The Event Tech Pull Up

Yesterday, at the buzzing, slightly chaotic, wonderfully global energy of Confex in London, we officially launched Event Tech Atlas — live, on the show floor, as part of the Catch the MICE stand (E35C).

And yes… we recorded an episode of the Event Tech Pull Up right there in the middle of it all. Because subtlety has never been our thing.

On-site for launch:

• Keith Johnston – Co-Founder
• Tess Vismale, CMP Fellow, DES – Co-Founder
• Kristi Casey – Executive Editor (truth teller-in-chief)
• Neela Johnston – Events & Operations Director (planner voice of reason)
• Stuart Mitchell –Head of Revenue & Partnerships (UK connector extraordinaire)

What we launched (and why it matters)

Event Tech Atlas is a decision-support platform built for meeting and event professionals who are tired of:

• Pay-to-play rankings
• “Top 10” lists written by someone who’s never planned an event
• Sales pitches disguised as education
• Switching tech without knowing what breaks downstream

We’re building a smarter way to research and compare event technology — grounded in real-world planner experience, not advertising budgets.

As shared during the live recording:

• Every company is listed on equal footing.
• No one can buy a better review.
• Peer review drives credibility.
• Education sits alongside listings — because tools without context don’t help anyone.

The Atlas isn’t software you run your event on.

• It’s the map that helps you choose the right software in the first place.

Explore it here: https://eventtechatlas.com/

The Big Differentiators

Peer review collective

We’re assembling planners and technologists across corporate, association, agency, executive assistant and independent sectors.

They:

• Test tools
• Ask hard questions
• Share honest feedback
• Help surface unintended consequences

If you want to apply, applications are live now.

Free accounts (with actual value)

• Create a free account and you can:
• Save and star tools
• Join Tuesday Office Hours with Keith & Tess
• Get access to deeper educational content
• Participate in live conversations about tech stacks, integrations, and vendor decisions

Because sometimes you don’t need another demo. You need someone to sanity-check your tech stack.

What’s coming in version 2.0

We’re building it as a product roadmap (because planners deserve better tools to choose from).

Next up:

• Side-by-side product comparison
• Specification-based filtering
• Deeper integration guidance
• Expanded content around data, storage, compliance and vendor questions
• UK, EU and global vendor growth (thanks, Stuart)

A moment that stuck with us

After the recording, we attended an industry gathering primarily filled with tech founders.

Multiple founders said the same thing:

• “We need this. We want honest feedback.”

That matters.

This isn’t about planners vs. tech companies. It’s about transparency, education, and raising the standard on both sides.

Built by practitioners, not commentators

Event Tech Atlas is a division of Pull Up With Us, LLC, co-founded by Keith Johnston and Tess Vismale — practitioners who’ve spent decades producing conferences, building tech stacks and cleaning up tech decisions that sounded good in sales meetings but broke three systems later.

We believe:

• Integrity beats placement fees
• Education beats hype
• Context beats feature lists
• And no, one tool does not fit all

What’s next

• Peer review onboarding
• First review releases
• Weekly office hours
• Feature enhancements
• Ongoing education
• And probably a few live show floor recordings along the way.

If you’re a planner: Come build this with us.

If you’re a tech company: Show up ready for honest feedback.

If you’re both? Even better.

Welcome to Event Tech Atlas.

Awards aren’t just a side show — they’re one of the most powerful (and underused) tools in an organization's toolkit. In this episode, Tess and Keith pull up with their longtime friend and industry pro Cecilia Lavin from Evessio to talk about why awards deserve their own spotlight, how tech is transforming the process, and how AI, data, and creativity can turn recognition programs into engagement and revenue engines. It’s part strategy session, part candid chat between friends — and packed with insights you’ll want to use at your next event.

What We Talk About

• Why awards are more than an “add-on” – and how they can become their own event ecosystem.
• The truth about budgets and pricing – how the industry’s lack of transparency has created a disconnect between planners and tech providers.
• Tech stack strategies – why specialized tools working together often outperform “all-in-one” platforms.
• Integrations and connectors – how Evessio plays nicely with the rest of your tech stack.
• Creative revenue models – from directories to league tables, how clients are monetizing beyond event day.
• AI in awards and abstracts – real-world examples of AI reducing judging time and improving accuracy without losing human authenticity.
• The future of feedback – using benchmarking, judge comments, and even public voting data to deepen engagement and improve entries.
• Voice-first tech and accessibility – why voice input and multilingual features are the next frontier.
• Roadmap & future vision – how Evessio is using data and generative AI to support organizers, sponsors, and entrants year-round.

A recent AI privacy kerfuffle saw some ChatGPT chats popping up in Google search results. Was it overblown? Sure—but it’s a great reminder that “share” doesn’t always mean “safe.”

In this episode, Keith and Tess break down what actually happened, why design and user education matter, and how event pros can protect their data when using AI tools, without killing the innovation buzz.

We Dive Into:

• What the ChatGPT/Google indexing story got right (and wrong)

• How shared links can linger on the internet forever

• Why free AI tools often make you the product

• The risks of custom AI models and prompt injection

• A simple rule of thumb for keeping event data on “safer turf”

If you’re using AI for brainstorming, custom tools, or attendee communications, this is your friendly-but-firm reminder to check your settings before your strategy session becomes searchable.

Blended is back, baby—and it never should’ve left! In this episode, Tess and Keith get fired up (in the best way) about the return of hybrid events—er, blended audiences—and why now is the time for planners to get strategic, not nostalgic.

With international travel down, stricter border controls in place, and the U.S. becoming less accessible for global attendees, we're once again seeing the critical need for virtual options. But this time around, the tech is better, the audiences are smarter, and the excuses are tired.

Here’s what we dig into:

• Real-world shifts affecting international attendance (visa delays and new travel fees)
• Why blended audiences deserve more than just lip service
• The case for strategy-first thinking when choosing your tech stack
• Budget-friendly ways to actually create engagement across virtual and in-person audiences
• Why your mobile app should be more than just a digital agenda
• Must-have features for today’s blended events—from streaming to networking tools to community platforms
• Hot take alert: Calling out planners who ditched virtual too soon

Plus, we share some of our go-to tools for supporting blended experiences (check the links below 👇), and why long-term planning matters more than ever in the face of event industry disruption.

Key Takeaway:

Blended isn’t a backup plan—it’s the new baseline. Whether it’s 80/20 in-person to virtual or vice versa, your event strategy should reflect reality: audiences need options.

Tools, Apps, and an Episode We Mention:

• Zoom
• Circle
• Mighty Networks
• Swapcard
• The Coming Event Tech Apocolypse

Have thoughts or want to be a guest?

Hit us up at [email protected] or check out the guest application form on eventtechpullup.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share.

We're on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all the usual spots. If you like what you hear, leave us a review or share the show with your event planner bestie.

On this episode of The Event Tech Pull Up, we’re flipping the script! Normally, we’re all about the latest and greatest in event tech—from AI to apps and everything in between. But today, we’re taking a step back to explore something a little different: the power of non-tech strategies to make your event tech even better.

That’s right—sometimes, the best way to enhance your tech is to go old school. We’re diving into 10 non-tech ways to improve your event tech, and trust us, these strategies will transform the way you think about planning and executing your events.

Here’s what we cover:

✅ Strategic Implementation – Before investing in new tech, do your research and map out your event like tech doesn’t exist. Then, layer in the right tools to enhance (not complicate) your attendee experience.

✅ Human-Centered Design – Instead of assuming what your attendees need, ask them! Plan for an event that prioritizes accessibility, ease of use, and genuine engagement before you even think about tech solutions.

✅ Optimizing Physical Space – The right venue setup can make or break your tech experience. We shout out the Marriott Magnificent Mile for their attendee-friendly design that supports seamless tech integration.

✅ Analog Entertainment Alternatives – Networking doesn't always need an app! Bring in live music, old-school arcade games, or even a game night with Scrabble and Spades to create meaningful connections.

✅ Engagement Without Screens – Encourage real, face-to-face interactions through curated meetup spaces, affinity groups, or icebreakers that don’t require an app.

✅ Event Floor Management – Map out your entire event from registration to wrap-up without tech first. Think through contingencies—what would you do if the power went out?

✅ Contingency Planning – Have a backup for your backup. We share a story about a client’s website crash and how our secret backup plan in Airmeet saved the day!

✅ Training Your Staff – Your tech is only as good as the people using it. Make sure your team is fully trained on your event app, registration process, and troubleshooting common tech issues.

✅ On-Site Attendee Support – Sometimes, an FAQ in an app isn’t enough. Set up physical help desks where attendees can get quick answers from real people (or even leverage AI-driven live support).

✅ Post-Event Community Building – Keep the conversation going with non-tech methods like handwritten postcards, recorded messages to your future self, or online forums that extend engagement beyond the event.

💡 And of course, we couldn’t resist bringing it all back to tech. Because, well, we’re us.

Join us for this fun and insightful episode where we challenge our own tech-first instincts and explore ways to create better event experiences—sometimes, by stepping away from the screen.

🎧 Listen now on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Your Favorite Podcast Platform
📢 Find us online: EventTechPullUp.com
📩 Want us at your next event? Email us at [email protected]

If you found value in this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and share with your fellow event pros! 🚀

In this episode of The Event Tech Pull Up, Tess and I dive into the Hub and Spoke method—a powerful framework for streamlining event planning and data management. Think of it as the command center or nerve center of your event, where one central hub connects all the spokes: files, links, logos, images, and more. It’s about creating a unified, accessible workspace that cuts down on the chaos and keeps your event running smoothly.

We explore some of the tools that bring the Hub and Spoke method to life, including favorites like Bublup, Tixio, Google Workspace, Notion, and even old-school Evernote. Each tool offers unique features like intuitive organization, color-coded folders, and visual previews, making it easier than ever to collaborate with your team and onboard stakeholders.

We also touch on the importance of integration and automation. Many of these platforms integrate seamlessly with others, reducing manual tasks and automating processes like file sharing or approvals. And for those of you working on the go, tools like Bubble Up have stunning mobile apps that keep everything accessible from your pocket.

If you’ve ever found yourself digging through emails to find that one exhibitor kit or chasing down proofs for name tags, this episode is for you. The Hub and Spoke method not only saves time but also enhances communication, transparency, and control—so you can spend less time hunting for files and more time enjoying a well-deserved glass of wine.

Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe to The Event Tech Pull Up wherever you get your podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or stories about your favorite event tech tools, hit us up on our website or social media channels. We’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of *The Event Tech Pull Up*, Tess and I dive into one of our favorite new tools—Google NotebookLM. This AI-powered assistant has quickly become a go-to tool for streamlining event planning and making smarter decisions. In this episode, we explore its capabilities, including analyzing uploaded notes, research, and feedback to suggest agenda topics, compare venues, and create content. It's like having an event planning assistant that reads everything and always has the answers.

We break down how NotebookLM transforms destination research, helping us narrow down venue options and refine choices based on specific criteria. It’s also a great for agenda planning, giving ideas for formats, filling scheduling gaps, and even incorporating attendee feedback for a more personalized experience.

From content creation—like writing speaker bios and social media posts—to attendee insights, logistics, and even real-time budget adjustments, NotebookLM proves to be an invaluable resource. One of the standout features? Its ability to instantly create post-event analysis and even recap podcasts from session transcripts.

If you’re curious about how AI is revolutionizing event tech, tune in as Tess and I share our favorite tips and real-world examples of using NotebookLM to elevate events.

On this week's episode of The Event Tech Pull Up, we dive into a topic close to our hearts... how to get event tech-savvy and stay ahead of the masses.

We know that learning to be tech-savvy can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling all of the crap that goes into making your conference or event a success, but trust us—leveling up your tech game will not only make your work more efficient but also make you indispensable.

In this episode, we break it down with 10 actionable tips to boost your confidence and capability with event tech. From setting small, manageable goals to mastering tools like Cvent or experimenting with new gadgets, we cover the essentials. Plus, we share personal stories—like how YouTube saved one of us from calling a repair tech and why Tess swears by having dummy devices for testing attendee experiences.

We also discuss the importance of staying curious, exploring basic programming, and using tools like AI to learn new skills. And yes, we touch on topics like keyboard shortcuts, social media trends, and why email mastery is still a thing (even though Tess is ready to ditch it entirely).

If you're an event planner looking to future-proof your career, this episode is packed with tips, tricks, and a little tough love to get you started. So grab a coffee or a wine and join us as we explore what it takes to truly become event tech savvy.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with your fellow planners! Let’s make tech-savvy the new baseline.

This week on the Event Tech Pull Up, Tess and I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Alicia McKoy, the visionary founder and CEO of Peak Mind. Dr. McKoy shared her journey from experiencing burnout as a business owner to creating innovative tools that empower employees to manage stress and thrive in the workplace. From her expertise in VR, AR, and AI technologies to her commitment to improving workplace well-being, Dr. McKoy is truly transforming how we think about mental health in the meetings and events industry.

We dove into the challenges of stress in event planning—an industry notoriously ranked as one of the most stressful professions—and explored how Peak Mind’s tailored solutions can help both employees and attendees at events. Dr. McKoy also introduced us to the groundbreaking concepts behind her simulations and nudges that guide individuals toward healthier, happier lives during their workdays.

One highlight? Hearing about her work with CES’s Innovation for All initiative, where her company was one of only 10 globally selected to showcase diverse innovation in tech. It’s exciting to see Peak Mind making waves on such a prestigious platform.

If you’ve ever wondered how to create calmer, more supportive environments at events—for your team, attendees, or even yourself, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Tune in to hear practical tips, inspiring stories, and a refreshing take on using technology for good.

As always, thanks for listening. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the episode with a friend. Interested in being a guest or bringing Tess and me to your next event? Visit us at the Event Tech Pull Up for all the details.

In this short, New Year's week episode of The Event Tech Pull Up, Tess helps us understand why a solid run of show is the backbone of any successful event. Think of it as the ultimate roadmap for your team—but what happens when that roadmap feels overwhelming? We share insights on why detailed instructions can sometimes intimidate less experienced team members and how empathy, clarity, and role-specific filters can transform your run of show into a tool everyone embraces.

Tess also recounts a recent event experience where a team member was thrown off by the sheer amount of detail in the instructions. From empathy-driven coaching to breaking down complex logistics into actionable steps, we explain how to overcome these challenges and help your team deliver with confidence. Whether you're a seasoned planner or managing a team new to detailed event logistics, this episode is packed with tips to help everyone feel like a pro.