Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals

Attorney Joshua Grimes provides a legal perspective on duty of care, cancellation clauses and more when planning events in states with controversial legislation.
 
Many meeting professionals believe controversial issues …

What does the future hold for our business and personal lives? Risk-management expert Bruce McIndoe, president of McIndoe Risk Advisory, LLC, …

Creating an emergency response plan is one of the many responsibilities that fall on an event planner's plate. While they hope to never need to execute it, sometimes disaster strikes mid-meeting.

On this episode of …

Salaries have recovered, but the pay gap between women and men has widened.

In conjunction with the publications of the 2022 Northstar Meetings Group/Meetingjobs-Cadre Salary Survey, we discuss the findings with Dawn …

Bob Mitchell, an integrated marketing and event strategist with a background in the television industry, believes virtual-event tech platforms are scrambling for business now because the entire business model of the …

President and CEO Paul Van DeVenter discusses how the events industry organization had to find ways to remain viable during the pandemic — lessons …

Deception is rampant in the business world today, says body-language expert Traci Brown. After suffering significant losses, meeting planners and suppliers are more apt to bend the truth or omit important information to …

Over the past few years, hundreds of meeting and event planners have made commitments to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2030, 2040 or 2050. To date, however, relatively few have taken significant steps to …

In March 2020, David Peckinpaugh was running Maritz Global Meetings, the third-party planning division of Maritz Holdings. By this past January, …

Now that meeting and event professionals are once again focused on in-person gatherings, it's the perfect time to rethink the design of the program in order to make sure attendees are getting the most out of the event. …

Be prepared for high-profile disasters — as well as the many incidents that are more likely to arise.
 
Event-safety training might cover a weather event or active shooter scenario, but will you know what to do if an …

How to surprise, delight and engage meeting and event attendees

Traditional presentations generally too long, too dull and fail to hold an audience’s …

Tonya Hempstead of American Express GBT discusses how the organization is building a more mature diversity and inclusion strategy, and how others can do the same.
 
Diversity within the meetings and travel industries has …

The events industry must take action to shape the sustainability policies that will govern our business.

In Scotland this past November at COP26, the …

Kevin Iwamoto of Bizly talks about what event planners should be doing differently right now.

As pandemic concerns ease and gathering restrictions …

In 2022, incentive planners and program owners continue to grapple with the pandemic and other challenges.
 
Following the Incentive Research …

In this episode of Eventful, The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, we're talking with Brett Sterenson, president of Hotel Lobbyists, a 15-year-old …

Marriott International's Dana Pellicano discusses how the brand adjusted for the pandemic, how event food and beverage has changed for good.
 
In the early days of the pandemic, Marriott International put in place a …

Omicron will subside soon, believes Gregg Talley, but organizations should prepare for longer-term effects of the pandemic

For associations …

As 2022 approaches, meeting planners still are grappling with the changes the pandemic has wrought on the events industry. For this podcast, Jonathan T. Howe Esq., president and founding partner of Chicago’s Howe & …

The job market has swung wildly over the past two years, but as in-person meetings have returned, so have planners’ opportunities for career advancement. As demand for skilled candidates has grown, meeting professionals …

At the United Nations climate-change conference, COP26, now underway in Glasgow, Scotland, governments and industries from around the globe are presenting the strides they've made toward reducing the carbon footprint of …

Managing Covid tests and mask mandates can get complicated even for a small gathering—but what about a high-profile series of events across multiple …

Their turnkey solution helps event professionals ensure their L.A. events and attendees are in compliance with the latest health protocols.

Working …

We are in a particularly crucial moment in the evolution of events and event technology. The pandemic accelerated many trends towards digitization …

IMEX America, the meetings industry trade show that will take place Nov. 9-11 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, announced last …

Attorney Jonathan Howe offers advice on the latest legal questions facing the meetings and events industry.

As the Covid-19 Delta variant has shaken up plans for many upcoming in-person events, meeting planners are …

Meeting planners are getting nervous again — with good reason, according to risk-management expert Bruce McIndoe. If we don’t act collectively to …

Destinations International’s Jack Johnson discusses why destination marketers should focus first on making their cities better places to live.
 
We …

Jason Gewirtz, editor and publisher of SportsTravel, has been covering the Olympics for several years, but this year's Games have been an experience like no other. Even with no spectators permitted, an estimated 50,000 …

Event Specialists’ Mahoganey Jones shares tips for leveraging audience data, monetization opportunities and more.
 
The restrictions on in-person gatherings over the past 16 months gave meeting planners the opportunity to …

The events sector must transform itself in order to address the issue of global climate change, stresses Fiona Pelham, CEO of Positive Impact Events. With COP26 — the United Nation’s 26th Climate Change Conference — …

John Nawn explains how creating impactful hybrid and digital events requires thorough analysis well in advance of the gatherings.
 
Event planners must …

Pride Month is here. A time to celebrate, support and uplift members of the LGBTQ+ community. While diversity issues have taken on greater prominence over the past year, there is still much work to be done, and the …

A new white paper from ADMEI lays out ways planners can strengthen their relationships with destination management partners.

One of the key resources for many meeting planners is the destination management company that …

Mary-Ann Urbanovich discusses how the Pandemic Compliance Advisor designation makes health an enduring priority.

As more face-to-face events resume, …

MeetingPlay's Joe Schwinger discusses how to get the most value from events with both in-person and virtual audiences.

After a year in which most found themselves only attending events remotely, the value of in-person …

The conference for online creators transformed its annual gathering into a year-long online offering. 

Pulling off a successful virtual event is no …

Global Wellness Institute’s Nancy Davis discusses how the pandemic has transformed the way we think about attendee wellness.

As meeting planners navigated the Covid-19 pandemic this past year, concerns about attendee …

More than a year into a global pandemic, if there’s one thing meeting planners have learned, it’s that connecting with at-home attendees presents distinct challenges. In the virtual environment, every detail needs to be …

Jonathan Howe discusses the latest legal issues facing meeting planners.

Can meeting planners require attendees to be vaccinated? And what privacy issues does this raise? These are among the thorny questions that …

Bizly's Kevin Iwamoto discusses why now is the time for meeting professionals to speak out.

Last week, a gunman killed eight people in Atlanta, six …

Brightcove’s David Bornstein discusses how they’re helping to transform the cultural event into must-watch TV.
 
In normal years, the month of March …

Meetings consultant Liz Warwick discusses the EIC’s Code of Conduct and how attendees play a part in creating a safe event.
 
A safe gathering during …

Travelocity founder Terrell Jones says digital health apps can restore confidence in flying and meeting.
 
How can we restore confidence in traveling and attending in-person events? Proof of a negative Covid test is …

IAVM’s Mark Herrera discusses how risk assessment is evolving.

When it comes to identifying and reducing event security risks, planners must navigate …

Elliott Ferguson discusses the Capitol riot, inauguration and the future of event security.

While meeting planners had high hopes that the new year …

CEO Carina Bauer discusses what the cancellation means — and does not mean — for the meetings industry more broadly.

Earlier this month, IMEX Group …

As coronavirus cases continue to surge and vaccines are slowly rolled out, meeting planners should be considering protocols for in-person events when …

Samantha Evans of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals, provides specific ways every meeting planner can ensure their virtual or hybrid event is welcoming to all.
 
The growth of digital and hybrid …

Jason Dunn reflects on an eventful year and how far the industry has yet to go.

While lack of diversity has long been an issue within the meetings …

Holding meetings virtually can open up opportunities for those with disabilities.
 
One of the few silver linings of 2020 and the necessity to meet …

Risk management expert Bruce McIndoe on when group travel will safely return.
 
Covid-19 has upended many companies’ plans for group gatherings, …

SongDivision CEO Andy Sharpe shares how his company pivoted to online events.

After pivoting to virtual events, meeting planners now face a new challenge: how to keep attendees engaged and battle Zoom fatigue? One …

To address these new imperatives, Northstar Meetings Group recently hosted a webcast featuring Tracy Stuckrath, owner of Thrive! Meetings & Events and an expert on food safety and allergies. She discussed the range …

Since Covid-19 hit, so much has changed about how we approach travel, and how individuals and organizations assess the risks of going to another city or country. Today, event planners and individual business travelers …

David Kliman discusses navigating the current crisis and thriving in a challenging environment.

When the Covid crisis hit, David Kliman, president of The Kliman Group, watched his business plans disintegrate. “The day …

Bizly’s Kevin Iwamoto explains how meeting planners can adapt to a changed world.
 
The meetings industry as a whole is experiencing the five stages of …

Legal expert Jonathan Howe on the latest legal risks for meeting professionals.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has created plenty of legal issues for the events industry, from grappling with force majeure clauses to negotiating …

This certification helps assure event stakeholders of their venues’ commitment to health safety.
 
As the meetings industry continues to grapple with …

How to enhance the meeting experience for both in-person attendees and remote viewers

The freeze on live-in-person events in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many meeting planners to become more comfortable …

Elizabeth West of the BTN Group details the current and future realities of business travel.

Not many employees are on the road right now, but travel …

While our meetings may be taking place online, they still offer many unique revenue-generating opportunities.

Restrictions on face-to-face gatherings have led to a surge in virtual meetings. But while webcasts and …

Global trend-watcher Vikram Mansharamani advises planners to consult experts when necessary, but take responsibility for the big decisions.

At a time …

June is Pride Month, but this year the rainbow flag that celebrates freedom of sexual expression has perhaps been overshadowed by Black Lives Matter flags, signs and banners, as the issue of racial inequality drawn …

Gregg Talley discusses how associations are managing events amid the pandemic.

The "glory days" of international conferences are probably over, says Gregg Talley, CAE, FASAE. As president and CEO of Talley Management …

Black meeting professionals share their thoughts on the Black Lives Matter protests and how the industry should respond.

The past two weeks have seen …

Entrepreneur and investor Marco Giberti discusses the meetings tech changes we can expect in the years to come.

The rapid shift away from face-to-face events due to the COVID-19 pandemic has meant a steep drop in …

Expert tips on connecting with an audience that isn’t in the room.
 
As planners have had to cancel face-to-face gatherings of all sizes, digital meetings have become a vital alternative. But for those accustomed to …

No mask? No problem. Based on attendee pushback, a coronavirus test at the door will be the only health safety measure for this business event.

Do attendees want to wear masks and keep their distance when meetings …

Jonathan Spero of InHouse Physicians describes what it will take to give attendees the confidence to meet again.

When can we start meeting again? There’s no simple answer to this question, considering the various local …

Dawn Penfold, an executive recruiter for the meetings industry, offers advice for event professionals.
 
The unprecedented job losses and economic …

Michael Dominguez, president and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International, sees reasons for hope for the meetings industry — and not just in the distant future. "I see a light at the end of the tunnel and it's not …

Meetings Mean Business Co-Chair Trina Camacho-London on how the industry must be proactive in the face of global challenges.

Last Tuesday, April 14, was supposed to be Global Meetings Industry Day — the annual day of …

Positive Impact Events' Fiona Pelham outlines how the events industry will need to get more strategic in the wake of the pandemic.
 

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the global economy, public health and the …

Crisis management expert Edward Segal shares his tips for getting through such unprecedented times.
 
These are challenging times for any meeting …

Productivity guru David Allen offers tips on how to cut out wasted time at meetings and events.

While the industry continues to reel from the …

These are unpredictable times, to say the least, with all signs pointing to a dramatic economic downturn. When conditions improve, many businesses will not look the same as they once did. Instead of just bracing …

The world has been turned upside down in the past week by the spread of COVID-19, and even the most knowledgeable experts are unsure of what it will mean to the travel and meetings business in the months and even years …

The fast spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has led a large number of event and meeting organizers to ask tough questions about changes they might need to make to the event or whether it can be held at all. At the top …

Puerto Rico has seen more than its fair share of adversity in recent years. Just this year, it has experienced a 6.4-magnitude earthquake and …

Each day brings alarming headlines about the fast-spreading coronavirus, with the numbers of people infected and countries impacted rising steadily. Health concerns haven’t just halted travel in China, they’ve taken a …

Last year saw a surge of public interest in climate change — and the impact of travel and meetings on the environment. Since travel, consumption and producing waste are often components of large-scale gatherings, …

As we dive into a new decade, it’s a good time to stop and consider the value that events and the people who plan them provide — both in a direct, revenue-generating sense and in a more big-picture way. To discuss the …

In a time of unpredictability, instability and security concerns, the meetings industry has proven surprisingly resilient, enjoying more than 10 straight years of growth. But while the outlook remains positive, it is …

The fast-changing legal status of cannabis has introduced some important issues for meeting professionals. These include ensuring that attendees know …

It's a phrase plenty of meeting planners have heard before: "meetings are boring." It's often true, but it doesn't have to be. What needs to change so that the audience is excited, engaged — and not tempted to check …

Planning a med-pharma event requires navigating a complex maze of regulations and laws on the federal and state levels — not to mention new rules in …

Fostering a sense of inclusion is of growing importance for any meeting or convention today, and key to accomplishing that is the selection of a destination. A city that creates a sense of welcome to attendees of a wide …

Fiona Pelham, CEO of Positive Impact Events, discusses how business events can play a role in the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, …

To understand how the youngest members of the workforce are approaching meetings differently than those who came before them, we speak with David and Jonah Stillman. David, a longtime researcher and expert on …

From the producers of Eventful: The Podcast for Meeting Professionals, this special podcast episode, created in partnership with Wynn Resorts, …

Domestic cities offer cost savings and logistical ease compared to more far-flung options. But can they also work as an incentive destination — providing immersive experiences as motivating as any posh getaway? For this …

Convention centers are changing. Rather than huge boxy buildings set on the outskirts of a city, ambitious new facilities are being fully integrated …

Are your meetings and events welcoming environments for LGBTQ participants? The meetings industry has made progress, but there is plenty of room for improvement. In the latest episode, we spoke with Jim Clapes, …

Innovation in the meetings industry is moving at a fast pace. New tools and creative solutions are making it easier than ever for planners to create …

How accessible is your event? Meeting the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act is not nearly enough to fully accommodate attendees …

Convention and visitor bureaus have traditionally been viewed by planners as a handy resource — an organization with useful info about a …

Bruce McIndoe, president and founder of WorldAware, discusses the risks that meetings planners must consider, including why monitoring social media is a key component of protecting your meetings and why it's vital to …

Melissa Majors, CEO of Melissa Majors Consulting, works with organizations to help them develop an approach to diversity that fosters genuine …