Claim OwnershipWhat One Thing? A Meeting Planner's Guide to the Top of the Events World
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Smart Meetings’ What One Thing podcast is your shortcut to the top of the events world. We interview savvy meeting planners, speakers and industry experts about the decisions that made all the difference in their lives and careers so you can take the fast track to your dreams.
52 Episodes
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Send us Fan Mail In this episode of What One Thing?, leadership coach and Paralympian John Register challenges the idea that success comes from doing more. Instead, he introduces “amputate to elevate”, the practice of letting go of what no longer serves you to perform at a higher level. From redefining authority as building others up to embracing strategic breaks over constant grind, this conversation is a powerful reminder that growth comes from subtraction, not addition.
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of What One Thing?, host Devon Montgomery Pasha, CMP, CED, talks with world champion Irish dancers Michael and Matthew Gardiner, known globally as The Gardiner Brothers, whose viral performances have reached millions online while bringing traditional Irish dance to modern audiences. The brothers share how discipline, creativity and innovation shaped their journey from competitive dancers to global performers, content creators and keynote speakers. When the pan...
Send us Fan Mail The ROI of Joy In this episode of What One Thing, host Devon Montgomery Pasha speaks with Liz Lathan, CMP, co-founder of Club Ichi, about the power of community, curiosity and human connection in the meetings industry. With a career that spans global event marketing roles at companies like Dell and IBM, Lathan has long believed that the most meaningful business outcomes come from environments where people feel comfortable connecting authentically. Through Club Ichi, she has c...
Send us Fan Mail America’s 250th anniversary isn’t just a historic milestone. It is a major opportunity for event professionals to create experiences that bring people together and tell stories that actually stick. In this episode, Smart Meetings’ VP JT Long sits down with Melinda Curley, vice president of customer experience at Hargrove, and Johanna Walsh, vice president of event production at Encore, to talk about what planners should be thinking about now. From tight timelines and rising d...
Send us Fan Mail If your virtual room feels fine, but nobody is leaning in, this episode is for you. Hosted by Devon Pasha Montgomery, this What One Thing? episode spotlights virtual and hybrid engagement expert John Chen, CEO of Engaging Virtual Meetings. Chen has produced more than 4,000 virtual meetings and breaks down small, repeatable choices that make online rooms feel human, from belonging cues to energy resets. His one thing is practical for meeting pros: Take care of your brain and m...
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of What One Thing, host JT Long examines why advocacy has become essential for meeting professionals navigating today’s rapidly shifting landscape. The conversation opens with leadership from the Live Events Coalition, including Al Mercuro, strategic marketing and client engagement advisor at Genesis Exhibits; Dwayne Thomas, director of government affairs for the Live Events Coalition – National; and Wendy E. Porter, chief events strategist at Wendy Porter Eve...
Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to be yourself at work, not the curated version, not the corporate mask, but the fully expressed you? In this episode of What One Thing?, transformational speaker and author Judi Holler returns to chat with Smart Meetings content director JT Long to unpack the core idea behind her new book, Holler at Your Dreams. She introduces the concept of self-expressionism, a disciplined, courageous practice of expressing who you are with intention, creativity an...
Send us Fan Mail In this energizing episode of What One Thing?, Devon Montgomery Pasha sits down with behavioral science expert and global keynote speaker Nancy Harhut to explore why people say yes and how understanding human decision-making can transform both marketing and event design. Nancy breaks down the emotional shortcuts that drive behavior, the four decision defaults that shape how audiences take in information, and the powerful impact of designing for attention, resonance and action...
Send us Fan Mail In this special edition of What One Thing?, Smart Meetings flips the script and “interviews” the city of San Francisco by talking with two of the people who define its spirit. First, Anna Marie Presutti, CEO of SF Travel, shares her journey from Midwest roots to boutique hotels, culminating in her leadership of the city’s destination marketing efforts. She discusses how San Francisco shaped her as a leader, why inclusivity has always been the heart of the city and the surpris...
Send us Fan Mail In this conversation of What One Thing, co-host Devon Montgomery Pasha chats with Shaena Harrison, professional wing person and CEO of Wing People, a boutique agency dedicated to bringing genuine human connection back to business events. After years of producing major conferences and watching attendees struggle to move beyond surface-level networking, Harrison launched a team of trained wing people to help guests skip small talk and spark meaningful relationships. Drawi...
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of What One Thing, host JT Long steps inside the Marriott Bonvoy Convention and Resort Network Elite Experience Suite at the Marriott Marquis New York to explore how meetings can ignite all the senses. Joined by Amanda Cox, vice president of Sales, Convention & Resort Sales, JT Long uncovers how more than 125 Marriott properties are creating turnkey, locally inspired experiences that engage taste, sight, sound and scent. From Sheraton Grand Seattle’s pine-...
Send us Fan Mail Founding partner of Imprint Events Group, Nicole Marsh, joins host JT Long for a candid conversation about what it really means to lead with heart. She shares lessons from nearly three decades in the hospitality industry, exploring how emotional intelligence, vulnerability and trust can transform teams from the inside out. Whether you’re navigating change, developing new leaders or rediscovering your own passion, this episode offers fresh insight on staying inspired while lea...
Send us Fan Mail Live from IMEX America, Smart Meetings’ What One Thing? podcast features candid conversations with three powerhouse leaders shaping the future of events. Mike Dominguez, president and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International, offers clear-eyed optimism about the meetings industry and urges planners to stay nimble, disciplined with their time and realistic about global change. Tracy Judge, founder and CEO of Soundings, shares how she transformed disruption into opportunit...
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of What One Thing?, Smart Meeting's VP, JT Long sits down with Justine Sterling Converse and April Zorsky, co-founders of Brigade Events, a woman-led agency redefining what it means to thrive in the events industry. From producing gatherings for presidents, first ladies and world leaders to orchestrating ultra-exclusive experiences for Fortune 500 executives, celebrities and athletes, Brigade has built its reputation on creativity, precision, and white-glove s...
Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of What One Thing? we take you behind the scenes of IMEX America 2025 in Las Vegas. First, Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group, shares insights on what is new this year, from AI-powered matchmaking tools and event design upgrades to ambitious sustainability goals such as achieving a 93% waste diversion rate. She also reflects on her leadership legacy and IMEX’s lasting impact on local and global communities. Next, Tahira Endean, head of program for IMEX, d...
Send us Fan Mail Smart Meetings vice president and content director JT Long sits down with powerhouse emcee and event strategist Devon Montgomery Pasha for an unforgettable conversation about authenticity, impact and the bold moment she stopped shrinking and chose to take up space. JT shares some exciting news: Devon will join What One Thing? as a future co-host. From managing stage nerves to navigating motherhood and career with intention, Devon opens up about the mentors who fueled her rise...
Send us Fan Mail From classical violin gigs in Des Moines to scaling a multimillion-dollar event production empire, Natasha Miller's career journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode, the founder and CEO of Entire Productions joins Smart Meetings Vice President and Content Director JT Long to talk about her path from musician to entrepreneur, the power of self-education, how to claim a seat at the table, and how planners can use AI to amplify their value, not replace it. Get ready to r...
Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode of What One Thing, Smart Women in Meetings award winner Shameka Jennings, chief events officer at Events Noire, shares how betting on herself—and doing it scared—became the foundation for a thriving career in impact-driven event strategy. Host JT Long sits down with Jennings to explore her journey from college campus events to building a successful business rooted in community, diversity, and purpose. She breaks down the IMPACT Approach she uses to d...
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of What One Thing, Smart Meetings' VP and editorial director, JT Long, sits down with Shawn Pierce, President of Strategic Events, Meetings & Incentives at MCI USA, to trace his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings on a Texas pig farm to leading a 130-person global team. Shawn shares the pivotal moment when a mentor saw potential in him that changed his life and how that spark of belief continues to fuel his passion for mentoring future leaders. Th...
Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of What One Thing?, Michelle Mason, president and CEO of ASAE and recipient of the Smart Women in Meetings Marin Bright Legacy Award, opens up about the leadership philosophy that shaped her journey: servant leadership. From humble beginnings and early mentorship from her mother to leading one of the most influential association organizations in the country, Mason shares what it takes to modernize a 100-year-old institution and reimagine its value for...
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