Brenna Lenoir and Katie Fairbank of CodeSignal join the Solution Seekers Podcast with Paige Buck to discuss the journey of producing CodeSignal Beyond 2024, the company's biggest event yet. Tasked with creating a monumental moment, Brenna and Katie focused on curating an experience that would be remembered—starting with a theater venue inspired by Steve Jobs’ iconic iPhone launch. This decision set the tone for the event, reinforcing the gravity of their product launch and helping CodeSignal achieve three key goals: filling the room, engaging the right people, and generating social media buzz.

The event was infused with creative elements, from the space-themed branding to the playful inclusion of Cosmo the Space Corgi, all designed to make attendees feel like they were part of something special. Brenna and Katie share how they navigated the pressure of coordinating a live event with multiple moving parts, including a simultaneous website launch and influencer marketing. They attribute much of their success to a strong team culture, which allowed them to divide roles effectively and ensure everyone knew their part in making the event a success.

Brenna and Katie emphasize the importance of setting clear goals from the start and staying focused despite inevitable distractions or scope creep. Their leadership, combined with a deep understanding of brand identity and audience engagement, resulted in an event that not only met but exceeded expectations. With over 100,000 signups for CodeSignal’s new product and significant media attention, they’ve proven the lasting power of a well-executed live experience.

In this episode…

​​Arleen van Londen, founder of Diamond Street Live, brings over two decades of experience in the world of experiential event production, specializing in brand activations and creating immersive, memorable experiences for B2C audiences. On the Solution Seekers Podcast with Paige Buck, Arleen shares her journey from working in hospitality as a teenager in the Netherlands to curating live experiences for multimillion-dollar projects worldwide. Her passion for the emotional impact of live events was sparked during her first music festival, where she saw firsthand the power of music and atmosphere to transform audiences. Today, Arleen leads high-profile events with a focus on connecting brands to consumers in meaningful ways, often through unique, personalized experiences.

In her conversation with Paige, Arleen also delves into the challenges of managing large-scale events, including her recent work during the Paris Olympics, where she navigated complex logistics and unexpected obstacles. She emphasizes the importance of kindness, transparency, and humor in fostering successful collaborations with her team and clients. With a deep belief in the intersection of art, creativity, and experiential marketing, Arleen is inspired by figures like Virgil Abloh, who embody multidisciplinary creativity. Her approach to event production is driven by a desire to engage audiences on a deeper level, making each moment both impactful and unforgettable.

Mallory Schlossberg's multi-faceted career spans brand management, theater, and editorial work, positioning her uniquely at the intersection of creativity and experience. Recently, the award-winning creative joined Paige Buck on the "Solution Seekers Podcast" to discuss her journey, the evolution of marketing, and the magic of mixing music, theater, and brand storytelling. Her vibrant career includes roles with Google Cloud, Google Fiber, Whole Foods Market, and Hearst Digital Media, where she has consistently crafted compelling stories and immersive experiences. This hybrid background allows her to blend theatrical elements into brand storytelling, making her campaigns both innovative and deeply engaging.

Mallory's achievements in marketing are noteworthy, with a focus on creating impactful brand experiences akin to directing a play, requiring an understanding of audience, narrative, and emotional resonance. Recognized in 2023 as one of Chief Marketer Pro and Event Marketer's Top Women in Marketing, her ability to push creative boundaries and center the attendee in every experience she creates has been lauded. Despite the challenges of the pandemic and the shift to virtual events, Mallory's innovative thinking and adaptability have been crucial to her success. Beyond marketing, her passion for theater as a director, performer, and writer, along with her work as a musical improv instructor, underscores her belief in the transformative power of creativity. Her journey offers valuable lessons on versatility, innovation, and risk-taking, inspiring others to rethink their creative approaches.

In the latest episode of “Solution Seekers,” host Paige Buck sits down with Shea Cibulsky, Senior Marketing Manager of Global Adoption and Retention Events at Adobe. The conversation dives into the intricacies of running successful customer learning event programs, focusing on “Experience Makers: The Skill Exchange.” This program emerged as a response to disjointed and ineffective events previously run by various Adobe business units. Through research and direct conversations with Adobe users, the Skill Exchange was designed to offer a seamless and engaging customer experience. One key takeaway is the importance of understanding what the audience truly wants: a blend of peer insights and company knowledge to ensure rich, actionable content.

Shea elaborates on how continuous touchpoints with her team and advanced technology like Cvent have revolutionized their workflow. By employing an automated speaker resource portal, the onboarding process for their latest event—with 70+ speakers—was streamlined and received enthusiastic participant approval. Shea also articulates how crucial it is to measure the program’s impact using metrics that not only track attendance but product and solution usage as well. This evolving approach has been instrumental in optimizing both speaker and attendee experiences, exemplifying how robust feedback mechanisms and cutting-edge tech can elevate event programs in a digital-first world.

In the latest episode of the “Solution Seekers Podcast" hosted by Paige Buck, Pierce Larick, the visionary founder and CEO of New Revolution Media, shares deep insights into his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the balance between creative innovation and the nuances of business leadership. 

Pierce shares his transition from a solo photographer to leading a video production team, emphasizing the importance of embracing diverse team dynamics and maintaining a positive work culture. He introduces a unique "no a**hole policy" to safeguard team morale and productivity and discusses educating clients on the creative process to better align project outcomes with client expectations. This strategic approach to client interaction, combined with a commitment to fostering strong industry relationships, plays a crucial role in his company's success.

Larick also delves into the less-discussed aspects of entrepreneurship, such as the mental health challenges that come with running a business. He highlights the importance of support networks, particularly through groups of fellow entrepreneurs who understand the unique pressures of the industry. A case study of a successful campaign for Lululemon illustrates how granting creative freedom can lead to content that not only satisfies but exceeds client expectations, setting new benchmarks in storytelling. 

This podcast episode offers a wealth of insights for entrepreneurs on balancing strategic decision-making with creative passion and interpersonal relationships to thrive in business. Larick's journey underscores the importance of combining strategic planning with a passion for creativity and sincere interpersonal relationships. This balanced approach not only helps navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship but also contributes to a rewarding and successful business venture.

In today's episode, Paige is excited to sit down with the multi-talented Marianne Jackson, Senior Executive Producer and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Kennedy Events. Marianne dives into her colorful world, revealing her journey from producer to business development maestro, highlighting the evolving landscape of team celebrations in a post-COVID era. Expect to hear about her commitment to inclusive event planning and the way she faces challenges head-on with grace and strategy. Beyond event logistics, we'll explore the importance of core values, how they shape client relationships, and how Kennedy Events stands out by infusing delight into their work. It's a rich conversation filled with insight, laughter, and invaluable tips from one of the industry's best.

In this episode of the “Solution Seekers” podcast, Paige Buck dives into the intricacies of event planning with Meg Fasy, founder of fazeFWD, and Sarah Bseiso, Senior Manager of Global Events at Informatica. They tackle the balance between structure and innovation in managing large-scale events and delve into the significance of building strong relationships within the industry. Both Meg and Sarah share their insights on the pivotal role of autonomy in event teams and the art of saying no to unfeasible ideas while remaining open to new trends that are reshaping the event planning landscape. The theme of maintaining a vendor relationship as an extension of the event team, as well as how to navigate the challenges when a vendor isn't the right fit, sets the tone for a candid conversation about the finer nuances of corporate event planning. But in a field where the expectations are as dynamic as the technologies and audience, how do event professionals strike the right balance between innovation and discipline?

Meg and Sarah, with their wealth of experience, provide valuable perspectives on the challenges of trying to be everything to everyone versus the need to set boundaries and selectively embrace new ideas and opportunities to avoid team burnout and turnover. Their expertise shines as they advocate for the importance of understanding client needs, proving vendor competence, and treating contractors with respect. How does one navigate the twin demands of innovation and structure to achieve growth and avoid pitfalls? Listen to the seasoned insights of our guests as they recount personal experiences and lessons learned from managing flagship events and steering companies toward strategic branding and successful collaborations.

In this episode of “Solution Seekers,” host Paige Buck sits down with guest Carlin Putman, owner and founder of Page-One Meetings and Events, LLC, to navigate the intricate world of event planning and the road to establishing a successful business. Carlin, with an extensive background of over two decades in the industry, shares how she kick-started her career straight out of college where she honed her event-organizing skills in various roles, before bravely navigating through the AIG financial crisis, which prompted her to lay the groundwork for her own enterprise.

Throughout the podcast, Carlin recounts her experiences with vibrancy and a deep understanding of the event landscape. Listeners will be entertained by her tales of near-disastrous last-minute challenges, and her candid recollections of the stresses and successes that come with leading an events team.

Neil Wu Becker is an award-winning marketing and communications executive who has led global teams at a variety of IT, security and enterprise software firms – from Dow Jones Component and bellwether stock companies to small-caps and pre-IPO unicorns. He is an adviser for startups and has been a CMO for various companies. He is also co-founder NextBound, which provides interim CMO and proxy CMO services, as well as brand marketing, PR, and corporate communication services combined.

Maeve Naughton is the president and owner of MKN Consulting Group, a company that provides partner marketing consultations for tech companies. She has 25 years of experience creating event sponsorship programs, driving millions in revenue for large customer events and regional conferences. As an experienced marketing professional, Maeve focuses on lead generation to support sales and channel revenue goals by creating customer reference programs.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

• Understanding the varied impact of events on analyst relations, media, and lead generation
• How expanding skill sets beyond traditional logistics to include positioning, messaging, and content creation will be increasingly valuable
• Why event practitioners should proactively educate company executives about event strategies

As we begin 2024, we take a look back at some highlights from 2023. Paige sits down with some of the best in the business to discuss their insights into the event industry and how we can continue to move forward with excitement and innovation in this ever-changing landscape. 

We hope you enjoy, and look we forward to Season 3 starting in two weeks!