All Access: Event Planning

Steve Turner has an excellent book out! James has a great convo with him. He is a Rockstar Publicist and Author of PR THAT WORKS-Real Strategies. Real Campaigns. Real Results at Amazon. Award-winning PR for B2B, tech, autos, and authors. St. Louis-based, clients nationwide. Top-tier results.https://solomonturner.com 314-205-0800

When and what time should you offere dinner at an event? What is okay as a cocktail hour? What do people expect at 5pm vs 7pm? Take a listen.

Meaning anyone involved in the actual event: performers, speakers, models, etc. Make them promote too!

Ritesh Patel is a tech entrepreneur, event industry innovator, and co-founder and CEO of The Ticket Fairy, a next-generation ticketing and live-event platform designed to help promoters, venues, and event organizers sell tickets, grow revenue, and fight scalping using marketing automation, analytics, and AI-native tools. Before launching Ticket Fairy, Ritesh built a deep background in both technology and live entertainment — from coding software as a young technologist to producing and promoting hundreds of shows and founding the global LOCUS festival brand with events in Mexico and Bali. Under his leadership, Ticket Fairy has become a global platform supporting tens of thousands of events worldwide and generating hundreds of millions in ticket sales, while partnering with top investors including Y Combinator and founders from leading tech companies.  Patel is known for combining creative industry insight with technical expertise, frequently speaking on the future of live entertainment, data-driven event strategies, and the role of technology in transforming the event-ticketing landscape. James Lott jr is the host!

Getting a fresh pair of eyes to look at something to finding the right co producer for events are key!

Many event spaces, hotels, banquet halls, and conference centers offer packages where a certain number of plates/meals are included at no additional charge. This isn’t random — it’s a strategic part of how catering and event pricing works. James Lott Jr explains!

When hosting conferences, luncheons, breakfasts, or dinners, the goal is always the same: serve large groups quickly, smoothly, and without stress. A two-sided buffet station is one of the most efficient and guest-friendly solutions. James Lott Jr explains why!

What you should know about sending materials to an event!

Communication and customer service are important while working with your Event attendees but also with your event vendors, speakers and performers. James Lott Jr gives an example.

James talks about how to handle all of your speakers/teachers/instructors for your event. From first ask to Pre Conference.

James explains what Force Majeure is, what "acts of god" are and how important it is to have in a contract!

JLJ talks about delegating responsibilities!

Be prepared ofr anything before the event! James Lott Jr explains!

Correct signage and correct placement of signs are an important part of an event.

James shares the do's and don'ts of flyer creation for events.

James and Jakob talk about the beginnings of this event business with the hottest spport out there! Jakob co-founded Pickleball Pop-Ups, the worlds first pickleball-as-a-service company, in 2023 with Adam Clay. Within 12 months, we became the USA’s #1 provider for “pop-up” pickleball activations at conferences, corporate events and festivals. In July 2024, they opened Pickleball 901 in Collierville TN. In just 14 days, they flipped an old Bed Bath and Beyond into a “pop up club” that has quickly become the preferred pickleball facility for thousands of players in the mid-south. Based in Memphis, TN.

James Lott Jr chats with one of the guys who came up with a fundraising system aimed to help schools, churches, non profits Fundraise.For more info togo Schoolauction.net

YES, another slight name change and a slightly new focus to this podcast!

James tells you how to set up room blocks for lodging for events.

JLJ is sharing what you should do when setting up catering for a party.