Alyson Strickler-Vazquez, Head of Strategic Events at Webflow, joins Amanda Ma, CEO and Founder at Innovate Marketing Group, to discuss her journey in event marketing and how she turns limited budgets into high-impact experiences.

Listeners will learn:

• Smart ways to stretch budgets without losing impact

• How to design experiences that truly stick with attendees

• Balancing innovation, storytelling, and strategy in event planning

• Inspiring teams and partners to think bigger

Whether you’re in events, marketing, or creative strategy, Alyson delivers practical insights and stories you won’t want to miss.

About the guest:

Alyson Strickler-Vazquez is an award-winning event marketing trailblazer with over 15 years of experience spanning Fortune 200 manufacturing, global travel management, and the fast-paced world of tech. From scaling global meeting departments to managing multi-million-dollar event portfolios, Alyson has built a career creating bold events that inspire, engage, and deliver real business results. She is currently the Head of Strategic Events at Webflow, where she leads the company’s flagship conference and external experiences, turning creativity and storytelling into a competitive advantage. Named a 2024 Event Marketer Changemaker and Budget Warrior, and the winner of the 2025 EX Award for Best Meeting Experience (under 5,000 attendees), Alyson seamlessly blends creativity with data-driven insights to design trade shows, activations, incentive programs, and sales kickoffs that leave a lasting impression. Her work goes beyond events—building powerful brand experiences that resonate deeply with audiences, driving long-term engagement and revenue. Through innovative leadership, she’s saved companies millions while elevating their brands on a global scale.

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EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. Learn more here!

At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Access them here!

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Glenn Chamoff, Head of Sales and Partnerships at HAI, joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, to share how milestone campaigns can drive brand growth through storytelling, strategy, and authentic connection. Tune in now!

About the guest:

Before joining HAI in October 2022, Glenn Chamoff held sales leadership roles at top firms like Unisys and CSC (now DXC), as well as niche software companies. He has a proven track record of shaping buyer journeys through lead development, nurturing, and strategic engagement. At HAI, he leads with a focus on innovation, automation, and results. A history buff with a passion for New York, the Civil War, and baseball, Glenn brings his love for storytelling into his sales work at HAI.

Connect with Glenn on LinkedIn!

The Anniversary Collective is now The Milestone Collective — same mission, fresh new name! Check out the updated site to see what’s new!

EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. Learn more here!

At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Access them here!

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• Find us on ⁠⁠LinkedIn and Instagram and catch our latest episodes on the EventUp Podcast!

Suzette Ford-Duffus, Head of Meeting and Events at Taco Bell joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder at Innovate Marketing Group, to discuss Taco Bell’s bold experiential strategy, viral brand moments, and how events can drive real cultural and business impact.

About the guest:

Suzette is an award-winning, innovative leader with 20+ years’ experience in experiential events and conferences. She spearheads the creative development and implementation of large-scale, complex projects that enhance brand awareness and/or generate franchisee investment. Suzette is fiscally savvy, having managed budgets from $100K to millions of dollars. Her unique professional authenticity inspires teams to excel in all areas.  At Taco Bell, Suzette is responsible for driving strategic planning, project management and event execution for events, with a strong focus on franchisee meetings, incentive trips, team member events and consumer events. A key highlight is executing the first Taco Bell Hotel consumer pop up experience that created fanatical brand love and led to the best sales month in Taco Bell history.  Prior to Taco Bell, Suzette also successfully produced events and managed marketing campaigns for other major brands, including Disney and American Heart Association. These events garnered global interest from media, celebrities, partner organizations, sponsors, board members, staff and fans.   Suzette is based in Orange County, California with her husband and two children. She is a proud graduate of California State University - Fullerton.

Follow Suzette in LinkedIn!

EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here⁠⁠.

At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Click here to learn more!

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• LinkedIn
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠EventUp Podcast
• ⁠⁠Instagram

Brooke Berry, Head of Creator Development at Snapchat joins Sara Rosas, Director of Partnerships at Innovate Marketing Group to discuss how Snapchat is reshaping their creator culture! Tune in now!

About the guest: Brooke began her career in 2012 working with writers, directors, and producers in Scripted Television at Creative Artist Agency (CAA). During her time at CAA, she worked her way up to become the assistant to a Scripted TV Literary Agent, where she learned how a show goes from conception to launch. She left CAA in 2014 to expand her experience and work at digital talent companies like Fullscreen, Big Frame, and AwesomenessTV. During her time at AwesomenessTV, Brooke worked on the Talent Partnerships team, helping bridge the gap between sales, content, distribution, and creators. She then leveraged her expertise in content strategy, marketing, and creators to become the first social media manager for VidCon, where she ran social media for the convention, shaped their editorial voice, and expanded their social reach. Now as the Head of Creator Development at Snapchat, Brooke’s work with creators, celebrities, and talent has been integral in helping creators of all kinds find success in a highly competitive market, strengthening Snapchat’s relationship with creators. Whether Brooke is educating creators on the platform, advising on content strategy or facilitating partnerships, she is a strategic advisor guiding creators along their journey on Snapchat.

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EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here⁠⁠.

At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Click here to learn more!

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• Find us on ⁠⁠LinkedIn, ⁠⁠⁠⁠EventUp Podcast, and ⁠⁠Instagram
  

We made it—100 episodes of EventUp!

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Whether you're a longtime listener or just discovering us, this special milestone episode is all about reflection, recognition, and reinspiration.

Join host Amanda as we look back on unforgettable moments from the past 99 episodes—spotlighting the innovators, marketers, event leaders, and creative thinkers who’ve shaped the way we connect and engage through experience.

Featured Audio Clip Highlights:

59. The Power of Experiential Marketing – Melissa Cintrón-Muñoz

60. Events from a Bird's Eye View – Elise Schoening

55. What Makes an Event Go From Good to Great – Micaela Christophe

54. Dodgers Foundation Unites L.A. through Events – Erin Edwards

48. Find the Right Destination for Your Next Event – Virginie De Visscher

52. The Ultimate Immersive Experience – Megan Pulver

29. Bringing the Biggest Sporting Event to L.A. – Allison Citelli

57. Unleash Your Marketing Magic – Jerry Shen

56. Branding Unveiled – Lucy Cheng

51. 2023 Marketing Trends – Christina Garnett

22. Creating a Killer Brand – Kalika Yap

61. Company Culture for IMPACT – Jaya Prasad

44. The Magic is in the Data – Jonathan Kazarian

EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here⁠⁠.

At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Click here to learn more!

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• Find us on ⁠⁠LinkedIn, ⁠⁠⁠⁠EventUp Podcast, and ⁠⁠Instagram

Maria Chilewicz. VP, Head of Brand at Who Gives A Crap, joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder at Innovate Marketing Group to talk about turning bold ideas into brand love. This episode is packed with insights on how to break through the noise with purpose and personality. Listen now!

About the guest:

Maria, a seasoned brand leader with 17 years of global CPG experience, is dedicated to building brands that benefit both the planet and people. Currently leading the brand team at Who Gives a Crap, she focuses on profitable growth and oversees brand management, communications, and consumer and brand insights. With previous roles at P&G, Coty and Dollar Shave Club, Maria brings expertise in growing brands both in big international organizations and start-up to scale-up businesses, leveraging innovation, consumer insights and visual storytelling.

Follow Maria on LinkedIn!

EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here⁠⁠.

At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Click here to learn more!

Follow us!

Find us on ⁠⁠LinkedIn, ⁠⁠⁠⁠EventUp Podcast, and ⁠⁠Instagram

Anuj Chhabra, Portfolio Lead at Pernod Ricard, joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder at Innovate Marketing Group for a powerful conversation on brand evolution. Expect insights on experiential marketing, human-centered leadership, and how staying curious can future-proof your career. Listen now!

About the guest:

Anuj is a classically-trained brand marketer currently managing Pernod Ricard's industry-leading mezcal portfolio of Del Maguey and Ojo de Tigre. Prior to this role, Anuj served on the brand marketing teams of iconic billion dollar spirits brands including Johnnie Walker, Absolut Vodka and Malibu Rum. Anuj started his career at Procter & Gamble on Old Spice & Gillette.  He strives to be an empowering and inclusive people leader/champion, learning from and elevating those around him. He enjoys bringing others together through products and experiences as he’s done leading Absolut’s Coachella activation and launches like Malibu Peach.

Follow Anuj on ⁠LinkedIn⁠!

EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click ⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

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• Find us on ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EventUp Podcast LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ , and ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

Anuj Chabra, Portfolio Lead at Pernod Ricard, joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder at Innovate Marketing Group for a powerful conversation on brand evolution. Expect insights on experiential marketing, human-centered leadership, and how staying curious can future-proof your career. Listen now!

About the guest:

Anuj is a classically-trained brand marketer currently managing Pernod Ricard's industry-leading mezcal portfolio of Del Maguey and Ojo de Tigre. Prior to this role, Anuj served on the brand marketing teams of iconic billion dollar spirits brands including Johnnie Walker, Absolut Vodka and Malibu Rum. Anuj started his career at Procter & Gamble on Old Spice & Gillette.  He strives to be an empowering and inclusive people leader/champion, learning from and elevating those around him. He enjoys bringing others together through products and experiences as he’s done leading Absolut’s Coachella activation and launches like Malibu Peach.

Follow Anuj on LinkedIn!

EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here⁠⁠.

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• Find us on ⁠⁠LinkedIn, ⁠⁠⁠⁠EventUp Podcast LinkedIn⁠⁠ , and ⁠⁠Instagram

Channing Hamlet, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Objective, Investment Banking & Valuation, joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, to discuss the rising "flight to quality" in the event industry. Learn how consolidation is transforming the landscape — and how event businesses can adapt, scale, and thrive in a shifting market.

About the guest:

Channing Hamlet is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Objective, Investment Banking & Valuation. He leads the firm’s Business Services & Life Sciences Practice. With over 25 years of experience in investment banking and business valuation, Channing brings deep expertise and strategic insight to Objective’s clients. His recent notable transactions include the sale of 360 Destination Management to H.I.G. Capital and Supreme to Trinity Hunt Partners. An active member of the Los Angeles advisor community, Channing has served on the boards of the Exit Planning Institute, ACG LA, and EO LA. He is also passionate about philanthropy, particularly through his involvement with Reality Changers.  Prior to joining Objective, Mr. Hamlet served as a Managing Director of Cabrillo Advisors, where he was instrumental in both leading their M&A execution and growing the valuation practice from inception into a national entity serving more than 700 clients in five years. Previously, he served as a Director at Vistage; Principal at LLR Partners, a $260 million private-equity firm; and member of Legg Mason’s Investment Banking group. He has a Master’s Degree in Operations Research and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University. He holds FINRA Series 7, 63 and 79 licenses and is a Registered Representative of BA Securities LLC, Member FINRA SIPC.

Connect with Channing Hamlet on LinkedIn here

Read about the sale of 360 Destination Management Group hereDownload the The Introspective CEO’s Guide to Selling a Business, a high-level workbook covering key considerations for those contemplating a sale here.

Objective, Investment Banking & Valuation is a leading firm serving middle market companies across key industries including Business Services, Consumer, Healthcare Tech, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, and Technology. We offer M&A advisory through our investment banking group and a full suite of valuation services for tax, financial reporting, and strategic planning. Since 2006, our team has completed over 500 M&A deals and thousands of valuations. Learn more at objectiveibv.com

This podcast episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice. Securities offered through BA Securities, LLC, Member FINRA, SIPC. Objective and BA Securities, LLC are separate, unaffiliated entities.

EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here⁠⁠.

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Jill Manoff, Editor-in-Chief at Glossy and Modern Retail, joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder of Innovate Marketing Group in covering the future of fashion media, and elevating brand voices through editorial power. Tune in and get inspired!

About the guest:

Jill Manoff is the editor-in-chief of Digiday Media’s Glossy and Modern Retail, which explores the transformation of the fashion, beauty and retail industries through the lens of digital and technology. She oversees the editorial content and growth strategy of the media brands, launched in 2016 and 2019, respectively. Manoff joined Digiday Media from Mode Media, where she was the editor of Glam.com starting in July 2015. Prior, she was the editor of searsStyle and head copywriter in Sears’ apparel division. She spent the start of her career in St. Louis as the fashion editor of Alive magazine, the fashion director and co-founder of Saint Louis Fashion Week, and a freelance fashion stylist, working for brands including Anheuser-Busch and Caleres.

Follow Jill Manoff on LinkedIn!

EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here⁠⁠.

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• Find us on ⁠⁠LinkedIn, ⁠⁠⁠⁠EventUp Podcast LinkedIn⁠⁠ , and ⁠⁠Instagram