Simple Science Podcast

Destination marketing organizations (DMOs) operate in every major city, yet many event teams don't use them. In this episode, John Todora, Director of National Accounts at Visit Huntington Beach, about what DMOs do and how they can help you choose and plan your next event location. John also shows how it works in practice by making the case for Huntington Beach. His passion for and knowledge of Southern California show why DMO teams are the right people to ask two key questions: can this destination actually support your event, and will it have the right feel?

Connect with John on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntodora/. And check out Huntington Beach at https://www.surfcityusa.com/.

Simple Science is a full service experiential agency. We produce corporate events, brand activations, incentive travel - we offer every event planning & production service under one roof with the same team so you don’t have to stress with the complexity of managing a ton of vendors. Find us at ⁠https://simple.science

Most event planners see the hotel sales team as the first stop on the way to booking a venue. They don't usually think of them as a source of advice. In this episode, Lis Chmiel, Senior Account Director at IHG Hotels & Resorts talks about why that's a missed opportunity. Lis goes into examples of how they've helped shape events and turn a client's idea into a memorable experience. She also shares trends they've observed and the direction many companies are taking with their corporate events.

Connect with Lis on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lischmiel/.

Simple Science is a full service experiential agency. We produce corporate events, brand activations, incentive travel - we offer every event planning & production service under one roof with the same team so you don’t have to stress with the complexity of managing a ton of vendors. Find us at ⁠https://simple.science

In this interview, Matt sits down with Jan Kestner of Act-Aware, a security consulting and risk management firm that helps corporate event teams prepare for their events. Jan makes the case that real event security usually has nothing to do with bodyguards and bad guys; it's mostly about being ready for the everyday, unexpected things, like a first aid situation. Since most planners don't come from a risk management background, Jan walks through what strong risk management actually looks like at an event and how to identify the right security partner for your company and your event. It's a genuinely informative conversation for anyone who plans events.

To learn more about Act-Aware, visit https://www.act-aware.de/.

Simple Science is a full service experiential agency. We produce corporate events, brand activations, incentive travel - we offer every event planning & production service under one roof with the same team so you don’t have to stress with the complexity of managing a ton of vendors. Find us at https://simple.science

In this episode, Matt spoke with Todd Szilagyi, Chief Operating Officer of Best VIP Chauffeured Worldwide, a company that owns and operates a large fleet of black cars, SUVs, shuttles, and buses across Southern California. They dig into how COVID reshaped the ground transportation industry, making finding the right transportation partner more difficult than it used to be.

Learn more about Best-VIP Chauffeured Worldwide at https://www.best-vip.com/.

Visit ⁠⁠⁠Simple Science⁠⁠⁠ for help with corporate event planning and production services.

In this episode, Matt sat down with Lindsi Wyner, Director of Global Sourcing at Simple Science. With 23 years in the industry, Lindsi brings deep expertise to the topic at hand: negotiating contracts with hotels. Together they explore the areas of hotel contracts that can quietly cost planners a fortune, plus the concessions and perks many don't even know to ask for.

Visit ⁠⁠Simple Science⁠⁠ for help with corporate event planning and production services.

In this episode, Matt sat down with Tulio Baruch, CEO and Co-Founder of Ganbatte Hospitality in Mexico. Together they reshape the typical picture of what an event experience in Mexico can look like, moving well beyond the usual images of white sand, clear water, and margaritas. The conversation explores the deeper, richer side of Mexico as a destination for corporate events.

Visit Ganbatte Hospitality.

Visit ⁠Simple Science⁠ for help with corporate event planning and production services.

In this episode Matt talks with Mark Marino, CEO of GPS Destinations, a company that connects corporate event planners with trusted DMCs (destination management companies) around the world. They dig into a problem every planner faces: how do you know who to trust when producing an event in a location where you have no local contacts, and your budget, your team's safety, and your own reputation are all on the line? Mark shares how his company helps planners find and vet the right local partners, taking the guesswork out of high-stakes event production. It's a great conversation, and Mark's thoughtful, easygoing approach to the topic comes through the entire way.

Visit GPS Destinations

Visit Simple Science for help with corporate event planning and production services.