Corralling the Chaos

In this special year-end minisode, Corralling the Chaos host Angela Alea reflects on the journey of 2024, shining a spotlight on the dedication, creativity, and resilience of event professionals. With heartfelt gratitude, Angela explores the impact these individuals make, the teams and families who support them, and the importance of self-care as the industry transitions into 2025.

This episode of Corralling the Chaos explores the transformative power of professional networks and community building in the event industry. Host Angela Alea and guest John Barron, LASSO's Community Manager, dive into the importance of creating a “professional village” for career growth, the evolution of LASSO's community platform The Loop, and its role in fostering connections among event professionals.

In this episode of Corralling the Chaos, Angela presents a comprehensive checklist for businesses navigating the complex process of choosing new software solutions. Designed for event professionals and tech decision-makers, the episode dives into the crucial factors that make or break a successful software choice. Angela covers essential topics, from evaluating product depth, understanding the provider's industry experience, assessing security standards, mobile accessibility, and onboarding timelines, to ensuring ongoing product development and customer support. By the end of this episode, listeners will have a clearer roadmap for selecting the right software partner to empower their teams and streamline operations.

In this episode of Corralling the Chaos, Angela Alea, President & CRO of LASSO, sits down with Josh Klebanoff, Co-Founder and COO of Yoke Logistics, to explore the vital role logistics plays in event planning. From understanding the unique needs of the events and entertainment industry to leveraging technology for seamless operations, Josh shares insights on why an industry-specific logistics provider can make all the difference. They discuss the importance of clear communication, preparing ahead, and how the right tech tools can mitigate common challenges in logistics, ultimately ensuring the success of every event. Discover essential tips and strategies for optimizing logistics in this engaging discussion.

In this episode of Corralling the Chaos, Angela Alea, President & CRO of LASSO, sits down with Anca Trifan, CEO and Founder of Tree-Fan Events, to discuss the unique challenges women face in the events industry and explore practical solutions. Anca shares her inspiring journey from hands-on technical roles to founding her own company, emphasizing the importance of advocating for oneself and embracing leadership opportunities. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of events, the need for work-life integration, and strategies for attracting younger generations into the industry. Tune in to discover actionable insights on personal growth, mentorship, and creating inclusive work environments.

In this episode of "Corralling the Chaos," Angela Alea and Jason Packham, an entertainment insurance expert from NFP, discuss the critical importance of understanding and managing insurance coverage in the event industry. From common misconceptions to the nuances of adequate coverage, the conversation highlights key insights to help event companies avoid costly mistakes and ensure they are properly protected.

In this special bonus episode of Corralling the Chaos, we revisit the popular "Ask Us Anything" session from LASSO Fest, where key LASSO leaders—Angela Alea (President & CRO), Clay Sifford (Founder & CEO), and Jay Bredenberg (Chief Product Officer)—dive into audience questions about the company's rapid development, customer feedback process, mobile app enhancements, and future product plans. Learn how LASSO is scaling quickly, incorporating real-time customer insights, and evolving its mobile app to serve as a central hub for live event professionals. This episode also unveils exciting new features on the horizon, including information about LASSO Payments.

In this episode of Corralling the Chaos, host Angela Alea and Thomas Hudson, LASSO's Director of Implementation, dive into the complexities of software implementation. They explore why companies often struggle to fully leverage systems like CRMs and ERPs, despite heavy investments. The discussion highlights the importance of setting clear goals, ensuring effective communication, and involving key stakeholders from the start.Key insights include overcoming common pitfalls, establishing regular checkpoints, and the critical role of a dedicated support team. Whether you're adopting a SaaS platform or transitioning to new software, this episode offers practical advice to help companies achieve a smooth and successful implementation.

In this compelling episode of "Corralling the Chaos," host Angela Alea, President & CRO of LASSO, sits down with Anthony McCoy to discuss a pivotal shift needed in the live events industry—the shift from viewing workers as mere 'labor' to recognizing them as 'talent.' They explore the profound impact this mindset change can have on the industry, including elevating work quality, increasing respect for workers, and boosting professionalism.

In this episode of Corralling the Chaos, join Angela Alea, President & CRO of LASSO, and Casey Kipfer, CFO of JustiFi, as they explore the transformative power of embedded payments in event management. Discover how these solutions streamline operations, enhance security and compliance, and open new revenue streams for businesses. Gain insights into the future of embedded financial services, including insurance, lending, and more. Whether you're in the FinTech space or managing events, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways that can help you stay ahead in a competitive landscape.

Join Angela Alea and Omar Kolom on this episode of "Corralling the Chaos" as they discuss the pivotal role of freelancers in the AV industry. Discover Omar's inspiring journey, the foundation of AV Educate, and the crucial elements of training and education for freelancers. Learn about the importance of soft skills, the impact of mentorship, and the future plans for AV Educate. Get insights into how the AV industry is evolving, with a growing emphasis on people, training, and hands-on learning. Don't miss this engaging conversation packed with valuable takeaways for AV professionals!

Get ready for LASSO Fest 2024! In this episode, Angela shares why event pros should secure their spot—and shares a sneak preview of what the event holds. Join us starting July 10 for an immersive virtual festival dedicated to revolutionizing your event operations. Learn from industry pioneers, discover innovative workflow solutions, and gain actionable strategies to boost your bottom line. Don't miss this chance to enhance your processes and achieve significant cost savings. 

Join host Angela Alea in a thought-provoking episode of 'Corralling the Chaos' as she delves into the dynamic intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the world of events. Featuring special guest Huong Nguyen, CEO and Founder of Shiloh Events, this episode unpacks the profound impact of AI on event planning, execution, and analysis.

The episode of "Corralling the Chaos" focuses on the topic of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. Angela and guest Kristen Traynor discuss the importance of CRMs for businesses, how they can be leveraged, and best practices for data management within a CRM.

Discover the pivotal role relationships play in shaping reputations within the events industry in this episode of "Corralling the Chaos." Explore insights from industry experts on fostering positive interactions, aligning core values, and the power of genuine human connection. Join Host Angela Alea and guest Nicholas Van Dyke as they delve into practical strategies for cultivating lasting relationships that elevate businesses and individuals alike.

This is a “minisode” of "Corralling the Chaos", focused on providing guidance for event staffing companies to improve their bottom line. Angela discusses several strategies such as speeding up invoicing, managing overtime, reducing the no-call, no-show rate, and managing state unemployment rates.

This podcast episode of Corralling the Chaos features a conversation with Stephen Jensen from SJP in Vegas, focusing on the importance of training, motivating, and investing in people in the AV space.

Join Angela and Jennifer Watson, VP of HR at LASSO as they discuss the recent ruling by the Department of Labor on employee classification. Delving into the implications for the event staffing industry, they provide an educational overview of the law change and its potential impact. From the shift to the economics realities test to effective communication with teams, they offer insights on ensuring compliance. They also touch on upcoming rulings related to minimum wage and salary expectations. Tune in for a concise and informative exploration of compliance in the event industry.Meet Your SpeakersAngela Alea, President & CRO of LASSOJennifer Watson, VP of HR at LASSO

Angela Alea and Tom Stimson discuss the current state of the events industry after LASSO's 2024 State of the Events Industry report, including the challenges and opportunities it faces. The conversation covers areas such as labor outsourcing, freelancer pay rates, budgeting, planning, and future industry prospects.Guest Info:Tom StimsonThe Stimson GroupJumpstart 2024 Workshops 

In this episode of Corralling the Chaos we discuss the sales and proposals in the event production industry. Our guest, Karl Becker, is a sales performance consultant, coach, author, and speaker with over a decade of experience consulting with event production companies.Guest Information:Karl BeckerIceberg Selling: Become a Better Salesperson by Looking below the SurfaceThe Stimson Group:Jumpstart 2024 Management WorkshopsWant to start winning 20% faster and more often? Unlock the power of LASSO Proposals—click here to learn more.

In this episode, Angela Alea takes a look back at some of 2023's best conversations on event culture, leadership, collaboration, AI capabilities in live events and more.

Coming soon! National Crew Appreciation Week, from November 6th to 10th, is a dedicated week for the events industry to express gratitude to the people who make the events we love possible. Learn how your company can participate and join us in showing our collective appreciation for these event professionals

In this episode, Jon Kazarian, Accelevents CEO, redefines event success by bridging the C-suite gap, streamlining operations, and discovering innovative solutions.⚡️ Key takeaways:  Better alignment between the C-suite and events teams is needed to accurately evaluate event success based on goals, audience, differentiation, and messaging - not just leads. Intuitive, easy-to-use event software reduces complexity so staff can increase productivity and create seamless experiences. Creative innovation through new approaches to event planning is required to stay relevant; calculated risks and thinking outside the box can help companies differentiate themselves.

In this episode, Angela stresses the importance of on-time, fair pay for crew, recognizing their value and confronting late payment practices. Join us as we discuss properly acknowledging our industry's hardest workers.Key Takeaways:1️⃣ Pay your people fairly & quicklyYour people are the backbone of your company. Without them, there would be no shows, no successful events. Make it a priority to pay them fairly and on time, ensuring their satisfaction and loyalty 2️⃣ Don't let freelancers be the last in lineYour people should be the first to be paid, not the last. By valuing their contributions and compensating them promptly, you create a positive work culture and attract top talent to your company.3️⃣ Stop supporting bad behaviorIf you collaborate with a labor agency that doesn't prioritize quick and fair payments, you're compromising the quality of talent you receive. Support agencies that value their workforce, creating safe work environments and giving fair compensation.

Zack Grant, CEO of SEAS Productions, joins us to share his insights on the immense value of events industry education for transforming businesses and elevating events.⚡️Key takeaways: Understanding the Industry: The events industry is often misunderstood by those outside of it. We discussed the intricate details and challenges involved in creating epic experiences, and how we can work to educate and inform others about the inner workings of the industry. Sharing Knowledge: At SEAS Productions, we believe in the power of education. We host quarterly AV industry speaking events where we share insights and demystify AV production. Additionally, we are starting a podcast to further educate and guide event planners and newcomers to the industry. Value Beyond Gear: AV production goes beyond just the equipment used. It's important to build partnerships with AV companies that provide value and assistance in creating exceptional events. By involving an AV partner early in the planning process, you can tap into their expertise and elevate the overall event experience.

Our guest Mark Eicher, product manager at LASSO, shares insights on improving live event production. With 15+ years of experience working with major companies, he emphasizes the importance of efficient workflows, avoiding costly mistakes like outdated processes, and designing scalable processes that integrate new team members.⚡️ Key Takeaways: Don't get trapped in the "we've always done it this way" mindset. Being open to change and constantly evaluating your processes is crucial for growth.  Don't develop processes in a bubble! Involve your team. Build a collaborative culture.  Look beyond your team and tap into the industry. Join LinkedIn forums and community groups where event professionals share their problem-solving strategies.  Avoid the costly mistake of not designing for scalability. Your processes need to be adaptable to growth and new hires. Create clear processes that are not tied to specific individuals but instead to roles. This way, you can easily integrate new team members.

Huong Nguyen, CEO of Shiloh Events, shares insider tips on aligning events with client goals. Learn how she measures qualitative and quantitative ROI to guide clients in making informed, budget-conscious decisions about event formats and activities.Guest Information

Joining us today is Clay Sifford, CEO and Founder of LASSO. We examine the inventory and logistics challenges faced by event companies, exploring obstacles like lengthy proposals and unreliable brokers that hinder efficiency.We'll also discuss the importance of accurate, onsite progress tracking and address privacy regulations and cyberthreats. Our conversation dives into legacy systems, cloud migration, customer satisfaction, trucking and broker issues, and the ongoing quest to streamline logistics.

In this episode, Angela dives into the hidden costs of workers' comp and shares four important questions to ask yourself that could be eating into your margin by 2-3 points. 5-minute Assessment: 1. What is your experience mod? An experience mod is basically what is your rating relative to others in the industry.2. What is your loss ratio?Calculate your loss ratio by dividing what you've paid out in claims by the premiums that you've been paying out.3. What is the 4-digit workers' comp code?Hint: the events industry workers' comp code is 91544. Are you paying workers' comp on hours not worked, but paid?It's important to start tracking hours worked versus hours paid. Jump to [00:04:01] for an example. Check out more hidden costs: https://blog.lasso.io/15-hidden-costs-causing-event-companies-to-lose-six-figures-a-year

Nicole Carson, the director of event production at Warner Music Group, joins us on this episode of Corralling the Chaos, bringing nearly two decades of experience in the entertainment industry to share her valuable insights and expertise on executing high-stakes events. Nicole and Angela dive into the unique challenges of managing musical events, covering topics such as balancing the artist and audience experience, implementing non-negotiable safety measures, addressing crew burnout, and effectively managing budgets. 

Seth Macchi, CEO of LEMG, explores the challenges and opportunities within the event production industry. He sheds light on the importance of prioritizing people for business growth in this field. Drawing from his own experiences, Seth emphasizes the crucial role of valuing and caring for employees within companies. He provides valuable insights into the industry's needs and recommends involving the team in the planning process to foster growth and achieve success.

Jeremy Elliott, General Manager at PSI, dives into the lesser-known challenges confronted by Canadian production companies compared to their American counterparts. He highlights the significance of work-life balance, the value of building and maintaining industry relationships and what it takes for a young event tech to succeed in the industry.

On this episode of Corralling the Chaos, guest host Jess Cook speaks with Sierra Thompson, VP of Business Development at Evntiv., about the importance of the moment of impact in events. Sierra emphasizes the value of connecting attendees to the mission and creating an immersive experience. They discuss the post-pandemic era and the rise of hybrid events, as well as the potential of AI technology to maximize human potential. 

In this episode, Angela sits down with J Ocana, co-founder and COO of Reaction Audio Visual in California. With a background in technology and almost 20 years of experience in the event industry, J shares his insights on competing on value vs. price, leveraging automation, and the need for a bigger voice in the industry. 

In this episode: Jess Cook interviews Will Curran, founder of Endless Events, as he shares his expertise on personal branding, successful event marketing strategies, embracing technology, sustainability, inclusivity, and event design.Key Factors for Success Importance of having a great team and creating a flexible environment to facilitate scalability. Endless's documentation process using tools such as Slab and automation methods through Rippling and HubSpot. The benefits of automation for saving time and focusing on revenue-generating activities. The importance of embracing technology to remain competitive and profitable. Event Planning and Marketing Strategies The importance of innovation and pushing the envelope in event planning. Events as a valuable tool for marketing. Adapting to changing trends such as community and outbound marketing. Identifying the declining effect of traditional content marketing.

In this episode, LASSO's own heads of sales and marketing Anthony Zhang and Drew Brucker share their insights on how to create a scalable engine that generates predictable revenue for event companies. They discuss the best practices and strategies that can be implemented to ensure a steady growth of revenue over time.What we're talking about:  Everyone in your company should know who your ideal customers are.  When you talk about customers, focus on what they need, not just what your company does. Building a great revenue team means finding people who share your company's goals and have the skills to make it happen. The tools your sales and marketing team need right now. 

In this episode, Huntly Christie shares insights and strategies for the event industry, including the importance of being the best opportunity for someone, knowing yourself and staying focused, and avoiding being swayed by the crowd.Key Takeaways:1. Be someone's best opportunity. 2. Know who you are and remain focused.3. Level up technical skills.  4. Don't let the crowd be your leader. 

Join us in redefining our payment expectations for evolving industries. Let's resolve the common misconceptions about low bill rates and challenge traditional practices that are no longer acceptable.4 Common Bill Rate Misconceptions:1.  A low bill rate does not mean a lower invoice2. The reconciliation process has no impact on your invoice3. The biggest culprit of higher invoices are all of the billing rules4. Your labor partner's stance on compliance is the least important factor that affects pricing 

Jess Cook, who is the Head of Content at LASSO, has a conversation with Korey Troyer, who is the Business Development Director at Heard Global. They discuss how it's essential to balance the need for a sustainable work environment for event crew with meeting the expectations of clients.

In this episode, Angela tackles a range of topics as she answers 8 listener-submitted questions about live events, providing insights on attracting top talent, growing revenue, minimizing risks, and more.Here's what you asked:  What is one thing you wish everyone knew about live events? Why does the live events industry need a tool that provides them one central place to work? Advice to help attract top talent for live events? What is an event production hill you would die on? What is the very best live event you've been to, and why? What is your advice for a live event company that wants to focus on growing revenue?  What's best way for event companies to minimize their risks right now? What is a hot take you have not shared on the show yet?

In this episode, Charles Eide, the Founder and CEO of EideCom, discusses the significance of establishing and maintaining company values and culture for driving company growth.What we're talking about:  Building a culture of creativity Company growth Community  Employee experience 

On this episode of Corralling The Chaos, Angela Alea hosts the President and CEO of MVP Collaborative, Kevin Danaj.What we're talking about:  How Kevin got a reputation for being a "servant leader" and what that means to him. The one thing event companies should stop and start doing this year. His creative vision for re-imagining the attendee experience in person and virtually. His hope for the live events industry to facilitate meaningful human connections.

First: Background and Entry into the Industry Angela shares how she got into the live events industry. She explains how her interaction with the founder of a mid-size production company sparked her interest in the industry and its operations. Second: Changes in the Industry Over the Last 10 Years Angela discusses how the live events industry has evolved over the last 10 years, from being gear-focused to being talent-focused. She highlights the need for the industry to adapt to the growing demands and improve processes to keep up with growth. Third: A Passion for Compliance Angela talks about her passion for compliance in the live events industry. She explains why it's important to do things the right way, both for the people in the industry and the companies. Fourth: Lack of visibility and understanding of the live events industry The live events industry is fragmented with different sub-industries having different standards and ways of operating. There is a lack of a community that pulls everyone together and there is a need for more transparency and trust. The hope for the industry is to do more evangelizing, educate and inform people about the industry, and simplify things that are unnecessarily complicated.

Angela Alea talks with Ray Brock, director of safety services at Insperity.

Step-by-step process to find your perfect customer: Define who you want to be in the market. Ask “what is your business trying to accomplish this year?” Dissect your current customer base with a team of people. Formalize it, socialize it and realize it. Repeat this process and do it often.

What we're talking about:  The magic of live events and the impact they can have on audiences. Angela shares her experience of being inspired by keynotes and taking those stories home to share with her children. Eric talks about the Event Production Network (EPN), a networking group with a focus on community, trust, and shared knowledge, and why it is so important to him. The two also discuss the challenges and vulnerabilities that come with working in the live event industry and the importance of being open and real with one another in order to solve problems and improve.

Drew Bucker, LASSO's VP of Growth interviews National Crew Appreciation Week winners to hear their stories and learn more about what makes them stand out in the live events industry.Award Winners:  Darris TaylorEd WillockFrank PestanaOmar Colom Yatashah BackusTopics Covered: Advice for anyone curious about joining the live event industry Ways for event techs to level up their skills  The need to advocate for yourself as a tech  Importance of learning from others...except for their bad habits Lack of transparency and standardization in the industry 

Hi and welcome back to Corralling the Chaos. I'm Jess Cook — Head of Content at LASSO — and this week's episode is a little different. We've rounded up our five favorite moments from the show this year, and put them together into one, insight-packed episode.   First up, we listen to Nancy Shaffer of the Live Events Coalition. Nancy shares why it's important people understand what it really takes to produce a live event, and why the industry needs strong advocates. Mel Baglio, Director of Operations at AV Chicago, explains how a shortage of crew and an increase in demand for live events has led to gaps in training and investment in crew — and what we can do to fix it.  Omar Colom, Director of Education at Evolve Technology, shares about the importance of live events education and how we can attract new talent to the industry.   Tom Stimson, President of the Stimson Group and consultant for the AV and events industry. Tom shares his thoughts on patterns and trends in the industry, and advice for how to lead your clients.  Finally, we have our very own Clay Sifford, Founder and CEO of LASSO. Clay founded LASSO thinking he was solving one specific problem but realized along the way that it actually solved several bigger issues for the event industry at large.  We'll be back in 2023 with all new episodes of Corralling the Chaos. Happy Holidays! And we'll see you in the New Year. 

Angela's breaking down these 12 things you need to know:  Pay rules (overtime is paid daily instead of weekly.) The Sick Leave Act. The new OSHA requirements called AB 1775. California Employment Training Tax. Meal Penalties. The California Pay Transparency Law. There's also the Covid 19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Law. California Labor Code 64 0 9 0.6 a. SB 1343. AB five. Family Medical Leave Act. California Family Rights Act.

What we're talking about: The importance of female representation in leadership. The importance of creating safe spaces for issues to be raised and resolved. How you can become the kind of leader you needed early in your career.How to model behavior that cultivates a great crew environment.Why empathy is the most underrated crew skill.

What we're talking about