Event Academy

CONNECT WITH JEN SANTOS:

Website

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH YANIQUE DACOSTA:

Website:

⁠⁠http://eventist365.com/⁠⁠

⁠⁠YKMD⁠⁠

Follow Us on Social Media:

Host

⁠⁠@MissYaniDoesStuff /facebook⁠⁠

⁠⁠@YaniDoesStuff / Twitter⁠⁠

⁠⁠@yanidoesstuff / Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠YDaCosta / LinkedIn⁠⁠

Graphic Design Firm for Corporate Events

⁠⁠@TheYKMD / Facebook⁠⁠

⁠⁠@theYKMD / Twitter⁠⁠

⁠⁠@theykmd / Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠YKMD Visual Communication / LinkedIn⁠

Events serve as effective instruments for companies and organizations seeking to initiate significant discussions on renewable energy, waste management, climate change, and sustainability. Jade Scott, who appears as a guest in this episode of Yanique's podcast, finds her job worthwhile because she is able to contribute to the advancement and promotion of these crucial initiatives within our communities through the events that she plans and executes on a continuous phase working at Masterclassing, Inc., as the Director of Events and Operations, North America. 

Highlights:

00:37  What was Jade's inspiration for Clean CIties NYC?

02:50  Jade's experience as an immigrant in New York city. 

05:34  How did she end up working for Masterclassing and what was her journey with the company?

09:33  Should companies take diversity, equity, and inclusion into account when considering  sustainability?

13:50  What is the overall definition of event sponsorship?

15:25  What do event sponsors are looking to gain from sponsoring a big event, something to the 5 to 6-digit financial contribution?

17:23  First and foremost what is the first step in prospecting for event sponsors?

19:14  From start to finish, what is the entire process in landing a major corporate sponsor?

24:25  What is the Masterclassing company all about?  (...What were the founders thinking when they founded the company?)

28:45  Jade's work on climate change and  sustainability solutions in events and her actual work as Director of Events and Operations for North America.

33:29  What happened to the Sustainability Series that Jade worked on just about the same time Covid came out?

39:19  Jade's recommendation of a book that event planners and event marketers should read.

40:30  Closing

Books mentioned in the conversation:

Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming by Paul Hawken

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie 

⁠LinkedIn⁠

⁠Company Jade Scott works for as Director of Events and Operations, North America⁠

CONNECT WITH YANIQUE DACOSTA:

Website:

⁠http://eventist365.com/⁠

⁠YKMD⁠

Follow Us on Social Media:

Host

⁠@MissYaniDoesStuff /facebook⁠

⁠@YaniDoesStuff / Twitter⁠

⁠@yanidoesstuff / Instagram⁠

⁠YDaCosta / LinkedIn⁠

Graphic Design Firm for Corporate Events

⁠@TheYKMD / Facebook⁠

⁠@theYKMD / Twitter⁠

⁠@theykmd / Instagram⁠

⁠YKMD Visual Communication / LinkedIn⁠

The pandemic came in like a whirlwind, shaking up the world as we knew it. Suddenly, we were all forced to adapt and be flexible; the events industry was no exception to this. As a corporate event professional, are you ready to keep up with the changing demands of the digital age? 

In this episode, we sit down with Nhychelle Lowe, a seasoned professional with nearly a decade of experience in event management, consulting, and producing successful events. Nhychelle has helped numerous brands & businesses turn their visions into tangible experiences.

Join Nhychelle as she shares her journey of turning her passion for photography and love for creating experiences into a thriving business idea that birthed Flick Photo Co—a Photo Booth & events rental company that runs virtual, hybrid, and even live events, that perfectly aligns with the demands of the digital age. Whether you are an event planner, a marketer, or a business owner, tune in to discover how Photo Booths, virtual or live, can elevate your marketing game, engagement, visibility, and more! 

Highlights: 

00:20   Nhychelle’s pursuits in joining Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated

01:49   The key factor that shaped the global events industry's evolution in the last three years

04:23   Nhychelle's reflections on the companies that shaped her career

08:05   Insights that challenges New York’s 'Melting Pot' Narrative

09:41   Does Nhychelle consider herself a techie person?

11:22   What are the overlapping skill sets in both event planning & film production?

14:30   How Nhychelle’s global events expertise combined with her passion birthed Flick Photo Co.

15:58   What is a Virtual Photo Booth?

18:58   How can business event planners and marketers step up their marketing game through a Virtual Photo Booth?

22:44   Does the rise of Virtual Photobooths replace event photographers in the age of digital transformation?

24:08   The role of Photo Booths in good event marketing, engagement, and attendee experience

25:51   Nychelle’s article resource recommendation on User-Generated Content

26:39  Interested in Nhychelle's Photo Booth Production Services? Here’s how to book.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.: https://zphib1920.org/

Flick Photo Co: https://flickphotoco.com/

Dash User-Generated Articles:

https://dash.app/blog/user-generated-content-in-ecommerce

CONNECT WITH NHYCHELLE LOWE:

Website: https://flickphotoco.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nhychellelowe/

CONNECT WITH YANIQUE DACOSTA:

Website:

http://eventist365.com/

YKMD

Follow Us on Social Media:

Host

@MissYaniDoesStuff /facebook

@YaniDoesStuff / Twitter

@yanidoesstuff / Instagram

YDaCosta / LinkedIn

Graphic Design Firm for Corporate Events

@TheYKMD / Facebook

@theYKMD / Twitter

@theykmd / Instagram

YKMD Visual Communication / LinkedIn

As a marketer or an influencer or even as an event planner, one needs to push for innovation and go with the trends that will put you and your business out there.  Events and marketing professionals need to focus on what the future of events is going to be like, for example, moving into building communities and including all of the technologies around it.

Make sure to listen to this episode and hear some controversial issues being talked about by Yanique and her special guest, WIll Curran, the top

event industry influencer and Founder of  Endless Events. 

Highlights:

01:08  Will shares some of the embarrassing mistakes he made while working on an event.

05:35  How did both Yanique and Will start their own brand in design?

08:42  For Will, how does he think what sets events apart from the rest?

14:01  What are some of the most exciting event trends emerging in 2023? (...What’s the future of events?)

15:48  How do we use events as a marketing tool to lead growth? (...Why should people start to use community marketing now?) 

22:09  What’s going to happen in social media in the next 10 years?

24:04  For Will, what are some of the weirdest trends he sees emerging recently? (...The rise of cannabis in events.)

27:13  Yanique's funny story with her old boss at a conference in Colorado. 

34:59  Will's advice for event professionals looking to establish themselves and grow their careers. (... Will's tip #1 - Be controversial and open to pushing boundaries)

37:46  Will's tip #2 - Start building your personal brand separate from your company earlier rather than later.

39:56  Will's tip #3 to make an impact in the industry - Be innovative and explore how things get implemented. (...Utilize technology to improve user experience e.g. ChatGPT.)

42:19  Why Yanique still joins associations e.g International Council of Design and be involved in the conversations? 

45:22  What is Will's point about associations and its future? (...Why does he think they need to transition to being online?)

49:35  What is one industry event you think every corporate event marketer or planner should attend every year?

51:34  Closing

Book mentioned in the conversation:

The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan

https://www.amazon.com/ONE-Thing-Surprisingly-Extraordinary-Results/dp/1885167776

Website

Podcast

Community

LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH YANIQUE DACOSTA:

Website:

⁠⁠http://eventist365.com/⁠⁠

⁠⁠YKMD⁠⁠

Follow Us on Social Media:

Host

⁠⁠@MissYaniDoesStuff /facebook⁠⁠

⁠⁠@YaniDoesStuff / Twitter⁠⁠

⁠⁠@yanidoesstuff / Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠YDaCosta / LinkedIn⁠⁠

Graphic Design Firm for Corporate Events

⁠⁠@TheYKMD / Facebook⁠⁠

⁠⁠@theYKMD / Twitter⁠⁠

⁠⁠@theykmd / Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠YKMD Visual Communication / LinkedIn⁠⁠

Are you an event planner or marketer who struggles with creating graphics for events? 

Do you find it stressful, especially when dealing with tight deadlines, limited in-house talent, and resources? If so, then you're in luck! Yanique DaCosta, the host of Eventis365, has a solution that can take you from stressing about event graphics to having a ready-to-use, custom brand-compliant graphic design in just 12 hours.

Yanique introduces her design firm, YKMD Visual Communication, as the partner organization for the podcast and a solution that specializes in working with corporate event professionals just like you. She understands the challenges you face when it comes to creating stunning graphics that capture the essence of your event, and her team of expert designers can take your vision and turn it into a reality. The best part? They can deliver those designs in just 12 hours, taking the stress out of creating graphics so that event planners can focus on creating amazing events.

Yanique shares a personal story about facing major challenges in her life, including losing her father in a hospital bed and her little brother to gun violence within less than two months. She expresses her desire to inspire and motivate other event professionals to push through tough times and create something amazing.

Throughout the season, Yanique promises to talk to experts in their field and share innovative strategies for making events inclusive, welcoming, and safe for everyone. Some of the guests for the season include Will Curran, May Lee, and Jade Scott among others. And don't worry, they'll also be covering fun aspects of the corporate event industry, from amazing decor to delicious food.

Website:
http://eventist365.com/
YKMD

Follow Us on Social Media:
Host
@MissYaniDoesStuff /facebook
@YaniDoesStuff / Twitter
@yanidoesstuff / Instagram
YDaCosta / LinkedIn

Graphic Design Firm for Corporate Events
@TheYKMD / Facebook
@theYKMD / Twitter
@theykmd / Instagram
YKMD Visual Communication / LinkedIn