GatherGeeks by BizBash: The Event Industry Podcast artwork

GatherGeeks by BizBash: The Event Industry Podcast

217 episodes - English - Latest episode: 29 days ago - ★★★★★ - 36 ratings

Welcome to GatherGeeks, a place where people passionate about the power of live experiences come together. Join David Adler, chairman and founder of BizBash, as he discusses the latest news and trends affecting event marketers, meeting strategists, nonprofit organizers, and everyone in between. This podcast by BizBash is the destination for information, innovation, and inspiration for anyone involved in planning events and meetings, from conferences, trade shows, and fund-raising galas to product launches, festivals, award shows, weddings, and birthdays.

Look for GatherGeeks in your favorite platforms: iTunes, Audible, Spotify, and iHeartRadio, with more on the way. Connect with us on Twitter at @BizBash and join the conversation using the hashtag #gathergeeks.

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Episodes

Why Catering Is the Ultimate Event Touchpoint

March 20, 2024 07:00 - 36 minutes - 33.7 MB

This special edition of GatherGeeks was recorded live at Connect NYC, which took place in late February. In this episode, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Michael Cirino, chief experience officer at House of Attention; Chelsey Lavere, senior sales manager of meetings and conventions at Turning Stone Resort Casino; and Mary Giuliani, founder and CEO of Mary Giuliani Catering & Events. The panel discusses why and how the catering experience is the final frontier in event...

The New Frontier of Events

March 12, 2024 07:00 - 28 minutes - 25.9 MB

This special edition of GatherGeeks was recorded live at Connect NYC, which took place in late February. In this episode, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Jennifer Savica, head of corporate events at New York Life Insurance Company, and Michael Weiss, co-founder of Ai4, to discuss the future of events. Adler calls them two of the brightest minds shaping our industry, and their conversation touches on not only event trends for 2024 but what's on the "trash heap" of even...

Understanding Attendees Through Their Values—Not Demographics

January 02, 2024 08:00 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MB

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with David Allison, author of The Death of Demographics and a globally recognized researcher known for coining the term "valuegraphics." This data-informed strategy seeks to unpack human behavior by spotlighting shared human values over outward demographic characteristics. Major companies like Lulu Lemon, PayPal, Google, and the United Nations Foundation have embraced this concept, and here Allison breaks down...

Illuminating the Intricacies of Event Lighting

December 12, 2023 08:00 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MB

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with two of the best in the event lighting biz: Billy Butchkavitz of Billy Butchkavitz Design and Curt Stahl of Images by Lighting. Based in Los Angeles, this duo is at the forefront of transforming event spaces into mesmerizing experiences. Here, they discuss various facets of event lighting, how lighting has evolved, its pivotal role in setting the stage, and considerations for different event scenarios. Thi...

A Seat at the 'Head Table' (Pt. 2)

November 28, 2023 08:00 - 53 minutes - 48.5 MB

Welcome to part two of our podcast with Head Table Talks. (Missed part one? Listen here.) In this special episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits in on a special event planners' luncheon—co-hosted by Melva LaJoy Legrand of LaJoy Plans and Margo Fischer of Bright Occasions—in Washington, D.C. These luncheons, known as Head Table Talks, aim to build community within the event industry and provide a safe space for event profs to network and collaborate. In part two...

A Seat at the 'Head Table' (Pt. 1)

November 21, 2023 08:00 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MB

In this special episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits in on a special event planners' luncheon—co-hosted by Melva LaJoy Legrend of LaJoy Plans and Margo Fischer of Bright Occasions—in Washington, D.C. These luncheons, known as Head Table Talks, aim to build community within the events industry and provide a safe space for event profs to network and collaborate. At this particular Head Table Talk, held in late October at Dauphine's, Adler brings his Jeffersonia...

Meet Jack Morton's New Executive Creative Director

November 13, 2023 14:41 - 40 minutes - 36.8 MB

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Kelly Roe, the brand-new executive creative director at global experiential powerhouse Jack Morton. At the time of this recording, she’s been at the helm just three weeks. During their enlightening conversation, Adler and Roe discuss her time at The Kitchen, the in-house creative agency at Kraft Heinz; the evolving world of influencers; the art of inspiring teams and extracting their full potential; and t...

What It Was Like Planning Events for the Obamas

September 26, 2023 07:00 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MB

In this episode of GatherGeeks—recorded live at Connect Marketplace 2023 in Minneapolis—BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Deesha Dyer, who served as the White House social secretary for the last two years of the Obama administration. Here she recounts the meticulous planning that went into the Pope’s visit, navigating unexpected situations with poise, and how her time as social secretary informed her understanding of the intricate interplay between politics, social cu...

How AI Can Change the Attendee Experience

September 12, 2023 07:00 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MB

In this episode of GatherGeeks—recorded live at Connect Marketplace 2023 in Minneapolis—BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Michael Schaiman, CEO of creative technology studio GenCity Labs. Schaiman is a powerhouse of knowledge on everything digital. From shaping trailblazing digital experiences to spearheading impactful strategies, his prowess is certain to bring a fresh perspective to our listeners. In this episode, Adler and Schaiman chat about the latter's recent wo...

Escape From Burning Man

September 06, 2023 07:00 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MB

It's likely you've seen the news from over the weekend: Thousands were trapped at Burning Man—the psychedelic art and music festival that pops up every year in the Nevada desert—after days of torrential rainfall. In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler chats with Bentley Meeker, a legendary lighting artist and Burning Man attendee for the last 14 years. Meeker takes us through what happened this year and how he got out (trekking through three miles of mud), h...

Event Agency Leaders Share Their Hard-Earned Lessons

August 22, 2023 07:00 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MB

Host: David Adler Guests: Anika Grant, Cara Kleinhaut, Dan Mannix Welcome to part two of our exploration of the event and experiential agency world. (Missed part one? Listen here.) Last week, these three agency leaders—Anika Grant of Idlewild Experiential, Cara Kleinhaut of AGENC Experiential + Digital Marketing, and Dan Mannix of underdog venture team—gave us their insights on the pulse of the industry. This week, they'll discuss their own journeys navigating the waves of experiential ma...

What Clients Want Now in the World of Experiential Marketing

August 14, 2023 17:52 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MB

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler has assembled a powerhouse panel of experiential agency leaders to get the pulse of what's happening in the world of experiential marketing—what do clients want now? He's joined by Anika Grant, the founder and CEO of Idlewild Experiential; Cara Kleinhaut, the founder and CEO of AGENC Experiential + Digital Marketing; and Dan Mannix, the co-founder of underdog venture team. Join them as they navigate the intricate labora...

What It’s Like to Manage an Event Venue Today

July 18, 2023 07:00 - 51 minutes - 46.7 MB

Host: David Adler Guests: Christopher Felts, Wayne Fernandez If you’re looking to geek out on venues, budgeting, and AV, this episode is for you. Joining BizBash chairman and founder David Adler this week are two experts who understand the intricacies of how having great venue partners can make or break you: Christopher Felts, director of operations for AES NYC, and Wayne Fernandez, the general manager of Magic Box Event Center in Los Angeles. Although located on different coasts, these v...

Why Big Event Ideas Only Matter If They’re Impactful

June 12, 2023 18:58 - 45 minutes - 41.7 MB

Host: David Adler Guest: Michael Cirino In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Michael Cirino, the mastermind behind the 100-Course Meal and founder of creative studio House of Attention. Cirino knows that events have the power to evoke emotions and leave lasting impressions, and his storytelling prowess is sure to leave you inspired. In this episode, he shares the secrets behind that groundbreaking dinner event, discusses the inner working...

Why Celebs Descended on an Event No One’s Heard of Before

May 22, 2023 17:40 - 44 minutes - 41 MB

Host: David Adler Guest: Chris Detert In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Chris Detert, chief communications officer for Influential, dubbed as the largest influencer marketing company in the world. The company recently wrapped work for Possible, a new marketing conference that brought brands and tech and media companies—plus big-name speakers like A-Rod, Elon Musk, and LL Cool J—to Miami last month. In this lively convo, Detert discusse...

DEI in the Events Industry—Why There's Still a Long Way to Go

April 17, 2023 19:31 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MB

Host: David Adler Guests: Meera Somji, Andrew Carney In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Meera Somji and Andrew Carney, the co-founders of Clusivity, a consultancy that helps organizations take a data-driven approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The duo recently gave a presentation at the 2023 SISO CEO Summit in Las Vegas and used a powerful storytelling style that masterfully combined hard facts and compelling narratives. In thi...

How Event Attendees Think Today

April 10, 2023 13:27 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MB

Host: David Adler Guests: Chris and Jill Drury In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Chris and Jill Drury, the husband-and-wife team behind event agency Drury Design. The two are involved in just about every aspect of group dynamics for both virtual and in-person events. They are the go-to couple for updates on what’s really going on in the world of large corporate events. They collaborate on all aspects of their business—whether it’s with...

What Event Profs Can Learn From a New Generation of Diplomats

March 20, 2023 19:54 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MB

Host: David Adler Guest: Jonathan Steffert In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Jonathan Steffert, the cultural attaché of public diplomacy and public affairs for the New Zealand Embassy in Washington, D.C. Steffert represents a new generation of diplomats who understand the importance of developing soft power in ways that engage and promote the values of their country. He's a great believer in using storytelling in every part of his job,...

Turning Weaknesses Into Strengths to Lead an Event Agency

March 13, 2023 18:01 - 42 minutes - 39 MB

Host: David Adler Guest: Richard Waddington In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Richard Waddington, one of the most creative players on the international event scene. He is the co-founder and former CEO of event agency First Protocol, which is now known as FIRST. And he’s been in the news recently as part of PCMA’s acquisition of the U.K.-based Event Marketing Association (following its acquisition of another event marketing body, CEMA, ...

The Event Profs Behind SXSW on What to Expect This Year

February 27, 2023 19:27 - 39 minutes - 36.6 MB

Host: David Adler Guests: Hugh Forrest, Cindy Lo In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with two key event profs behind South by Southwest (SXSW), the buzzy annual festival in Austin that attracts emerging talent, iconic performances, and groundbreaking ideas in the realms of music, TV/film, tech, and culture. We first hear from Hugh Forrest, SXSW’s co-president and chief programming officer, who delves into the festival’s 30-plus-year history, ...

What Is Hospitality Today? Take It From The Plaza

February 20, 2023 18:03 - 39 minutes - 36.9 MB

Host: David Adler Guest: Luigi Romaniello In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Luigi Romaniello, the new managing director of New York’s iconic The Plaza Hotel. Like the famous book series Eloise, the 30-year industry veteran actually lives at The Plaza where he oversees all aspects of the luxury hotel, including daily operations, guest experiences, and continued growth strategies. He comes to New York after years managing other iconic pr...

How This 5-Day Gathering in Poland Tests the Boundaries of Live Experiences

February 13, 2023 18:29 - 37 minutes - 35 MB

Host: David Adler Guests: Paul Bulencea, Claus Raasted, Tahira Endean In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder sits down with the founders of the College of Extraordinary Experiences, a five-day conference held inside a 13th-century Polish castle that uses an immersive education method to study experience design. We also hear from “graduates” of the conference—including IMEX's head of programming Tahira Endean—on the life-changing learning that impacts how they plan ev...

Dishing on the Catering Industry—What to Know to Be a Better Client in Today's Market

January 16, 2023 19:14 - 58 minutes - 54.1 MB

Host: David Adler Guests: Carla Ruben, Chap Gage, Dawn Penfold, Vanessa Cominsky In this episode of GatherGeeks, along with the main interviews, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler has added two new “Ask the Expert” features. One is with career and hiring pro Dawn Penfold, president of Meetingjobs, who will discuss salary transparency and where the job market is today. Our second expert is Vanessa Cominsky, wine and spirits specialist for Prestige-Ledroit Distributing Co., who will t...

A Year in Review with BizBash's Editorial Team

December 27, 2022 14:55 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MB

In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with BizBash’s editorial team—interim editorial director Shannon Thaler, managing editor Sarah Kloepple, and senior contributing editor Claire Hoffman—to discuss how events fared in 2022. The trio answer questions about what gave them “goosebump moments” this year, their favorite BizBash stories they worked on in 2022, and what they predict is in store for the industry in 2023. 

State Dinners to Top-Secret Events—Lessons From a Former White House Social Secretary

December 21, 2022 15:36 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MB

Host: David Adler Guest: Deesha Dyer Imagine orchestrating a visit from the pope and a Chinese state dinner… within days of each other. In this episode of GatherGeeks, recorded live at Connect Winter Marketplace in Washington, D.C, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Deesha Dyer, who served as the White House social secretary—the person responsible for planning and coordinating official social events at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.—for the last two years of the Obama adminis...

How This Tech Company Is Simplifying B2B Payments for the Meetings and Events Industry

October 17, 2022 20:39 - 41 minutes - 38.5 MB

Host: David Adler Guests: Tony Wagner, Sara Meyer Meeting professionals are constantly multitasking. The last thing they want to do is spend time on manual, tedious processes that should just be easy—including cross-checking spreadsheets to track down commissions and payments. This is where Onyx CenterSource’s GroupPay™ can help. This holistic solution is an industry-first payments automation platform that provides hotels and meeting professionals with unparalleled transparency and effici...

Setting the Standards for the Events Industry

October 03, 2022 19:42 - 35 minutes - 80.8 MB

Host: David Adler Guest: Amy Calvert In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Amy Calvert, CEO of the Events Industry Council (EIC), which oversees more than 30 member organizations in the events industry. The EIC is a global champion of event profs and event industry excellence, offering professional standards and recognition and certification programs that take the industry to new heights. In this podcast, Calvert divulges what keeps her up...

How Are Global Exhibitions Changing Today?

September 26, 2022 18:23 - 36 minutes - 83.6 MB

Host: David Adler Guest: Doug Emslie In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Doug Emslie, CEO of Tarsus Group (one of the largest exhibition companies in the world), to get a global perspective on trade shows and exhibitions. How have things changed since the pandemic? How do they differ culturally between markets like Europe, the Middle East, and North America? Emslie also discusses how to bring back attendees each year, how the global stru...

A Virtual Event Platform's Path to Global Recognition

August 01, 2022 19:16 - 23 minutes - 53.5 MB

Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman Guest: Vaibhav Jain In this special edition of GatherGeeks—recorded live at the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity—hosts David Adler and Claire Hoffman (BizBash’s senior contributing editor) sit down with Vaibhav Jain, CEO of event technology solution Hubilo, to discuss how he took the company from a local in-person event solution to a global behemoth. He also touches on how he realized events could be life-changing, how he raised mon...

Behind the Scenes of Meta Beach at Cannes 2022

August 01, 2022 19:07 - 31 minutes - 71.6 MB

Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman Guest: Damien Baines In this special edition of GatherGeeks—recorded live at the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity—hosts David Adler and Claire Hoffman (BizBash’s senior contributing editor) sit down with Damien Baines, the experiential marketing lead at Instagram. They go behind the scenes at Meta Beach where, for the first time, the company has used Meta branding at the festival. Baines also discusses what inspired many of the elem...

How Creativity Shined at Pinterest’s Cannes 2022 Activation

August 01, 2022 18:56 - 32 minutes - 73.2 MB

Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman Guest: Judy Lee In this special edition of GatherGeeks—recorded live at the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity—hosts David Adler and Claire Hoffman (BizBash’s senior contributing editor) sit down with Judy Lee, head of global brand experiences and programs at Pinterest. She breaks down her team's strategy and execution of Pinterest Beach, which put creatives front and center. She also discusses being a jury member for this year's fest...

Inside Spotify's Daytime/Nighttime Approach at Cannes 2022

August 01, 2022 18:44 - 22 minutes - 50.7 MB

Hosts: David Adler, Claire Hoffman Guest: Keyana Kashfi In this special edition of GatherGeeks—recorded live at the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity—hosts David Adler and Claire Hoffman (BizBash’s senior contributing editor) sit down with Keyana Kashfi, the global senior director of experiential and content production at Spotify. Kashfi, who is also a BizBash Event Master, was in charge of the creation of Spotify Beach at this year’s festival. She brought in some of ...

Inside the World of High-Stakes Gatherings

July 11, 2022 15:36 - 31 minutes - 72.4 MB

Host: David Adler Guest: Steve Clemons In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Steve Clemons, who has begun a role as a senior executive in charge of events at Semafor, a new global news organization launching this fall. Clemons was previously editor at large of The Hill. He also served as the Washington editor at large of The Atlantic, where he was the editor-in-chief of AtlanticLIVE, the brand’s live event series. He specializes in high-st...

Corporate Event Departments Now Have a Seat in the C-Suite

June 20, 2022 18:54 - 35 minutes - 80.7 MB

Host: David Adler Guests: Jennifer Savica, Sophie Ahmed In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash founder and chairman David Adler sits down with longtime event pros Jennifer Savica, vice president and head of corporate events for New York Life Insurance Company, and Sophie Ahmed, senior vice president of market strategy for Hubilo. The trio discusses the newfound clout of corporate event organizers and how C-suite executives’ perception of events is changing. They also to...

How Lockdown Mentality Is Changing Event Design

June 14, 2022 19:32 - 34 minutes - 46.8 MB

Host: David Adler Guest: Kristin Banta Sponsored by CORT Events, this episode of GatherGeeks is part of season two of our “Royal CORT” podcast series, which includes insightful convos with top event and experience designers. BizBash founder and chairman David Adler sits down with award-winning celebrity event designer Kristin Banta, owner and creative director at Kristin Banta Events. A teacher and mentor to the industry, Banta’s clients have included Justin Bieber and Oprah Winfrey. In t...

Must-Haves for Luxury Events and Activations

June 14, 2022 19:23 - 39 minutes - 53.7 MB

Host: David Adler Guest: David Beahm Sponsored by CORT Events, this episode of GatherGeeks is part of season two of our “Royal CORT” podcast series, which includes insightful convos with top event and experience designers. BizBash founder and chairman David Adler sits down with David Beahm, founder of event design firm David Beahm Experiences, who has designed weddings for high-profile clients like Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, as well as Fortune 500 corporate events for clien...

How to Think Like an Attendee for Successful Event Design

June 14, 2022 19:17 - 41 minutes - 57.1 MB

Host: David Adler Guest: Todd Fiscus Sponsored by CORT Events, this episode of GatherGeeks is part of season two of our “Royal CORT” podcast series, which includes insightful convos with top event and experience designers. BizBash founder and chairman David Adler sits down with Todd Fiscus, founder of Todd Events, whose clients include Tom Ford, the Dallas Cowboys, Audi, and Neiman Marcus. In this interview, Fiscus discusses navigating the waters of a post-pandemic world, his definition o...

Why Storytelling Is So Important in Events Today

June 14, 2022 18:58 - 35 minutes - 48.1 MB

Hosts: David Adler, Lilian Shen Guest: Larry Abel Sponsored by CORT Events, this episode of GatherGeeks is part of season two of our “Royal CORT” podcast series, which includes insightful convos with top event and experience designers. BizBash founder and chairman David Adler and CORT Events’ director of marketing Lilian Shen sit down with Larry Abel, CEO and “dreamer in chief” at Abel McCallister Abel, a full-service experiential agency. In this interview, Abel talks about how the indust...

Podcast: Secrets of Smart Events in a Post-Pandemic World (Episode 217)

May 09, 2022 20:26 - 47 minutes - 110 MB

Host: David Adler Guest: Gianna Gaudini In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Gianna Gaudini, head of events for Airtable, for a master class in planning events and experiences—whether you’re an old pro or just starting out. The pair discusses Gaudini’s work for companies like Amazon Web Services, Google, and Softbank Vision Fund, along with what went into creating her best-selling book and e-learning course. Gaudini believes that people ...

The Biggest Event Industry Pain Points—and How to Solve Them (Episode 216)

May 02, 2022 18:39 - 43 minutes - 99.7 MB

Host: David Adler Guests: David Landgraf, Allison Pieter In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash founder and chairman David Adler sits down with industry veterans David Landgraf, the founder and chief experience officer of Make It Happen Management in New York, and Allison Pieter, the founder and president of Cassis Productions in Los Angeles. The group shares real-world pain points—and solutions—for the event industry, diving into topics like the impact of new technology, whether traditi...

How Do You Define Event Success Today?

March 30, 2022 21:10 - 42 minutes - 33.7 MB

Host: David Adler Guests: Tim Groot, Natasha Wood, Carolyn Dawson In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Tim Groot, CEO and founder of AI-powered event success platform Grip; Natasha Wood, head of strategy for FT Live at the Financial Times; and Carolyn Dawson, CEO of Founders Forum. This powerhouse panel sets out to define what event success means today—and quickly realizes there are no clear answers, and that we continue...

Navigating the New Importance of Partnerships in Today's Event Industry

March 07, 2022 22:46 - 44 minutes - 102 MB

Hosts: David Adler Guests: Erica Boeke, Austin Johnston, Nancy Shaffer In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash founder and chairman David Adler sits down with a powerhouse panel of event industry professionals: Nancy Shaffer, chief creative officer at RJ Whyte Event Production and the president of the Live Events Coalition; Austin Johnston, CEO of AKJOHNSTON and president of the Experiential Guild of America; and Erica Boeke, the founder and CEO of Liberty & Co. The group dives deep into ...

How to Bring Mosh Pit-Inspired Energy to Your Events and Activations

February 14, 2022 22:18 - 39 minutes - 90.1 MB

Hosts: David Adler, Cathy Song Novelli Guest: Cliff Rigano In this special sponsored edition of GatherGeeks, BizBash founder and chairman David Adler is joined by Cathy Song Novelli, SVP of marketing and communications at virtual and hybrid events software platform Hubilo, to chat with Cliff Rigano, creative director and head of culture, content and experiential marketing for Mast-Jägermeister US. Rigano shares how he brings mosh pit-inspired energy, enthusiasm and a unique ethos to Jäger...

What It’s Like Designing Gatherings for the Largest Event Producer in the World

February 07, 2022 22:25 - 41 minutes - 94.3 MB

Hosts: David Adler, Lilian Shen Guest: Mo Husseini Sponsored by CORT Events, this episode of GatherGeeks is part of our “Royal CORT” podcast series, which includes insightful convos with top event and experience designers. BizBash founder and chairman David Adler and CORT Events' director of marketing Lilian Shen sit down with creative mastermind Mo Husseini, senior vice president of design at Freeman Company based in Portland, Ore. Husseini reveals how his design-led thinking helps him s...

Reinventing the Post-COVID Gala Format

February 07, 2022 22:21 - 34 minutes - 79.9 MB

Hosts: David Adler, Lilian Shen Guest: Shelly Tolo Sponsored by CORT Events, this episode of GatherGeeks is part of our “Royal CORT” podcast series, which includes insightful convos with top event and experience designers. BizBash founder and chairman David Adler and CORT Events' director of marketing Lilian Shen sit down with Shelly Tolo, president of Tolo Events LLC in Seattle. The group traces Tolo's history in the industry, ranging from her high-school days as a synchronized swimmer t...

Developing Event Trends With an Eye for Space Design

February 07, 2022 22:14 - 45 minutes - 104 MB

Hosts: David Adler, Lilian Shen Guest: John Fuhr Sponsored by CORT Events, this episode of GatherGeeks is part of our “Royal CORT” podcast series, which includes insightful convos with top event and experience designers. BizBash founder and chairman David Adler and CORT Events' director of marketing Lilian Shen sit down with business development expert John Fuhr of CenterCircle Creative in Phoenix. With his acute awareness of emerging trends and market conditions, Fuhr offers up a host of...

Exploring the Business Side of Event Design

February 07, 2022 22:11 - 40 minutes - 92.8 MB

Hosts: David Adler, Lilian Shen Guest: André Wells Sponsored by CORT Events, this episode of GatherGeeks is part of our “Royal CORT” podcast series, which includes insightful convos with top event and experience designers. BizBash founder and chairman David Adler and CORT Events' director of marketing Lilian Shen sit down with André Wells, founder and CEO of Events by André Wells in Washington, D.C. In this candid interview, Wells talks about everything from how the management of his 19-y...

How Careers in the Event Industry Have Shifted

January 31, 2022 17:15 - 34 minutes - 78.3 MB

Host: David Adler Guests: Dawn Penfold, Travis Pham In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with recruiting veteran Dawn Penfold, president of Meetingjobs, a Cadre Company, and up-and-coming event professional Travis Pham, global business director for 360 Destination Group. The group discusses why passion is the defining characteristic for career success, and why we’re in an employee market where staffers are reexamining their purposes and goals—...

The Digital Event Platform Revolution

January 24, 2022 22:18 - 37 minutes - 29.3 MB

Host: David Adler Guest: Julius Solaris In this special sponsored episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash chairman and founder David Adler sits down with Julius Solaris, vice president of marketing strategy, events, for digital and in-person event platform Hopin. The duo traces Solaris’ journey in the event industry, discussing why he left the media sphere to join the massively popular tech platform. They also explore how the new event platforms are empowering the participant and are influencing ...

The Engagement Dilemma: What Captures Attention Now?

January 10, 2022 22:38 - 41 minutes - 95.4 MB

Host: David Adler Guests: Brendan Brown, Sohini Mitra In this episode of GatherGeeks, BizBash founder and chairman David Adler sits down with Brendan Brown, vice president of strategy for George P. Johnson, and Sohini Mitra, the vice president of experiential at ImpactXM, to tackle the ever-relevant question of engagement at virtual, hybrid and face-to-face events. The group discusses what keeps the attention of attendees at events of all types right now, exploring whether it’s true that ...