Hosts: Brandt Krueger and Audrey Gallien
Guests: Dawn Penfold, David Adler

Whether just getting started or an industry veteran, everyone wants to know which sectors have the highest payoff for a hard-working planner. In this episode, David Adler, the C.E.O. of BizBash, sits down with top industry recruiter Dawn Penfold, the president of MeetingJobs.com, to talk about career strategies, fluctuating salaries, sector-hopping, and more. Hosts Brandt Krueger and Audrey Gallien join David, and dive into their own thoughts behind the rise in pay bonuses, why to never stop volunteering at events, the power of leveraging one’s network, and the secret ingredient of an industry “rookie star.” This episode is perfect for anyone who wants to advance their career and is looking for the realistic and inside scoop on how to make that move.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time 50:05

Hosts: Brandt Krueger and David Adler
Guests: Lisa Miller, Fred Strickland

What does it take to plan the 2016 Democratic National Convention? In this episode, hosts David Adler and Brandt Krueger are joined by Hargrove Inc.’s executive director of production Fred Strickland and senior sales manager Lisa Miller as they report literally from the construction site in Philadelphia where the convention will take place. Fred and Lisa talk about how to juggle multiple stakeholders, the amount of infrastructure it takes to manage the “Big 5” media outlets, how to brand an event from every point of view (from the delegate, to the attendee, to the highway, to the entire city of Philadelphia), and more. They discuss the key lesson that every industry veteran knows: The planning never ends! Don’t miss this episode to learn directly from the field of one of the most highly anticipated events in 2016.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time 32:52

Hosts: Brandt Krueger and David Adler
Guests: Katheryn Arce, Rebecca Grinnals, Beth Kormanik

In this episode, BizBash’s C.E.O David Adler and executive editor Beth Kormanik sit down with Rebecca Grinnals and Katheryn Arce to get the behind-the-scenes scoop on their annual Engage Luxury Wedding Conference. Through their mantra of “surprise and delight,” this conference gives 375 participants an experience they’ll never forget—and one they always return to year after year. Rebecca and Katheryn talk about their unique gift-giving strategy, periodic (and random) “happy breaks,” complimentary speaker training and styling, spontaneous speaker schedules, and the secret engagement powers of “bling balls.” For anyone looking to spice up an event, this episode is a must-listen full of innovative ideas to turn your attendees from participants into a tribe.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time 58:22

Hosts: Brandt Krueger and David Adler
Guest: Nancy Drapeau

Curious about the latest data behind the modern trade show? In this episode, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler sits down with Nancy Drapeau, the research director of the Center for Exhibition Research (CEIR). Nancy walks David through the latest science on trade shows and the anticipated uptick in millennial’s interest in these temporary market places. The two discuss developing “FOMO” through casual trade shows, what actually motivates the return attendee, how to curate serendipitous interactions, the ideal post-event survey, and more. Don’t miss this data-packed conversation full of must-do’s for all events.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time 32:40

Hosts: Audrey Gallien and Brandt Krueger
Guests: Beth Kormanik, David Beahm

What is the future of the big wedding ceremony? In this episode, hosts Brandt Krueger and Audrey Gallien are joined by David Beahm of David Beahm Experiences to explore the world of high-profile weddings and the trends to love. A must-listen for anyone in the industry, David shares why sometimes saying “no” is the best thing for your business, the power of cost transparency, how to play with smells, what experiential eating is, and more. Don’t miss the tips that will take any wedding from typical to thrilling.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time 29:06

Hosts: Audrey Gallien and Brandt Krueger
Guests: David Adler, Beth Kormanik, Olivia Ormos

Can Snapchat really change the face of events globally? In this episode, David Adler, C.E.O. of BizBash, and Beth Kormanik, executive editor of BizBash, sit down with Olivia Ormos, owner and creator of OO & CO, to talk about how the Miami-based Model Volleyball event leveraged a Snapchat partnership to gain millions of views and become a globally known experience. The group gets into the nitty gritty of the 24-hour partnership, including what’s really happening behind the scenes, how to curate compelling user points of view, the power of the Snapchat Ghost, and more. Don’t miss this episode to learn how Snapchat is changing the face of events and how to start using it today.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time 27:02

Hosts: Audrey Gallien and Brandt Krueger
Guests: David Adler, Beth Kormanik, Christina French Houghton, Joe Panepinto

In this episode, David Adler, C.E.O. of BizBash, and Beth Kormanik, executive editor of BizBash, sit down with Christina French Houghton, senior strategist of Jack Morton Strategists, and Joe Panepinto, senior vice president and head of strategy, Genuine. The group delves into the mind of an event strategist, from client brief to amplification. The discussion is packed full of relevant anecdotes for any event professional, such as how moments are experienced by few but witnessed by many, as well as why an event is the punctuation of an ongoing conversation. Christina and Joe dive into how to think about creating integrated experiences, what questions to ask about any event before getting started, and how to balance digital and face-to-face engagement.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time 38:37

Hosts: Audrey Gallien and Brandt Krueger
Guests: David Adler, Sean Low

In this episode, David Adler, C.E.O. of BizBash, is joined by Sean Low, a business consultant and the owner of The Business of Being Creative, to walk through the specialized career paths to take and which to avoid, in everything from event planning, photography, entertainment, catering, rentals, fabrications, staging, floral, and social media. Sean gets into the difference between a planner and a designer, the new trend of micro venues and data scientists, the intersection between production and audiovisual companies, and more. Don’t miss this episode of insights for literally everyone in the industry.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time 49:58

Hosts: Audrey Gallien and Brandt Krueger. Guests: Beth Kormanik and Michelle Rago

What is the art of creating the perfect destination wedding? Do these specialized ceremonies take weddings to the next level? In this episode, hosts Brandt Krueger and Audrey Gallien are joined by Beth Kormanik, the executive editor of BizBash, and Michelle Rago, the founder and C.E.O. of Michelle Rago Destinations. Proving why Vogue magazine acclaimed her “one of the best wedding planners in the world,” Michelle shares how weddings have evolved from decor to experience curation, and discusses wedding cliff-diving, cell phone-less ceremonies, the secret sauce of a good planner, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks Running time 22:36

Host: Audrey Gallien. Guests: David Adler, Mark Cooper, Tessa Horovitz, and Chris Kelly

Who is the ultimate experience creator—the conference center or the planner? In this episode of GatherGeeks, join David Adler, C.E.O. of BizBash, for “Cocktails with David” as he sits down with three of the most innovative players in the conference center business. Live from the International Association of Conference Centres (I.A.C.C.), David is joined by Chris Kelly, president and co-founder of Convene; Tessa Horovitz, director of Chateauform; and Mark Cooper, C.E.O. of I.A.C.C., to talk about cultivating group culture, the rule of “ask and engage, not show and tell,” how R.O.I. is an experiential feeling, why we can’t blame millennials for not paying attention to boring meetings, and more.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks Running time 38:49