In this episode of Event Experience by Bizzabo, host Rachel Moore is joined by Gianna Gaudini, Fractional Head of Events at Cognition, to explore how modern event planning is evolving—and why emotional connection is now at the core of successful experiences.

Drawing on her 22+ years in the industry, Gianna unpacks the shift from traditional, tactical events to purpose-driven, human-centric experiences. She shares actionable insights on designing events that spark connection, support team well-being, and deliver measurable business impact.

From embracing multisensory design and spontaneity to aligning ROI with strategic goals, Gianna offers a blueprint for building events that resonate long after they end. You'll also hear her candid thoughts on leadership, team culture, and why psychological safety is the foundation of sustainable success in the high-pressure events world.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why intentional event design and multisensory experiences drive deeper audience engagement

• How leadership can model wellness and build psychological safety in high-stress teams

• How to define, track, and optimize ROI that aligns with business outcomes

For transcripts, mentions, and more, visit our website: www.bizzabo.com/podcast/experiential-event-planning-cognition