Event CEO

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the events industry in ways we never imagined. And while live events have either been cancelled or postponed, maintaining human connection remains incredibly important. As the events industry pivots, new ways of convening virtually are unveiled each day. So, what can we do as events professionals to adapt to this new normal?

Today, Linda joins guest host Megan Cumming to discuss how the landscape of event security has changed since 9/11 and explain why it’s crucial for every event to have a health and safety plan in place. She walks us through the questions we should be asking to assess an event’s unique security risk, sharing the components of an effective health and safety plan and the best way to communicate that plan to the venue, local law enforcement, contract staff and volunteers. Linda also describes the role attendees and vendors play in making an event safe and the value of sequential timelines for loading in AND out. Listen in for Linda’s insight into the tech tools we can use to ensure health and safety at events and get her list of free resources for designing an effective security plan!

Everybody in the events industry is talking about storytelling, but very few are doing it well. So, how do you go about developing the right messaging for your event? Where does the conversation begin? How do you develop a story that connects personally with your audience and inspires engagement?

On any given Friday or Saturday night, in any major city, there are seven to ten nonprofit galas. For each organization, the event is their biggest night of the year. And all represent very worthy causes. In such a crowded marketplace, what can you do to make sure YOUR event gets media coverage? 

The Value Prop for Chefs, Sponsors & Attendees at Food – Centered Events—ECEO0053 David Hagedorn Part 2 As event professionals, we know the best events provide a phenomenal experience for attendees, sponsors and vendors alike. So, how does an event like Chefs for Equality offer a strong value prop for its participating chefs, sponsors and guests? What can we learn […]

Hosting Extraordinary Cause-Oriented Events—ECEO0052 David Hagedorn Part 1 What does it take to put on a successful cause-oriented event? David Hagedorn argues that it’s much like hosting a successful dinner party or running a successful restaurant. Whether he’s having a small group of friends over for dinner or organizing the annual Chefs for Equality event to raise money for LGBTQ […]

Creating Consistent Communication Strategy at Events—ECEO051 Carrie Fox, Founder and CEO of Mission Partners “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”      –George Bernard Shaw  To produce an impactful event, you need to start with the end in mind. What are the organization’s desired outcomes? Without a clearly defined call-to-action, they cannot develop the communication strategy necessary […]

Making the Shift from Order Taker to Trusted Advisor—Part 1 ECEO048 Howard Givner, Executive Director of the Event Leadership Institute If you aspire to be an Event CEO, but you feel more like an order taker, changing the way your clients see you may seem insurmountable. The fact is, you CAN transition from subordinate event planner to trusted adviser by providing strategic […]

Community Partnerships & Social Consciousness in the Event Space—ECEO047 Dr. Erinn Tucker, Faculty Director of Global Hospitality Leadership at Georgetown University What obligation do organizers have to the communities where their events take place? How might event marketing and planning professionals build partnerships with local restaurants and small businesses, demonstrating social responsibility and promoting the host city to event attendees? What can we do as Event CEOs to […]

Global Trends and Innovation in Events — ECEO046 Michelle Crowley, VP of Global Growth and Innovation, PMCA As event production and promotion professionals, we know the pressure to keep innovating, to make continuous improvements to the customer experience and to design environments that cater to many different learning styles. We feel compelled to incorporate new technologies and make corrections to processes […]

Enhancing the Event Experience with Art and Design — ECEO045 Maggie O’Neill, Artist and Co-Founder of SWATCHROOM There is something intoxicating about watching someone create.  Inviting an artist to be a part of your event and do live painting, for example, makes for a powerful experience. But there are a number of other ways we can leverage art and design […]

With international diplomacy in the news this summer, we though it was the perfect time to re-visit this fascinating conversation with Shelby Scarbrough. Shelby started her career in protocol by setting up events for the President of the United States, moved over to the State Department to serve guests of the President, and eventually created her own world-class event management […]

Adapting Your Work Style to Any Type of Boss—ECEO044 Mary Abbajay, President of Careerstone Group You may not be able to choose your bosses or clients, but you CAN choose the way you interact with them. Rather than letting ego get in the way and communicating the way YOU prefer, it’s in your best interest to gain an understanding of […]

Re-framing Events as the Beginning of the Relationship — ECEO043 Michael Akin, President of Link Strategic Partners Too often, organizations see their annual signature event as a finish line. Traditional nonprofits spend a significant portion of their year planning for a big gala, for example, and tend to view the event as a culmination of their efforts. But what if […]

Interaction, Movement, and Deep Experiences—ECEO042 Mo Edjlali, President of Mindful Leader Mo Edjlali’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Tapping into your body’s wisdom via physical movement Integrating social media into the conversation happening at an event Creating a deep, profound experience for your customers < Back to Podcast Homepage Mo Edjlali   Mo Edjlali […]

Designing Events to Promote Compassionate Leadership—ECEO041 Mo Edjlali, President of Mindful Leader Something is broken in our workplace culture. According to a survey referenced in Forbes magazine, 65% of employees would rather replace their boss than receive a salary increase. The current high-pressure climate is not sustainable long-term, which means it is up to corporate leadership to strike a balance—to […]

Putting a Face to the Twitter Handle Via Interpersonal Interaction with William Griggs — ECEO040 William Griggs’ quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Using real-world smells and feelings to complement the VR experience Opportunities around Smart nametags and projection mapping The value of knowledge transfer and interpersonal interaction at events Mentioned in this podcast: […]

Leveraging VR for a Customized Event Experience—ECEO039 William Griggs, CEO of Virtual Reality Rental Imagine taking your event audience to the see the wells that a non-profit is drilling in Africa. Or providing potential investors in an oil company with an inside look at the production process. Or even giving employees the opportunity to hone their team-building skills by working […]

ECEO035 Kate Goodall, CEO of Halcyon Kate Goodall’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Unforgettable moments (e.g.: dinner with R2-D2) Technology that empowers human connection Getting your message out in a deep, meaningful way CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage Kate Goodall As CEO of Halcyon, Kate Goodall is the driving strategic […]

Talking Social Challenges with the Power of Creativity —ECEO035 Kate Goodall, CEO of Halcyon The Greek myth of Halcyon tells the story of two lovers turned into birds, who had two weeks to get their fledglings up and out of the nest—in the midst of a violent winter storm. These themes of optimism and hope in the face of difficult […]

Connect in Real Ways (and Virtual Ones Too) —ECEO034 John Gomperts, President + CEO of America’s Promise Alliance John Gomperts’ quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Powerful intellectual and emotional experiences Investing in social media Enhancing connections through provocative events CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage John Gomperts John Gomperts became President […]

John Gomperts, President + CEO of America’s Promise Alliance The unique thing about America’s Promise Alliance is the way the nonprofit embodies its mission through its events. A coalition of hundreds of organizations committed to the success of young people—especially those in challenging circumstances—America’s Promise works hard to ensure that young people are at the center of its events, threading […]

The Value of Shared Experience —ECEO032 Claire Carlin, VP of Partnerships and Alliances with Destination DC Claire Carlin’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Celebrating the LGBTQ travel community Intelligent light shows Gaining energy and inspiration at events CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage Claire Carlin Claire Carlin is Vice President of […]

Engaging Membership Before, During and After IPW—ECEO031 Claire Carlin, VP of Partnerships and Alliances with Destination DC ‘That’s the cool thing about business owners: They are both incredibly big picture, and they have to take out the garbage … so the more that we understand that and can figure out their challenges and support them, the better we are at […]

Barbara Polk’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Hanging appetizers Dynamic competitions Broadening your mental constraints Listen to Barbara’s full-length interview with Rebecca HERE CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage   Barbara Polk is a strategic operations executive with proven ability to impact business results. She is an expert at aligning human capital and operational […]

At the National Restaurant Association, Chief Administrative Officer Barbara Polk’s job is to bring restaurateurs together in Chicago to connect them with new ideas and innovation in the industry. Rebecca Linder asks Barbara about the mission and vision behind events in the restaurateur space, and together they unpack how it takes a whole village to see the association’s continued success. […]

Dan Berger’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Celebrating with software Drones! The power of being face-to-face with people Listen to Dan’s full-length interview with Rebecca HERE CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage

When he’s not cooking up new collaborative event software at Social Tables, CEO Dan Berger spends his time keeping up with technology news and dreaming up big ideas. In this episode, Dan talks with Rebecca about the freedom of empty venue spaces, simplifying collaboration with technology, and the future possibility of robots in the event space. Topics include: What “design” […]

Elliott Ferguson’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Using Oculus VR to tour a city Travelling Abe Lincoln Building relationships at tradeshows Listen to Elliott’s full-length interview with Rebecca HERE CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage Elliott Ferguson serves as President and CEO of Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC. […]

In this episode, Rebecca Linder speaks with Elliott Ferguson, President & CEO of Destination DC. Elliott reveals what it takes to make your city attractive to potential visitors (and to “compete” with other U.S. cities), how Washington, D.C. will be affected by IPW, and the hard work it takes to connect planners of big events and conventions to local hotels […]

Shelby Scarbrough’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Clothing as digital screens Presdo Match App Always bringing something home from an event Listen to Shelby’s full-length interview with Rebecca HERE CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage Shelby Scarbrough combines an entrepreneurial background with the pride and responsibility of public service to bring new perspectives […]

Shelby Scarbrough started her career in protocol by setting up events for the President of the United States, moved over to the State Department to serve guests of the President, and eventually created her own world-class event management firm, Practical Protocol. Join Rebecca Linder as she talks with Shelby about handling White House visits, cultural protocol differences around the world, […]

Leslie Collin’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Making engineering exciting and fun on the spot How live-streaming helps explain a message B2B advantages Listen to Leslie’s full-length interview with Rebecca HERE CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage Leslie Collins is the Executive Director of DiscoverE. She created the DiscoverE outreach campaign (1990) […]

Leslie Collins, Executive Director of DiscoverE, talks today with Rebecca Linder about being a part of the force behind Engineers Week and Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. Having hosted both in-person and online events, Leslie speaks of the challenges and rewards of raising awareness to the field of engineering for kids and young adults, and delivering value to sponsors […]

Anthony Shop’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: There’s no substitute for human touch What makes people want to share your event How great connectivity empowers your event attendees Listen to Anthony’s full-length interview with Rebecca HERE CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage Anthony Shop, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Social Driver, is […]

Anthony Shop talks with Rebecca Linder about how social media influences events and how you can effectively engage event attendees before, during, and after the main event. He’s on the frontier of digital and social media as the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of digital agency Social Driver based out of Washington, D.C. Topics include: • Getting your message to […]

The first Event CEO roundtable! Featuring Linder’s very own Megan Cumming, VP of Operations, and Linda Lindamood, VP of Transportation and Logistics. Rebecca, Megan, and Linda explore trends to keep an eye on in 2017, covering everything from transportation and security to decor and technology. Uber is your new chauffeur Geofencing and security Health conscious and diet flexible catering options Interactive […]

Catherine Townsend’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: The two biggest business advantages to doing events New ways to keep attendees coming back year after year Putting fundraising in the literal hands of your audience Listen to Catherine’s full-length interview with Rebecca HERE More of a reader than a listener? We’ve got the full transcript for […]

Catherine Townsend recently came into the position of President and CEO of the Trust for the National Mall. In this episode, Townsend explains how events play a critical role in keeping non-profits alive. She shares her plans for the massive changes in the way the Trust for the National Mall does events, how she cultivates excitement across the nation for […]

Ajay Patil’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Engaging audiences regardless of size What is a “water screen”? Augmented reality vs. Virtual reality Listen to Ajay’s full-length interview with Rebecca HERE More of a reader than a listener? We’ve got the full transcript for you HERE CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage

Ajay Patil, Co-Founder and Partner of Showcall, Inc., spent 25 years in the event production business, working as talent buyer, promoter, tour manager, and most recently a technical producer. In this episode, Patil talks about keeping up with new tools and technology and the effective use of audio/visual and social media to reach your event audience, whether physical or virtual. […]

Jodi Moraru’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Relationship building at events Project Mapping a.k.a the coolest thing ever Who doesn’t love Mad-Libs? Listen to Jodi’s full-length interview with Rebecca HERE More of a reader than a listener? We’ve got the full transcript for you HERE CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage

Jodi Moraru, Founder + Creator of Evoke, has been doing experiential events since long before it became an industry buzzword. Centering her work around the celebration of life, whether for social or corporate clients, it all comes down to that emphasis on the experience. With 18 years and counting in the industry, Jodi reveals the lessons she’s learned and advice […]

Ian Altman’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy, including: Hot air balloons The life-saving value of a good A/V engineer The mutual pay-off of connecting attendees and creating community Listen to Ian’s full-length interview with Rebecca HERE More of a reader than a listener? We’ve got the full transcript for you HERE CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE […]

Ian Altman, growth strategist and host of the weekly podcast show Grow My Revenue Business Cast, believes in the importance of building a community as the aim of any major corporate event. A seasoned keynote speaker, Ian reflects on what makes the difference between an event that booms or busts. Topics include: The biggest mistake organizations make when planning events […]

Drew Nannis’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy Listen to Drew’s full-length interview with Rebecca HERE Read the full transcript and shownotes of this episode CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage

Events provide a primary, high-touch platform to deliver key messages to constituents. The Partnership for a Healthier America brings together policy advocates and the private sector at their annual Summit, a signature event and one that is highly productive in moving their mission forward. Drew Nannis, Chief Marketing Officer of PHA, outlines what makes it so successful. Other topics include: […]

Diana Mayhew’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy Listen to Diana’s full-length interview with Rebecca HERE Read the full transcript and shownotes of this episode CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage

As a nonprofit organization, sponsors are critical to the mission of the National Cherry Blossom Festival (NCBF). Diana Mayhew, who started off as the Executive Director and became President in 2007, has seen the evolution of sponsorship engagement and activation first hand. This particularly comes into play during anniversary moments, which NCBF celebrated in 2012 and which became a springboard for what […]

Karen Keller’s quick take on the best in technology, innovation, and business strategy. Listen to Karen’s full-length interview with Rebecca HERE Read the full transcript and shownotes of this episode CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE < Back to Podcast Homepage

Interested in hosting an event at a Smithsonian museum? There’s a lot you need to know. Karen Keller has spent the majority of her career with the Government, from her position as an event planner in the Office of Management and Budget to the White House to her current post as Director of the Office of Special Events and Protocol […]