Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik

Guest: Aaron Kaufman

In this episode of GatherGeeks, Beth Kormanik, executive editor of BizBash, and David Adler, C.E.O. of BizBash, hear from Aaron Kaufman, the Toronto-based president of Fifth Element Group. Kaufman and Adler have a frank conversation on the business of being an event planner, discussing the threats vendors face from big agencies, the rise in event-production costs, and the challenges young people face while entering the industry. Kaufman explains how advertising and marketing firms are increasingly discovering the value of face-to-face events, and how mom-and-pop firms need to evolve in order to compete. He also discusses why small event firms should be required to meet certain qualifications and a certain level of professionalism; otherwise, he theorizes that the entire industry is vulnerable. This episode is a must-listen for anyone that hires, owns, or wants to start a third-party planning company.

Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time 46:32.