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Dan's Journey to Idaho Retreats In this episode, Michael welcomes Dan to discuss his incredible journey from Israel to the United States, where he built a career in programming and later wrote a book to help people discover their sense of belonging. Now, Dan is focused on building retreat venues nationwide, creating spaces for people to reconnect with themselves and others. Michael shares a personal story about his cousin, who turned a passion into a thriving business, reinforcing that pursuing what truly fulfills you can lead to success. Dan explains why he chose Idaho as a base for his retreats, highlighting the state's balance of recreation and work-life harmony. Michael reminisces about his experiences in Idaho, including an unforgettable snowball fight in 95-degree weather. Overcoming Personal Challenges to Find Belonging Michael and Dan dive into the deeply personal journey of overcoming challenges, from addiction to finding true purpose. Dan reflects on his own path of self-discovery, which led to writing his book on belonging. He shares a powerful insight: before we can feel a sense of belonging in our careers or teams, we first need to cultivate it within ourselves. They explore how self-awareness and understanding are crucial in fostering a work environment where people feel seen, heard, and valued. Michael reinforces that personal growth isn't just about success—it's about aligning with what truly matters. Building Strong Teams Through Connection Michael shares his experience working for an insurance automation company in the late '90s, where he and a team of 12 traveled across the country to install automation systems at independent insurance agencies. Recognizing the need for team cohesion, leadership made it a priority to bring everyone together at least once or twice a year. This simple investment in team bonding paid off, leading to a tight-knit group that could execute high-stakes projects—like a complex, week-long installation in New Orleans—with confidence and success. The key takeaway? A strong sense of belonging isn't just about the workplace—it's about trust, collaboration, and shared purpose. The Power of Belonging in Leadership & Business Dan and Michael close the conversation by emphasizing the importance of fostering belonging in organizations. Dan shares his simple yet powerful framework for building psychological safety and engagement at work. He introduces his new company, Assemble Hospitality, and discusses his book, which lays out strategies for leaders to create cultures of belonging. Michael reflects on his own experiences working at companies that truly prioritized a sense of connection—and the stark contrast of workplaces that failed to do so. They also touch on the challenges men face in today's society when it comes to identity and belonging, reinforcing the need for self-discovery and purpose-driven leadership. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to create meaningful connections, whether in business or in life. Dan J. Berger (www.danjberger.com) is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, author, and community builder dedicated to fostering connection and belonging. His book, The Quest: The Definitive Guide to Finding Belonging (Forbes Books), cements his place as a thought leader on this essential human need. As the founder of Social Tables, an award-winning event design software company acquired by Blackstone-owned Cvent for $100 million, Dan revolutionized the events industry, helping people connect at scale. A recipient of multiple awards, including the Pacesetter Award from the Events Industry Council, he now leads Assemble Hospitality Group, reimagining corporate retreats to cultivate belonging and transform team dynamics. An avid community builder, Dan founded the Idaho Israel Alliance, a nonprofit combating antisemitism after the October 7 attacks in Israel. He also spearheaded a prominent Idaho men's group and actively participated in YPO and Tiger 21. Dan holds an MBA from Georgetown University and lives with his wife and daughter in Boise, Idaho.
Today, I'm in conversation with Dan Berger. Dan is an Israeli-American author and entrepreneur. He is the author of The Quest: The Definitive Guide to Finding Belonging (ForbesBooks). He is also the Founder and CEO of Assemble Hospitality Group, a boutique lodging concept for corporate retreats. Previously, Dan was the Founder and former CEO of Social Tables, which was acquired in 2018 by Blackstone-owned Cvent for $100mm. In this one, we dive into building businesses in his new home town of Boise Idaho; the pillars of community and belonging, which leads us to some more personal corners of Dan's life including his battle with sex addiction, and what he's focused on going forward. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ever felt like you're faking it - trying to fit in somewhere you're supposed to belong, but it just feels... off? Dan J. Berger, author of The Quest, reveals how understanding your unique belonging archetype can transform your experience of connection and community. Discover practical tools to move beyond surface-level relationships and find genuine belonging in a world of performative connection.About Dan J. BergerDan J. Berger is the author of The Quest: The Definitive Guide to Finding Belonging and founder/CEO of Assemble Hospitality Group, a boutique chain of corporate retreat centers. He previously founded and led Social Tables, an event-planning software platform, which he sold to Blackstone-owned Cvent in 2018 for $100 million. Through his personal journey from childhood trauma to entrepreneurial success, Dan has developed practical frameworks for finding authentic belonging.Topics CoveredThe true definition of belonging and why most advice misses the markThe four belonging archetypes and how to find yoursFive essential skills for developing "belonging intelligence"The five C's test for evaluating your belonging fuel and how this can help youStay to the end for Dan's philosophical take on what it means to be "already free" through the lens of determinism versus free willResourcesTake the Belonging Archetype QuizGet Dan's book: "The Quest: The Definitive Guide to Finding Belonging"Learn about Assemble Hospitality Group: Urban retreat centers for corporate teamsConnect with Dan: danjberger.com
On this episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast, we delve into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the events industry while emphasizing the enduring importance of human connection. This episode — recorded live at Event Tech Live London — features Colja Dams, Co-CEO of VOK DAMS, in conversation with Miguel Neves, Editor-in-Chief of Skift Meetings. As CEO of VOK DAMS, Dams brings a unique perspective on how technology is reshaping event experiences without compromising their fundamental purpose: bringing people together meaningfully. The conversation explores the fascinating intersection of cutting-edge AI capabilities and traditional event management principles, touching on everything from attention spans in the TikTok era to the future of mindful events. Dams's insights, drawn from his company's extensive experience managing thousands of events annually and their recent partnership with Cvent, reveal a nuanced understanding of how AI can enhance rather than replace human expertise in the events industry. Key Discussion Points: Attention Spans and Event Design: The decreasing attention span of modern audiences is reshaping event formats, moving away from lengthy sessions toward impactful 20-minute presentations while still maintaining opportunities for deep-dive content through masterclasses and breakouts. Personalization and Human Curation: While AI can help with personalization, human curation remains crucial. Some events are now offering specialized guided experiences for VIP attendees, creating "events within events" that maximize value through human expertise. Data-Driven Decision Making: AI and automation are transforming event management by providing comprehensive data analysis capabilities, helping organizers make informed decisions from strategy to execution while learning from past events' successes and failures. The "Burger Model" of AI Implementation: Successful AI integration requires human input at both ends of the process - initial prompting and final editing - similar to how smartphone photography still benefits from human expertise despite advanced AI capabilities. The Future of Mindful Events: While digitization continues to advance, the future of events lies in creating meaningful personal connections. Technology should enhance rather than replace these human interactions, focusing on generating valuable in-person experiences. Dams emphasizes that while AI and automation are transforming event management, the human element remains crucial for creating meaningful experiences. The future lies in finding the right balance between technological efficiency and personal touch. Connect with Skift Meetings LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/skift-meetings X: https://twitter.com/SkiftMeetings Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftmeetings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftmeetings/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftMeetings and never miss an update from the meetings and events industry.
Te contamos en menos de 5 minutos el anuncio de la posible colaboración entre las compañías audiovisuales Fluge y Europalco. También repasamos las tres tendencias y dinámicas que, según Reggie Aggarwal (CEO y fundador de Cvent), impulsarán el crecimiento del sector. Y terminamos hablándote del misterio e intriga que, desde la convocatoria, vivieron los 80 asistentes al evento de lanzamiento de Fuze Tea, la nueva bebida de Coca Cola.
Echamos un vistazo a informe Pulse, un estudio de mercado realizado en la región EMEA por Northstar y Cvent sobre la situación actual de los eventos. También nos adentramos en Tourism Innovation Summit (TIS), el evento que se ha consolidado como un punto de encuentro fundamental para profesionales del sector turístico. Y terminamos hablándote de Starlite Christmas, que este año volverá a tener lugar en IFEMA.
On this episode of the Startup of the Year Podcast, our host, entrepreneur, and investor, Frank Gruber (https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankgruber), is joined by Dan Berger. Dan Berger is an entrepreneur with a strong track record in the event planning industry. He is the Founder of Assemble, a boutique chain of corporate retreat centers designed to enhance team collaboration and productivity. Previously, Dan founded Social Tables, an event-planning software company that made waves in the industry and was acquired by Cvent for $100 million in 2018. He is also the author of the upcoming book, “The Quest — The Definitive Guide to Finding Belonging.” Watch the podcast on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mvb3nJzq7U We invite you all to join our Startup of the Year community today to access the support, expert advice, and resources you need to elevate your startup by going to: www.est.us/join Thank you for listening, and as always, please check out the Established website and subscribe to the newsletter at: www.est.us Subscribe to the Startup of the Year podcast: https://podcast.startupofyear.com/ Subscribe to the Established YouTube Channel: https://soty.link/ESTYouTube …… Startup of the Year helps diverse, emerging startups, founding teams, and entrepreneurs push their companies to the next level. We are a competition, a global community, and a resource. Startup of the Year is also a year-long program that searches the country for a geographically diverse set of startups from all backgrounds and pulls them together to compete for the title of Startup of the Year. Check out Startup of the Year at: www.startupofyear.com The program includes in-person and virtual events, including our annual SXSW startup pitch and competition. All of this culminates at our Startup of the Year Summit, where the Startup of the Year winner is announced and has an opportunity at a potential investment. Established is a consultancy focused on helping organizations with innovation, startup, and communication strategies. It is the power behind Startup of the Year. Created by the talent responsible for building the Tech.Co brand (acquired by an international publishing company), we are leveraging decades of experience to help our collaborators best further (or create) their brand & accomplish their most important goals. Check out Established at: www.established.us Connect with us on X - @EstablishedUs and Facebook - facebook.com/established.us
The Meetings & Events Committee (EMEA) brings you this podcast which showcases How Radisson Hotel Group is using AI to optimize venue sourcing for buyers and suppliers. In this episode, Verónica González, a member of the GBTA M&E Committee, and head of Hotel Distribution Account Management at Amadeus IT Group, talks with Mandy Stam from Radisson Hotel Group and key technology partners, to learn more about how Radisson Hotel Groups optimizes M&E RFP Response Time, Conversion Rate and Revenue Generation with the use of AI. They share expertise and insights regarding • M&E Demand trends. • Buyers' behavior. • Suppliers' challenges. • How suppliers are using AI to better serve buyers. • RPA and AI trials and errors. • Outcome expected. • Challenges faced & Lesson learned. • Keys to success: flexibility, partnership, innovation, etc. • Results achieved Names: • Verónica González, a member of the M&E Committee, global head of Hospitality Distribution Account Management at Amadeus IT Group. • Mandy Stam, Senior Director Business Solutions, Radisson Hotel Group. • Felix Undeutsch, Co-Founder Hivr.ai. • Tony Marcelli, Director of Product Management at Cvent. • Gonzalo Fortuny, Partner at EY Music track is Space Jazz by Kevin MacLeod Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
Orlando was just recognized as the top meeting destination in North America by Cvent--an accolade it has won nine times! While winning Cvent's top destination slot is nothing new for what is arguably the most popular meetings destination in North America, there's certainly plenty going on in this Central Florida powerhouse.Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson sat down with Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando, on the exhibit floor of IMEX America to get the skinny on major new happenings, from top-flight resorts such as Evermore Orlando Resort to the splashy new Live! at The Pointe Orlando event venue, four new Michelin-starred restaurants that speak to its hot dining scene, theme park special event venue additions and how the destination is gearing up to play a big role assisting Floridians as Hurricane Milton churns its way toward the west coast of the state.
From sales director at Mentor Direct Marketing to vice president, European sales, at software solutions giant Cvent, nearly 30 years later, Jamie Vaughan has been in the thick of event technology. In this episode, a fast, informative 35 minutes, Jamie takes host James Dickson back to the days, the trials of analogue registration, through the impact of digitising the process, and beyond. James highlights SaaS, putting data to work, apps, good and bad technology. An unabashed, eloquent proponent of AI, Jamie talks tracking success, visitor analysis, how physical manifestations of technology are adding to events rather than replacing them, before going on to detail the pandemic's impact on Cvent, the learnings. And how the company focused on evolution rather than ‘pivoting'. To keep up to date with all the news, subscribe for free here. If you would like to take part in a podcast, then please complete our submission form.
Ever wondered how a company can grow from $5 million to $200 million in revenue and eventually go public on the New York Stock Exchange? You're in for a treat! In this episode, we sit down with Eric Eden, a marketing expert with over 20 years of experience leading internet service and SaaS companies. Eric shares his incredible journey, from working at the original dot-com domain registry to playing key roles at Vario and Cvent. He offers fascinating insights into the evolution of e-commerce and SaaS, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the strategic vision it takes to achieve massive business growth.But that's not all what does it really take to leave the corporate world and launch your own startup? We dive into the entrepreneurial story of two colleagues who, after their previous successes, pooled $5 million to start a self-funded company. They share their game-changing marketing strategies, using everything from guerrilla marketing to partnerships, and even newer channels like podcasting and YouTube. Their focus on maximizing ROI for every marketing move is full of valuable lessons for anyone looking to make the most of their marketing efforts.Curious about where AI fits into all of this? Eric also explores how AI is reshaping marketing, from simplifying attribution with tools like Dig Growth to streamlining content creation with Descript for audio and video editing. We cover the importance of personalized buyer journeys, traffic strategies that work, and why some traditional tactics, like long blog posts, may no longer be effective. Plus, get a sneak peek into a new platform launch, the growing trend of fractional hiring, and what sets successful entrepreneurs apart. Whether you're deep into marketing or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights, strategies, and inspiration you won't want to miss.Connect With Eric Eden:• http://www.x.com/ericjeden• https://www.instagram.com/ericjeden• https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmo-ericeden/ Support the show
Our weekly Trendsetter Tuesday podcast series checks in with Rachel Andrews, senior director of global meetings and events for meetings and events industry technology giant Cvent. After signing on with Cvent in 2011, Andrews built its event program from the ground up. Fourteen years later, she leads a team of 30 managing some 1,200 events every year. She also has catapulted Cvent's annual user conference, Cvent CONNECT, into a globally recognized industry event. Andrews is also the co-host of Cvent's Great Events podcast and is an MPI International Board of Directors member, sought-after speaker and respected mentor and leader.
Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold
In this episode, host Jay Schwedelson sits down with Kristen Koenig from RingCentral to dive into the evolving landscape of event technology and marketing strategies.=================================================================Best Moments:(00:49)Kristen's role at RingCentral and her journey in the event tech industry(04:31) Explore how journey mapping can provide deeper insights into attendee behavior(07:46) Diving into more granular data for better event outcomes(09:22) Why seamless integrations in event technology platforms are critical(12:39) Kristen shares her predictions on where event tech is headed(14:57) Challenges and opportunities in creating lasting event communities(16:17) A personal glimpse into Kristen's background in singing and performances=================================================================Guest Bio:Kristen Koenig is a seasoned event technology professional currently at RingCentral. She has extensive experience in nonprofit events and a passion for community building, having previously worked with Cvent and various agencies. Kristen is also known for her insights on LinkedIn and her enthusiasm for music and singing.=================================================================PARTNER WITH JAY AND GURU Media Hub HERE:www.GuruMediaHub.comPartner with Jay or have Jay on YOUR podcast:www.JaySchwedelson.comJay's Agency:www.OutcomeMedia.com=================================================================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Marigold is a relationship marketing platform designed to help you acquire new customers and turn them into superfans with their best-in-class loyalty solutions. Don't take my word for it though, American Airlines, Honeybaked Ham, Title Boxing, and Notre Dame University are also customers!Regardless of your size, check out Marigold today to get the solution you need to grow your business!Check out this free content from marigold that Jay has loved digesting, 5 Steps For Selecting The Right Email Marketing Platform.
Reggie Aggarwal is the founder and CEO of Cvent, the largest event software company. Reggie has led Cvent through numerous highs and lows - from the brink of bankruptcy to getting acquired by Blackstone last year for $4.6 billion. Reggie joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons learned along the way. Reggie and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, team-building, career development, crisis management, culture, and much more.
On this episode of Fast Forward, host Logan Pratt interviews Stephen Cutchins, one of the foremost experts on accessibility in the meetings and events industry on what the future of accessibility looks like in the industry and how planners can better incorporate accessibility in their events. Stephen Cutchins joined Cvent in 2022 as senior manager of accessibility and has spent over 15 years helping clients achieve accessibility-related goals. In prior work leading accessibility programs, he worked closely with People with Disabilities, including those who were Blind, Deaf, or had physical disabilities. Stephen has a passion as well as firsthand experience understanding how People with Disabilities use the web. As Cvent's Senior Manager of Accessibility, Stephen works to ensure that our products are both usable and enjoyable by attendees who have disabilities.
In the latest episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast, we take a deep dive into event tech based on the findings of the Skift Meetings Event Tech Almanac 2024. We explore the significant transformations the event tech sector has undergone and discuss the evolving demands on event tech and the latest solutions on offer. Major Industry Shifts The pivot to virtual event platforms during the pandemic marked a turning point for the industry. Companies like Hopin experienced meteoric rises but faced challenges that led to a decline and eventual sale of assets. Meanwhile, stalwarts like Cvent have shown resilience, maintaining their footholds amid fluctuating market dynamics. Recent movements, such as Webex's decision to stop marketing products to planners, highlight the sector's ongoing realignments. These changes underscore the industry's volatility and the necessity for adaptability among leading players. Platform Evolution This year's Event Tech Almanac focuses on a curated list of 85 key platforms across twelve different types. The concentrated analysis provides insights into essential features like integration capabilities and complex pricing models. The report also emphasizes the critical need for robust data security and transparent pricing structures. These elements reflect the sector's response to demands for greater clarity and accountability in service offerings. Data Security and Ownership Concerns Data security is more important than ever in event technology. The almanac's findings strongly emphasize robust data protection measures, a response to the growing concerns about data privacy across digital platforms. Data ownership models among different providers are crucial considerations for planners concerned with data sovereignty and security. Shared versus exclusive data rights have clear implications with potential risks and benefits. Future Trends and AI Integration Looking ahead, the integration of artificial intelligence stands out as a promising development within event technology. AI is set to play a significant role in refining user engagement and simplifying complex operational processes through automation and predictive analytics. AI will undoubtedly be leveraged to enhance event planning and execution, potentially transforming the landscape of event tech by making platforms more intuitive and responsive. Conclusion The Skift Meetings Event Tech Almanac 2024 is an essential resource for understanding the complexities and dynamic nature of the event technology sector. Available for free download, it offers a wealth of information and strategic guidance crucial for navigating the evolving market.
I've been watching the new Steve Martin documentary, and it includes a clip of him accepting the Mark Twain Prize.He calls it “The only significant American award for comedy…except for money.”It reminded me of our own industry, but in a different way. We have many awards for creativity, and I am a creative person so I love them, but ultimately this art we do is a business art. And the ultimate measure of success is often monetary.So when I saw this lesson in a podcast guest application – ‘make people money' – I wanted to dive deeper.To hear the story behind that lesson – why he left another job function to join the marketing department – along with many more lesson-filled stories, I talked to Brad Gillespie, GM of Cvent Consulting, Cvent (https://www.cvent.com/).Cvent was a public company, until it was acquired by Blackstone for $4.6 billion last year.Gillespie estimates that over his 20 years in marketing his campaigns have influenced $1 billion in revenue.Stories (with lessons) about what he made in marketingHere are some lessons from Gillespie that emerged in our discussion.Top-down vs. bottoms-upMarketing's number is the sales' numberMarketing's job is to help the product winMake people moneyBe the causeGet it done. Do it right.Discussed in this episodeMarketing Research Chart: What information do marketers ask for on list registration forms? (https://www.marketingsherpa.com/article/chart/information-list-registration-forms)Marketing Career: How to become an indispensable asset to your company (even in a bad economy) (https://marketingexperiments.com/value-proposition/marketing-career)Get even more ideas by pasting the URL for this episode into the Analysts – Video Transcript expert assistant in MeclabsAI (https://meclabsai.com/). It's totally FREE to use (for now). (Meclabs is the parent organization of MarketingSherpa).Get more episodesThis article is distributed through the MarketingSherpa email newsletter (https://www.marketingsherpa.com/newsletters). Sign up for free if you'd like to get more episodes like this one.For more insights, check out...This podcast is not about marketing – it is about the marketer. It draws its inspiration from the Flint McGlaughlin quote, “The key to transformative marketing is a transformed marketer” from the Become a Marketer-Philosopher: Create and optimize high-converting webpages (https://meclabs.com/course/) free digital marketing course.Apply to be a guestIf you would like to apply to be a guest on How I Made It In Marketing, here is the podcast guest application – https://www.marketingsherpa.com/page/podcast-guest-application
In this episode, host Victoria Guido talks with Jessica Wallace, the CEO of Flok22, an innovative app designed to enhance real-time social networking. Victoria delves into Jessica's unique journey from her roots as a hairdresser to becoming a tech entrepreneur. They explore how Jessica's personal experiences and challenges, including being a military wife and navigating life post-divorce with three children, fueled her drive to create Flok22. Jessica's desire to connect people in real-time, especially in the post-COVID era, led to the birth of this groundbreaking app. Victoria and Jessica discuss their mutual passion for music, revealing how their hobbies provide a creative outlet from the demanding world of startups. Jessica shares her aspirations to return to playing the drums, a skill inspired by her family's musical background, and her journey in learning the instrument during the pandemic. On technology and entrepreneurship, Jessica dives into the challenges and triumphs of developing and marketing Flok22. She reflects on the importance of networking, particularly in the startup community, and how her app addresses the inefficiencies and awkwardness often encountered at networking events. Victoria and Jessica discuss the evolution of Flok22, emphasizing its focus on enhancing in-person connections and its pivot towards a more event-centric approach, as well as the future of networking, the potential of Flok22, and their shared enthusiasm for making meaningful connections, both professionally and musically. Flok22 (https://flok22.com/) Follow Flok22 on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/flok22?mibextid=ZbWKwL), Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/company/flok22/), or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/flok22app/). Follow Jessica Wallace on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-wallace-b9526361/). Follow thoughtbot on X (https://twitter.com/thoughtbot) or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/150727/). Become a Sponsor (https://thoughtbot.com/sponsorship) of Giant Robots! Transcript: VICTORIA: This is the Giant Robots Smashing Into Other Giant Robots podcast, where we explore the design, development, and business of great products. I'm your host, Victoria Guido. And with me today is Jessica Wallace, CEO of Flok22, the app that helps you make friends and grow your network in real-time situations. Jessica, thank you for joining us. JESSICA: Thank you for having me. VICTORIA: Yeah. Well, just to get us started and warm up here, Jessica, is there any new skill or any skill you've come back to to practice more recently to kind of take your mind off of all the founder stuff that's happening? JESSICA: Yeah. It's been a busy past two months of events and things like that. So, I've kind of been taking a little bit of downtime. I am hoping to start practicing the drums. I play those, and I haven't been doing that in a while. They've been kind of staring me down, so... VICTORIA: So, were you a drummer before? Were you in a band, or? JESSICA: No, never was in a band. Actually, my dad and my uncle were drummers in a band. And as a kid, I would kind of pick up the drumsticks. And I remember my uncle kind of saying like, "Hey, is that Jessica down there?" Because I would sound like I was playing [laughs] something. Yeah, it took me a while to get into it. But during COVID, I picked it up and started practicing. VICTORIA: I love that. So, do you have a whole drum set at home, or do you have one of those, like, electric? JESSICA: I have both. I have the electric one, which I think I'm going to kind of get out and mess with. But I have an actual full drum set. It's like a TAMA light blue little set. VICTORIA: That's so fun. I like playing the drums, but I never made the leap to actually own my own drum set. So, whenever my friends have it, though, I can play, like, maybe one or two beats on [laughs] it. Nothing that impressive, but yeah, it's a lot of fun. JESSICA: Do you play any other instruments? VICTORIA: Yeah, I've always...I played piano when I was younger, and then clarinet and bass guitar through, like, middle school and high school. I did have a band in college. We played two shows, and they were both at my house, which was a lot of fun. JESSICA: [laughs] VICTORIA: I had kind of stopped playing music, and then when COVID happened, it was like, well [laughs], I guess I need to find another hobby again. So, I picked up piano again. And now I've been playing keyboard and trying to sing at the same time, which has been entertaining for everyone in my household, so...[laughs] JESSICA: Very cool. Too bad we didn't, like, catch up during COVID time. We could have started a band. VICTORIA: Yes. Yeah. I'm trying to think of a way to get more disciplined about practicing, actually, because that's...I know people who practice for, like, three hours a day every day. And I'm just like, how do you make yourself sit there for that long [laughs]? JESSICA: That's definitely been the challenge with me. And then, of course, being in a startup, and then, you know, that kind of got put on the backburner, but I hope to pick it up. VICTORIA: Yeah, right? So, we met at San Diego Startup Week, which was a fantastic event here in San Diego; a different location every night and, different speakers, and all of these really interesting people to meet. So, why don't you tell me a little bit about what brought you to San Diego Startup Week? JESSICA: Well, first things first is being a startup here in San Diego, so that made me go. And I knew it's very important, the more I'm realizing, to build your network and connect with people, and especially just within the community, getting yourself out there to be known, talking to other companies, even just showing your support to other startups. It's such an important thing to do. VICTORIA: And your app, Flok22, specifically, solves some problems people might have with going to an event like that and trying to make friends and network with people. So, can you tell me a little bit more about the initial problem you had when you just came up with the idea for the app? JESSICA: So, the initial problem was kind of around COVID time when everything opened back up. And there was this plethora of meetup apps that everybody was on trying to make these connections. And I would start to go out with friends, and as I'm looking around, it was that weird, awkward time where you couldn't talk to anybody you didn't come with. And I would literally see people, including my friends, swiping on matching apps while they were sitting at the table, but nobody was talking to one another. And that's when I realized we needed something that was more venue-based, where it was like, hey, I'm here. I'm out. Let me see who's available to connect. And that's where the concept came about. And then, during a lot of these networking events, I started to realize the same thing. It was people trying to network, and we're still doing the old-school name tags and signing our name on a paper. And it would just be so much more easier to have everybody on that one platform to connect with a little bit more effective and efficiently. VICTORIA: And so, how long has it been since you had this idea and you've been in this journey with Flok22? JESSICA: Well, it's been a little over two years. Right around COVID is when I got the idea. I was a hairdresser for, like, 20-plus years and wasn't working and at home with my three kids. And the idea just was kind of pricking at me. And it took me a while to try and figure out, you know, how can I do this? How can I, with no funds, you know, newly divorced, three kids, how am I going to start an app? And I just kept pushing on trying to connect with the right people and build a product. VICTORIA: I love that. What inspired you? Like, you had this idea for an app. And you're like, you know what? I'm going to make it work. Like, what kept you going? What made you think this is a thing I can put my time and energy into and be successful? JESSICA: You know, there's a lot of factors. I feel like it's just one of those things where you kind of just...you know how you just get that instinct and idea, and you're like, I just can't let it go? And I remember hitting a low point because I had tried to call different development teams. I had tried to do it on my own. And I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. And I was literally walking on a treadmill, and a friend gave me this YouTube thing to listen to, and it was Les Brown. And he was talking about if you were on your deathbed, you know, these ideas and these dreams, they're just staring you with angry eyes because they came to you for life. And it, like, hit me, like, very intensely to where I was like, I have to do this. I can't just look back in my life and be like, I had this idea. I know somebody's going to do it because everybody would be like, "This is a great idea." So, it's just a matter of you just got to keep going. VICTORIA: Well, I'm glad that you're working on this because I can totally relate to that experience of, you know, for me, I came from Washington, D.C., and moved to San Diego. When I was in D.C., I had spent years in the meetup community and organizing meetups. And so, it got to the point where anytime I went to a meetup, I would know at least one person there. And now coming to San Diego, like, starting it all over again, was very daunting. And, like, walking into...what was it? San Diego tech event where there's, like, 100 people in this beautiful Balboa Park location and just being so nervous [laughs]. I'm like, who do I talk to? Like, how do I get started? And you immediately think I should just leave and go home [laughs]. But let me get a glass of Chardonnay and go over to the craft makers table and make some art and then I'll, like, feel a little bit better. So yeah, I'm curious, like, so you had this great idea. Like, you knew you wanted to put your effort into it. As you started going through the process of figuring out how to get started or how to find that market fit, was there anything that surprised you in your early stages that made you pivot into a new direction? JESSICA: Well, I would say just, like, hearing your story, so many of us have been in that boat. I used to be a military wife, so I was always picking up and moving. And the older we get, it's hard to build and start up your network again. And I see a lot of people posting on Facebook or, you know, Instagram, and they're, like, putting their profile out there trying to make friends. So, there's definitely a need for it. Originally, I wanted it more for the social aspect, which was coffee shops, bars, restaurants, being able to just check in and see who's there that is open to connect. One thing we did kind of start to realize is a lot of people, even though they want to make those connections, people are still nervous to claim that they're trying to, like, make a friend. So, the biggest thing that we learned in the product-market fit was people were more inclined to use it for networking. They felt a little bit more secure and safer that way. So, I would say that would be a thing that we kind of picked up on. VICTORIA: Yeah, that makes sense. Because when I'm going to networking, like, of course, I would love to find leads for people who need consulting work from thoughtbot or software development or platform engineering. But if you go in with that intention, it's disingenuous, and it's not very effective. Whereas if you go into a networking event with the intention to make friends and just to learn about people and to find common interest, it's, like, indirectly aiming at your target is the best way to actually get there [laughs]. So, it makes sense. And so, you pivoted into more events and networking. Has there been anything that you've found about that experience or that group of people that's surprised you, or? JESSICA: I do feel like the social side will pick up on it. I just think it's going to take a little bit more time. But with the networking, I wasn't really doing any of that until I got into this startup. So, I didn't even see the need for it until I got in there. And then here I am, you know, going to a table, trying to find my name tag, and everything's still very much old school when it comes to that. And so, that was what surprised me is just was, like, this would be perfect. Everybody's trying to exchange their LinkedIns. Everybody is trying to find the right person. And sometimes you get stuck in a conversation with somebody for 20 minutes, and it's some sales guy from who knows where, and you're just like, uh, I'm not really looking for that. You know what I mean? Great to connect, but got to go. So, it's so much better to just find the right people that you're looking for and network more efficiently. VICTORIA: Yeah, I don't know if this is that exact experience, but what I've kind of heard from other founders is sometimes you go to a networking event, and maybe you're looking for, like, mentors or people to help you or your own [inaudible 10:09]. And then there's more people trying to sell things to you [laughs] than there are, like, those actual people you're looking for who would help you. So, that's really interesting. So, now you've started to kind of really get involved in the networking. And I'm curious: how many events have you gone to so far this year? Do you have a rough estimate? JESSICA: I'm, like, trying to think. It's, like, such a blur because I really have been going to so many. And also, I've been a part of the SDAC E-track, which is the Angel Conference, San Diego Angel Conference that's coming up. So, we're hoping to get accepted in that. I'm going to say, at least this month, probably 12, I would suspect. VICTORIA: Wait, 12 this month? JESSICA: I think so, yeah. And some of them have been little ones. Like, I've done some happy hour events. There's these really cool, like, social happy hour events I've been trying to kind of partner up with. So, definitely some smaller ones, and then some bigger ones, and then including my E-track. So, that's kind of the calculation I have. VICTORIA: Wow, I mean, there's only been 15 days so far this month, so 13 events that's quite a lot [laughs]. I hope you do get some time to rest and play the drums later this month. But that's really exciting. So, I'm curious: as a founder, obviously, you have an event space networking app. But have you found other benefits from growing your network as an early-stage founder? JESSICA: Definitely. The biggest impact is connecting with these people. And whether you read that book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," they say, you know, "Poor people look for work, and rich people build networks." And it's true because I'm noticing that for myself. You get around these people, and most of the time, they really do want to help, or you just need to have the ask, you know, ask what you're looking for. And they're more than willing to set you up with other people to get partnerships. I ended up meeting somebody at the MIC Conference, which was in Vegas last month. And they connected me with somebody who now we are going to be partnering with them to have our app be used at their conference. So, it's as simple as that, just once you're in front of them and you get that more personal touch, and then they kind of refer you to other people. VICTORIA: Oh, that's great. And how does your app compare to the existing apps that are out there for networking at events or for managing attendees at events? JESSICA: Well, currently, there's not anything that's doing it in real-time. There is some conference events they have, like Cvent, Whova app. Personally, to me, it was just there's so much going on. You have the event, you know, vendors. You have the schedule. You have so much going on. And for us, our main thing is just connecting you to the right person. So, it's a more simplistic version of just being able to simply check in, see the profiles of the people that are there, see what it is that you're looking for, and know that you want to connect with them. Also, the other feature that we have is allowing you to see anybody that you may have missed when you leave. So, you can kind of easily filter through those profiles and decide who to reach out to. I mean, similar to maybe, like, a meetup, but it's more just on demand. There quite hasn't been anything that's doing it right instantaneously. VICTORIA: Yeah, and I can agree. I've used some of those apps before. And what I've noticed there's just not a ton of activity or user activity on the day of. And I'm curious to see...I really want to try out Flok, too. I know I'm like [laughs], I haven't had a chance to actually get in there yet, but it is on my to-do list. So, I'm curious, you know, as someone who didn't have a background in technology or building applications, like, how did you go about getting up to speed and finding the people you needed to help you actually build the app? JESSICA: Yeah, I mean, being a hairstylist, I was not tech at all. So, it's pretty interesting that here I am, you know, in this app development world. The main thing was just getting out there. I knew I had already been on so many apps just, whether it was some of the dating apps, meetup apps, so I knew how they operated and what I was looking for as a customer that I wanted to fix. Most of the time, it was heavily with all these pictures, and prompts, and things like that, and I would get bored of setting it up. It would take me, like, you know, 30-plus minutes. Not to mention, I call it, like, adding people to your cart. It's just very impersonal. You got so many people just piling people to their cart. You might talk to them for a little bit, then stop. And I think people are just kind of getting over it. It's time-consuming. It's a lot of time and planning, and sometimes you plan something and then...even with the girls meeting a friend, it's like they plan something for Thursday, and somebody cancels, and then you're SOL, you know? VICTORIA: Oh yeah. So, you had experience with using different apps for, like, networking or meeting people and making friends, and you saw that there was this gap. And then, how did you go to actually building the app? And were there any lessons that you learned in that process? JESSICA: That was my experience and why I was doing that. The main thing I did after that was I started hitting up events to find and recruit. That was how I started finding...I met my co-founder through a mutual friend. She's been wonderful. She's, like, complete opposite of me. She's, like, the business-organized one. Like, hey, we need an LLC. We need this. We need that. I'm more just the idea and brains and kind of behind the scenes. Then I started going to some tech events, met our UI UX designer, Laura, who's been fantastic. So, that would be my advice to people. If you're looking to build and you're trying to find the right people, of course, LinkedIn could be a good spot. Y Combinator could be a good spot. For me, I think going out there and actually making the personal connections and meeting the people and ask them and find what you're looking for. VICTORIA: And you could now even use Flok22 to find your early founder team [laughs]. JESSICA: Exactly. See? VICTORIA: That's awesome. MID-ROLL AD: Are your engineers spending too much time on DevOps and maintenance issues when you need them on new features? We know maintaining your own servers can be costly and that it's easy for spending creep to sneak in when your team isn't looking. By delegating server management, maintenance, and security to thoughtbot and our network of service partners, you can get 24x7 support from our team of experts, all for less than the cost of one in-house engineer. Save time and money with our DevOps and Maintenance service. Find out more at: tbot.io/devops. VICTORIA: So, you went out, and you just met people, and you had this compelling vision of what you wanted to build and were able to recruit them onto your team. Was there anything...you know, you've been at this for two years now. Through the development process, was there anything you learned about what to do or what not to do in how you engage with your designers and developers? JESSICA: You know, it's like, we dove out there, like, headfirst. And then there was a period of time where we needed to pause and re-calibrate, and that was due to the fact that you have to be very diligent in looking for development if you're outsourcing. If you know a CTO or you have somebody in-house that, you know, you're working with, you may not have the problems that we ran into. But with outsourcing, there's still very much a gray area. And we ended up getting a product that was not really functional and had a lot of issues, which caused a huge setback for us. It was a great, you know, lesson learned if that. But you have to be really particular on who you're finding. I would suggest heavily on finding somebody that is a referral from somebody that you know, as a matter of fact, that they use. Because nowadays, there's times that they can almost, like, fake what they have. I mean, they might have references. They'll put stuff up on their website showcasing products that they did, and those aren't even products that they did. So, we ran into a huge deal with that. But it made us take a step back. We re-honed in on our user persona, had our UI UX designer redesign everything, and came back out here again. VICTORIA: Yes, because people will let you pay them to build anything [laughs]. JESSICA: Oh yeah. VICTORIA: But it may not be exactly what you wanted. And what you said, going with someone who is a referral, going with someone who, I think, clearly demonstrates that they need to understand the underlying issue, as opposed to just being willing to take whatever requirements you have and build it. That's a big differentiator for companies. And it can be frustrating because I think, you know, for thoughtbot, sometimes people come to us, and they're like, "We already have the designs. We already know what we want. You just build it for us." And we [inaudible 19:21], like, coach them around that. Like, are you sure? Like, let's look at your market validation, and let's look at your product fit. And, you know, let's go back and make sure that we're all aligned and that you're actually getting value out of something, and showing you the results on a regular basis, as opposed to it'll be done in three months, and you just wait until then. Sometimes, that can be $150,000 later, and, at the end, you're not actually getting a product that you really wanted. JESSICA: Exactly. And like I said, there's still a big, gray area in that where, you know, you can be given a product, and it's not even barely working, or it looks like garbage. And you're kind of stuck because trying to go after these people to get your money back it's most likely not going to happen. And then you just lost out on all that money you put into that product. So, it can be very frustrating for people. I hope to eventually kind of shed light on that and maybe help people along the way, so they don't fall trap to those type of kind of scammers that are out there for development. And I'm sure you, being CTO, you've seen a lot of that [chuckles]. VICTORIA: Yeah, that's something we work really hard to kind of coach clients around and figure out to make sure because we don't want to end in that situation where our founder feels like we built something for them that doesn't work or doesn't look great, or what they're happy with [chuckles]. So yeah, I think it's very common. It happens to a lot of people. But I'm happy that you didn't get discouraged and you said, you know what? We can go for round two. Let's take what we learned and put it into the next version of the app. And one of my favorite phrases from doing this podcast that I've heard is, "If the first product you build if you're proud of it, you didn't do it fast enough" [laughs]. So, like, usually, the first thing you build is not pretty, but you had to push through and build something. And that's the first application you've ever built. So, how did you feel about the second time going around? What did you do differently to be happier with and prouder of the product version that you put out there? JESSICA: Yeah, I like that phrase, too, and sometimes I'm the same. It's kind of like, you know, fail fast and get out there. But the second build was definitely so much more smoother and better. But, actually, we are in transition to a newer, bigger development team because there's still some things that we're just not completely set on. And I do think that moving along to this next development team, there's a more better fit. And then, we also received a grant from AWS to build a better back-end infrastructure, so when we do scale up, and there is more people on there, that it can withhold that capacity. So, I'm definitely happy with it right now. And I know that getting it out there—and you know this, too—is just getting it out there with all the users, you know, there may be some different feedback coming in and out. We plan on, you know, making any changes necessary if need be, and just kind of always making it a little better each time. VICTORIA: Is that the AWS Activate program? JESSICA: It's not the Activate, but it's just we're actually working with a company, and it was AWS. They had filled everything out for us, you know, they want to help startups getting out into the app world because, again, if we're making money, they're making money, too, with it being on their servers. So, it's kind of a win-win. And we can store all of that data and be able to scale up properly. VICTORIA: Absolutely, yeah. And so, for those who don't know, the AWS Activate program, you can apply for up to $100,000 in free credits, and other cloud providers have similar programs where you can get free money [chuckles]. But, no, that's really cool that you're a part of that. So, what challenges do you see on the horizon for Flok22? JESSICA: Of course, I hope there's going to be none, but we know in this entrepreneurial world, it's always there. I think, you know, the hard part are always going to be kind of those situations where maybe people aren't using the app properly or things of that sort happening. Other app companies have dealt with that. It's like, you could be out somewhere, and a situation happens. So, that's kind of the only thing that I would be worried about is just ensuring the safety of all of our users, making sure that everybody is understanding. And I guess when that time comes and if there are things that, you know, come at you, it's just a matter of handling it. So, I hope it's not anything too heavy, but I guess we'll see. VICTORIA: Yeah. Well, I appreciate you having that concern early on. Because I do feel like sometimes people create apps for networking and collaboration without thinking about the safety of their users. And it's more common from founders who have never been in a situation where they're unsafe [laughs]. So, like, maybe from your unique perspective, you, like, know that that is an issue that you might need to solve or that will come up, and having a plan for it makes sense. JESSICA: We definitely have a plan for it. I mean, a lot of people don't realize with these apps that are out there, there's actually been a pretty high increase in, like, sex trafficking and different things. And most people don't know that because they're not the ones going in there and doing the market research. So, our main thing is getting people out there to meet in public places, which is much safer. You're not, you know, getting lured and unsure if that's even the person who that they say they are, or you're going to someone's house or on a hike. It just makes it for a much safer environment. And then we're working on some other added features where, you know, you can kind of validate the people just to ensure that. VICTORIA: Yeah, that makes sense. And what is the wind in your sails? What keeps you going and keeps you excited about working on this? JESSICA: It's my passion. It's kind of like now; this has been my baby for a couple of years. So, of course, my family is always number one. I have three kids, a rat, two dogs, and a lizard. I adore my family, but I just have a passion for this. And I know that it's just a matter of time before this becomes a thing. And so, I just push myself on the daily trying to figure out the solutions and just keep moving forward with it. VICTORIA: And what does success look like in six months, or even beyond that, in five years? JESSICA: I think, for us, it will just be getting that heavy adoption of users, getting known out here in San Diego or in other parts. We plan on trying to hit more of the major cities where you got a lot of newcomers coming in and traveling, whether that's Chicago, New York, Miami, Vegas. As we get that adoption, just growing as a company and see where it goes from there. VICTORIA: That's great. Yeah, I look forward to when I can go to a conference and just identify who are all the rock climbers in the room, and I can go bug and talk about [laughs], like, climbing with. I love that. JESSICA: And, two, going to these conferences, also, not only your...you get to connect with the people that are there, but it's the people in the surrounding city, too. It's like a lot of people leave the conference, and they want to go to a bar or a coffee shop. And the fact that you have the option or opportunity to connect with the people who are there as well is a win-win. VICTORIA: I love that, yeah. And do you have any questions for me about thoughtbot, or the podcast, or anything like that? JESSICA: For me, you being, like, a CTO, I know you've maybe...have you seen apps like this become successful? I would love your take on kind of getting out there in the market for something like this because we are at that stage where we're trying to hit the market pretty heavily. We're hitting college campuses, you know, bigger conferences, trying to get that adoption in small clusters for it to be, you know, fun and usable for users. But I would love your take on that. VICTORIA: Yeah, and, actually, I'm a managing director. Our CTO is Joe Ferris, who's currently my acting dev director for my team. But from my experience, you know, there might be a lot of competing apps who try to aim for similar things. But if you're very closely understanding your users and their needs and focusing on solving their problems, then you will find your niche, and you'll be able to be successful and grow that from there. So, if you have a strong vision for what the problem is and you're willing to actually listen to your users and pivot based off of that, that will set you up to be successful. Yeah, and I've talked about this with other friends who are really into networking and meeting up with people. And there continues to be this gap of, like, how people communicate and how we actually connect. So, I think you're on the right track [chuckles], and you're doing a lot of great things. And I think the only other advice I would say is what you've already kind of pointed out is to make sure you're not burning out early on and that you're taking that time and space to be with your family and to do your hobbies, and having a strong rest ethic as you do a work ethic and making sure you're still a whole person. And you'll make better decisions if you're giving your brain a little bit of downtime. JESSICA: Definitely. I so agree with you. That's very important to have that balance. And we just hope that we can fill that gap when it comes to the networking. So, I hope that everyone can give it a try and see what they think. VICTORIA: I love that, yeah. Is there anything else that you would like to promote? JESSICA: I mean, honestly, this is not so much about me. I'm really passionate about this app and networking and connecting people together and getting it, so it's just more easy for everybody to connect out in person without wasting that time and energy. Just be out doing you and meet the right people. That's what Flok22 is all about. VICTORIA: I love that. And we'll have to get together and play some music. I'll tell you the two songs I have memorized on piano right now are Kiss from a Rose by Seal and Someone Like You by Adele, so...[laughs] JESSICA: Oooh. VICTORIA: But we do have a bit of a girls' band going in San Diego, so we'll connect on that, too [laughs]. JESSICA: Yeah, we'll have to link up. Add some drums to your... VICTORIA: We don't have a drummer, so that's perfect, yeah [laughs]. JESSICA: See? It's networking at its best [laughs]. VICTORIA: Yes, yeah. I love it. Well, thank you so much for joining us today. I really appreciate hearing your story. You can subscribe to the show and find notes along with a complete transcript for this episode at giantrobots.fm. If you have questions or comments, email us at hosts@giantrobots.fm. And you can find me on Twitter @victori_ousg. This podcast is brought to you by thoughtbot and produced and edited by Mandy Moore. Thanks for listening. See you next time. AD: Did you know thoughtbot has a referral program? If you introduce us to someone looking for a design or development partner, we will compensate you if they decide to work with us. More info on our website at: tbot.io/referral. Or you can email us at referrals@thoughtbot.com with any questions.
| In-person events have always been valuable marketing opportunities, but their success was hard to measure and they occurred infrequently. Now, with the rise of digitization, organizations can extend audience engagement before, during, and after events, creating more measurable experiences. Digital marketers are playing a larger role in capturing in-person audience insights, gaining a clearer understanding of attendee interests. In this session, discover the latest trends in blending physical and digital experiences at events, including how people consume content and information. Digital marketing professionals can capitalize on this newly-digitized channel to create personalized, engaging experiences that drive business growth. By leveraging the power of events, digital marketers can build personal connections with attendees that drive revenue and achieve digital transformation goals.
From major new ultra-luxe properties such as Evermore Orlando Resort and the Conrad Orlando, the high-speed Brightline train linking Orlando to Miami and a cuisine scene that is raking in recognition from Michelin, Central Florida's meetings and events magnet is an attractive force. We sat down with Visit Orlando Chief Sales Officer Mike Waterman at PCMA Convening Leaders 2024 to discover what's new in a destination Cvent designates as the top meetings draw in the U.S., along with the most recent meetings numbers.
Rich sits down with Chris Cunningham - Entrepreneur, Business Executive, and Head of Social Marketing of Clickup, a productivity and project management software company he was on the founding team of in 2017. Before founding ClickUp, Cunningham worked as a sales manager at Cvent. He was there as the company went public. Once he reached his ceiling there, he moved on to run FastFollowerz with Zeb Evans. Chris went on to do over 50 million in sales there. He continued on with Zeb to help start ClickUp, a platform that simplifies and streamlines project management for businesses and individuals. He was the companies first sales rep, closing the first big deals in company history from Home Depot, Randstad, and many more.Under Cunningham's leadership, ClickUp has grown rapidly, attracting over 200,000 users within its first year and expanding to over one million users within its second year. ClickUp has been recognized as a top productivity app by numerous publications and has received funding from notable investors including Craft, Tiger, and AZ16. ClickUp has raised upwards of $400 Million in investor capital and a $4 billion valuation.Rich and Chris start off by discussing an overview of ClickUp, different ClickUp competitors, how ClickUp got it's start, ClickUp's first big deals, ClickUp's biggest challenges, comparative price points, and breakthrough moments.They then reflect on building companies, Home Depot and Randstad, faking it 'til you make it, advertising in San Diego, being a household name, how it get's easier with every deal, and being a $1 Billion company. Lastly, Rich and Chris talk about the return profile of tech companies, selling companies or going public, where to raise capital, Brad Rice, the types of investors that Chris and ClickUp finds, the next steps for ClickUp, the advantages of project management, comparing CRMs, the Padres and the MLB, and living in South America. Connect with Chris on Instagram: @cunningham--Connect with Rich on Instagram: @rich_somersInterested in investing with Somers Capital? Visit www.somerscapital.com/invest to learn more. Interested in joining our Boutique Hotel Mastermind? Visit www.somerscapital.com/mastermind to book a free call. Interested in STR/Boutique Hotel Management? Visit www.excelsiorstays.com/management to book a free call.
HOT TAKE: An event without community is worthless. Why? Because community creates connection, and connection creates relationship. In this episode, Katie Ray (https://www.linkedin.com/in/community-katie/), Director of Community at Metadata (https://metadata.io/), and Tiffany Sanford (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-j-sanford/), Demand Gen at Cvent (https://www.cvent.com/), discuss the contrast between audiences and communities and how, using that understanding, you can enhance events and conferences. They also discuss strategic approaches to strengthen community bonds during events and integrate personal branding as a powerful tool in this process. You won't want to miss it. In this episode, you'll learn: The importance of personal branding Ways to improve the community at events Community building strategies
As the landscape of in-person, hybrid, and virtual events continues to evolve, understanding how to seamlessly integrate event software with your CRM is a game-changer for any business or organization—so much so that it's not just an option but a strategic necessity.In this latest offering from “Event Marketing: Redefined,” we step into the dynamic world of event technology with Becca Mazur. Becca has recently taken on the role of Senior Principal Consultant on the Cvent Consulting team at Cvent.Boasting more than 15 years of experience in event leadership, she has successfully navigated both agency and client perspectives. Before her tenure at Cvent, Becca spearheaded Event Technology Strategy at Cognizant.She and Matt talk about:✅ How to integrate event software (and where to start)✅ Using event software to demonstrate value of events to leadership✅ Unpacking the effectiveness of event software✅ And moreDon't miss this opportunity to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of events. Tune in today!Connect with Becca:On her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beccamazur/ Connect with Me:On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kleinrock-9613b22b/ On my Company: https://rockwayexhibits.com/
Let's face it… the meetings and events industry is changing daily and can get busy. And through the busyness, hurdles arise. In this episode, hosts Paulina Giusti (https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulina-giusti-96644712/), Alyssa Peltier (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssapeltier/), and Rachel Andrews (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-k-andrews/) sit down to chat about the challenges they've faced in the world of events during the peak seasons at Cvent (https://www.cvent.com/). They also share insights on the difficulties of team resourcing, the shift from factory-focused to trial-and-error events post-COVID, and the struggles in justifying the need for more bandwidth and resources. And through it all, they share advice and best practices to navigate these industry challenges. In this episode, you'll learn: The challenges faced in the events industry post-COVID and the need for flexibility in event planning and execution The struggle with team resourcing and the difficulty of hiring new members The importance of effectively communicating the true volume of time and expectations involved in event planning
Are you on the brink of burnout, juggling household chores, family responsibilities, and your career, without a moment to spare for yourself? If you nodded in agreement, then this episode, featuring Naomi Tucker, a burnout and productivity coach, is your much-needed respite. With over 25 years under her belt, managing large teams, and catering to the ever-increasing demands of the event industry, Naomi brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.No need to feel guilty about your cluttered workspace or overflowing digital inbox. We've all been there! Let's talk about de-cluttering and organizing. We share our experiences and tips on how to manage your digital clutter and how it can drastically enhance productivity. We will discuss the importance of creating an environment that serves you well and how clutter impacts your mind. We will provide practical tips to help you lead a stress-free lifestyle.As we delve into the issue of life balance, we'll discuss how various stages of life require different needs. We explore embracing imbalance, creating teachable moments for family members, and having meaningful conversations with the right people. Naomi and I will be sharing how to be intentional about creating household systems, making organizing less daunting, and leading a life you enjoy. So, tune in, lean back, and let's unravel the secrets to leading a fulfilling life.Naomi Tucker, CMP is the Founder, Business Strategist & Coach of Planners on Purpose, and a Past President of MPI Wisconsin. She has more than twenty-eight years of experience in managing meetings and events. Today, Naomi not only supports corporations with business strategies for their meetings management programs, but she also empowers driven and ambitious event planners out of burnout and overwhelm and into being more confident, productive, and well-balanced planners. Naomi also serves on the Knowledge Committee with the Event Industry Council, as an advisor for the Fox Valley Technical College Event Management Program, and was recently recognized by Cvent as one of “20 Event Professionals You Should be Following”.When she's not managing events, recording a podcast episode, or holding a book club, Naomi enjoys fun Friday nights with her family watching Star Trek episodes, or soaking up some sun and sand on the beautiful beaches of Wisconsin! Naomi's website www.plannersonpurpose.comNaomi's Banish Burnout Challenge : www.plannersonpurpose.com/banishburnoutNaomi on Instagram: Naomi | Event Planner Coach (@plannersonpurpose) • Instagram photos and videosThanks for listening! For more organizational motivation, support and free resources visit my website www.caroline-thor.com, or come and say 'hi' on Instagram @caro.thor, or on Facebook @carolineorganizer
Engagement. A word that's thrown around and talked about on the daily. But what does it really mean, and how do you accurately measure it? Well, you're in for some good news. In this episode, Clark Campbell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bclarkcampbell/), CEO and Co-founder at RVRB (https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvrbagency/), and Heather Pocorobba (https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherrenaep/), Lead of Social Media Strategy and Corporate Communications at Cvent (https://www.cvent.com/), share all the answers. They dive into the world of social media strategies for events while discussing valuable insights for marketing and meetings and events professionals that will empower you to level up your social media game. In this episode, you'll learn: How to harness the power of emotional connection How to elevate your social media strategy How to shift from the FOMO to D Money approach
With over 11,000 Martech solutions available in 2023, filtering through the noise and implementing the right technologies becomes crucial. In this episode of Great Events, @Alyssa Peltier and Stephanie Sweetland (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesweetland/), Director of Marketing Technology and Automation at Cvent (https://www.cvent.com/), dive into the challenges faced by marketers and event planners in managing various technology systems. They discuss the pain points of siloed data, lack of integrations, and manual tasks that often hinder efficiency and productivity. The episode further explores how marketing professionals can stay updated with Martech trends and validate technology sources through reputable reports, peer-reviewed sites, and marketing operations resources. In this episode, you'll learn: How Martech can improve operational efficiency and save costs in your marketing and events practices How to navigate the overwhelming landscape of Martech vendors and identify the right technologies to solve pain points in your organization How to gain insights on validating and onboarding new technologies through reputable sources and industry research
A great keynote can be a strong tool to ensure attendees leave your event with a memorable experience. You want your speaker to be someone your audience can resonate with while providing an engaging and thought-provoking panel. But sometimes, finding the right speaker and sourcing them in time for your event can be difficult. So, how should you get started? In this episode, Kayla Sommers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-sommers-cmp/), Events Lead at Cvent (https://www.cvent.com/), joins the show to give her insights on successfully navigating the keynote sourcing process. Kayla shares some of her favorite experiences working on Cvent Connect while also breaking down some challenges when landing that perfect keynote. Listen as she details the importance of planning ahead. She explains that having an extra month to work on sourcing will help you avoid last-minute pitfalls. You'll also learn how you can pitch your keynote ideas to your team in a way that gets everyone on the same page. In this episode, you'll learn: How you can get creative in your formal offer to maximize keynote marketing potential What makes a good keynote How you can navigate a bad keynote experience
Geoff Livingston helps corporations and associations adapt AI initiatives into their marketing departments. His company Generative Buzz helps organizations generate insights and new content from their existing content and create new forms of engaging, innovative communications with AI. He has served numerous top brand marketing departments, including AT&T, Audi USA, Cox, eBay, Ford, General Dynamics, Google, PayPal, Pepsi Co., Procter, and Gamble, SAIC, USPS, Verizon, and Yum! Brands. Industry recognition for these programs includes an IABC Gold Quill Award, multiple AMA awards, Cvent, MarketingProfs, the Society of New Communications Research, and Axiom. He has helped several brands successfully navigate brand reputation and cybersecurity crises. Geoff has authored three books on social media and marketing, including Welcome to the Fifth Estate. Key Moments [00:08:42] Leadership agility is vital for entrepreneurship success. Evaluate Serve exposed the author to large-scale AI projects with major banks and Fortune 500 companies. AI can revolutionize marketing strategies, generating significantly more leads. The author is enthusiastic about AI's potential in the enterprise market. [00:11:26] Loving Castmagic IO, but Momento's AI sucks. [00:14:55] Revenue is the scariest and most important. [00:19:41] Potential for growth through federation with Mastodon. Find Geoff Online https://generativebuzz.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffliving/ https://geofflivingston.medium.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@generativebuzz If you're enjoying Entrepreneur's Enigma, please give us a review on the podcast directory of your choice. We're on all of them and these reviews really help others find the show. **GoodPods: https://gmwd.us/goodpods iTunes: https://gmwd.us/itunes Podchaser: https://gmwd.us/podchaser** **Also, if you're getting value from the show and want to buy me a coffee, go to the show notes to get the link to get me a coffee to keep me awake, while I work on bringing you more great episodes to your ears. → https://gmwd.us/buy-me-a-coffee** Follow Seth Online: Seth | Digital Marketer (@s3th.me) • Instagram: Instagram.com/s3th.me Seth Goldstein | LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/sethmgoldstein Seth On Mastodon: https://s3th.me/pch Seth's Marketing Junto Newsletter: https://MarketingJunto.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When striving towards a more inclusive workplace, there's a lot of focus put on diversity, equity, and inclusion. But one part of the conversation that's oftentimes overlooked is ageism. It's important that we work to bridge the gap between generations, and there's no better way to close that gap than by starting a dialogue. In this episode, Karen Carter (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karencartermktg/?originalSubdomain=uk), Director in Enterprise Marketing at Cvent (http://cvent.com/), joins hosts Alyssa Peltier (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssapeltier) and Paulina Giusti (https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulina-giusti-96644712) to break down the barriers that ageism can cause in the workplace. hey sort through the Harvard Business Review, comparing the data to their own personal experiences, And discuss the importance behind bringing ageism to the forefront of conversations. When we see other perspectives, we start to understand and eliminate many of the challenges caused by ageism. In this episode, you'll learn: How to bridge the gap between generations in the workplace Why you should start the conversation regarding ageism Why you should look at ageism from a different perspective
Cvent CONNECT is our annual industry conference that brings event professionals together for the opportunity to network, learn from, and inspire each other. With attendees from widely different areas of the industry, it's a wonderful opportunity to experience the magic of the meetings and events community. In this episode, hosts Rachel Andrews, Felicia Asiedu, Paulina Giusti, and Alyssa Peltier sit down and reflect on their experiences at this year's CONNECT. You'll hear some of their key takeaways from the event, while also learning how events can be used to create long-lasting working relationships. You'll also hear the power behind confidence when speaking publicly at an event, and how staying composed when things go awry can go a long way in maintaining your event flow.
This episode features Kenny Totten, Co-Founder and COO of Allyfly which makes group airfare booking easier for event planners. Episode HighlightsThe internet is designed to disrupt all middle-men and agencies need to find ways to support themselves online.Kenny talks about how he and his business partner Eric took a risk in building a group travel tool in the midst of a pandemic and how they went from $0 to $1 million in revenue within the first year after.Allfly Quest is a product specifically for the event industry which partners with meeting planners, incentive houses, and event companies to be trusted airfare partners.Allfly Quest's function is a booking platform in which groups can book flights easily and planners and companies get referral fees for booking their groups.Companies can save approximately 15% discount by booking through Allfly.We discussed differences with Allfly in comparison to other booking tools, and the benefits of working with Allfly.Allfly currently integrates with tools like Cvent and Swoogo, and has more integrations on the way to make it even easier to work with other platforms that event planners commonly use.Reports are looking much different with Allfly as reports that are provided are given in the form of graphs and charts so that event planners can see the pattern of travel with their groups.Discussed how the nature of white glove service is changing and how technology is providing the best options. Quick booking is better service, and where exactly "hands-on" support is integrated within a program matters more. You don't have to sacrifice white glove service for speed." - Kenny Totten"White glove service is about giving people the opportunity be serviced in a way that they want to be serviced." - Kenny TottenDiscussed the changes in technology and how fast they are occurring. Kenny suggests that it is important to know and learn about these technologies because they will shape our future.It is important with new technologies like Chat GPT that you review what's given to you and put your professional eyes and understanding/filter on it. Talked about how AI tools such as ChatGPT can change our roles in society and how can we still show up and provide value.If you are looking for tips on how to grow and scale a business, Kenny talks about the struggles that Allfly had as they were rapidly growing and the characteristics of a driven team."If you want to change something, you have to track it first." - Kenny TottenHow working out, doggie walks, and sleeping well, helped Kenny Totten in taking more healthy steps in his life.Links and ResourcesAllyflyKenny Totten LinkedinSupport the show
As event planners, we're always striving to make our next event better than the last. This growth mindset constantly causes the landscape of the industry to evolve, and as it does, new trends begin to rise to the surface. But how can you begin to capitalize on these trends? In this episode, Mike Dietrich (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedietrich1/), Vice President of Product Marketing at Cvent (http://cvent.com/), joins the show to delve into the results from Cvent's latest industry trends survey. Mike details the effects of the pandemic on events, with results showing that more attendees expect digital elements to be involved in some way. By using this information, learn how you can begin to successfully incorporate technology into your event. You'll also discover how you can leverage event data to make adjustments during your next planning phase. In this episode, you'll learn: How the data shows that a team effort makes for a great event The impact of the digital boom on events How the pandemic has affected industry trends
Erin Ticktin (RPTA '19), Senior Associate Project Manager at Cvent, talks with Dr. Brian Greenwood (Cal Poly Experience Industry Management) about her life and career to date.
With each generation, a wave of new perspectives and ideas are ushered into the meetings and events industry. In order to keep our events fresh, it's important to lean on that generation, and provide them with a platform to make their ideas a reality. In this episode, Samantha Efthimiades (https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthaef/), Planner, Meetings & Events at Cvent, joins the show to share her insights on the industry from a Gen-Z perspective. Sam believes in the vocal power of Gen-Z and encourages the fresh faces to have the courage to share their ideas with the rest of their team.Hear her thoughts on how those ideas, such as rethinking booth giveaway items, can begin to increase engagement and bring in a broader audience. She also delves into the world of internships, sharing her experience as the head of Cvent's Meetings and Events Internship program. Having gone through the program herself, she shares the importance of making sure that Gen-Z individuals feel like their voices are being heard. By building a connection with your interns, not only will they become more likely to speak up and share their ideas, but they'll also begin to feel like they're truly part of the team. In this episode, you'll learn: The power of a great internship program How to utilize social media in events How to entice Gen-Z at events
Sponsorships can be a great way to collaborate with another company to create a great experience at your next event. When you connect with a sponsor, not only do both parties get the chance to step in front of a new audience, but it also opens an opportunity for your guests to get more out of your experience. In this episode, Nick Kopach (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-kopach-13b56b9/), Director of National Event Sales & Programs at Topgolf (https://topgolf.com/us/), joins the show and shares how to create a great partnership with a sponsor. By looking through the lens of Cvent's relationship with Topgolf, you'll begin to learn what can make a sponsorship successful. Discover the importance behind planning a sponsorship so that everyone involved takes something away from it. You'll also hear some examples of how Topgolf has helped to elevate Cvent's events in the past, and learn how to measure the impact of a sponsorship. In this episode, you'll learn: The story of how Cvent's partnership with Topgolf began How to create an engaging sponsorship experience The metrics of success that make for a great sponsorship
Pro Soccer, Super Bow Bids, and Formula One? - Neal Carter of Cvent Neal Carter joins me on the orange couch to discuss the logistics of planning Large Conferences, the process of putting together a Super Bowl bid, the impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry, and the 2023 Formula One race season. We also discussed the technical aspects of Formula One, the impact of Lewis Hamilton on the sport, and Neal's new Instagram channel - "American Gearbox". Like me, soccer has been a huge part of Neal's life, with Neal even spending a few years as a pro soccer player in the U.S. As Neal currently works in the event planning industry, we discussed the huge undertaking of making a Super Bowl bid, the importance of everything from the days of the week in event planning, the amount of rooms needed per night, figuring out the proper room rates, the food buffet style versus plated, and the virtual component of events due to COVID-19. All this and more can be seen (and heard!) in Episode 101 of @SelfFunded with Spencer! Self Funded on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerSmithSelfFunded/videos?app=desktop Self Funded With Spencer (Audio Version): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spencer-harlan-smith Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro / Moving From Miami To Texas 3:22 - Neal's Introduction To Soccer / Love Of Pele 11:29 - Playing Pro Soccer 13:46 - Hotel Sales Managing / Planning a Super Bowl Bid 23:09 - COVID's Impact on Hospitality 29:11- Planning Virtual Events 38:23 - Falling In Love With Formula One 40:57 - The Netflix Effect 46:56 - Lewis Hamilton's Success 53:11 - Pit Strategies In Formula One 59:42 - Outro #entrepreneurship #soccer #superbowl #hospitality #virtualevents#formulaone #netflix #lewishamilton #maxverstappen #americangearbox --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spencer-harlan-smith/support
Diversity, equity, and inclusion form the foundation for fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for all individuals. Therefore, it's important to make sure you're keeping DEI in mind when planning an event. What steps can you take to set yourself up for success? In this episode, Nathan Chin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanmchin/), Global Head of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Cvent (https://catalog.colorado.edu/courses-a-z/cven/), joins the show to share his insights on creating an experience everyone can be included in. Having co-founded the LGBTQIA+ employee resource group at Cvent, Nathan makes it his goal to strive towards upholding DEI in everything he does for the company. Hear his thoughts on the planning process. By utilizing questionnaires, you can begin eliminating DEI blindspots you may have missed. You'll also hear his take on the importance behind setting your goals to ensure that your event reflects your attendees. In this episode, you'll learn: How to go about promoting DEI the right way Examples of inclusive language Cvent Connect's DEI focused efforts
Pride is something that should continue to be celebrated on a day-to-day basis, not just during the month of June. When planning an event, it's important to ensure that you create an experience that everyone can enjoy, regardless of race, disability, or sexuality. In honor of Pride month, this week's episode features Michael Newton (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mnewtonuk/?originalSubdomain=uk), Senior Manager at Cvent (http://cvent.com/). Michael joins the show to reflect on how the meetings and events industry has evolved around the LGBTQ+ community. Over the past five years, he's seen a change in the way conversations are had surrounding inclusivity at events. To Michael, Pride month is about being able to celebrate everyone's uniqueness. In this episode, you'll learn: The importance of creating an event for your audience How to create a sense of belonging The difference between diversity and inclusivity
Trade shows can be an exciting way to get your organization in front of a new audience. Knowing how to plan and take notes from other successful stands can go a long way towards making your experience a success. In this episode, Carina Bauer (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carina-bauer17/?originalSubdomain=uk), CEO of IMEX Group (https://www.imexexhibitions.com/) and Jamie Vaughan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiemvaughan/?originalSubdomain=uk), Vice President of European Sales at Cvent (https://www.cvent.com/), join host Felicia Asiedu (https://uk.linkedin.com/in/feliciaasiedu) live on the IMEX Frankfurt show floor to dive into their experiences with the event. The show is back in full force this year after the pandemic, and the creativity and inspiration in this year's stands reflect that. Hear how AI could affect the future of events like IMEX, and how the efficiency boost it offers will help take events to the next level. In this episode, you'll learn: The importance of giving your event staff rest days What Cvent has brought to the table for IMEX Frankfurt The importance behind IMEX's rebranding
Marketing conferences and events are a great way to generate buzz around your organization. With Cvent Connect right around the corner, it's time to take a peek behind the curtain to discover what you can expect from this year's event. In this episode, Robin Clark (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-clark-972872110/), Senior Manager of Event Marketing and Trade Shows at Cvent (https://www.cvent.com/), joins the show to share her insights on planning a successful experience. Robin details the importance of getting your audience to attend the event, and explains how utilizing incentives can be a great way to increase your numbers. She also explains that using personas when creating attendee guides, you can begin to create an event that is curated towards your audience. You'll also gain a sneak peek at what's to come at this year's Cvent Connect. This year is part industry event, part user conference, with a shift in weight towards the latter. And discover why keynotes like Hannah Beachler and Deanna Marsigliese were chosen to take this experience to the next level. In this episode, you'll learn: How to prepare your team to run a successful sales kickoff The importance of curating your keynotes to match your audience Why offering a virtual experience can help grow your event's reach
Travel plays a big part in the meetings and events industry. In a global effort to reduce carbon emissions, companies are exploring how they can do their part to help sustain our environment. Before you can make an impact, it's important to understand the problem and devise an efficient way to tackle it. In this episode, Timothy Jones (https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-jones-2bb781142/), Head of Corporate Travel at Cvent (https://www.cvent.com/), discusses carbon emissions and their impact on meetings and events. Tim dives into the idea that by combining trips, researching flight and hotel emissions, and purchasing offset credits, you can cut back your company's carbon footprint. He also shares the importance behind researching the best industry practices for sustainability to be more green. In this episode, you'll learn: The importance of internal communication about the environment How the Paris Accord has kickstarted an environmental awakening How you can leverage local staff to reduce travel emission
Nashville ranks as one of the top conference and convention destinations in North America. Plus, with Nashville becoming a major city with major wins and losses with locals, is the city losing its “Music City” branding?New YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKjWKXfpjtNL0oL2R6MKSxwToday's Sponsors:XPLR Tourshttps://xplrtours.com/Use ND10 for 10% off the History of Nashville Walking TourBlessed Day Coffeehttps://www.blesseddaycoffee.com/Use Code "XPLR20" for 20% off at checkoutNash NewsNashville ranks No. 2 on Cvent's latest top meeting destinations listhttps://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2023/05/23/nashville-ranks-no-2-on-cvents-top-meeting-destina.htmlChicago-based Ethos Workshop Architects picks Charlotte over Nashville for expansionhttps://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2023/05/22/chicago-firm-ethos-plans-charlotte-expansion.htmlIs Nashville Losing Its Music City Brand? Battle of Stones River Episodehttps://nashville-daily.simplecast.com/episodes/episode-419Nashville Daily Artist of the Day Playlisthttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/51eNcUWPg7qtj8KECrbuwx?si=nEfxeOgmTv6rFUyhVUJY9AFollow us @ XPLR NASHWebsite - https://nashvilledailypodcast.com/YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/xplrnashInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/xplr.nash/Twitter - https://twitter.com/xplr_nashNASHVILLE & XPLR MERCH - https://www.xplrnash.com/shopMedia and other inquiries please email hello@xplr.life
A lot of time and effort goes into making sure the event runs smoothly, but what often gets overlooked is the guest experience outside the event. While you may have planned out the perfect menu, guest speakers, and venue, going the extra mile to ensure that your attendees have leisurely options outside of the event can help to make the experience a memorable one. In this episode, Melinda Burdette (https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinda-burdette-cmp-cmm-84b9637/), Senior Director of Events with Meeting Professionals International (https://www.mpi.org/), and Jeffrey Howell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-howell-55618685/), Director of Sales and Marketing at The Lodge Flying Horse (https://lodgeatflyinghorse.com/), join the show to talk about the key takeaways from Cvent's latest Pulse Survey. Listen as they share their insights on how to create a great guest experience. By planning your event in an area that has more to offer your attendees, you can increase attendance rates and make your guests feel good about attending. You'll also learn how being proactive with lead times can help decrease hotel booking problems, and how working with your partners can both lower event quantity and improve event quality. In this episode, you'll learn: How cost shifting can help maximize your budget The importance of hosting your event at the right venue Why building strong partnerships can create opportunities for events to run more smoothly
In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to the President of Brendandell, Brendan Dell.Connecting with Brendan Dell can offer you a wealth of benefits. As a positioning and messaging expert, Brendan has worked with some of the biggest names in the technology industry, helping them develop effective marketing strategies that set them apart. By connecting with Brendan, you can tap into his expertise to improve your messaging and positioning, ultimately helping to increase sales and drive growth. If you are an entrepreneur seeking funding for your business, Brendan's course, "$1B Pitch," can offer you practical advice on how to craft a winning pitch that will capture the attention of investors. The course covers the key elements critical to a successful pitch, including how to tell a compelling story, build a strong team, and demonstrate market fit.About Brendan Dell: Brendan is a positioning and messaging expert who has worked with some of the top technology brands in the industry. His impressive client list includes well-known names such as Expedia, ADP, HP, Y Combinator, and over 99 portfolio companies. With his vast experience and expertise, Brendan has become a trusted advisor to many companies seeking to improve their marketing strategies and messaging.In his book, "The 12 Immutable Laws of High-Impact Messaging," Brendan shares his rules for standing out in crowded markets. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to make an impact in today's competitive business landscape. Brendan's new course, "$1B Pitch," examines the eight elements of a successful $1B pitch. This course is a valuable resource for anyone looking to create a winning pitch and secure funding for their business.About Brendandell: Brendandell is a company that specializes in partnering with B2B CMOs to help create impactful marketing campaigns and departments. Their expertise and experience have earned them a reputation for being leaders in their field, with a roster of clients including some of the industry's biggest names. Some of their past and present clients include Cvent, which Deloitte has recognized as one of the Fast 500 companies, and TOPO, a leading B2B analyst firm. They have also worked with UserTesting, which Deloitte recognized as one of the Technology Fast 500 companies, and Nuance, a Fortune 1000 company.Other notable clients of Brendandell include Panasonic, SAP, Brother, Act-On Software, MedeAnalytics, and Cambia Health Solutions, among others. They have worked with over 100 clients, each benefiting from the company's expertise and commitment to delivering top-notch marketing solutions. If you are a B2B CMO looking to take your marketing campaigns to the next level, Brendandell is a company that you should consider. Their vast experience and impressive track record make them a reliable partner who can help you achieve your goals and take your business to new heights.Tweetable Moments:02:36 - “So the first thing that every company should do, and the mistake that folks often make is that most companies start and go.”06:04 - “In order to tell that story, you need to have clarity of the problem, clarity of the solution, and clarity of the unique mechanism in which you deliver that solution.”Links Mentioned in this Episode:Want to learn more? Check out Brendandell website at
Linking the Travel Industry is a business travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn by LinkedIn members. We curate the top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session with real audience members. You can join the live recording session by visiting BusinessTravel360.com and registering for the next event.Your Hosts are Riaan van Schoor, Ann Cederhall and Aash Shravah.Stories covered on this session include -Travelport acquires the corporate booking tool Deem, Inc. We are joined on Monday by Travelport VP Kyle Moore who will tell us all about this.Travel Counsellors acquires Holidaysplease.Meeting tech specialist Cvent is to be acquired by Blackstone for $4.6b.American Express Global Business Travel posted financial results for 2022, showing they were 143% up from 2021.The new Saudi Arabia airline Riyadh Air is officially announced. Clyde Travel Management strikes a direct #NDC content deal with Lufthansa.A passenger takes Emirates to court in New Zealand for failing to deliver the business class product as advertised, and wins.Lufthansa needs a stronger Air India Limited, and here's why their CEO Carsten Spohr thinks so. Trivia of the week: Which airline has the most female pilots? The answer might surprise you - come find out during Monday's live event.MeanwhilePeople are signing a petition to prevent Alaska Airlines from painting one of it's planes. One More Story & Space News!You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on Google Podcast, Apple Podcast, iHeart, Pandora, Spotify, Alexa or your favorite podcast player.This podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360. Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show
This week, Alex and Natasha took the mic to talk about the slowest news cycle we've had since the beginning of the grocery delivery wars and WeWork. Just kidding. Here's what we got into:The M&A spree that includes updates from Qualtrics, Cvent, and Mint Mobile. We're happy to see some M&A, even if we'd rather see more startup deals and IPOs.GPT-4. GPT-4. GPT-4. What's in a name and more from the world of AI, including where we're seeing companies race to build the new tech into their products.SVB collapse update, including what we are looking for next.And what Y Combinator's round of layoffs tells us about the accelerator scaling back from late stage. (More on the trend here.)Busy few weeks, yeah? Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @EquityPod for live updates, and Alex will be back bright and early Monday morning with the latest.For episode transcripts and more, head to Equity's Simplecast website. Equity drops at 7:00 a.m. PT every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. TechCrunch also has a great show on crypto, a show that interviews founders, one that details how our stories come together and more!
Sales kick-off events can be a fantastic tool for setting your team up for a great sales year. However, knowing when to host the event and how to cultivate engagement is key to making the SKO as successful as possible. In this episode, Chris Kearney (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-kearney-50317816), Senior Manager in Sales at Cvent, shares his take on why hosting your SKO in the first few months of the year can lead to better morale and performance across the team. You'll learn how to get everyone involved, the benefits of making it available virtually, and why the evolution of the technology space will affect future kick-offs. In this episode, you'll learn: How SKOs have evolved since the pandemic Why hybrid events can help increase event engagement How to capture the attention of Gen Z employees with SKOs
Whether you're a seasoned veteran of the tabletop or a newbie to the hobby, we've got something for everyone. From the absurd to the absurdly absurd, we'll explore the rich lore and diverse factions of the Warhammer 40,000 universe with a healthy dose of humor and irreverence. So grab your dice, assemble your miniatures, and get ready for some epic battles and hilarious hijinks. It's going to get pretty Grim After Dark Check us out Live every Monday at 10PM EST / 7PM PST! Looking for the best place to purchase your wargaming supplies while helping the show? Frontline Gaming has everything you need https://store.frontlinegaming.org/?ref=2meNr85l Sub on YouTube https://bit.ly/3pYAexO Follow on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/frontlinegaming_tv Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FrontlineGaming Or listen wherever quality podcasts are found! Hosted by: Jon Quennell, Danny McDevitt and Val Heffelfinger Sort of Produced by: Val Helpinfinger Edited by: Jon “Jon” Quennell Executive Producer: Nick Horton
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